Fenerbahçe star Dani Güiza spoke to reporters Tuesday night and said his Spanish National Team must focus Wednesday night in order to win. The Canaries' scorer knows how rowdy the atmosphere will be in Istanbul, but he said he urged his teammates to block out the crowd and just focus on winning football.

Dani Güiza knows the passion of Turkish football. The Fenerbahçe star has yet to play at Ali Sami Yen Stadium, but he's witnessed the hostile environment that awaits visiting teams throughout the country. He told reporters Tuesday that his Spanish team must do a good job of ignoring the crowd in order to win in Istanbul.

“We must go out there and play our own game, no matter how difficult the fans will make it for us. If we focus on ourselves, it will not matter,” he told Spanish newspaper Marca this week.

“Türkiye have already shown last Saturday that they are a side that plays good football because they have great players," he said. "They will only be thinking about beating us because they have to win. What we have to do is to keep the ball and maintain as much possession as possible. That will help us win the game," Güiza said.

The Fener star also defended his inclusion in the national team and thanked coach Vicente Del Bosque. “I only think about scoring goals and celebrating with the team,” he said. “I believe that throughout the [past] year, I have worked for my place and when I play, I have always done well.”

Devamı...>>

Turkish National Team star Nihat Kahveci knows Spanish football well. The striker currently makes his home at Villareal in La Liga and knows many of the players he'll face this weekend. The Milli Takım footballer knows the odds are against his team this weekend in Madrid, but he says the Turks won't be afraid of the reigning European champs.

No player is better prepared for this weekend's clash with Spain that Nihat Kahveci. The Villareal star gets a first-hand look at Spanish football each week. Türkiye will be the underdog Saturday, but Nihat thinks their "nothing to lose" attitude can help them win the match.

“It is true that it will be a very complicated match not just for us, but for any team who are in the same situation that we are in,” he told Spanish newspaper AS. “Spain is the best team in the world it will be very difficult to beat them. It is only logical thinking and we already know that in advance, but we do not have anything to lose."

With so many eyes of the world on them, Nihat believes Saturday's match could be a showcase game for his squad. “Playing in such an important ground as the Santiago Bernabeu, we have a chance to demonstrate how good a team we are and that we can make things complicated for any rival,” he said.

The Yellow Submarine star says his teammates will employ many of the same tactics that helped them make a deep run in Euro 2008. “We will stick to the same football philosophy that we showed at Euro 2008 which helped us achieve so much before going out in the semi-finals. We will play a game which will be convenient for us and we will remain true to our style.”

Nihat said the absence of Spanish star Andres Iniesta could be a huge factor in Saturday's game. “Iniesta is an important figure for Spain because of their playing style and he is an integral piece in [Vicente] del Bosque’s game plan. But I am sure that whoever replaces him will be just as good and we can’t afford to relax simply because he’s not playing."

He went on to say that while the Turks respect their European opponents, they won't be afraid this weekend in Madrid. “There will be a lot at stake in this match. It is logical to think that this will be a very decisive game against a rival who are at their peak. We have a lot of respect for Spain, but we do not fear them,” Nihat said.

(source:fenerbahceworldwide)

Devamı...>>

Turkish National Team coach Fatih Terim knows his side has a tall task ahead of them over the next week. Türkiye will take on reigning European champs Spain twice in five days starting this weekend. Despite the lofty competition, Terim feels his side will be in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup next summer.

The next two matches will be crucial for Türkiye. A potential berth in the 2010 World Cup is on the line but the Turks must play European giants Spain twice in the next week. Nevertheless, coach Fatih Terim likes his team's chances to be in South Africa next summer.

"I think Spain will win the group, and we will be the runner up," Terim told Spanish sports daily Marca. "But we will be in the World Cup." The Turks play Spain in Madrid on Saturday, then will take on the Euro 2008 champs in Istanbul next Wednesday.

"We have the utmost respect for Spain, but we will not be afraid," Terim told the media outlet. "I am sure that we have a shot at winning. And any positive result will motivate my players to get better."

Terim told Marca that he's been scouting the Spaniards and believes he's found something his team can take advantage of. "They have their powerful sides, but I feel I found their weaknesses," said Terim. "We will try to exploit them."

(source:fenerbahceworldwide)

Devamı...>>