UEFA turn down Volkan appeal

Turkey's selection problems ahead of Wednesday's Euro 2008 semi-final with Germany deepened on Monday as they lost their appeal against first choice goalkeeper Volkan Demirel's suspension.

Volkan had received a two match suspension after pushing over Czech striker Jan Koller in their final group match, and had served the first of those match bans for the quarter-final against Croatia.

However, Turkey had appealed to have the second one rescinded but found no favour with the UEFA Appeal Commission.

Volkan's suspension will see 35-year-old veteran Rustu Recber – one of the few survivors from the side that reached the 2002 World Cup semi-finals – win his 118th cap, though, it was a glaring error by him that handed Croatia what looked like being the winning goal in the last eight clash.

However, Turkey levelled at 1-1 with the last kick of the game and then Rustu saved from Mladen Petric in the penalty shootout to send the Turks into the semi-finals.

Aside from Volkan's enforced absence the Turks are down to just 13 fit outfield players, with coach Fatih Terim even suggesting he might have to play his third choice goalkeeper as an outfield player.