Call Turkey whatever you want but, after turning what seemed like another defeat into victory, Fatih Terim's warriors are emerging as the surprise package of Euro 2008.

Four late, late goals in their last three matches have made the world sit up and take notice of the Turks, who have made it inadvisable to leave the stadium early when they are playing.

Yet the victories over Switzerland, the Czech Republic and, on Friday night, Croatia (3-1 on penalties after the teams were tied 1-1 after extra-time), cannot be borne out of sheer luck.

After the mayhem, the last-minute heroics, perhaps, perhaps there is a method to Turkey's madness and sensational march to 2008 semi-finals.

Well, look no further than to Terim. Pugnacious, sleeves rolled up and with an intense stare to match, the 54-year-old knows that man for man, pound for pound, his players lack the quality of the European big guns.

But if he could plant a thought in their heads, make them feel that they are 10 feet tall, it would neutralise whatever mental hurdles the Turks had in their minds.

He is an ace motivator, and it shows from the way he talks.

He declared early in the competition: 'I promised we would make a significant contribution at the finals.

'We came here to make the world remember us and I can't imagine having any aim other than to win the tournament.

'At home in Turkey I have a phrase on the wall that says: Nothing is impossible, but miracles take time. I think that time is coming to an end.'

Those were not empty boasts. Behind that facade of a braggart lies an pragmatic tactical brain, too.

Chasing deficits against Switzerland and the Czech Republic, Terim threw on extra attackers in the closing stages> They got the winner against the Swiss and two priceless goals in the 3-2 win over the Czechs in the last three minutes of those games.

Never mind that his win-at-all-costs strategy came at a heavy price - with injuries and suspensions taking a massive toll.

In Vienna, he had just 15 out of 20 outfield players at his disposal, with eight of them walking the disciplinary tightrope with a yellow card each.

Three of the eight - Tuncay Sanli, Arda Turan and Emre Asik - were booked against Croatia and are suspended for the Germany semi-final.

But, ever the fighter, Terim tried to rouse his team, saying: 'There's nothing to do. We have players who are suspended and players who are injured, but we have lions who can replace them.''

Dubbed 'the Emperor' in his homeland, the coach's achievements are significant, yet hardly celebrated outside Turkey.

He made Galatasaray the first Turkish club to win a continental title, beating Arsenal to lift the 2000 Uefa Cup.

At Fiorentina a year later, he transformed the relegation strugglers to a top-three team within five months and became a fan favourite for standing up to boardroom interference.

And his astute football brain was again at work for all to see against Croatia.

Terim cleverly homed in on dangerman Luka Modric, putting Hamit Altintop, Tuncay Sanli and Mehmet Topal on the playmaker's case, making the trio dictate the terms of the game to the Tottenham-bound maestro.

Only once did Modric did get away, and when he did, he made sure it counted: he beat Rustu Recber to a loose ball before hooking it across the box perfectly for Ivan Klasnic to nod home late in extra-time.

But, in what is becoming all too familiar in Euro 2008, being a goal down is when the Turks are the most dangerous.

Semih Senturk needed barely a minute to silence the Croats and would later contribute in sending Croatia home in the penalty shootout.

Turkey's English-born striker Colin Kazim-Richards points to the coach for turning the team into a stubborn, never-say-die outfit.

'Our coach is incredible, he does not let you get your head down,' he said.

'When your head is down he shouts at you and believe me, when that man shouts you look.

'It is nothing I have seen before, he does not allow you to get your head down. He is always installing belief in yourself.'

But, with Germany up next and another depleted squad to work with, Terim will need more than his glare.

Keeping Bastian Schweinsteiger on the wing and scoring midfielder Michael Ballack in check will stretch the already-thin squad.

But, with the Turks shocking all and sundry along the way, do not be surprised to see them taking the game to Germany, frustrating and harassing as the Croats can testify.

After all, it has done them no harm so far.

meng@sph.com.sg