Basturk says England face a hot reception

Yildiray Basturk has upped the ante before his country meets England in their Euro 2004 qualifier this autumn. Basturk has promised England "hell" from the home fans in Istanbul when they play their final group match in October.

The match is likely to decide who wins the group and therefore who qualifies automatically for the European Championship next summer in Portugal. Basturk says there is a danger that Turkish supporters will repeat the scenes of Monday night, when they climbed the fencing and ran on the pitch during their Confederations Cup draw against Brazil in St Etienne.

It would also be a repeat of events at Sunderland's Stadium of Light in April, when fans ran on to the pitch to celebrate the goals that gave England a 2-0 win against Turkey in their initial Euro 2004 encounter.

Basturk, who played in that game, claimed the events at St Etienne were normal behaviour. "I don't know where the match will be played yet, but wherever it is the atmosphere will be the same," he said. "It will be one of the most important matches for Turkey in the last four or five years. Our fans ran on the pitch against Brazil, but you have the same problem in England. I think it is normal.

"I don't know if Turkish fans will be fair in October. I hope they are. It could be that the supporters go on the pitch. With our fans behind us it will be a great match. We are lucky we can play this match against England in Istanbul."

Turkish fans have already made trouble during this Confederations Cup. They threw bottles on to the pitch during their victory over the United States, and threw marbles at the Cameroon coach after their defeat by the Africans. They face France in the semi-final in Paris tomorrow.

Basturk said he is also keen on a move to the Premiership. He rose to prominence when he helped his club Bayer Leverkusen to the Champions League final last year, and he is now a target for Liverpool, whom they beat on the way.