TURKEY defender Gokhan Gonul has admitted defeat in his race to be fit for Euro 2008.
The Fenerbahce right-back suffered a fractured metatarsal in his right foot and has now pulled out of Fatih Terim's provisional 27-man squad.
Gokhan is devastated at missing out on the tournament in Austria and Switzerland, and has laid the blame squarely on his own shoulders.
"In the final matches of the season, I took part in Fenerbahce's matches of my own will," he told the competition's official website www.euro2008.com.
"This increased the intensity of my injury and I deeply regret this now. It's impossible to define my own feelings.
"I was looking forward to the European Championships. I was about to take part in one of the world's biggest tournaments.
"It was a great opportunity to show my talents. I made a mistake and now I apologise for this.
"I'm planning to go to Switzerland to support my team-mates. I believe that they're going to be successful in the tournament."
Gokhan played a crucial role in his side's charge to the Champions League quarter-finals where they were eliminated by Chelsea.
Terim has no plans to call up anyone to replace the 23-year-old.
Turkey face Portugal, Czech Republic and Switzerland in Group A.
Gokhan is devastated at missing out on the tournament in Austria and Switzerland, and has laid the blame squarely on his own shoulders.
"In the final matches of the season, I took part in Fenerbahce's matches of my own will," he told the competition's official website www.euro2008.com.
"This increased the intensity of my injury and I deeply regret this now. It's impossible to define my own feelings.
"I was looking forward to the European Championships. I was about to take part in one of the world's biggest tournaments.
"It was a great opportunity to show my talents. I made a mistake and now I apologise for this.
"I'm planning to go to Switzerland to support my team-mates. I believe that they're going to be successful in the tournament."
Gokhan played a crucial role in his side's charge to the Champions League quarter-finals where they were eliminated by Chelsea.
Terim has no plans to call up anyone to replace the 23-year-old.
Turkey face Portugal, Czech Republic and Switzerland in Group A.
Copyright (c) Press Association
Related Articles

Talent drain: Aussie prospect makes scoring debut for Turkey

Turkish move to test Toure to the limit
