Turkey's Italian coach Vincenzo Montella has garnered national admiration following the team's 2-1 victory over Austria, propelling them into the Euro 2024 quarterfinals. They are set to face the Netherlands on Saturday. The victory in Leipzig ignited exuberant celebrations among Turkey's diaspora in Germany, ensuring robust support for the upcoming match at Berlin's Olympiastadion.
Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President Mehmet Buyukeksi shared the nation's sentiments, noting Montella's warm embrace and dedication to the Turkish people. "Montella has become one of us now," Buyukeksi remarked. "He hugged me tightly and said, 'We dedicate this victory to the Turkish nation and especially to you.' We are proud to have made 85 million people happy, particularly our expatriate citizens."
Reports from German and Turkish media indicate that Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan plans to attend the quarterfinal match, foregoing a scheduled trip to Azerbaijan. This marks Turkey's first return to the Euro quarterfinals since 2008, a significant achievement as the nation looks forward to co-hosting the 2032 Euros.
Reflecting on the team's journey, Buyukeksi recalled his message to the players at the tournament's outset: "I told them, 'The 2002 World Cup and 2008 have been talked about for years. You should have a story to tell your children in this tournament.'" He expressed confidence in the team's historic progress and their potential to continue making strides in the competition.
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