</line> <line count="2" minutes="Switzerland" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ Benaglio, Lichtsteiner, Muller, Senderos, Magnin, Behrami, Inler, Gelson, Barnetta, Yakin, Derdiyok. Subs: Zuberbuhler, Jakupovic, Djourou, Huggel, Cabanas, Frei, Streller, Grichting, Gygax, Spycher, Vonlanthen, Degen. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="3" minutes="Turkey" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ Demirel, Altintop, Asik, Cetin, Balta, Karadeniz, Aurelio, Metin, Turan, Nihat, Sanli. Subs: Rustu, Zengin, Zan, Emre, Topal, Senturk, Gungor, Boral, Kazim-Richards, Akman, Sarioglu, Erding. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="4" minutes="The wait is over" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ Forget the stylish Portuguese or sumptuous Dutch the real action is here in Basel as hosts Switzerland take on Turkey. The last time the two sides met in a play-off for the World Cup in 2005 it was carnage at the final whistle, as the infamous battle of Istanbul commenced. There is no love lost between these two nations so dare we pray for fireworks? Will clocks be thrown through Swiss windows tonight? Let me know your thoughts/predictions throughout the evening on alex.dunn@bskyb.com. Don't be shy I've got the feeling it could be a long night. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="5" minutes="The Swiss anthem" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ is in full swing at the St Jakob Park stadium but some of their players look as though they've slipped into a coma. Philppe Senderos, to his credit, was all Terry Butcher in singing his heart out though. Just a quick point about Colin Kazim Richards, who has been dropped to the bench - he can feel very unfortunate to be benched after a decent game against the Portuguese. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="6" minutes="1 - Switzerland kick-off" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ and immediately give the ball away, not the best start but the crowd have created quite an atmosphere here. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="7" minutes="2- Bright start for Turkey" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ as they win a corner. The Swiss clear and will be keen to settle after what was an insipid display against Czech Republic in their opener. Any predictions, I'd be interested in your thoughts Andy. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="8" minutes="Anne from Hawaii" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ is one of our regulars but is refusing to do anything but sit on the fence in predicting a draw - although she has Arsenal interest in the shape of Senderos and Djourou. Rob, in Canada, is backing the Swiss. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="9" minutes="5 - A decent take for Benaglio" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ in Turkey's goal from Nihat's cross from the right. Despite my scepticism it's been a bright opening to the contest, with the Swiss on the back foot from the pacy Turks. It'll be interesting to note how both sides get on without their respective captains Frei and Emre. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="10" minutes="7 - The first Swiss" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ attack of note sees Hakan Yakin sling over a decent cross from the left but a lack of forward support allows Turkey to clear easily enough. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="11" minutes="9 - Tuncay is looking lively" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ in his movement as he drifts wide to the left. The Middlesbrough forward is full of tricks but perhaps lacks a physical threat at this level. Any thoughts on who tonight's dangermen might be? And I'm still short of predictions. Email on alex.dunn@bskyb.com. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="12" minutes="11 - Rain is lashing down" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ here in Basel as a gale starts to blow into the faces of the Turkish side. The Swiss have yet to find any kind of form as yet, with Yakin having started to drop deep in search of possession. The problem is that when the ball is played forward quickly, the Swiss are lacking in numbers. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="13" minutes="Miha J from Slovenia predits:" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ "I'm sure it won't be long before the Swiss army collapses. They've got Frei injured and really, no big quality players except maybe Senderos (awful own goal against Aston Villa, remember?), so I'd say 2-1 for Turkey today." Fair enough pal. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="14" minutes="15 - Arda Turan wins a free-kick" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ for Turkey down the right. The little schemer has started the game really well and looks a tricky customer for the Swiss to deal with. It's fair to say though, even taking into account the terrible conditions, the quality has left a lot to be desired. Still, onwards and upwards. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="15" minutes="18 - Gokhan Ingler" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ fires in a decent strike from distance for the Swiss that Demirel gathers at the second attempt. I hate to sound like a broken record, but the weather is horrendous. If ever you wouldn't want to be playing football, this is it. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="16" minutes="Chris from Calgary, Alberta asks the question a number of you may be thinking" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ Does anyone really care about this game? Being a consummate professional I couldn't possibly say. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="17" minutes="21 - Yakin raises the temperature" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ with a thumping drive that Demirel does well to push behind. The best moment of the half by some distance. The host nation are starting to rise to the task and their supporters are backing them wholeheartedly. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="18" minutes="23 - Demirel excels again" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ with a fine save on the stetch to repel Barnetta's daisy-cutter of a free-kick. Worringly, though, puddles are starting to emerge on the pitch. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="19" minutes="City fan Mark Gough" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ wants a Swiss win as he's backing his boy Fernandes Gelson, but Gareth Saunders fails to concur as he's going for a 3-0 Turkey success. Sam Marshall is of a similar mindset and is going for Turkey 3-1, while Dan Widdop wants to know why Kazim Richards has been dropped. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="20" minutes="27 - Swiss let-off as the ball strikes their post" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ following a deflection off a Turkish free-kick. Benaglio got his hand to a whipped delivery in, but the ball came off Turan's head and hit the post. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="21" minutes="30 - Tuncay booked for a late" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ challenge on Gokhan in the middle of the field. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="22" minutes="31 - GOAL for SWITZERLAND" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ Hakan Yakin has scored for the host nation. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="23" minutes="A long ball over the top found Eren Derdiyok" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ and after he rounded the keeper his ball across goal stopped in a puddle, allowing Yakin the simplest of chances to prod home. There is a real chance though that this game will be called off. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="24" minutes="34 - Incredible misss from Yakin" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ as he misses an open goal from no more than five yards. Behrami put over a brilliant cross but with the goal gaping, Yakin lost his concentration. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="25" minutes="The game is becoming farcical" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ with massive puddles now emerging all over the pitch. The contest is actually quite entertaining with Switzerland playing rather well on the counter-attack, but with thunder and lightening also in the air, a postponement could well be ruled at half-time. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="26" minutes="37 - Charlie Cox is just waiting for the post-match" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ entertainment as he muses: "I predict the stadium will flood and both teams will start playing water polo, only to start fighting at the end of the match, with the Swiss winning the fight at home.....who cares about the game?" ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="27" minutes="40 - Yakin drives a free-kick straight into the wall" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ as Turkey are allowed to clear. The conditions don't suit the Turks' crisp passing style, as Switzerland's more robust nature looks good enough to see them through. That said, Turkey are on the attack as the half draws to its close, with Muller's big boot having just saved the Swiss. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="28" minutes="43 - Lichtsteiner for the Swiss" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ has to clear from a puddle as Turkey counter-attack with real speed. Adam K, who has shown an insightful knowledge of Swiss football from Canada, will be delighted to see the host nation going into half-time with a lead. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="29" minutes="45 - Half-time" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ Switzerland 1 Turkey 0. In a downpour of dramatic proportions it is the Swiss that lead at the halfway stage. It's difficult not to feel for Turkey as the conditions render a passing game redundant. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="30" minutes="Good news here from Basel" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ as the weather has picked considerably and fears over a postponement have been abated. Unfortunately Brett, George Sampson will not now be needed. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="31" minutes="Turkey make changes at the break" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ with Semih Senturk and Mehmet Topal coming on as they revert to a 4-4-2. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="32" minutes="45 - Turkey get the second half" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ underway and immediately win a corner. They are attacking their own fans in the second half, and will likely go a little longer in style to compensate for the state of the pitch. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="33" minutes="47 - Ingler concedes a needless free-kick" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ in the centre of the field that causes mayhem in the box. In the ensuing scramble Hakan Balta commits a deliberate handball and is booked. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="34" minutes="49 -The bright Behrami puts in" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ another excellent cross on the overlap down the right but Demirel has been assured in his handling for the Turks all evening. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="35" minutes="The rain has sated here" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ which could play into the hands of Turkey, who really struggled to cope in the first half. They've moved another man up front but with Behrami and Barnetta both lively in possession, I could see the Swiss grabbing a second on the counter-attack. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="36" minutes="51 - Senturk has the ball in the back" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ of the Swiss net but he'd drifted a good few yards off-side. At the other end, Yakin was penalised on the edge of Turkey's box, just as Behrami thought he had broken through. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="37" minutes="53 - Switzerland are pinned" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ in their own half somewhat as Turkey start to up the tempo. Derdiyok has just been booked for a late lunge on Hamit Altintop. The Swiss midfielder was furious with the decision as he thought he had taken the ball. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="38" minutes="55 - GOAL for TURKEY" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ Super sub Semih Senturk has done it!!! ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="39" minutes="A huge moment for Turkey" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ as Nihat's pinpoint delivery from the left was headed in by Senturk. The striker met the ball well but Diego Benaglio in Switzerland's goal will feel he should have kept it out. It's game on here - let's have your predictions on alex.dunn@bskyb.com. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="40" minutes="58 - The Swiss hit back" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ as Yakin is denied by a desperate Turkish lunge in the box. The home side have responded really well, with Ludovic Magnin having thumped one well wide from distance. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="41" minutes="The atmosphere is really terrific" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ as both sets of supporters look to inspire their respective sides. Senderos has just put the ball behind with a shanked clearance that will make Arsenal fans across the land shudder. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="42" minutes="62 - Self preservation is rife" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ amongst you as Nathan prays for the Turks to win to keep his accumulater going, while Allan says: "Waiting for a 2-1 win for the Swiss for a coupon. 10 on Yakin first goal and Swiss 2-1 at 55/1. Come on the Swiss!" ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="43" minutes="65 - Barnetta is replaced for the Swiss" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ with Johan Vonlanthen his replacement. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="44" minutes="66 - Neat Nihat footwork creates space" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ but his drive on the edge of the box is deflected wide. The corner comes to nothing but a number of you might be interested to learn Chelsea have appointed Big Phil Scolari as their new manager. Any thoughts - email on alex.dunn@bskyb.com. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="45" minutes="67 - An excellent Swiss move" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ comes to nothing but it's clear they're gunning for a win given they've Portugal in their remaining game. That said, it could work to their advantage, as if the result stays as it is Portugal will have already booked their place in the last eight. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="46" minutes="70 - Turkey goalkeeper Demirel" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ told to hurry things along by the referee. Surely Turkey aren't content with a point from tonight's game. Should they be going for a win or bank on beating Czech Republic? ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="47" minutes="73 - Nihat rues Tuncay's ball" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ across goal as it just escapes him, no more than a yard or so from goal. If the Boro man's cross would have been on the money, the Swiss would have been sunk. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="48" minutes="75 - Swiss sub" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ Sorry Goughy pal but your boy Gelsen has been replaced for Javupovic. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="49" minutes="77 - It is Turkey that are looking" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ the more likely as the game reaches its latter stages. Tuncay and Nihat have enjoyed some bright interplay but the final pass has eluded them to date. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="50" minutes="78 - Hamit is starting to make inroads" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ down the right but Muller has twice saved the Swiss with brave blocks in his own box. Chris has been back on to say he's confident his 2-1 Swiss prediction will prove to be straight out of the Russell Grant school of predictions. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="51" minutes="81 - Anyone have a spare room?" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ Kevin - somewhat cryptically - has emailed in to say he loses his house if Turkey lose. Anne, enjoying as ever scorching heat in Hawaii, is already looking forward to Big Phil in the Premier League. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="52" minutes="83 - The Swiss have missed a glorious" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ chance on the counter attack, as Yakin pushes one into Volkan Demirel's chest when free on the edge of the box. It was a decent save but Switzerland outnumbered Turkey and should have scored. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="53" minutes="84 - Both sides make changes" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ as Kazim Richards comes on for Turkey and Gygax for Switzerland. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="54" minutes="85 - Switzerland win a corner as Senderos" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ gees up the home crowd. Turkey clear but only to the edge of the box, where Inler is fouled and wins a free-kick in a dangerous position. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="55" minutes="87 - Swiss pressure comes" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ to nothing as the free-kick is dealt with by the Turks. It's all to play for in Basel but the most likely result looks a stalemate at this stage. Kazim Richards is eager to get in the game but as yet hasn't really made an impression. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="56" minutes="89 - Emre Asik has a bad cut" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ to the head and is off the field receiving treatment. The referee has indicated four minutes of injury time. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="57" minutes="91 - GOAL for TURKEY" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ Arda Turan has done it for his side!!!! ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="58" minutes="The little schemer has been one of the game's" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ better players but his winner has owed more than a little to luck. Given space on the edge of the box his drive deflected in and past Diego Benaglio off Patrick Muller. ]]></text> <title/> </line> <line count="59" minutes="Full time" team="0" colour=""> <text><![CDATA[ Switzerland 1 Turkey 2. Switzerland are out of Euro 2008 in the most unfortunate of circumstances thanks to Arda's late, late intervention. Cruel on the hosts but Turkey now have it all to play for in their final group game against Czech Republic. ]]></text> <title/> </line> </root>