Media hail their heroes

Turkish newspapers heaped praise Thursday on coach Fatih Terim and the national team for their stunning performance in Euro 2008 even though they bowed out of the championship after losing to Germany in a dramatic semifinal.
"Champions of our hearts," read a banner headline in the mass-circulation Sabah over a full-page picture of the team after Wednesday's clash, which Germany won 3-2 with a 90th-minute goal.
"Thank you, boys," said the liberal Radikal, hailing the team's "unforgettable" performance.
All dailies were united in declaring Turkey the better team on the pitch on Wednesday despite the absence of nine men, including key players, from Terim's sqaud due to injury and suspension.
"We crushed Germany, but could not defeat them," Sabah said.
"A glorious farewell," added the liberal Milliyet. "We return from Switzerland with heads held high."
The popular Vatan said: "Turkey is proud of you".
Wednesday's match was the first semifinal in a European championship for Tuerkey, whose best international showing so far is third place in the 2002 World Cup.
Turkey's Euro 2008 performance also brought relief to Terim, who was much criticized for his tactics and choice of players after losing 2-0 to Portugal in the opening match.
An angry Terim lashed out at Turkish press, saying it was up to him and not the media to decide, then led his team to dramatic last-minute victories in the next three games to make it into the final four.
"Fatih Terim succeeded in getting the team to play to his philosophy," commentator Ridvan Dilmen, a former Turkey international, wrote in Milliyet. "I am not exaggerating when I say this is a revolution in world football.
"Everyone will remember us as the team that played football."
Pundits had given Turkey little chance, but the team surprised all to win their last three games in nail-biting fashion and earn a reputation of comeback kings.
In the group matches, they beat Switzerland 2-1 and the Czech Republic 3-2 with last-minute goals and knocked Croatia out at the quarterfinals on penalties after equalising with the last kick of the game in time added on.