Turkey win suits Friedrich
21 Jun 2008 - 15:45:36
Arne Friedrich is pleased that Germany will be playing Turkey rather than Croatia in Wednesday's semi-final.
However, the Hertha Berlin defender is refusing to under-estimate the Turks who have shown their battling spirit and refusal to accept defeat against not only the Croats, but also Switzerland and Czech Republic earlier in the tournament.
"We've seen now that Turkey just never give up," said Friedrich. "In terms of skill and the quality of their build-up play, Croatia were the better team but you can never write Turkey off.
"As everyone knows there are a lot of people of Turkish origin in Berlin and everyone is looking forward to it. It will be a huge party zone, and hopefully a peaceful one.
"I prefer to play Turkey because I think they're a better style for us. Croatia are so compact, so well-organised. They stifle your attacks and they're very difficult to play against.
"Turkey haven't been so convincing and look less of a threat than Croatia. I'm very optimistic."