Turkey 0-1 Greece Istanbul, 17/10/07
Amanatidis 79

Official European Football Champions Greece are the new Unofficial World Football Champions, having defeated Turkey 1-0 in this Euro qualifier courtesy of a late goal from Ioannis Amanatidis. It was the striker’s first goal in 20 games. ‘It was about time I scored for the national side,’ he said.

This was a sixth UFWC title win for Greece. The result also means that Greece have now qualified for Euro 2008, and the country’s newspapers were delighted. ‘Emperors!’, proclaimed Sportime, calling the match, ‘one of the greatest nights in Greek footballing history’.
Greece’s next match is at home to Malta on 17 November.
Turkey: Volkan Demirel; Servet Cetin, Gokhan Zan, Hamit Altintop, Emre
Belozoglu (Arda Turan 71); Ibrahim Uzulmez, Aurelio, Gokdeniz (Hakan Sukur
65), Umit Karan (Tumer Metin 46); Gokhan, Tuncay Sanli.

Greece: Chalkias; Dellas, Kyrgiakos, Antzas, Seitardis; Torosidis,
Karagounis, Basinas, Charisteas (Samaras 59); Amanatidis, Gekas
(Liberopoulos 56).

Match Reports Greece, Turkey

Moldova 1-1 Turkey Chisinau, 13/10/07
Frunza 11, Karan 63

Turkey managed to retain the UFWC title against the Moldovans – just – but their Euro 2008 qualifying hopes suffered a huge blow. The Crescent Stars travelled to Moldova needing to take all three points, but they left with only a draw.

And it could have been much worse for Turkey, after Moldova took an 11th minute lead through Viorel Frunza’s header. The Turks fought back, but it was not until Umit Karan came off the substitutes’ bench that they drew level, the Galatasaray striker equalising in the 63rd minute. Turkey had the better of the remainder of the match, but Moldova held on to claim a draw.

Turkey will next play European Champions Greece on Wednesday evening.

Moldova: Calancea; Golovatenco, Epureanu, Savinov, Corneencov, Boridan; Josan, Zmeu (Namasco 67), Gatcan (Olexici 89); Comlenoc, Frunza (Calincov 86).

Turkey: Hakan Arikan (Demirel 17); Servet Cetin, Gokhan Zan, Uzulmez, Emre Belozoglu; Mehmet Topuz, Aurelio, Arda Turan (Tumer Metin 69), Inan (Umit Karan 46); Tuncay Sanli, Gokhan Unal.

Match Reports Moldova, Turkey