UEFA EURO reporter's view: Turkey
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Article summary
Turkey reporter Çetin Cem Yılmaz says coach Fatih Terim still has a few things to settle on, notably his formation and whether to use a traditional forward, ahead of his side's opener.
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Squad analysis
Fatih Terim goes to France with plenty of talent to choose from, especially in midfield, so much so that one of the main talking points was how Borussia Dortmund's Nuri Şahin got in. He will challenge Oğuzhan Özyakup, Selçuk İnan and Ozan Tufan for a starting spot.
Mehmet Topal, Turkey's usual midfield anchorman, is likely to play in defence due to a relative lack of resources at the back. Arda Turan and Hakan Çalhanoğlu will bring their expertise to the attack despite not having the best of domestic seasons.
One to watch
Oğuzhan had a fantastic campaign, leading Beşiktaş to their 14th Süper Lig title. His incisive passing, incursions into the box, long-range shooting and ability to dictate the tempo will be crucial for Turkey. He will also be the bridge between the forward, wingers and defensive midfielders.
How they'll play
Volkan Babacan is a sure starter in goal and he is likely to find Gökhan Gönül, Mehmet, Hakan Balta and Caner Erkin in front of him. At least two of Selçuk, Ozan and Oğuzhan will start in midfield and Volkan Şen may join Hakan and Arda in a more advanced role. The question will be whether Terim deploys the 4-6-0 formation he did later in the qualifiers or goes with a traditional striker in Cenk Tosun or Burak Yılmaz.
What you won't know
We are yet to learn if using Mehmet at the back is a good idea as it deprives the team of his recovery skills in midfield. Another big question mark concerns the lone forward: will Terim use the in-form yet internationally inexperienced Cenk Tosun or Burak, the teams's top scorer but who is coming off a season plagued by injury?
How they'll do
Turkey are in one of the toughest groups, but with an ambitious and experienced coach and a balanced squad, I expect them to get through. The rest is so hard to say, since there are many variables, from luck, to opponents and form. However, I believe Turkey will be a side that improves as they go further, as seen in 2008.
Your most memorable EURO moment:
I will never forget EURO '96, the first continental tournament with Turkey in it. It did not end well, the late Goran Vlaović goal was a blow to the stomach, but seeing my country play on the big stage was amazing. It was a great tournament as well: England had their best team in years, the Czech Republic were exciting, Davor Šuker was powering Croatia, Matthias Sammer and Jürgen Klinsmann led Germany and Zinédine Zidane made his big tournament debut.
What you're most looking forward to this summer
This will be the biggest EURO to date and I expect lots of great moments. We have perennial football greats, many fresh faces, lots of exciting players and of course the prospect of surprises. I expect a colourful tournament with plenty of thrills.
Follow Çetin throughout the finals on @UEFAcomCetinCY
