Video: The moment that Turkey realised they had qualified for Euro 2016

Arda Turan was reduced to tears

Qualification for the European Championship is always a big deal, but it’s even bigger if you’re not among the top sides in Europe and even better when you’re anticipating a tough road after the qualifiers through playoffs and even the chance of being ousted from the competition despite a good campaign in the lead-up.

It was exactly what Turkey went through as they could only win their tie against group toppers Iceland 1-0 and await the result of the Netherlands game which could potentially deny them a spot at the Euro 2016 finals. However, the news filtered through to the Turkish national team at Konya Buyuksehir Stadium that Netherlands had lost 2-3 to the Czech and that not only were they through to the playoffs but by virtue of being the best third-placed team from all 9 groups they had gone through directly to the main event.

It led to a reaction that was priceless, the whole team began to jump and celebrate on their home ground. The noise in the stadium was raucous as the fans and players mad with joy on hearing the news. Arda Turan was seen rolling on the ground crying as his side was through to France to participate in the grand event.

The last time Turkey qualified for the Euros was in 2008 when they took the competition by the scruff of the neck and made it to the semi-finals where they lost by a single goal to Germany who would go on to be beaten by Spain in the final.

Turkey join 19 other teams who have booked their berths for Euro 2016 in France. However, the best third placed team from the qualifying groups will have to wait for the playoffs to be completed to learn which pot they will be placed in for the draw.

Here’s the video of Turkey’s mad celebrations: