As Turkey’s Euro 2024 quarterfinal campaign ended in defeat against the Netherlands, emotions were running high. Captain Hakan Çalhanoglu could not hold back tears at the final whistle, knowing that at 30-years-old, this might have been his last chance at a major tournament final. The disappointment was shared by thousands of Turkey fans in Berlin’s Olympiastadion, as their team lost 2-1 after holding a 1-0 lead. However, amidst the tears and frustration, there is a glimmer of hope for the future of Turkish football.
Turkey has had moments of success in the past, reaching the semifinals of the World Cup in 2002 and the last four of Euro 2008. However, those accomplishments have been few and far between on their tournament record. The challenge now lies in using the young and exciting squad’s performance in Euro 2024 as a platform for bigger achievements in the future. With a home Euros coming up in 2032, the goal should be to make deep tournament runs the norm for Turkey.
One of the positives from Turkey’s Euro 2024 campaign was the youthfulness of their squad. Players like Arda Güler and Kenan Yildiz showed glimpses of their potential on the big stage. Guler, in particular, at just 19 years old, already has a Champions League title under his belt and made a mark at the Euros with his performances. Despite the disappointment of the quarterfinal exit, there is hope for the future with young stars like Guler leading the way.
While the attacking prowess of Guler and Yildiz was evident, Turkey’s defensive stability left much to be desired. Conceding eight goals in five games at the Euros, including five in the group stage, highlighted a weakness that needs to be addressed. Montella acknowledged the lack of game management at crucial moments and emphasized the need for experience at the highest level. Improving defensively will be key for Turkey to progress further in future tournaments.
Despite the disappointment of the Euro 2024 campaign, there is optimism for the future of Turkish football. Montella expressed his desire to “reap the benefit” of attacking the Euros with a young and hungry squad. With players like Guler showing immense potential, the foundation is set for Turkey to continue growing and improving. The focus now shifts to Euro 2032, where Turkey aims to go beyond a creditable quarterfinal exit, especially as hosts. The future looks bright for Turkish football, and the lessons learned from Euro 2024 will only make the team stronger in the coming years.
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