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Come Fan with UsTuesday, June 30, 2026

Croatia Vs. Turkey, Euro 2012 Qualifying, Playoffs: I Guess They’re Still Playing This For Funsies

Croatia and Turkey are still playing the second leg of their Euro 2012 Qualifying playoff tie. I guess that’s a rule or something. That you have to play both legs.

Darijo Srna of Croatia in action during the International friendly match between France and Croatia at Stade de France in Paris, France. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Darijo Srna of Croatia in action during the International friendly match between France and Croatia at Stade de France in Paris, France. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Darijo Srna of Croatia in action during the International friendly match between France and Croatia at Stade de France in Paris, France. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Croatia vs. Turkey was supposed to be the most interesting and most competitive match in the Euro 2012 qualifying playoffs. Both teams have a ton of talent, narrowly missed out on World Cup 2010, and played well at Euro 2008. While Nuri Sahin isn’t playing for Turkey, they still have the likes of Arda Turan, the Altintop brothers and Mehmet Topul. Croatia have Luka Modric, among other stars. Competitive and entertaining, right?

Instead, Turkey got crushed at home in the first leg. Ivica Olic scored just two minutes in and Croatia had a 3-0 lead in the 51st minute. This tie was over before it ever really got started. There’s not really any compelling reason to believe that Turkey can turn this result around in Croatia, and for that, it seems likely that Guus Hiddink will lose his job.

Croatia vs. Turkey kicks off at 2:05 pm ET and can be seen on ESPN3 in the USA. We’ll have live coverage of this and every Euro 2012 qualifying match in our Euro 2012 Qualifying Playoffs, Second Legs StoryStream. For more on the entire world of football, visit SB Nation Soccer.

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