EURO 2024: Erdogan to grace Turkey-Netherlands last eight match
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will grace the Turkey-Netherlands 2024 European Championship last eight match on Saturday.
Visit Sportsmania for more Euro 2024 news and other football updates.
Check out M88 Mansion’s best offers here.
ERDOGAN TO ATTEND TURKEY-NETHERLANDS MATCH AMID DIPLOMATIC ROW
Erdogan is scheduled to attend the Turkey-Netherlands match amid a diplomatic row caused by a player making a controversial gesture in their previous game.
Furthermore, an official on Thursday confirmed Erdogan’s plan to fly to Berlin to attend the weekend match.
Moreover, organizers expect a large Turkish crowd at the Olympiastadion Berlin who will be energized by Erdogan’s presence.
Turkey on Wednesday summoned the German ambassador to protest the criticism of German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser.
Faeser slammed the action made by center-back Merih Demiral to celebrate Turkey’s 2-1 victory over Austria on Tuesday.
Demiral was then probed by UEFA after he made a “wolf salute” that was criticized by Faeser.
TURKISH DIASPORAS TO BOOST CRESCENT STARS AGAINST DUTCH, SAYS MONTELLA
Furthermore, the presence of one of the largest Turkish diasporas in the world in Berlin would boost the Crescent Stars.
Coach Vincenzo Montella cited the presence of thousands of flag-waving Turkish and horn-tooting cars which should help them against the Dutch.
“We’ve got a huge following. There’s passion and the love is really visceral back home in Turkey,” Montella said.
“So I’m very happy to have handed Turks a bit of pride,” he added.
Moreover, nine Crescent Stars will have their single yellow cards written off after the quarterfinals and must be careful should they win on Saturday.
Turkey will miss the suspended Orkun Kokcu and Ismael Yuksek but will get captain Hakan Calhanoglu back.
ORANJE MANAGER KOEMAN TO RELY ON GAKPO TO COUNTER TURKEY’S LARGE CROWD
Furthermore, the Oranje will rely on star player Cody Gakpo to counter Turkey’s expected large crowd on Saturday, said manager Ronald Koeman.
The 25-year-old Gakpo already has three goals so far this summer.
“He (Gakpo) is a great player who is solid on the ball… and super important for us,” Koeman said.
Gakpo added a goal in the Netherlands’ 3-0 win over Romania in the last 16.
“This is the level – if we dip, we don’t reach the final,” Koeman said.
“It will be an away match,” added Netherlands’ defender Daley Blind, recognizing Turkey’s large following.
Berlin is home to some three million Turks or people with Turkish roots.
You may also like
Postecoglou says Tottenham has no interest in Marcus Rashford December 19, 2024
Vinicius hits back at critics after winning FIFA’s The Best Award December 19, 2024
