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Kazim-Richards bids to inflict revenge

Sat 21 Jun, 06:00 PM


Turkey forward Colin Kazim-Richards has vowed to knock Germany out of Euro 2008 to put a smile on the faces of England fans.The 21-year-old former Sheffield United striker was born in London, adding to the spice of a semi-final against England's old rivals when Turkey face Joachim Low's men on Wednesday in Basle.

Known as Kazim-Kazim in his new country, he considers himself English as well as a "very proud" Turk and was delighted to help dramatically eliminate Croatia, who denied the likes of Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand a place in the finals.

"England wanted the Croatians to get beaten," he said. "I've got loads of texts from people in England who wanted Croatia to lose because they beat England. Personally, I'm happy that we beat Croatia for England as well."

Kazim-Richards can now succeed where other Englishmen have failed - beating Germany in a semi-final.

"It's not only because I'm Turkish, I'm English as well so to play the Germans is incredible," he said.

"If we beat them it's a party for England as well. I hope we can beat them, anything is possible as we have shown. We don't give up until the last second, until the final whistle blows."

Kazim-Richards was substituted before the drama unfolded at Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium against Croatia, with Ivan Klasnic opening the scoring for Slaven Bilic's men in the 119th minute before Semih Senturk forced penalties at the death.

After his team-mates won the shoot-out, Kazim-Richards may now be given an important role against Germany, given the selection problems that coach Fatih Terim is facing.

Middlesbrough forward Tuncay Sanli is suspended for the semi-final, as is midfielder Arda Turan and defender Emre Asik. Goalkeeper Volkan Demirel finds out on Monday if an appeal against his ban is successful.

Captain Emre Belozoglu is rated doubtful with a hamstring injury, central-back Servet Cetin is not expected to be fit and Nihat Kahveci appeared to pick up a thigh strain against Croatia.

Defender Emre Gungor is out for the rest of the tournament with a calf problem, while midfielder Tumer Metin is also a doubt.

"There is always a chance to be a hero but if we win the cup I won't mind if it is someone else," said Kazim-Richards. "You have ambition and personally you want to be the hero and you want to score the goals but it is also a team game."

Kazim-Richards' place in the semi-finals marks an unlikely journey from English League Two to the last four of the European Championships.

He started at Bury before a move to Brighton funded by a fan winning a competition sponsored by a drinks company, and resulting in the forward's nickname of "Cola-Cola Kid".

There was a spell at Bramall Lane before he moved to Fenerbahce, just after he made a choice on which country to represent.

He added: "To say that I wasn't dreaming of it would be lying. I had big ambitions and big dreams when I was younger.

"I wanted to play in tournaments like this, without meaning any disrespect I didn't want to play in League One and League Two.

"I wanted to play against the best and now I've capitalised on my chances and my opportunities. Now I'm playing here. It's incredible - what a journey.

"People watch the Champions League and watch the Euros. When you play against Chelsea or play in the quarter-finals of this tournament against a Croatia side that beat England, people are going to watch.

"I didn't have the best game against Croatia but that happens in football."

Nihat, meanwhile, feels Turkey have nothing to fear against Germany after coming back from two goals down against Czech Republic, then rescuing victory

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  1. Congratulations to both sides for an excellent football match - Turks and Croatians, two great peoples.

    From Editor, on Sun 22 Jun 9:04AM
  2. good game

    From avcp123, on Sun 22 Jun 5:23AM
  3. Well done turkey! ( from an Englishman ) i cheered u all the way!!!

    From johnankers@ymail.com, on Sun 22 Jun 4:27AM
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