When Turkey coach Fatih Terim said that he might be forced to play third-choice goalkeeper Tolga Zengin as an outfielder against Germany due to injury and suspension woes, the Trabzonspor player probably got quite excited. After all, the chances of him seeing at least some of the action that way is probably higher than him being able to play as a third goalkeeper.
In 1996, when the number of participants at Euro increased to 16, Europe's governing body UEFA also increased the squad sizes. Since then, only one of the 64 third goalkeepers has ever managed to see any action.
That was in 2000.
Portugal beat England in their first group game and then won against Romania. Results between the other teams ensured Portugal of first place in the group ahead of their final game against Germany.
Coach Humberto Coelho rested first-choice Vitor Baia and gave second-choice goalkeeper Pedro Espinha (below) a chance to play against the defending champions. With Portugal leading 3-0 the coach brought on th third keeper Quim in the last minute of the game.
This year, Germany coach Joachim Loew caused quite a surprise when he nominated Bayer Leverkusen's Rene Adler as his third choice keeper for Euro 2008.
In the run-up to the tournament it was widely expected that Timo Hildebrand and Robert Enke would be the goalkeepers behind first choice Jens Lehmann, but Valencia's Hildebrand was unexpectedly dropped.
The 23-year-old Leipzig-born Adler, who benefited from his excellent club form in the Bundesliga to gain a place in the German squad, said he is aware that it is unlikely that he will play.
"For me it is obviously something special to be here. I can only repeat that I view this competition as a learning curve. It is the first time that I am at such a tournament.
"I have been very well received, I am fully integrated and my main focus is to try my best at training and then use this tournament to develop further as a goalkeeper.
"As third goalkeeper you will hardly get to play, but I am certainly not a player who will wish an injury on others. As I said, the main thing is that I show at training that the coach was right to pick me."
Even if he does not play, Adler knows that Lehmann is bound to retire from the national team soon and the youngster is certainly in the frame to take over from the former Arsenal keeper.
"Both (Adler and Enke) are doing a really good job. No one one knows what happens after Euro. This is about positioning as well for after Euro - and to be fully fit if something happens to Jens," said Germany goalkeeper coach Andreas Koepke.
Adler, who was chosen as the best Bundesliga goalkeeper in the past season, said that even if he did not play, he felt a part of the team. "Whatever happens, I have played a part, just as much as any other player.
"I fully accept and understand my role. I am supposed to be at my best if and when I am needed, even if that is probably not going to be the case."
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tell me about it, i had a trial for a NW Counties team a few weeks back who wanted me to sign as 3rd choice.
But i thought i'll not see any games, so am seeing how i get on in my other trials first before deciding.
its a toughy