Turk Kazim Richards vows to knock out Germans
The 21-year-old forward from east London, now called Kazim Kazim after his move to Fenerbahce, promises he will be trying to beat the Germans for his mates back home as much as the people of Ankara and Istanbul. 'I've got a double reason to want to win,' said Kazim-Richards, who was dubbed the Coca-Cola Kid after being bought by Brighton with money won in a sponsor's competition.
'As a Turkish player, to reach the final of Euro 2008 would be a dream. But as an Englishman I want to knock the Germans out because of the rivalry between us. England aren't at Euro 2008, but it's always celebrated when Germany lose. If we can beat the Germans there will be a party in England. I want to make it happen.'
Kazim-Richards is flying the flag for London and the rest of the country while John Terry and his more illustrious England team-mates have to watch the games on television. The failure of referee Howard Webb to be kept on from the knockout stages means he is the only remaining Englishman in action in Austria and Switzerland.
It is an incredible story for a player who was stagnating in the third tier of English football with Brighton in 2006 until Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock rescued him with a £150,000 move.
'He always had talent but his attitude was a problem,' said Warnock. 'I gave him the rollocking of his life the day he signed. He Adopted Turk vows to knock out the Germans I will make England proud rubbed people up the wrong way. His confidence crossed over into arrogance and he didn't show people around him any respect. I think he's taken that on board without losing that devilment.' Mail Online has reported. 21/06/08
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