Semih Senturk has scored both his Euro 2008 [Images] goals after coming off the bench but the Turkey forward has no qualms about starting Wednesday's Euro 2008 semi-final against Germany [Images].

Semih looks poised to play in Basel given Turkey's crippling injury and suspension problems, with main striker Nihat Kahveci ruled out of the tournament with a thigh complaint.

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The 25-year-old Semih struck a second-half equaliser in the 2-1 group win over Switzerland [Images] in Basel before blasting in a last-gasp extra time leveller in the quarter-final with Croatia, which the Turks won 3-1 on penalties.

"I don't think I play badly when I start a game, it's just that I score goals as a substitute," he told a news conference before Turkey training on Monday.

"Of course every player wants to be in the starting XI and I always prepare myself to start."

Nicknamed 'Young Semih' after coming through the Fenerbahce youth ranks and often being a substitute, he was top scorer in the Turkish league last season with 17 goals.

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However, he said the strike against Croatia, which followed goalkeeper Rustu Recber's punt into the box, put all his previous goals in perspective.

"Maybe I will never forget the Croatia goal for the rest of my life. I thought we were going out but then our coach Fatih Terim told us to hit long balls. It was like a miracle for me," he said.

Semih's cheeky smile and boyish good looks hide a sensitive side, especially when it comes to Terim.

"Our coach treats every player like he is their father," he said. "When he comes to me he says 'just play football, I know your talents'. He is the best coach I have ever worked with."