Germany’s sizable Turkish neighborhood is anticipated to show Euro 2024 right into a quasi-home event, particularly with a number of gamers on the nationwide crew born within the host nation.
The internet hosting duties for Euro 2024 belong to Germany, but the numerous Turkish presence within the nation may provide their crew a way of familiarity on the sphere.
“Türkiye will have a home field atmosphere at the Euros,” Türkiye midfielder Salih Özcan from Bundesliga membership Borussia Dortmund informed Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA).
“You could already see what can happen in Berlin during the game against Germany in November. That was a little foretaste, I’d say.”
Tens of hundreds of Turkish followers attended the November pleasant their crew received 3-2, and they’ll additionally financial institution on large help on the Euros the place they face Georgia and Portugal in Dortmund, and the Czech Republic in Hamburg within the group stage.
Some 2.9 million folks in Germany have a Turkish background, together with a number of gamers.
Özcan was born in Cologne and helped Germany win the under-21 Euros in 2021 earlier than deciding to play senior crew soccer for his mother and father’ nation.
Defender Kaan Ayhan is from Gelsenkirchen, Kenan Yildiz and Can Uzun had been born in Regensburg, and Inter Milan’s Hakan Çalhanoğlu in Mannheim.
“For the Turkish fans who live here, it is something very special to have the national team here and so close to them,” Özcan stated.
“Türkiye is mostly a really euphoric nation, particularly in relation to the nationwide crew. We gamers will really feel that. That will spur us on.
“We have a lot of German-speaking players in the Turkish national team and I think everyone is really looking forward to it. For them, the Euros are a bit like coming home. Many of the players‘ families still live in Germany.”
Turkish musicians have been booked for the crew’s opener towards debutants Georgia on June 18, and whereas not anticipating any hassle, Dortmund police will inform them about their efforts in Turkish.
“There is no special risk assessment for the Turkish matches that differs from the assessments for other international matches,” Dortmund police informed DPA.
“We assume that the German Turks living in Dortmund and the surrounding area will actively participate in the events.”
Türkiye’s greatest end result was a spot within the semi-finals in 2008, which they misplaced 3-2 towards Germany from a ninetieth minute Philipp Lahm aim.
Özcan is optimistic in regards to the followers’ help, expressing, “I am relishing the excitement. However, there’s also pressure, as the nation is vast and carries high expectations for the national team.”
“If things don’t go well, you get a bit of a kick in the bum, to put it bluntly. But for us, the anticipation of the fans and the feeling of having a home European Championship clearly prevail,” he stated.
Source: www.dailysabah.com