Why did he make the wolf sign after the goals? Noteworthy words from Merih at the end of the match.

I am proud to be Turkish, and I always express that. That's why I celebrated the goal that way. Hopefully, we will continue to do so. There is no specific message, I just wanted to show how proud and happy I am.

SELECTED AS THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH

The Turkish National Football Team defeated Austria 2-1 in the round of 16 of the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship held in Leipzig and advanced to the quarter-finals. Defense player Merih Demiral, who scored both goals for the national team, was selected as the player of the match.

"I RECEIVED CRITICISM WHEN I WENT TO SAUDI ARABIA"

Speaking at the press conference after the match, Demiral said, "I always keep working. There is a different result now compared to the friendly match. I received some criticism when I went to Saudi Arabia, people asked why I went there at this age. I saw all of them, but I kept working. I am trying to do my best for the national team, and I am very happy that we won deservedly today. I am very happy for that."

"I AM VERY HAPPY TO SCORE 2 GOALS"

The 26-year-old football player expressed his happiness for scoring two goals, saying, "I had a goal celebration in mind, related to being Turkish. I am very proud to be Turkish, so I felt it deep inside me after the goal. I wanted to do something like that, and I am very happy that I did it. All our fans are proud of us. After seeing the fans who did it in the stands, I wanted to do it even more, I am very happy."

"I WAS VERY HAPPY TO SEE HIM MAKE SUCH A SAVE IN THIS MATCH"

When asked about goalkeeper Mert Günok's performance, Merih Demiral said, "Mert brother was really amazing. We talked after the match, I couldn't believe the save, we are still under its influence, it was a magnificent save, maybe one of the best saves I have seen live. Mert brother deserves it, he is our oldest player, he always guides us. We benefit a lot from his experience. I was very happy to see him make such a save in this match. It was really great."

"THERE WAS AN AMAZING FIGHT, AND I WAS PART OF THAT FIGHT"

Reminding that he has had many good matches in his career, including in the national team, Demiral said, "I have had many good matches in my career, but I have also played well in national team matches. I think I played well today, but as a team, we fought a lot. We won deservedly. Everyone fought hard on the field. There was an amazing fight, and I was part of that fight. I am proud of the team, it's an incredible feeling, hopefully, we will continue. Our fans are really amazing, we feel it deep inside us. When we play, it feels like we are playing at home. It is a great opportunity for us to play in Berlin, there will be more Turkish fans there. We are glad they exist, and we hope they continue to support us."

"WE ARE ALL TURKISH, AND I AM PROUD TO BE TURKISH"

When reminded of the goal celebration, the national football player said, "The meaning behind it is that I do it in goal celebrations as well as in the stands. We are all Turkish, and I am proud to be Turkish, and I always express that. That's why I celebrated the goal that way. It's completely normal, our Turkish fans are also proud of us. Hopefully, we will continue to do so. There is no specific message, I just wanted to show how proud and happy I am."