ARNHEM, Netherlands, June 11 (Reuters) - Italy match-winner Filippo Inzaghi admitted on Saturday that the controversial penalty that gave his side an opening 2-1 Euro 2000 victory over Turkey was a lucky call.

'We saw the television replays of the penalty. The guy blocked my path. At that point I couldn't just disappear. Luckily the referee whistled,' the Juventus striker said. 'Sometimes it can go the other way.'

Italy captain Paolo Maldini said that Scottish referee Hugh Dallas had surprised him when he pointed to the spot after Inzaghi was downed by Turkish captain Ogun Temizkenoglu in the 68th minute.

Inzaghi converted to make the score 2-1 as the largely Turkish crowd behind the goal whistled furiously and threw plastic bottles and other objects on the field.

'It was strange because this referee never used the whistle,' said Maldini. 'Sometimes it happens to you and sometimes to the other team. But we deserved to win, definitely.'

Dallas made no bookings during the match and generally waved play on in a lively encounter at the Gelredome. Turkish coach Mustafa Denizlis said he did not believe the penalty should have been given.

'According to my position on the bench I didn't have a good view but I don't think it was a penalty. But another opinion from our team is that Sergen (Yalcin) says it was a penalty,' he said.

'I am not in a position to say much but I saw two decisions that changed the fate of the match. But I might be wrong.'