Germany coach Joachim Löw has experienced Turkish football during short spells with Fenerbahce SK and Adanaspor AS, and he admitted he was impressed by the strides taken by Terim's team. "Maybe ten to 15 years ago they wouldn't have been capable of coming back in three consecutive matches but now they can do that," he said. "They have always had talented players but when
they were behind their heads tended to go down. They have learned never to give up." While Turkey's self-belief is strong, Germany's impressive quarter-final victory over Portugal has increased the confidence levels of a squad aiming to reach their first UEFA European Championship final since 1996. "We had a setback against Croatia [losing 2-1 in the group stage] but have responded very well since and we have no worries about injured players. We are confident in our strengths," said Löw.
Highlighting the "great physical shape" of captain Michael Ballack, the coach said he had no fitness worries, meaning a possible return for Torsten Frings, absent against Portugal with a broken rib. Should Löw retain the 4-2-3-1 system employed so effectively against Portugal, this would mean a place on the bench for Thomas Hitzlsperger or Simon Rolfes. By contrast, Terim's foremost concern is to ensure he has enough players available. The quartet of Volkan Demirel, Tuncay Şanlı, Arda Turan and Emre Aşιk are suspended while striker Nihat Kahveci followed Emre Güngör in departing the tournament injured after the quarter-final shoot-out triumph against Croatia. Midfielder Tümer Metin may be fit for involvement but Servet Çetin and Emre Belözoğlu are still struggling which could leave just 13 outfield players available for action.
Terim took a philosophical view as he looked ahead to what is Turkey's biggest match since their 2002 FIFA World Cup semi-final loss to Brazil. "If you ask the coaches eliminated if they would be in my place with the players injured and suspended players or watching the semi from home I suppose they would still like to be here." Germany have won four of five previous semi-finals in this competition but Terim added: "We have courage and believe in our chances. We respect Germany but we are not afraid of them, just as we've not been afraid of any other opponent."
source
