Bring On The Turks, Declares Klose

The Germans qualified for next week’s match by beating Portugal 3-2 whilst Turkey ousted Croatia on penalties to book their place.

Speaking ahead of the game, the frontman revealed his side were looking forward to the match and couldn’t wait to get started.

He said: “We are well prepared to play against them, I feel good, the team feel good, we are ready to go.”

The Bayern Munich striker also confessed that his side hadn’t played too well in the group stages, which saw them qualify as group runners up to Croatia.

“We survived the group stage without playing the football we wanted, that's why we are so happy to have played such a good game against Portugal,” he continued.

Klose, who opened his Euro 2008 account with a goal against the Portuguese in the quarter final is hoping the Germans can repeat their good form in that match against the Turks.

“We had a lot of pressure on us, we want to play in the same manner again,” he said before adding, “It was obvious the team felt good during the game, but the main thing is we were ready to run and fight during the whole game.”

Klose paid tribute to coach Joachim Low as the key reason for the German’s success against Portugal, despite the coach having to watch the game from the stands after having being sent off in the Germans’ previous match.

However it was the coach’s decision to play a new formation that benefited Klose, as he himself admitted.

“If you play a 4-5-1 system, as a forward, you don't have to track back as much,” he revealed before adding, “You have to keep the two central defenders busy, it was my mission and I did it properly.”

The Bayern striker also took the opportunity to praise his Turkish team mate Hamit Altintop who he will come face to face with in the semi finals.

“I have only words of praise for him,” he said, before also adding. “From his work-rate and quality he is the best Turkish player.”

However despite his kind words Klose is confident he side can overcome Altintop and his Turkish colleagues and seal their place in the final of Euro 2008.

“It will be a difficult game, but we want to win," he concluded.

Gill Clark