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Turkish hero Nihat out for rest of Euro 2008

23/06/2008

Turkey striker Nihat Kahveci has been ruled out for the rest of the Euro 2008 tournament with a thigh injury.

The 28-year-old Villarreal forward, who has been in superb form as stand-in captain with Emre Belozoglu out injured, suffered the injury in the closing stages of his side's quarter-final victory over Croatia.

And his loss could be a significant one for the Turks, as he played a starring role with two late goals against the Czech Republic in a 3-2 win that sealed a quarter-final place.

Former Newcastle United midfielder Emre, who has agreed terms over a move back to Turkey this summer, is still suffering from his hamstring injury, while several other players are sidelined.

First-choice goalkeeper Volkan Demirel is still suspended after being sent-off against the Czechs, with Arda Turan, Tuncay Sanli and Emre Asik all also scheduled to miss the last-four match through bans after picking up yellow cards against Croatia.

Servet Cetin is still struggling with hip and knee injuries and Tumer Metin has a groin problem, with both rated as major doubts for the Germany game on Wednesday.

Emre Gungor's calf injury has already brought a premature end to his tournament.

Turkey coach Fatih Terim said: "We have shown several times already that we can achieve the impossible.

"I have faith in my team and in our ability to reach the final."