'Turkey will conquer Vienna'
The Turkish football team are destined to win Euro 2008 in Vienna and make up for the failure of their compatriots to take the city by force in the 17th century, was one of the takes by the Turkish press on their astonishing quarterfinal victory over Croatia.
The Turks levelled at 1-1 with the final kick of the game in Vienna on Friday and then won 3-1 on penalties in the shootout to reach the last four for the first time in their history sparking wild celebrations round the country.
"Step by step towards the Cup," was the headline in the daily newspaper Aksam, which like several of its fellow papers recalled the siege of Vienna in the 17th century by the Ottomans which ultimately failed.
This time, though, according to Aksam the Turkish assault will result in the "first conquest of Vienna".
Other headlines went "The miracle is our business", "Going around Germany (in reference to their semifinal in Basel, Switzerland, next Wednesday)", and "Towards the Cup" as the Turkish press eulogised about their team's achievements.
"We will be there (in the final), there remains nothing to oppose us", was splashed on the front page of Hurriyet, which was also certain that the Turks were up to beating Germany.
For the popular selling Sabah, the Turkish team had pulled off a 'true miracle' in not so much winning on penalties but in levelling in the final seconds of extra-time, the Croats having taken the lead only a minute from the final whistle.
However, the newspapers also acknowledged that coach Fatih Terim faces the unenviable task of selecting a team for the Germany clash as he has four players suspended and several injury worries, including outstanding striker Nihat Kahveci, who came off three minutes from the end of extra-time clutching his groin.
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