Soccer in Turkey

When everything else fails, thank God we can count on soccer. Who? The Turks! The grandchildren of Ottomans, who commanded across three continents... were kinda like the US is now... The lands may be gone, but the pride is still there and it manifests itself through soccer. I've seen Prime Ministers attend games, stock market rising after major international wins, people traveling overseas to support the national team. During the ongoing UEFA European Championship, we made it to the semi-finals with an amazing, last-minute win against Croatia.

On days when there are big games with high stakes, NY Turks of all backgrounds -- bankers, tradesmen, lawyers, restaurant workers, dudes and dudettes mysteriously disappear from their jobs in midday and huddle in front high TVs in British pubs that show satellite sports programs. Then comes the screaming, the ouffs, the 'hadi beee's, the comments on the referrees, the 'kooossshh!,' and the 'agggh!' When we win, everyone goes back to work with a certain glow in their cheeks. And if we win big, few return to work, most take to the streets with horns blasting, flags flying... Tourists find this most entertaining.

Tomorrow, we're playing against Germany. I can guarantee you that every Turkish man in the NY area is going to bed with the dream of winning this game, sticking it to EU commissioners who criticize the country and teaching their American friends a few soccer tricks.