Turkey's miracle men give European football a true lesson in determination

The Turkey-Croatia game at Euro 2008 provided one of the most amazing finishes in the history of sport. This is what football is all about. The incredible ability and determination to win, no matter what the odds.

Croatia are the better team and probably deserved to win, but Turkey taught European football a new lesson in determination.

They seemed a beaten team when Croatian substitute Ivan Klasnic fired what seemed certain to be the winning goal in the 119th minute. But Semih Senturk equalised for Turkey with the last kick of the game - and then came an astonishing penalty shootout in which Croatia missed three out of four spot-kicks, the last saved by veteran goalkeeper Rustu Recber to earn Turkey a semi-final showdown against Germany.

Every football manager around the world should start the preparation for next season by showing his players this game. Never give up and always try one more time to reach you goal.

Tiger Woods showed the world what one person's mental toughness can achieve by playing through pain to win another US Open against all odds. Turkey’s football team showed the same world-class by overcoming the odds and winning again and again.