Erdogan congratulates Turkey on advancing to EURO 2020

By Sefa Mutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Turkish president has congratulated the national football team that advanced to UEFA EURO 2020 finals after goalless tie against Iceland on Thursday evening.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan told national Turkish broadcaster TRT that the Turkish team became a "nightmare against opponents both in defense and offense".

"I congratulate our manager Senol Gunes, technical staff and our players as well as the Turkish Football Federation," Erdogan said after the match.

He was at Istanbul's Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex to watch the game.

"Our next match will be against Andorra. We are also competing against France [in Group H]," Erdogan said and wished his best to the national team for the next game.

Following the final whistle, Erdogan visited Turkey's dressing room to congratulate the whole team in person.

Turkey advanced to the EURO 2020 finals after 0-0 tie against Iceland in Group H qualifying match.

The Group H leaders Turkey bagged 20 points in nine matches.

France earned 19 points in eight games in the group and currently playing against Moldova at Stade de France, Saint-Denis on Thursday.

Following the draw, Iceland had 16 points and sit in the third place.

Iceland will have to wait for the playoffs to be in EURO 2020.

Top two teams in each group will qualify directly for the EURO 2020.

The other teams in the group, Albania, Andorra and Moldova have been eliminated.

The qualification will mark Turkey's fifth spell at Euro finals, as they have previously done it in 1996, 2000, 2008 and 2016.