Following last weekend’s narrow defeat to Uruguay, Turkey finished their pre-tournament warm up games with a solid victory over Finland.  Goals either side of half-time from Tuncay Sanli and Semih Senturk gave the Turks a convincing result in the friendly played in Duisburg, Germany.

Turkey coach Fatih Terim used the occasion to name perhaps his strongest team in preparation for their Euro 2008 opener against Group A favorites Portugal on 7 June.  Sanli lined up as a striker alongside key man Nihat Kevechi in a two-pronged attack.  It was the Middlesboro striker who gave the Turks the lead in the first half after just 15 minutes.  He latched on to a cross from Sabri after good work by the midfielder.

Towards the end of the first half and for the most of the second the two teams cancelled each other out as the game was interrupted by numerous substitutions from both sides.  Birmingham City striker Mikael Forssell probably had Finland’s best chance, but failed to convert past goalkeeper Volkan.

 

 

In the last few minutes of the game, substitute Colin Kazim-Richards broke through and crossed for Semih to score from close range.