The visit of Erdogan is not crowned with success. Turkey lose to the Netherlands, who are rewarded for a strong second half. The wolf salute scandal overshadows the game

The Dutch showed nerves of steel in the Turkish cauldron in Berlin to reach the European Championship semi-finals and knock Turkey out of the tournament after the wolf salute scandal.

Bonds coach Ronald Koeman’s team won the highly charged quarter-final in Berlin’s Olympiastadion 2:1 (0:1) thanks to an improved performance in the second half and can therefore continue to hope for a second European Championship triumph on German soil since 1988.

It was Samet Akaydin (35th minute), who replaced Merih Demiral, who was suspended for his wolf salute, who put the Turks ahead in front of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and former German international Mesut Özil. Stefan de Vrij (70′) and an own goal from Mert Müldür (76′) turned the game around and ensured an exuberant Oranje party. England, who have been unconvincing so far, await in the semi-finals on Wednesday. The Turkish bench was shown a red card in stoppage time

Following the political turmoil caused by the highly controversial wolf salute by Demiral, who was subsequently banned for two games, the European Championship has also come to a bitter end for the Turks in sporting terms. They had initially defied the pressure and had been the slightly better team for long stretches. Their dream of reaching their first semi-final at a European Championship in 16 years was shattered by a lack of concentration in the final phase.

Wearing a dark suit and red tie, Erdogan, who had only traveled to Berlin for the match, watched the game with his wife Emine in the VIP stands, with former Germany international Özil seated directly behind him. In front of them, they could also see many Turkish fans giving the wolf salute during the national anthem

The fan march to the stadium had already been ended prematurely by the police because the Turkish supporters had continuously shown the wolf salute. The police wrote on the short message service X: A fan march is “not a platform for political messages”.

Neither is a European Championship match, UEFA decided and therefore banned Demiral. The 26-year-old had shown the symbol of the “Grey Wolves” against Austria. This is the name given to supporters of the right-wing extremist “Ülkücü movement”, which is being monitored by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Germany. All of this had further inflamed the high-risk match.

The Turks went into the game with plenty of defiance. “We will be even more passionate and proud,” announced coach Vincenzo Montella, but at the same time demanded of his players: ”We have to curb our emotions.”

The opening phase showed just how important this balance is. The Dutch attack with the tricky Cody Gakpo, Xavi Simons and Memphis Depay ran towards the opposing goal at great speed, but often seemed too playful. The Turks defended with tenacity and passion – and gained more possession from the middle of the first half onwards.

Hakan Calhanoglu, who was back in central midfield alongside Dortmund’s Salih Özcan after serving his yellow card suspension, also posed a threat with set-pieces. And that’s how they took the lead: after a corner from the former Bundesliga professional, the ball landed with Arda Güler and the 19-year-old served a tailor-made cross onto the head of goalscorer Akaydin. Demiral applauded in the stands and laughed – but he refrained from making another provocative gesture.

Bonds coach Koeman reacted at the break and brought on super joker Wout Weghorst for the disappointing Steven Bergwijn. Weghorst, who had been loaned out to Hoffenheim in pre-season, also provided more impetus in Oranje’s attacking play. The Turks now ventured less forward and had good chances to make it 2-0 through Güler’s post free-kick (56′) and Kenan Yildiz (65′).

But then came the successful comeback for the Dutch, who were much better in the final phase. They withstood the onslaught of the Turks, with keeper Bart Verbruggen in particular making a decisive contribution