Now its this. One has it's full complement and manager back on the bench from suspension, the other has only 14 fully fit players, with 3 doubtful. One had a straightforward quarters win, the other had a come-from-behind-in-the-last-minute plus penalties victory. It would be nice for Turkey to prevail, though.


Germany's Likely Line-Up (4-2-3-1): Arsenal's back-up Jens Lehmann will start in goal. Arne Fredriech will play to force the ineffective Marcell Jensen out of the team, with Phillip Lahm taking his place at left-back. Real Madrid flop signing Christoph Metzelder and Per Mertesacker will line-up like two tall towers overseeing the German box.

If Torsten Frings remains unfit for the match, two will come in his place. Former Aston Villa hotshot Thomas Hitzlsberger and Bundesliga midfielder Simon Rolfes will hold the German fort. Chelsea midfield general Michael Ballack will support the attack with his surging runs and his dangerous presence in the penalty box, with his wonderful heading ability.

Lukas Podolski and quarter-finals hero Bastian Schweinsteiger will be stationed on the German's flanks. Their running will be essential and will surely be a threat towards Turkey. Miroslav Klose will be the tip of their attack, and his heading ability will be other to look out for.

Turkey's Likely Line-Up (4-4-1-1): 2002 World Cup veteran Rustu Recber starts in goal again, after first choice Volkan Demirel lost his appeal against a second match ban. Midfielder-turned-right back Sabri Sarioglu will fill in again at that position, whilst Galatasary dynamo Hakan Kadir Balta will continue at left-back. Gokhan Zan will have to command his defence well, alongside him could be youngster Memet Topal whom will be drafted in should Servet Cetin not be fit enough to start, as Emre Asik is suspended.

Hamit Altintop will continue on from the side which faced Croatia. Suspended midfielder Mehmet Aurelio is back in contention and will almost certainly slot into his playmaking role. Experienced midfielder Ayhan Akman could start to hold Turkey's midfield, unless doubtul Fenerbache-bound midfielder Emre Belozoglu becomes fit in time for the semis. Gokdeniz Karadeniz might start, giving the Turks more than enough creative flair.

London-born Colin Kazim-Richards will definitely play with the Sanli Tuncay and Nihat out supsended and injured respectively, probably on behind the main man. Supersub Semih Senturk might lead the attack, looking for more goals.


So the first semis. Will the Turks prevail? Or will Germany's quality and strength in depth end Turkey's Greek fairytale? Let's just wait and see. Hmm... Maybe seeing Turkey's line-up might be more interesting than the game itself.

Bye~!