Turkey and Germany

In a couple of days, the national soccer teams of Turkey and Germany will be playing against each other in the first semi-final of the Euro 2008. I'm far too ignorant on soccer to talk about it, let alone post about it. However, just knowing about these two national teams facing each other in a massive media event sets my mind on various tangents.

About 70% of Turkey's immigrants live in Germany. Today, there are nearly 3.5 million ethnic Turks living in Germany (4% of the German population), of which, roughly 2 million have become German citizens, and about 60% work as unskilled labor. Turkish is the second most commonly spoken language in Germany, even more common than English. Turkish workers' remittances from Germany are a major source for external finance: about 2.5% of Turkey's GDP.

In other words, Germany needs Turkish workers and Turkey needs the money that Turkish immigrants earn in Germany.

Yet, Turkish immigration to Germany has not exactly been a smooth ride. Concerns about the "Islamization" of Germany have caused an ongoing debate on Germany's immigration policies and religious tolerance. Anti-immigration voices received great attention in the past election, and although Germany's Nazi past virtually eliminates any public discourse that could be considered racist, ethnic tensions are beginning to surface.

That is why I think Wednesday's match will be the most interesting match of the Euro 2008. Soccer levels the playing field between the two countries. Metaphorically, it allows equal conditions for Turks and Germans, at least during 90 minutes. Thus, an event of such magnitude has the power to either unite the country under the brotherhood of sportsmanship...or ignite the worst passions know to man. Needless to say, I would love to witness the streets of Berlin this week and enjoy Wednesday's game with a shawarma in one hand and a beer mug in the other.