vs

No one expected this quarterfinal pair. Not because of Croatia since their first place in group B was not so much of a surprise. Even before the championship started the Blazers were considered to be possible biggest surprise of the final tournament.

On the other hand we didn’t give much chance to Turkey one excellent win against Czech Republic got them among top eight European teams. In group A second game they also managed to turn over the score against Switzerland; Terim’s side obviously have mental power and never give up. This will be their strongest weapon in the duel in Vienna.

Croatia are favourites but the question is if they can get used to this role. Bilic fielded the reserve squad against Poland but the players convinced him that he can count on them at any time. We will see how Croatia will manage catenaccio; they don’t handle defensive squads well but they rely on the individual quality of their players.

They are aware of the huge chance they have in this quarterfinals, for if they managed to qualify for the top four anything can happen. Duel against Germany showed that Croatia don’t have to fear anyone; this squad don’t have the eastern –European losing mentality so it is obvious how these results are no surprise.

Head-to-heads

Croatia are unbeaten in three previous matches against Turkey (one win and two draws).

At Euro '96 Croatia beat Turkey 1-0 in the group stage, through an 85th-minute goal by Goran Vlaovic. Fatih Terim was also head coach of Turkey in that match, while Croatia's current head coach, Slaven Bilic, played in that game.

Team facts - Croatia

Equalled their best ever performance in European Championships. In 1996, the Croatians managed to reach the last eight with Slaven Bilic present as a player.

Croatia and the Netherlands became the sixth and seventh teams to win all three group matches at a European Championship. The previous five teams all made it to at least the semi-finals. Spain can also join this list if they beat Greece on Wednesday, 18 June.

Undefeated in six international matches, following a 3-0 friendly defeat against the Netherlands in February.

Croatia and the Netherlands have conceded only one goal in the group phase, which is the fewest of all Euro 2008 teams.

Team facts - Turkey

Equalled their best ever performance in European Championship finals. At Euro 2000, Turkey also reached the quarter-finals, only to be eliminated by Portugal.

Trailed in all three group matches at Euro 2008 and still managed to win two of them (2-1 vs Switzerland and 3-2 vs Czech Republic).

With a total of 11 cards (10 yellows and one red), Turkey have amassed more cards than any other team at Euro 2008.

Player facts - Croatia

Danijel Pranjic is the only player to have completed all three of Croatia's group matches.

Dario Simic can become the first player to win 100 caps for Croatia. He is the only player to have appeared in all three European Championship participations (1996, 2004 and 2008) of Croatia.

Robert Kovac, Josip Simunic, Luka Modric, Darijo Srna, Jerko Leko, Ognjen Vukojevic and Hrvoje Vejic have all received a yellow card and will be suspended for a possible semi-final match if booked.

Player facts - Turkey

By scoring twice at Euro 2008, Arda Turan and Nihat Kahveci have equalled Hakan Sukur as Turkey's joint top scorers in European Championship history.

Goalkeeper Rustu Recber is Turkey's most capped player ever with 116 internationals. He was in goal for all seven of Turkey's matches at Euro 96 and Euro 2000. He will break the record he shares with four others if and when he makes his first appearance at Euro 2008.

At the age of 35, Rustu can become the oldest player ever to play for Turkey at the European Championship.

Mehmet Aurelio and goalkeeper Volkan Demirel are suspended for this match.

Emre Asik, Mehmet Topal, Arda Turan, Tuncay Sanli, Hakan Balta, Gokhan Zan, Colin Kazim-Richards and Sabri Sarioglu will miss a possible semi-final match if they receive a yellow card.

Player to watch

Darijo Srna (Croatia) : Darijo Srna's searing runs down the right flank were a key factor in Croatia's group stage success - expect more of the same against Turkey.

Reçber Rustu : The face-painted loose cannon Rustu comes in for the suspended Volkan Demirel. 

Probable Line Up :

Croatia : Pletikosa, Pranjic, Kovac, Simunic, Corluka, Rakitic, Kovac, Modric, Srna, Kranjcar, Olic

Subs : I. Klasnic, D. Simic, V. Runje, M. Petric, J. Leko, M. Galinovic, N. Pokrivac, H. Vejic, O. Vukojevic, N. Kalinic

Injured : I. Budan, D. Knezevic

Manager: Slaven Bilic

Captain: Niko Kovac

Turkey : Rustu, Altintop, Servet, Asik, Balta, Kazim, Karadeniz, Topal, Turan, Nihat, Tuncay.

Subs : B. Emre, A. Ayhan, S. Senturk, S. Sabri, M. Erding, Z. Tolga, U. Boral

Injured : Metin, Gungor, Gokhan.

Suspended : Volkan, Aurelio

Manager: Fatih Terim

Captain: Kahveci Nihat

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