Kazim-Richards expects tough test

Turkey forward dismisses 16-year unbeaten run

Last updated: 23rd June 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Kazim-Richards expects tough test

Kazim-Richards: Hoping to upset Germany

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Turkey forward Colin Kazim-Richards does not believe the history books will play a part in his country's Euro 2008 semi-final against Germany.

It is more than 16 years since Germany defeated Turkey in a competitive fixture, but Fenerbahce ace Kazim-Richards insists that statistic will count for nothing come kick-off in Basel on Wednesday.

Turkey are the surprise package at this summer's finals after scraping through Group A with a last-gasp victory over Czech Republic and Kazim-Richards is expecting a tough test against the pre-tournament favourites.

"When you are on the pitch you don't think, 'we haven't beaten Turkey in this many years'," he told Sky Sports News.

Win-win situation

"You just need to beat the team that you are up against, so I'm sure they will want to beat us because it is the semi-finals of Euro 2008."

Turkey have been decimated by injury and suspension ahead of the final four clash as manager Fatih Terim has lost the services of a number of members of his squad.

However, Kazim-Richards insists that teams who have already made their way home from Austria and Switzerland will be envious of Turkey's position.

"Any team would trade places with us. To have 13 players and still be in the tournament, we are in a win-win situation," Kazim-Richards added.

"We are going into the semi-finals and playing one of the biggest games in the history of Turkish football."