SOCCER-REACTION TO TURKEY'S EURO 2024 LAST-16 VICTORY OVER AUSTRIA

LEIPZIG, Germany (Reuters) -Following is reaction to Turkey's 2-1 win over Austria in their Euro 2024 last-16 tie on Tuesday, which set them up for a quarter-final against the Netherlands in Berlin on Saturday.

Turkey goalkeeper Mert Gunok: "We are very happy, it is difficult to find words right now. It was a great win, I thank everyone who supported us, I thank our supporters, people and citizens who continued to support us and prayed for us. 

"We still have a long way to go, if it's God's will we will go to the very end. We believe this. This win took us to the next level in terms of morale and confidence."

Turkey defender Merih Demiral, who scored both goals for his side: "I would like to first say this - how happy is the one who says I am a Turk? We experienced incredible moments thanks to our supporters. I thank our supporters. 

"This was a very important game, the whole team played great. I am taking this (man of the match) award in the name of the whole team. I am very happy and very proud. The whole team played a great game. If it's God's will, this will continue. I thank everyone."

Austria coach Ralf Rangnick: "We didn't have the necessary luck. I believe if the game had gone to extra time we would have had a chance to win, the Turks were fairly exhausted towards the end, but we had a physical advantage."

"We didn't score enough goals, not enough chances and the set pieces, we didn't defend well. For the second goal, we had three players very good at headers, but Demiral still scored, and if you're two goals behind, it's not easy.

"The four games we played were very entertaining, including today's game. Not everything was accurate, we could have played a few passes better.

"Four entertaining games, super intense - I saw games that were difficult to stay awake for, but that is not the case with us."

Austria midfielder Christoph Baumgartner: "Yes, definitely one of the saddest days of my life. The disappointment is huge. It wasn't my game today. It was all in my head. I'm sorry."

Austria striker Marko Arnautovic: "It's very bitter, it's madness that we left the game like this. They only had two corners. Congratulations to the Turkish team, they gave their lives. For us, it's over. The coach said: 'Chin up'.

"It could be that it's my last game (for Austria)."

(Reporting by Philip O'Connor, additional reporting by Ezgi Erkoyun Editing by Toby Davis and Ken Ferris)

2024-07-02T21:56:18Z dg43tfdfdgfd