BERLIN OLYMPIC STADIUM via SAN FRANCISCO
Text, transcriptions and photos – Liz Heidhues – 7.6.2024
Liz sat transfixed watching the EuroCup match at the historic Berlin Olympic Stadium 5000 miles from San Francisco. Turkey and Holland battled to the final moment as the huge Turkish contingent cheered on its guys until the end. There are nearly 3 million people of Turkish descent living in Germany.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_national_football_team
During our trips to Berlin we stay in Moabit, the largely Turkish neighborhood. It is a very welcoming and friendly place. The local residents are in mourning tonight as the Dutch team destroyed their hopes of moving on in EuroCup 2024.
Following is Liz comment about the Turkey v Holland match. The Dutch prevailed 2-1.
The din in the Olympic Stadium was coming from the supporters of Turkey.
It was a violent game, leave no doubt.
The announcer said, “It makes me tired just watching it.”
https://www.foxsports.com/watch/fmc-set81dr4jzmka32l – Turkey scores to take 1-0 lead
FOX SPORTS running commentary transcribed by Liz.
Turkey has set up its own version of the Berlin Wall. Let’s see if you can get through it.
They do it their way and when the chances come, they take them. Ferdi Kadioglu. He’s brilliant. Abdul Kerim Bardakci, too.
They’re really a very old school team (Turkey), aren’t they?
There’s really only one ball, you’ve got to defend it.
If you can rattle Virgil VanDijk (Dutch centre-back and team captain), you know you’ve done something right. The big Dutch captain got rattled!
This is where the Turks can be dangerous. Turkey so close to its second goal.
It’s not the kind of night where you can leave anything to chance. What a header! No chance for the defender’ (Stefan de Vris header header giving Holland its first goal in the 70th minute).
Just like that, the Turks have fallen silent. Turkey has gotten a taste of its own medicine.
https://www.foxsports.com/watch/fmc-jtraw9vv8u4dkdrw – Netherlands score to take 2-1 lead
England waits for the winners!
Berlin has gone ORANGE !!
Dutch goalie blocks Turkey’s goal. Let’s see what Turkey is made of.
It’s gone from Turkish Delight to Dutch Delight inside this stadium with 10 minutes to go.
They (Turkey) need a big finish! They just can’t continue to bleed.
There’s a real spring in the Dutch stride.
This has been a total turn around.
The Turk is only 19 (Arda Guler attacking midfielder).
I’ve really enjoyed this game. There’s only 70,000 fans inside this stadium in Berlin.
The Turks played so well. If they just had a little more firepower.
The players have given so much. The fans have given so much.
Some very brilliant goal keepers here in Germany.
It must have felt like Christmas when Turkey scored in the first half, but it was double Dutch at the end when The Netherlands scored two goals.
Editorial assistance: Lee Heidhues
DEDICATED TO OUR DEAR SWISS-ITALIAN FRIEND ED BEYELER WHO, 30 YEARS AGO, INTRODUCED US TO THE JOY AND EXCITEMENT OF FOOTBALL
Lee's Perspective 