There are 2.7 million Turks that live in Germany, so the atmosphere before tomorrow’s Euro 2008 clash between Turkey and Germany is fervent with enthusiasm and anxiety. Thousands of police officers are being dispatched to Brandenburg Gate where more than 500,000 people are expected to watch a public viewing of the game. [Ed. note: Hello. This is riot speaking. Did someone order a party?] It’s guaranteed to be a festive atmosphere, with both Turkish and German flags plastering the skyline near the Reichstag. Interestingly, The New York Times notes that not all Germans are cheering for their national team.

Some Germans have gone so far as to switch allegiances from their home team to Turkey, a sentimental favorite of the tournament if not quite a Cinderella, considering their run to the semifinals in the 2002 World Cup. “It’s only fair,” said Rosie Lambrecht out shopping for a Turkey T-shirt on Tuesday morning, who roots with her Turkish friends and neighbors in Neukölln. “They’ve never won the tournament.”

Somebody has a friend who owns a Döner Kebab shop and doesn’t want to piss him/her off. Actually, it’s great to hear that fans aren’t ripping each other’s heads off. We’re wondering if a post-WWII world Germany is kinder to it’s darker brethren. We don’t want the world to think otherwise, now do we?

Well, maybe Mexico and U.S. fans can learn a thing or two the next time they clash. Like, kick back on the “pinche gringo” and “go back to your country” insults. Let’s all eat tacos and drink Bood-weiser and watch a game at McCarthur Park!
Germany Faces Turkey, and Loyalties Are Confused [NY Times]
Image [AP]