Hakan Sukur, scorer of the fastest goal in World Cup history, was a happy man at last after Turkey's third place play-off win over South Korea on Saturday.
His goal, after just 11 seconds, beat a 40-year record - but it was his first strike in a generally disappointing tournament for him personally.
"The goal was late in coming. I had to wait until today," Hakan Sukur said afterwards.
"We got a good win and we showed that, if we had been in the final, we would have won.
"There were matches that I played and matches where I was very unlucky.
"Our people deserve so much, even if it came late. We've given them something to cheer about."
Coach Sunol Gunes said his team would return home full of pride after finishing third.
"We are very happy with doing our job properly and honourably. We always said we came with pride and we return with pride," Gunes said.
"The Turkish people love my team and my team love the Turkish people. I think it will be the meeting of two lovers tomorrow.
"We were dreaming of winning the cup but we couldn't do it.
"One thing I must mention is the South Korea crowd - absolutely fantastic."