EURO cult heroes: Rüştü Reçber, 2008

A series of dramatic late goals kept Turkey in contention as they lived on their nerves at UEFA EURO 2008, with Semih Şentürk's 122nd-minute effort against Croatia notably taking their quarter-final to penalties, where goalkeeper Rüştü Reçber's heroics secured his place in Turkish football folklore.

"The celebrations were so intense that Arda Turan's head banged against my ear and perforated my eardrum!" said Rüştü of the reaction to his save from Mladen Petrić's spot kick, which sent the Crescent-Stars to the last four. "It was a huge thrill. We had a real togetherness in the side, but before hugging my team-mates I wanted to comfort the player who missed the penalty."

Destiny calls

UEFA EURO 2008 in Austria and Switzerland was supposed to mark the changing of the guard in terms of Turkish goalkeeping. Having been first choice at all the country's previous finals appearances from 1996 onwards – including their outstanding third place at the 2002 FIFA World Cup – Rüştü had been ousted at both Fenerbahçe and international level by up-and-coming Volkan Demirel. However, the 35-year-old – by then playing for Beşiktaş – got his chance after Volkan's dismissal in Turkey's last Group A game against Czech Republic.

Having shut out the Croatians for 90 minutes of the Vienna quarter-final to force extra time, Rüştü then made a superb stop from a goalbound Darijo Srna free-kick. That looked to be in vain, however, when Ivan Klasnić struck with 60 seconds of the additional half-hour remaining – yet Semih had the final say, scoring even later to take things to spot kicks. While Turkey converted theirs, Luka Modrić and Ivan Rakitić missed, before Rüştü clinched victory by plunging to his left to beat away Petrić's attempt.

Marathon man

Germany awaited in the Basel semi-final and Turkey, for once, were on the receiving end of a late winner as Philipp Lahm's 90th-minute decider sealed a 3-2 success for the Germans. Shortly afterwards, Rüştü declared a wish to quit the national team but he was persuaded to stay on. He was a key member for another four years, his farewell coming in a friendly win against Finland in May 2012, his 120th cap.

Rüştü dives to deny Mladen Petrić's penalty©Getty Images

A five-time Turkish Super League champion who spent a season with Barcelona in 2003/04, Rüştü never considered a future in coaching, instead moving behind the scenes before discovering a second calling. "I wanted to be on the administrative side of things and worked at the Turkish Football Federation for almost a year, but I couldn't find what I wanted," he explained. "Now I can say what I want as a TV pundit."

Turkey's greatest No1

The former No1 was undoubtedly a foundation stone during Turkey's most fruitful years on the international scene. An occasionally eccentric presence, he will be remembered for quirks such as raising his arm whenever he conceded a goal, his spectacular saves, and for his unforgettable role in perhaps Turkey's finest triumph.