[Euro 2008] Will Germany or Turkey Win Semifinal?

Surprises are what make sports exciting.

That’s why Wednesday’s semifinal between Germany and Turkey is generating so much anticipation. The two teams will face off in Basel, Switzerland, for the right to play in the Euro 2008 final. So can the depleted Turks maintain their momentum after beating Croatia in a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals?

Few people doubt the superiority of the German team, which is ranked fifth in the world. In addition, Germany has beaten Croatia 11 times with three losses and three ties.

The Germans also boast powerful strikers such as captain Michael Ballack, Lukas Podolski, Miroslav Klose and Oliver Neuville, and an aggressive defense led by Phillipp Lahm and Clemens Fritz.

The odds are firmly against Turkey, which will miss up to nine players in the game. Striker Nihat Kahveci is out with an injury and nagging injuries are hobbling midfielders Tumer Metin and Emre Belozoglu and defender Emre Gungor.

Star midfielders Tuncay Sanli and Arda Turan are suspended from the semifinal due to accumulated yellow cards.

Germany is thus heavily favored to win, though Turkey has surprised by winning two of its three group games and upsetting Croatia.

yjongk@donga.com