Turkey loses to Uruguay in warm-up game for Euro 2008

Turkey lost a Euro 2008 warm-up friendly 3-2 to Uruguay in Germany's Bochum on Sunday as Fatih Terim's Turks suffered a setback, the AFP reported.

Terim rang the changes, fielding only four of the starters who beat Slovakia 1-0 last Tuesday in another German friendly, to see what his squad has in reserve.

Defender Servet Cetin was out injured, as was midfielder Mehmet Aurelio and their absence was keenly felt.  Â

Arda Turan opened the scoring with an early header from a cross by Hamit Altintop. But Uruguay fought back and leveled from the spot on the half hour through Luis Suarez after he was upended by keeper Volkan Demirel.

A fine free kick from Nihat Kahveci six minutes after the restart put Turkey back in front but goals from Suarez on 78 minutes, profiting from defensive disarray, and then a Cristian Rodriguez spot kick five minutes from the end after Emre Asik fouled him, completed a Uruguayan turnaround.

Turkey will take on Finland in the German town of Duisburg on Thursday.

At the Euro, Turkey competes in Group A along with co-hosts Switzerland, 2004 semi-finalists Czech Republic and 2004 finalists Portugal, who they play in their first match on June 7 in Geneva.  Â

Photo: AA