Germany were given a going over by a makeshift Turkey side during the first half of Wednesday's clash, but despite seeing their goal peppered with shots and the woodwork struck twice, Joachim Low's men still somehow managed to reach half-time level at 1-1.

The second half was more evenly-fought but there was still no point at which Germany looked to be in total control until Philipp Lahm smashed in what would prove to be the winning goal in the 90th minute.

Miroslav Klose had put Germany 2-1 ahead with 11 minutes to go, but that lead was short-lived as comeback kings Turkey levelled through Semih Senturk not long after.

Germany's performance may not have been great in Basle but Mertesacker was able to take one huge positive heading into their final showdown with either Russia or Spain.

"It was our worst game in this tournament, but if you play that bad and still win then you are able to do great things," said the Werder Bremen centre-back.

Forward Lukas Podolski, who set up Germany's first-half equaliser for Bastian Schweinsteiger, felt the way his side played was secondary when compared to the result.

"It doesn't matter how bad or good we were, the thing that matters is that we are in the final," he said.

Podolski's Bayern Munich team-mate Schweinsteiger added: "We let the Turkish play too much and we didn't stop them and that was our fault.

"Nobody knew before we went onto the pitch how we would play following our performances in this tournament, but the good thing is that our opponents don't know how good we can be either.

"The Turkish were very good and they proved that it was right that they made it to the semi-finals."

Podolski and Schweinsteiger both played important roles in the win, but it was a third member of Bayern's Germany contingent who would strike the decisive blow, with full-back Lahm netting only his third goal for his country with that last-minute effort.

Lahm was named man of the match following that goal but the 24-year-old, who was given a tough time by the Turkish forwards throughout the game, admits it was not his best performance.

"As a player, you always try to impose yourself whether it's for 90 minutes or 120 minutes. I appreciate I didn't do well with their equaliser, I did have my low points, and during the tournament I had games where I would have deserved man of the match more than I did tonight," said Lahm.

Describing his match-winning goal, Lahm said: "I had a good pass, a good touch, prepared myself, hit it hard and burst out with emotions. I was just overwhelmed with joy, and ran to bench."

Germany will go in search of their fourth European crown - two of which were won as West Germany - on Sunday when they face either Spain or Russia in the final in Vienna.

The Spanish and Russians play their semi-final on Thursday night, and when asked which side he would prefer, Lahm said: "We are just waiting to see. We are ready for either."