Germany win away at home

Germany retained their 100% record in the 2012 European Championship qualifiers with a rather unchallenged 3-0 win against Turkey at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. Infront of a capacity crowd in the German capital it was a derby kind of atmosphere with around half the spectators in the stadium being Turks. Sometimes the atmosphere was more of an away game then a home match, but a brace from evergreen Miroslav Klose and Turkish-origin Mesut Özil sealed the game for Germany.

A lot had been expected from this clash, a possible rematch of the legendary Euro2008 semifinal which Germany won 3-2, but it wasn't to be as Germany had more from the game and were deserving winners.

The first session was often a tactical affair with both sides operating out of a strong defence with the aim of counter attacks rather then proper build-ups. The Turlish midfield looked good and well organised for about 25 minutes until Mehmet Aurelio had to be substituted due to an injury. And that is were Turkey's problems started as Germany slowly gained more and more control of the match. The result was the lead in the 42nd minute of a nice Bayern Munich build-up. It was a Philipp Lahm cross from the right which Thomas Mueller headed goalwards, the Turkish keeper Volkan Demirel got his hands to the ball to deflect it onto the crossbar, but Miroslav Klose was there to nod it in. It remained 1-0 at halftime.

It continued after the break with Germany dominating and Turkey had one good chance in the 53rd minute through a blunder from Lukas Podolski, they could get a cross in from the right and Halil Altintop had only former Schalke team mate Manuel Neuer to beat, but a brilliant reflex from the keeper retained Germany's lead. Turkey tried to get even, but Germany allowed them no more real chances while Germany was slowly looking to double their lead. And it has to be the story of the match that Turkish origin boy Mesut Özil, who was booed by Turkish fans whenever he had the ball, scored Germany's second in the 79th minute. Germany were through and the final nail in the coffin came in the 87th minute once more through Miroslav Klose. This time keeper Volkan messed up a clearance which landed on Klose's feet and the striker tunneled the keeper for Germany's third.

The qualifiers continue for the teams in Group A on Tuesday with Germany having to travel to Astana to face Kazakhstan, while Turkey travel to Baku to face Azerbaijan.