The Game (of the Century)

Wednesday was finally here, and although my co-workers were reluctant to voice the concerns for the Turkish – Germany game, their silence only made the anxiety more obvious. It was useless to ignore the significance of a game where the emotional component is best measured along side Greek tragedies and classic mythology. On one side was Turkey, the remnant of the Ottoman Empire, the Muslim presence in the historically Christian Europe, the emerging nation waiting on the invitation into the EU, Germany’s largest minority of merchant class and fresh immigrants. On the other side was the Fatherland, the economic power, the EU key holder, the Man.

I tried to fish for thoughts at the lunch table, throwing out statements like “I’m pretty nervous about the game tonight. Turkey just seems to always find a way to win.” If I was lucky enough to get a relevant response, it most likely take the form of “Yeah, but they don’t play well—they just play hard. We are much more disciplined.” Despite the few bites, I never reeled one in. When my colleagues started clearing out an hour early, I followed suit. Although it isn’t unusual to leave work early on a game day, this was a bit more than I had noticed during the game against Croatia.That night as I made my way down to the Stadtmitte, literally city-middle, one of my flatmate’s friend let it loose. “There are a lot of Turks here in Germany, you know? We are a little bit scared tonight. We might just get beaten up.” If the game would have started then and there, I might have become a little nervous myself. However, as were passing through a heavily Turkish neighborhood at the time, my nerves were halted by success wishes of “Viel Erfolg!” and even playful negotiations like “If Turkey wins tonight, we get free Döners right?” (Döners are incredibly popular kebab sandwiches, and the shops are almost always Turk-owned). On top of this encouragement, my friend proceded to lighten the mood, glorifying Turkey's underdog appeal. He reminded me that 8 of Turkey's team were either injured or ineligible for the game because of red/double yellow cards in the previous game. As if that wasn't enough, there was wide speculation that the team's third-string goalie might end up playing striker!

I had never seen so many Germans pay so much attention to a game. Of course there was still the typical merriment at this game, but for once the fans seemed more focused on cheering than on the party atmosphere. Every cheer that the Turkish fans started was quickly followed by a counter cheer, and so it went until Turkey scored the first goal. Germany was silent. The game continued to stay close and when Turkey tied the game 2-2 in the second half, I was instructed a native to stop taking pictures of their fans celebrating. With less than ten minutes of regulation play left in the game, both sides seemed to be thinking the same thing, that Turkey somehow manages to win in the end.
In the last minute of regulation play, the flood gates opened in response to Phillip Lahm’s goal. Despite the Turks last minute efforts, the fate was sealed. Germany prevailed 3-2, and Turkey was going to be watching the Finale at home. The celebration continued for hours afterward, but I had to leave an hour into the celebratory dancing in the streets. Unlike the students, I had work the next morning.