dear comrades,
It is true, favouring the Turkish national team against Germany for the half-final match this evening seems to be wishful thinking. Therefore, although a supporter of the team, I am prepared to accept the possibility that my favourite team will be defeated today. I actually consider myself as neither a soccer nor any other sport enthusiast. My interest runs much deeper, namely in the 'psycho-socio-anthropological aspects' of this game :-). I think many Indonesians should find no difficulties in placing themselves in the "shoes" of Turkey today. As the team of an 'underdog' nation in Europe region, they have to face a much more favorite team of a much more sophisticated nation. In this situation, one might think what kind of qualities, if any, that we could find in ourselves which 'count' in the eyes of the 'enemy'?. Or, putting it in other words, what actually things that we, as Indonesians could learn from this particular game situation? You might find the answers by reading the passages that I quote from the CNN news article below. ---( ihsan hm )-------------------------------- The 'header' of this CNN news article: ---------------------------------------- (*) Turkey's never-say-die mentality is Germany's Euro Championship concern What Michael Ballack said about Turkey's team: ---------------------------------------------- (*) "But they are unpredictable and they won't underestimate any of us." (*) "Turkey have up until now always been brilliantly set up against their opponents and they almost have a bit of the German mentality about them. What one of the Turkey team member said about --------------------------------------------- Fatih Terim, the coach of the team, ----------------------------------- (*) "He is always instilling belief," (*) "And believe me, when that man shouts you look. It's like nothing I've seen before. The coach gives us belief." --- oOo --- CNN news article: <http://tinyurl.com/4n9y6h> -------------------------------------------- Turkey mentality worries favorites Germany -------------------------------------------- (*) Turkey's never-say-die mentality is Germany's Euro Championship concern (*) Nations clash in Basle with place in Euro final against Spain/Russia at stake (*) Germany at full strength but Turkey have four men suspended and five injured --- oOo --- TENERO, Switzerland (CNN) -- Skipper Michael Ballack believes Turkey's mentality is the greatest threat to Germany's European Championship title ambitions going into tonight's semifinal in Basle. The Turks have massive injury and suspension problems, but their never-say-die attitude under coach Fatih Terim still makes them dangerous opponents. Chelsea midfielder Ballack is still chasing his first major title and the 31-year-old said: "I am very calm. All us see a great chance to be in the final and win the title. It's up to us." Turkey have scored last-minute winners in their last three games to progress to their first Euro semifinal against all the odds. "Turkey are certainly not better than us tactically, technically and in terms of individual players," said Ballack who excelled in Germany's 3-2 win over Portugal in the last eight. "But they are unpredictable and they won't underestimate any of us. "Turkey have up until now always been brilliantly set up against their opponents and they almost have a bit of the German mentality about them. "It will be a tough task, but we have a big chance of making the final." Ballack is set to have Torsten Frings back alongside him in centre midfield at St Jakob Park, the Werder Bremen anchorman having returned to training after breaking ribs. Germany coach Joachim Loew confirmed all 23 players in his squad were available for the match. The situation is the exact opposite for Terim who has four players suspended and five on the injured list. He could be faced with the prospect of playing third-choice goalkeeper Tolga Zengin in an outfield position if he is needed off the bench. ..... "The memory of Dortmund shows us that we have to give our best until the end, and especially against the Turks we have to be committed until the final whistle," Ballack said. ... "London-born Colin Kazim-Richards is available to Terim and he is backing his coach, who is nicknamed 'The Emperor' in his homeland, to do the impossible again. "He is always instilling belief," the 21-year-old forward said of the former AC Milan and Galatasaray boss. "He is incredible. He doesn't let your head go down - if it does, he shouts at you straight away. "And believe me, when that man shouts you look. It's like nothing I've seen before. The coach gives us belief." --- oOo ---