Turkey 0-1 Denmark
Denmark recorded a morale-boosting win against FIFA World Cup semi-finalists Turkey as their preparation for UEFA EURO 2004™ went from strength to strength.
Martin Jørgensen scored the only goal of the game and it was no more than his team deserved. Following the 3-2 friendly defeat of England in November, Danish coach Morten Olsen continued with his favoured attacking formation in Adana.
Turkey had the first decent attempt on goal, Hamit Altintop clipping the outside of the post with a 20-metre free-kick, but Denmark responded immediately with Jon Dahl Tomasson blazing over the bar when well placed.
Denmark were unlucky not to take the lead in the tenth minute when Martin Laursen's powerful header from a corner was cleared off the line by Hamit. Jesper Grønkjær was a constant threat down the right wing, whipping in a succession of accurate crosses that Tomasson might have made better use of on two occasions. Grønkjær also proved to be Denmark's saviour in his own penalty area, making a last-ditch tackle to deny Hamit.
The Danes converted their pressure in the 32nd minute when Jørgensen connected with Thomas Helveg's cross and beat Turkish goalkeeper Rüstu Reçber on his near post with a sweetly struck volley.
Turkey's best efforts came from swift counterattacks, Nihat Kahveci shaving the post with one raking shot, but the home side were unable to pose a consistent threat to the well ordered Danish defence.
Turkey started the second half looking a more potent side and twice troubled Denmark early on. First substitute Selçuk Sahin forced a good save from Danish goalkeeper Thomas Sørensen and then Fatih Sonkaya had a shot well blocked by Helveg when he looked set to score.
Denmark's Daniel Jensen, who had looked threatening from midfield all match, shot well over the bar after some fine build up play. And Peter Madsen made an immediate impression after coming off the bench, firing in a cross that Kenneth Perez scuffed wide.
But as the second half wore on both sides looked increasingly scrappy, and Turkey’s Serkan Balci was booked for a foul on Madsen as the home side grew more frustrated. Striker Tuncay Sanli caused some alarm with a fine piece of control on the edge of the penalty area, but hooked his shot over. Tuncay then went even closer when his fierce shot crashed against the post.
Zafer Biryol could have snatched a draw for Turkey in the dying minutes, but sliced his shot into the side netting from six metres after being sent clear. Turkey continued to pile on the pressure but the Danish defence somehow remained firm.
Source: Uefa.com
