Mert Gunok’s wonder-save at Euro 2024 sparks Turkish celebrations, and praise from Austrian rivals
Austria's Christoph Baumgartner, right, reacts following a save by Turkey's goalkeeper Mert Gunok, left, during a round of sixteen match at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Leipzig, Germany, Tuesday, July 2, 2024. . (Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse via AP)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Fabio Ferrari]
LEIPZIG, Germany (AP) — A moment of Mert Gunok brilliance sparked celebrations for Turkish fans and a big exclamation from Austria rival Michael Gregoritsch, who described it as one of the best saves he’d ever seen. Goalkeeper Gunok pulled off one of the saves of the European Championship deep into injury time on Tuesday to secure Turkey’s place in the quarterfinals. He leaped instinctively into a full-stretch dive to his right to palm away a close-range header from Austria’s Christoph Baumgartner four minutes into stoppage time, preserving his team’s 2-1 win and preventing the round-of-16 match from going into extra time.
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