Rising stars Gakpo, Guler star as Holland battle Turkey for Euro semi-finals

GERMANY:

Cody Gakpo and Arda Guler have had disappointing seasons but both have established themselves as vital players in their squad as the Netherlands take on Turkey in a Euro 2024 quarter-final clash in Berlin on Saturday.

The Netherlands won the competition for the first and only time in 1988, with Ronald Koeman, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard and Marco van Basten among a talented squad.

The current roster is less illustrious but Liverpool left winger Gakpo, 25, is successfully staking his claim to be their top scorer with three goals this summer.

“Gakpo is our star,” former Netherlands international Pierre van Huydonk told Dutch channel NOS.

Overshadowed by Mohamed Salah at Anfield, where he played inconsistently, Gakpo has broken out in Germany as a constant threat coming down the left.

Half of the striker’s 12 goals for his country have come in major competitions, with three at the World Cup two years ago.

With another he will match fellow countrymen and former stars Ruud van Nistelrooy and Arjen Robben on seven.

“He’s a great player who’s solid on the ball … and hugely important for us,” Koeman said after the 3-0 last-16 win over Romania, in which Gakpo scored and also set up Daniel Mullen brilliantly .

“He is one of the players with extra skills and fortunately he makes the difference at times like this.”

Standing in Gakpo’s way is Turkey goalkeeper Mert Gunoc, whose sensational last-minute save to keep out Christoph Baumgartner’s header has been compared to Gordon Banks denying Pele at the 1970 World Cup.

At the other end, Real Madrid striker Guler is Turkey’s main weapon.

After months of injury problems and struggling to earn a chance in the Spanish capital, Guler burst into life in the final weeks of the season.

With the Spanish title clinched, Carlo Ancelotti let Guler off the hook and he blossomed at the perfect time to take the creative reins for Turkey this summer.

The 19-year-old scored a stunning effort against Georgia in Turkey’s thrilling opening win and set up both of his side’s goals against Austria in a 2-1 last-16 victory on set-pieces.

“He gave a great performance and ran like he’s never done before in his career, and I’m proud of that too,” said Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella.

It is just the fourth time Turkey have reached the quarter-finals of a major competition and the first since 2008. It is boosted by the return of captain Hakan Calhanoglu and defender Samet Akaydin from suspension.

In the stands of the sprawling Olympiakos, Turkey have the upper hand, despite Oranje fans taking over every city they’ve visited in their vibrant jerseys.

“It will be an away game,” Dutch defender Daley Blind warned his team-mates on Thursday, with around three million Turks living in Germany, many of whom fervently support their team.

They may not be able to watch last-16 hero Merih Demiral, who is under investigation by UEFA for an alleged ultra-nationalist salute during his country’s triumph against Austria.

The defender scored both of Turkey’s goals, but while celebrating the second he made a gesture associated with a far-right extremist group known as the Gray Wolves.

Demiral’s ban would be a major blow for Montella’s side as they already miss the suspended Orkun Kokcu and Ismail Yuksek – instead, the Netherlands have their full complement available.

Koeman helped his side bounce back from their 3-2 defeat by Austria in their final group game, which the manager described as “terrible” and meant they only progressed as one of the best in third place.

Goals from Gakpo and Mullen sent Romania through and Koeman, who captained the side to glory 36 years ago, hopes the Dutch have now found their feet.

“That’s the level — if we dip, we don’t get to the final,” the former Barcelona coach said bluntly.

Gakpo hopes for further improvement. “We’re not where we want to be yet,” remarked the winger.

If the Netherlands can get past Turkey’s test, then fans can start to dream of a second Euro triumph, with England or Switzerland waiting in the semi-finals in what has been called the “easier” side of the draw.