Football: Turkey's rocky road to France

ISTANBUL

Turkey’s national side has travelled a rocky road to qualify for the European Championship without needing a play-off match.

Having managed to be the best third-placed team in nine qualifying groups by collecting 18 points in Group A, Turkey are setting their sights on Paris.

Turkey made a poor start to the qualification group stage as the Red and Whites bagged only a point in the first three matches. As of matchday six, Turkey had eight points, however, they were born out of the ashes in the last four matches by collecting 10 points.

In the first match Turkey were stunned by Iceland, 3-0. The Czech Republic came back from 1-0 and beat Turkey 2-1 in a second game in Istanbul. In the third match Turkey drew against Latvia 1-1 away.

Turkey finally got their first win in the fourth match against Kazakhstan at home, 3-1.

Fifth match was against European football giants the Netherlands in Amsterdam. Turkey were unable to secure their lead until the final whistle as they conceded an equalizer near the end of the game; the match ended 1-1.

Turkey edged out Kazakhstan 1-0 in an away match, however, they could not avoid another shocking draw versus Latvia at home, 1-1.

Turkey were risking their chances to claim a play-off place for Euro 2016.

The national team won the rest of their matches against strong opponents such as the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Iceland.

The qualification group's heavyweights Netherlands were beaten 3-0 at home in Konya. The precious win gave Turkey a real lift towards qualification.

Turkey made a big step to the play-offs as they were two points ahead of their main rivals in the group, Netherlands.

A late free-kick from Galatasaray central midfielder Selcuk Inan against Iceland in Konya saw Fatih Terim’s side book its place in the championship -- its first major tournament since reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2008 co-hosted by Austria and Switzerland.

The Czech Republic and Iceland qualified for the finals in France with a match to spare. Kazakhstan and Latvia have already failed to qualify. The Netherlands, shockingly, were eliminated in the last match.

All possibilities come true for the finals

All possibilities came true for Turkey to directly reach the finals to be held in France next summer.

In the last match, even a draw against Iceland was enough to be in the play-offs. If Turkey had won against Iceland, and Kazakhstan had beaten Latvia to end the group stage in fifth spot, Turkey would have gone to finals without needing play-offs.

The Czech Republic beat the Netherlands in away match, thus the Red and Whites secured the play-offs without regarding the result of their match against Iceland.

Kazakhstan edged out Latvia surprisingly and pushed Latvia to last place.

Turkey, who snatched 16 points, finished the qualification phase as the best third-place team in nine groups.

Turkey to eye Euro 2016 finals' draw

The UEFA Euro 2016 finals' draw will be held on Dec. 12 in Paris. It is the first time that 24 teams will be competing in the tournament.

Host nation France automatically qualify.

France will be in Group A in a direct way and the reigning winners Spain will be in pot one. Other teams' places in the four pots will be determined according to their UEFA rankings.

Leaders and runners-up of six groups will advance to the knockout stage as well as four best third-placed teams.

European football's top-tier international event will take place between June 10 and July 10.

The matches will be played in Paris, Bordeaux, Lens, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Saint-Denis, Nice, Saint-Etienne and Toulouse.

In addition to host nation France, Turkey, Czech Republic, Iceland, Belgium, Wales, Spain, Slovakia, Germany, Poland, England, Switzerland, Northern Ireland, Romania, Austria, Russia, Italy, Croatia, Portugal and Albania went through the finals without playing any play-off match.

Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ukraine, the Republic of Ireland, Slovenia, Hungary, Sweden, Norway and Denmark are in the play-offs. Play-off stage will be played as home and away knockout format.

Four countries out of eight to eliminate their opponents will claim the Euro 2016 tickets.

Seeded teams will match unseeded ones. Seeded teams are Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ukraine, Sweden, Hungary whilst unseeded ones are Denmark, Republic of Ireland, Norway, Slovenia.

Play-off draws will be held on Oct. 18 in Nyon, Switzerland. Meanwhile the play-off matches will be played on November 12-14 and 15-17.

Turkey's group matches:

Group A standings