Czech Republic's elimination from EURO 2008 was a truly painful one after the 1996 runners-up surrendered a 2-0 lead to end up losing 3-2 to Turkey. Karel Bruckner's men were leading 2-1 until the dying minutes when a dreadful error by Petr Cech allowed Nihat Kahveci to draw Turkey level. The game looked as though it was heading for penalties but Nihat struck home again one minute from time to hand Turkey an invaluable win. The victory helped Turkey book their place in EURO quarter-finals as Group A runners-up behind leaders Portugal. "If somebody had said we would win when the score was 2-0, you would have though they were joking, but things like that happen in football," Turkey coach Fatih Terim said. "We trust and believe each other and achieved this victory," he was quoted as saying by EURO official website. Man of the Day: Nihat Kahveci Despite being relatively quiet for the majority of the game, Nihat stepped up a gear towards the end. The Villarreal frontman justified Terim's faith in him as his relentless efforts proved to be the difference on Monday night. His goal-poaching ability helped him claim the equalizer for Turkey three minutes from time when he capitalized on a dreadful error by Czech Republic keeper Cech. The Chelsea guardian saw Hamit Altintop's tame cross slip out of his grasp. Nihat pounced to slot home into an empty net.
He then added a third goal which gave Turkey a breathtaking victory. Goal of the Day: Nihat's winner for Turkey Apart from the fact that it was the decisive strike, Turkey's third goal against Czech Republic was a result of a smart move from Nihat. Nihat ghosted behind Marek Jankulovski to break the offside trap and control a deft through pass from Altintop. The 28-year-old then smashed home into the roof of the net to send Turkey fans into raptures. "To score that goal and know it would take us to the quarter-finals is an amazing experience. But we always believed we could make it," the ecstatic Nihat said. Quote of the Day: Czech Republic keeper Petr Cech Cech was downhearted after his fault led to the Czechs being eliminated from the tournament. His errors concluded his disappointing season with Chelsea, who failed to win any silverware last term. "That game really sums up my season, especially after losing out on three trophies for Chelsea in the final games. We came so close but blew it in the end," he said. "Everybody makes mistakes and I am a human being. I tried my best but there was a lot of water on the ball and it slipped from my grasp."
