honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 11:15 a.m., Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Soccer: Turkey beats Switzerland 2-1, eliminating Swiss

By BRADLEY S. KLAPPER
Associated Press Writer

BASEL, Switzerland — Arda Turan scored in injury time today, giving Turkey a 2-1 win over Switzerland that eliminated the co-hosts from the European Championship.

Turan scored in the second minute of injury time, sending a right-footed shot from outside the area that deflected in off a Switzerland defender.

Substitute Semih Senturk also scored for Turkey, after Hakan Yakin had given Switzerland the lead in torrential rain in the 32nd minute.

Switzerland became only the second European Championship host eliminated before the final four. Euro 2000 co-host Belgium also failed to get through the group stage.

The result also sent Portugal through to the quarterfinals from Group A. The Portuguese beat the Czech Republic 3-1 in Geneva earlier today.

The Turks and Czechs will play for the final spot from the group on Sunday.

A first-half downpour left the field at St. Jakob Park a quagmire, and a draw seemed likely until Turan's shot hit defender Patrick Mueller and looped over goalkeeper Diego Bengalio. The soaked crowd sat stunned.

Yakin scored during the heavy rain, reacting quickly after a cross from 19-year-old Eren Derdiyok got stuck in a large puddle in front of goal. Like Yakin, Derdiyok is a Swiss of Turkish origin. Yakin had another chance in the 84th minute, but goalkeeper Volkan Demirel made a diving save, reacting fast enough to snuff out Ricardo Cabanas' effort on the rebound.