Turkey’s main goal threat at this summer’s Euro 2008 Championship’s will be Villarreal striker Nihat Kahveci. Nihat, a product of the highly respected Besiktas youth academy is widely regarded as one of the most underrated players in Europe. His goals record is impressive. Last season he scored 18 goals in 34 starts as Villarreal managed to finish runners up to Champions Real Madrid.

Nihat is a diminutive forward but has pace and is deadly accurate in front of goal. His strength is his awareness in the penalty area, as he is often the one who gets to the loose ball first. He is also a free kick specialist.

The 28 year old began his career at Besiktas in 1997. Under John Toshack he developed a reputation as a clinical finisher and when Toshack moved to Spain in 2002 to manage Real Sociedad, he quickly signed Nihat.

Nihat’s reputation continued to grow in Spain. At the time Real Sociedad enjoyed a lot of success and finished runners up in La Liga in 2003. Nihat scored 23 goals and finished second top goal scorer behind Roy Makaay. He scored a total of 58 goals in 133 appearances in his 5 seasons at Real Sociedad making Nihat one of the most feared strikers in Europe.

In 2006, Nihat signed for Villarreal on a free transfer after he allowed his contract to run down. Unfortunately, he ruptured his knee ligaments shortly after signing and missed the whole of the 2006/07 season. He returned this season to once again demonstrate his ability in front of goal. Villarreal finished second in La Liga and Nihat scored 18 goals.

Nihat made his international debut in 2000. He helped them to reach the semi finals of the World Cup in 2002 and has consistently been a part of the national team set up ever since. He has made 52 appearances for Turkey, scoring 14 goals.

Since his return from injury, his goals have proved invaluable after he scored crucial winners against Bosnia and Norway to ensure Turkey play in this summer’s Euro 2008.