Start against Italy
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Calhanoglu looks forward to EM . opening match
Turkey coach Senol Gunes (left) and his players look forward to the start of the European Championship in Rome. Photo: Matthias Balck / D
ROM Former Bundesliga player Hakan Calhanoglu is looking forward to the opening match of the European Football Championship with the Turkish national team against Italy.
It is a very special match for him as he plays against many of his teammates, the 26-year-old Milan midfielder said in a virtual press conference on Thursday. “I hope we get the three points. We will do our best on the pitch,” said the former Bundesliga player from Hamburg SV and Bayer Leverkusen.
Turkey will play the opening match of the EM Championship on Friday in Rome (9pm / ARD and Magenta TV). “This is the first time we’ve played an opening match, the first and the last are always important because they’re always going to be in your head,” coach Senol Guns said.
Jeunesse led Turkey to third place at the 2002 World Cup Finals in South Korea and Japan, making it their greatest international success to date. The 69-year-old sees parallels between the World Cup and the European Championship for his team. “In 2002 we also had players who were inexperienced,” said Jones.
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