Zengin takes Turkey through

By Andrew Haslam at St Léonard stadium

A fine solo goal from Kerim Zengin and two long-range free-kicks from substitute Sezer Öztürk helped Turkey come from a goal down to defeat hosts Switzerland in the semi-finals of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in front of almost 10,000 spectators in Fribourg.

Extra-time winner
The Turkish forward scored what proved to be the winner two minutes into the second half of extra time, taking advantage of gaps in the Swiss defence to cut inside Arnaud Bühler and shoot past Swen König. Although Swiss substitute Slavisa Dugic reduced the arrears almost immediately, Turkey held on and now play Spain in Saturday's final.

Midfield alteration
Switzerland coach Pierre-André Schürmann made one change from the side that clinched first place in Group A with a goalless draw against Ukraine, Fabrizio Zambrella dropping to the bench with Johan Djourou coming into midfield. Turkey coach Gündüz Tekin Onay replaced the suspended Zafer Sakar with Burak Yilmaz, while Sezer Öztürk made way for Emre Aygün.

Early excitement
A packed stadium saw both defences come under pressure in the opening exchanges as a good interchange between Reto Ziegler and Veroljub Salatic set Bühler free. The left-back's low cross reached Guilherme Afonso at the far post, but the striker's shot was cleared off the line by Ergün Teber.

König called upon
Turkey's Ali Öztürk then showed the predatory instincts that had brought him four goals, bursting clear down the right and striking a low shot that forced König into a sprawling stop. The Swiss goalkeeper was called into action again midway through the first period, diving to his right to turn aside Selçuk Inan's free-kick.

Swiss surge
Switzerland steadily pressed their opponents back as the half wore on, with Goran Antic, Ziegler and Blerim Dzemaili all having glimpses of goal. Switzerland came agonisingly close to taking the lead in the 35th minute as Dzemaili's right-wing cross was met powerfully by Guilherme Afonso, whose header beat Serkan Kirintili but struck the post. The rebound fell perfectly for Antic, but the striker's prod towards the gaping goal was somehow cleared off the line by Mehmet Ozan Tahtaisleyen.

Well-worked goal
Turkey weathered the storm, and both Inan and Sezer Öztürk – a half-time introduction for Aygün - threatened. Four minutes before the hour, however, Switzerland took the lead, Djourou collecting possession in midfield and bursting forward powerfully. His sideways pass found Sandro Burki and the Swiss captain unselfishly rolled the ball into the path of Antic who slipped his shot beneath Kirintili.

Instant response
The lead lasted barely two minutes as Turkey won a free-kick around 25 metres from goal on the right with the Swiss fans still celebrating. Sezer Öztürk bent his shot over the wall and the ball somehow evaded König, squirming under the goalkeeper and bouncing into the net.

Late chances
Switzerland nearly responded instantly, Kirintili palming over Dzemaili's powerful strike in a frantic period of play. Both sides had chances to secure victory in normal time, König punching away Inan's free-kick while Antic pulled a shot wide of the post in the final minute.

Stunning strike
Sezer Öztürk put Turkey in front five minutes into the first additional period, the midfield player swerving a vicious strike beyond König's despairing dive from 35 metres. It looked all over for the hosts when Zengin added a third, but Dugic set up a frantic finale. Turkish joy is tempered, though, by the fact midfield players Olcan Adin and Sinan Turan will miss the final having collected their second yellow cards of the competition in the closing minutes.