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Euro 2024: Rising stars Gakpo, Guler set for quarters

Football

By AFP | Jul 06, 2024

**Turkey's Arda Guler in action Austria at the Leipzig Stadium during the round of 16 match on Tuesday.** [AFP]

Cody Gakpo and Arda Guler endured frustrating seasons but both have established themselves as their teams' vital players as the Netherlands face Turkey in a Euro 2024 quarter-final clash on Saturday in Berlin.

Netherlands won the competition for the first and only time in 1988, with Ronald Koeman, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard and Marco van Basten among a talented squad.

The current roster is less illustrious but Liverpool left winger Gakpo, 25, is successfully staking his claim to be their leading light, with three goals this summer.

"Gakpo is our star," former Netherlands international Pierre van Hooijdonk said on Dutch channel NOS.

Overshadowed by Mohamed Salah at Anfield, where he has played inconsistently, Gakpo has burst into life in Germany as a constant threat coming in off the left.

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Half of the forward's 12 goals for his country have come at major tournaments, with three at the World Cup two years ago.

With another he will match compatriots and former stars Ruud van Nistelrooy and Arjen Robben on seven.

"He is a great player who is solid on the ball... and super important for us," said Koeman after the 3-0 last 16 win over Romania, in which Gakpo scored and also brilliantly teed up Donyell Malen.

"He is one of the players with extra qualities and fortunately he makes the difference at moments like this."

At the other end, Real Madrid attacker Guler is Turkey's main weapon.

After months of injury problems and struggling to earn a chance in the Spanish capital, Guler burst into life in the final weeks of the season.

The 19-year-old scored a stunning effort against Georgia in Turkey's thrilling opening win and created both of his team's goals against Austria in the 2-1 last 16 win with set pieces.