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Lahm sends fortunate Germany to final

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-06-26 08:08

Germany's Philipp Lahm (R) scores his team's third goal against goalkeeper Rustu Recber during their Euro 2008 semi-final soccer match against Turkey at St Jakob Park stadium in Basel, June 25, 2008. Germany won the match 3-2 and will play the final of the Euro 2008 in Vienna on Sunday, June 29. [Agencies]

BASEL - Philipp Lahm scored a 90th minute winner to give Germany a thrilling 3-2 victory over Turkey on Wednesday and a place in the Euro 2008 final.

A header from Germany's Miroslav Klose 11 minutes from time looked have sealed a 2-1 victory, only for Semih Senturk to level for Turkey in the 86th minute in what looked like another escape act by Fatih Terim's men.

But Lahm snatched victory for Germany with a curling shot into the top corner at St. Jakob Park.

Goals from Turkey's Ugur Boral and Bastian Schweinsteiger in an absorbing first half had left the game evenly poised.

Germany's Philipp Lahm (2ndL) celebrates his goal with team mate Bastian Schweinsteiger (L) during their Euro 2008 semi-final soccer match against Turkey at St Jakob Park stadium in Basel, June 25, 2008. [Agencies]

Turkey had reached their first European championship semi-final thanks to last gasp goals in the group game with the Czechs and the quarter-final against Croatia but in Basel they were on their game from the off.

Terim's side started much better than their more illustrious opponents despite being without four players through suspension and having a raft of others injured.

They scored the opener in a match for the first time in the tournament after 22 minutes.

Left midfielder Ugur, who was a threat all night, scuffed the ball through goalkeeper Jens Lehmann's legs after a looping effort from Kazim Kazim came back off the bar.

Turkey deserved their lead having already come close when Kazim rattled the woodwork with a shot and impressive playmaker Hamit Altintop was denied following a Lahm mistake.

Germany equalised against the run of play on 26 minutes when midfielder Schweinsteiger cleverly flicked in a cross from Lukas Podolski in one of their first real attacks.

Podolski later shot wide when in a good position but generally the three-times European champions were lacklustre and consistently lost the midfield battles.

The second half started off less thrilling than the first with Germany having a penalty shout turned down after Lahm was felled on the edge of the area and Thomas Hitzlsperger whistling an effort just past the post.

But the late goal rush made for a pulsating finish, a day before Spain meet Russia in the second semi-final in Vienna on Thursday.