Hamit Altintop feels that Turkey have a 50/50 chance of reaching the Euro 2008 final.
Altintop relishing German test
Hamit Altintop feels that Turkey have a 50/50 chance of reaching the Euro 2008 final.
That may seem like an obvious statement, but with the Turkish squad decimated by injuries and suspensions they have been given little hope against a well organised German outfit.
Joachim Low's men have rediscovered their form at just the right time and are expected to be too strong for a side who have scraped their way into the last four.
However, Hamit revealed that confidence among Fathi Terim's squad remains high and that no-one within the camp is refusing to give up hope.
Favourites
"Germany are the favourites but we have a good team and if continue as we started we have a lot of self-belief," the midfielder said ahead of Wednesday's last four showdown.
"We are not worried about the injuries or suspensions. We have other good players who will give their all and, let's be frank, when you are in a semi-final of course you want to play in the final.
"I think our chances are 50/50."
Turkey will be without first-choice keeper Voltan Demirel for the Germany clash, while Emre Beleozoglu is a fitness doubt and star striker Nihat Kahveci has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a thigh injury.
Prepared
The injury to Villarreal striker Nihat could give super-sub Semih Senturk an opportunity from the start in Basel.
The Fenerbahce forward has scored two vital late goals after stepping off the bench in Turkey's last two matches, but is confident that he can reproduce that form should he be handed his big chance on Wednesday.
"I don't think I play badly when I start a game, it's just that I score goals as a substitute," he said.
"Of course every player wants to be in the starting XI and I always prepare myself to start."
