Source: Xinhua

06-26-2008 08:59

Special Report:   2008 European Championships

BASEL, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Three-time winner Germany elbowed its way into the Euro 2008 final after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Turkey at a semifinal here on Wednesday.

Germany's Michael Ballack (L) vies with Turkey's Ayhan Akman  during the Euro 2008 championships semi-final match between  Germany and Turkey in Basel, Switzerland.(Xinhua Photo)

Defender Philipp Lahm's goal in the added time gifted Germany an arrow victory over under-strength Turkey, which had nine players benched because of bookings or injuries.

German striker Miroslav Klose's header in the 78th minute put Germany 2-1 ahead while Turkey's Semih Senturk equalized in the 84th.

Lahm, who earlier delivered a superb pass to Klose for Germany's second goal, ended Turkey's heroic run in Euro 2008, sending the Germans to the June 29 final against the other semifinal winner between Spain and Russia.

"It was certainly not our best game today, but we have won the match with our virtues," said Lahm, who was selected as "man of the match".

"The final score is the best moment of my life," he said.

"Our goal is very clear, we want the title," he added.

In a sold-out St. Jakob Park Stadium in Basel, German fans held high the banner of "Our goal is Vienna", referring to the final to be held in the Austrian capital, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel was also present to show the support for Germany.