Croatia coach Slaven Bilic called it the "X factor". That is the only way to explain how a team can, on three occasions, come from behind to achieve their goal.
Last gasp goals gave Turkey a victory 2-1 victory over Switzerland, followed by a 3-2 win over the Czech Republic.
The spree continued in Friday's quarter-final against Croatia when Ivan Klasnic put Croatia ahead in the 119th minute, but Bilic's team were stunned when Semih Senturk dramatically equalized deep in stoppage time.
Semih's goal forced a penalty shootout which the Turks won with great conviction.
"It was a shock for us, it seemed as if it was all over, and then we concede a goal and go on to the penalty shootout, that was certainly a psychological advantage for the Turks," said Bilic.
Man of the Day: Semih Senturk
Once again Semih comes off the bench to make all the difference for Turkey. He first did it when he was thrown into the fray at halftime against Switzerland, scoring the equalizer for Turkey.
He did it again against Croatia who were only seconds away from a place in the semi-finals.
Semih had come in as a second-half substitute and as usual impressed. He collected a loose ball in the Croatian are and took his shot. His deflected effort went past keeper Stipe Pletikosa, sending the game into a shootout.
The diminutive player played his part in the shootout and scored from the spot.
Goal of the Day: Klasnic's goal for Croatia
Just when everyone thought the game was going to a shootout, Ivan Klasnic once again rose to the occasion netting home clinically with one minute left in extra time.
Modric pounced on a mistake from Turkish keeper Rustu Recber who left his goal to catch the ball. However, Modric beats him to it and sends a baseline cross to Klasnic who slots home a header past the despairing Rustu.
Play of the Day: Croatian emotions
I don't know what was more emotional to see, the celebrations of the Croats and their coach after Klasnic's goal, which they thought would be the winner, or the tears that filled their faces after losing the shootout.
Klasnic seemed to be living the dream after scoring what could have been the winner for his team. The striker, who scored his second goal of the tournament, was overwhelmed by his teammates who were happy for him as much as they were happy for the potential progress.
Coach Bilic even ran half the length of the field to celebrate with his players beside the Turkish goal.
But less than half an hour later, these same excited faces were filled with tears, even veteran Dario Srna couldn't hold back the waterworks.
Quote of the Day: Guus Hiddink
Usually a person aims to be the hero for his/her country, however, for Dutchman Guus Hiddink it's completely different.
"I want to be the traitor of the year in Holland, because if I am the traitor of the year back home, it will have meant we won the game," joked Hiddink.
The former Holland coach will lead Russia against his home country when the two teams face off in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
"I don't know the words to the Russian national anthem, but I like the melody, so I will mime along," he said. "If I am going to be a traitor, I might as well do it properly."
Last gasp goals gave Turkey a victory 2-1 victory over Switzerland, followed by a 3-2 win over the Czech Republic.
The spree continued in Friday's quarter-final against Croatia when Ivan Klasnic put Croatia ahead in the 119th minute, but Bilic's team were stunned when Semih Senturk dramatically equalized deep in stoppage time.
Semih's goal forced a penalty shootout which the Turks won with great conviction.
"It was a shock for us, it seemed as if it was all over, and then we concede a goal and go on to the penalty shootout, that was certainly a psychological advantage for the Turks," said Bilic.
Man of the Day: Semih Senturk
Once again Semih comes off the bench to make all the difference for Turkey. He first did it when he was thrown into the fray at halftime against Switzerland, scoring the equalizer for Turkey.
He did it again against Croatia who were only seconds away from a place in the semi-finals.
Semih had come in as a second-half substitute and as usual impressed. He collected a loose ball in the Croatian are and took his shot. His deflected effort went past keeper Stipe Pletikosa, sending the game into a shootout.
The diminutive player played his part in the shootout and scored from the spot.
Goal of the Day: Klasnic's goal for Croatia
Just when everyone thought the game was going to a shootout, Ivan Klasnic once again rose to the occasion netting home clinically with one minute left in extra time.
Modric pounced on a mistake from Turkish keeper Rustu Recber who left his goal to catch the ball. However, Modric beats him to it and sends a baseline cross to Klasnic who slots home a header past the despairing Rustu.
Play of the Day: Croatian emotions
I don't know what was more emotional to see, the celebrations of the Croats and their coach after Klasnic's goal, which they thought would be the winner, or the tears that filled their faces after losing the shootout.
Klasnic seemed to be living the dream after scoring what could have been the winner for his team. The striker, who scored his second goal of the tournament, was overwhelmed by his teammates who were happy for him as much as they were happy for the potential progress.
Coach Bilic even ran half the length of the field to celebrate with his players beside the Turkish goal.
But less than half an hour later, these same excited faces were filled with tears, even veteran Dario Srna couldn't hold back the waterworks.
Quote of the Day: Guus Hiddink
Usually a person aims to be the hero for his/her country, however, for Dutchman Guus Hiddink it's completely different.
"I want to be the traitor of the year in Holland, because if I am the traitor of the year back home, it will have meant we won the game," joked Hiddink.
The former Holland coach will lead Russia against his home country when the two teams face off in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
"I don't know the words to the Russian national anthem, but I like the melody, so I will mime along," he said. "If I am going to be a traitor, I might as well do it properly."
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