Fatih Terim:"WE DON'T GIVE UP...."
coach Fatih Terim says the past will count for nothing when his side plays Croatia in the Euro 2008 quarter-finals in Vienna on Friday.
In 1996 the Turks lost 1-0 to Croatia in the opening game of their European Championship campaign, which ended without them scoring a goal.
But Terim, who was also Turkey coach 12 years ago, said: "The situation is much different from how it was in 1996."
"At this stage of the competition, names or past results mean little."
Competing at their first major international tournament since the 2002 World Cup, when they reached the semi-finals, Turkey lost their opening Group A match to Portugal before staging dramatic late comebacks to beat Switzerland and Czech Republic.
Now, Terim insists, his team is capable of winning two more games to contest the final in Vienna on 29 June.
"Croatia is a good team, they beat Germany, but we are a good team, too, and we will get better as each day passes," said the 54-year-old.
"The Croats play well, but as far as we are concerned we will go to Vienna and let's hope we stay there, it is the winner takes all now."
Turkey defender Mehmet Topal is fully aware of the threat posed by Slaven Bilic's men, who progressed to the last eight with victories from each of their three Group B games.
"The Croatian team just never gives up. You see its players running and fighting all match through," said Topal.
"But we don't give up either and showed some good fighting spirit as well.
"Besides that, I think we have the better technical skills so it should be a very interesting match."
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