Germany & Turkey compete for Euro 2008 final place

The first semi-final of the UEFA Euro 2008 football championships between Germany and Turkey will kick off on Wednesday, June 25 (18:45GMT) at St Jakob Park stadium in the Swiss town of Basel.

Germany go into the match as strong favorites, having won 11 out of the 17 matches played between the countries, in which they have scored 40 goals. Turkey have won just three of the contests and scored just 10 goals in the 17 games.

However, despite their huge historical advantage, Germany hasn't defeated Turkey for 16 years, and the Turks have won two of the last three games between the nations.

Turkey also made it to semi-final of the 2002 World Cup; however, this is furthest they have been in European Championships.

In contrast, Germany has a good record in Euro semifinals. This is their fifth semifinal, they have won each of the previous four games and ended up cup winners on three of those occasions.

They will also have their most powerful line-up available for tonight's game, as midfielder Torsten Frings is back from a fractured rib injury.

Injury and suspension has reduced the Turkish team to just 14 players. Goalkeeper Volkan Demirel, defender Emre Asik, and midfielders Tuncay Sanli and Arda Turan are banned. Defenders Emre Gungor and Servet Cetin, midfielders Tumer Metin and Emre Belozoglu and striker Nihat Kahveci miss out though injury.

The vastly-experienced Massimo Busacca from Switzerland will referee the match.

The winners will play either Russia or Spain in the final in Vienna on Sunday, June 29.