Germany-Turkey soccer rivalry takes center stage
Posted: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 2:00 PM
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Mainz, Germany
By Andy Eckardt, NBC News Producer
MAINZ, Germany – With nearly 3 million people of Turkish descent living in Germany, it’s going to be a night of fierce but mostly friendly rivalry when the two countries play in the semi-finals of the European Soccer Championship. (The match starts at 2:45 p.m. ET).
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| AFP - Getty Images |
| Crowds of supporters of the German and Turkish teams wave their national flags in the "Fan zone" in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on June 25. |
Hundreds of thousands of soccer-crazy fans from both nations will be flocking to "public viewing sites" in major German cities.
In Berlin alone, up to 500,000 spectators with German and Turkish flags are expected to gather at the "fan mile" in front of Brandenburg Gate.
Many of Turkish origin find their loyalties are split.
"I had been rooting for Germany at the beginning of the tournament, but tonight my heart goes out to the Turks, the underdog, who showed amazing morale in the last two matches," said Cueneyt Goekcoel, a 35-year-old German of Turkish descent.
"In my head, I feel German," Cueneyt said, "but tonight I am Turkish."
Nationality issue
German newspapers and TV stations have been hyping the event with special coverage including extensive reporting on both teams, as well as a number of reports focusing on the situation of Turks living in Germany.
The integration of foreigners in Germany is an ongoing political and social issue which the country has been dealing with for decades, ever since large numbers of foreigners – with Turks being the largest group – began coming to Germany as so-called "guest workers" in the 1950s.
According to a recent study published in Germany's "Die Zeit" newspaper, more than half of the people of Turkish origin living in Germany feel unwelcome.
And for some, there is a sense of irony in the fact that one of the best players for the Turkish team is Hamit Altintop, who was born and raised in Germany. Just recently, one politician from Germany's Greens party questioned why Altintop is not playing for the German team.
Despite the lingering identity issues, though, the football rivalry has been overwhelmingly good-natured. Many of the cars that have been flying small German flags above the driver's door over the past few weeks added a Turkish flag to the passenger side in anticipation of the big match.
And no matter which nation wins, spontaneous honking of car horns, dancing, screaming and flag-waving are anticipated. "In the end friendship will win," as a full page poster in BILD, Germany’s mass circulation newspaper, said today.
