Euro 2008: Ottoman Empire Strikes Back as Turkey Eliminates Czechs

June 15, 2008, will live long in the memory of everyone associated with the Turkish and Czech national football teams, as the day of the best football game of all time.

The Turks' won just three days ago when they overcame a 1-0 deficit to beat co-host Switzerland, but that game will forever be overshadowed by this night in Geneva.

The two teams met in a winner-takes-all for the right to play Group B winners Croatia. Heading into the match, both teams found themselves deadlocked at three points. Had the game been tied after normal time, the two sides would decide the winner in a penalty shootout, a new rule implemented by FIFA this year.

The first half saw a resilient Czech attack and an undisciplined Turkish team who collected two quick yellow cards. The Czech offensive drive finally paid off, as Jan Koller headed home his 55th international goal to give his side a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute.

Koller announced he would retire from international football after this competition and leaves as the Czechs' top goal scorer.

The Czechs took the lead into the locker room, as Turkey hardly bothered Petr Cech and seemed to be playing for a penalty shootout. As the two sides returned to the pitch, the rain did everything but let up as Turkey began to push for an equalizer. Tuncay Şanli had the best early chance, as his header was saved well by Cech off a free kick.

Any sort of momentum Turkey managed to create was destroyed when Jaroslav Plašil doubled the Czech lead with a sliding effort on a Libor Sionko cross in the 62nd minute. Surely, the 2-0 lead would be enough for the Czechs to advance, but what transpired next is simply remarkable.

Arda Turan brought the Turks within one after he notched his second goal of the tournament beating Cech on a solid right-footed finish in the 75th that brought his team to life. Fifteen minutes remained as the Turks pushed for that second goal and second comeback of the tournament.

Like hungry sharks, the Turks loomed repeatedly towards the Czech goal and practically set up camp on the right of the penalty area. As time dwindled down, the Turks seemed to be out of luck as Servet Cetin headed a sure goal from four yards out just wide of Cech's goal.

Moments later, the unthinkable happened. A cross from Hamit Altintop was dropped by Cech allowing Nihat Kahveci to collect the loose ball for a tap in sending his team and their supporters into a frenzy.

For the second game in a row, the Turks managed to rise to the challenge and tie the game at two with three minutes to go.

Just two minutes later, Khaveci somehow beat the offside flag, walked in on Cech, and smashed an absolutely cracking goal from 22 yards out off the underside of the crossbar to give the Turks a 3-2 lead. With four minutes of injury time added on, the Czechs pushed for the equalizer.

Two minutes into stoppage time, Turkish keeper Volkan Demirel shoved Koller to the ground, receiving a red card. A yelling frenzy ensued and players not even used in the game such as Milan Baros received a yellow card.

A total of eight cards were handed out, seven of them being yellow and four of those belonging to the Turks.

Arda Turan took the keeper kit and gloves as he saw out of one the most remarkable games in football history. One of the most dramatic comebacks was complete and Turkey found themselves progressing to the quarterfinals for only the second time in their history.

They go on to face Croatia, but will be without Demirel who receives a one-match ban for his red card.