Emre adds to Turkey woes
25 Jun 2008 - 07:38:17
Turkey could have just 13 fit outfield players available for their semi-final against Germany after captain Belozoglu Emre joined a lengthy list of absentees with a hamstring injury.
The experienced midfielder suffered a hamstring tear during the group stages and had been rated extremely doubtful for the knockout rounds by coach Fatih Terim.
Turkey are already without goalkeeper Volkan Demirel after his two-match suspension for a red card against Czech Republic was upheld, while striker Nihat Kahveci and defender Emre Gungor have returned home with injuries.
Tuncay Sanli, Arda Turan and Emre Asik are all suspended for the last-four clash in Basel and Servet Cetin and Tumer Metin are struggling to be fit.
"With Emre, it's impossible for him to play," revealed Terim.
"Nihat is one of the best strikers in Europe, but I think we just have to look forward and accept the facts as they are.
"The players that replace the injured and suspended ones will do just as well.
"We are not looking for excuses."