Turkey's dream run at Euro 2008 came to an end, when they were beaten 3-2 by Joachim Loew's Germany in Basel. Fatih Terim's side, grappling with injuries and suspensions, were the better side on view, and thought they had done enough to take the game to extra time when Semih Senturk grabbed an equaliser four minutes from time. However German left back Philipp Lahm had other ideas, and smashed an injury time right footed shot past Rustu as Germany beat Turkey at their own game.

Turkey showed great spirit in the first half, and constantly troubled the Germans, whose defence often looked asleep at vital moments. The Crescent Stars took the lead though Ugur Boral in the 22nd minute, but it lasted all of five minutes as Bastian Schweinsteiger levelled for Germany after some good work by Podolski down the left. However Turkey were the better side, and were unlucky to not to go into the break with the lead. Jens Lehmann looked a bit shaky, and players like Hamit Altintop and Boral tested him with a couple of long range efforts.

At half time, Loew replaced Simon Rolfes, who had suffered a head injury in a collision with Ayhan Akman, with Torsten Frings. Early into the second half, the Germans vociferously appealed for a penalty when Philipp Lahm was brought down by Sabri Sarioglu, but referee Massimo Busacca thought otherwise, and asked play to continue. Poor weather also saw television coverage of the game interrupted for a while across the world. A horrible moment of misjudgement from Turkish skipper Rustu allowed Germany to score their second with eleven minutes to go. Rustu decided to come out of his goal and go for the punch as Lahm crossed into the box. Miroslav Klose took advantage and headed into an empty net, and one was reminded of Rustu's error against Croatia. But like it was in the quarterfinal, Turkey drew level with four minutes left. Sabri Sarioglu made his way past Lahm, and sent a low ball into the box. Metzelder's outstretched legs failed to intercept the cross, and Semih Senturk slipped in ahead of Mertesacker to equalise.

Just as one thought Turkey had done it again, there was another twist in the tale. Philipp Lahm raced down the left and after exchanging passes with Hitzlsperger, hit a fine right footed shot past Rustu. There was no way back this time for Turkey- their luck had finally run out,  and Germany held on to confirm their progress to the final in Vienna on Sunday.