Montella reaps rewards of embracing Turkey’s fan culture pandemonium
Unlike his predecessors, the Italian has the team leaning into their passionate side as fairytale run continues
A train grinds to a halt, mid-journey, in Bakirkoy, Istanbul, in front a giant screen. The conductor and passengers hold their breath, praying Turkey hold on to their 2-1 lead against Austria. All of a sudden there is a huge roar: everyone on the train, outside in the fan park and from Green Lanes, London, to Gaziantep erupts with joy.
Turkey, showcasing their distinctive brand of chaos-ball, have booked a quarter-final slot thanks to their goalkeeper, Mert Gunok, pulling off a Gordon Banks-esque save. He turned to a delirious crowd and celebrated as if he had scored. It is bedlam.
