World Kick Off

Sigombak-Turkey warmed up for next month`s European championship with a morale-boosting 1-0 victory over Slovakia in a friendly on Tuesday.

Galatasaray defender Hakan Balta secured Turkey`s win with his first international goal, a superb first-time shot from outside the area in the 62nd minute that gave Slovakia keeper Stefan Senecky no chance.

Turkey had most of the possession and would have won by a bigger margin with better finishing.

Along with the result, the good news for Turkey coach Fatih Terim ahead of Euro 2008 was that keeper Rustu Recber, playing in place of the injured Volkan Demirel, showed he still had the speed and timing to play at the top level.

A masterful punch by the 35-year-old blocked an 80th-minute header by Slovakia`s Martin Petras, assuring Turkey of victory on the night.

Tempers rose in the 69th minute after Slovakia`s Martin Skrtel shoved Turkey forward Gokdeniz Karadeniz after a foul.

Both men were given yellow card.(Reuters)