I am starting to believe in miracles

by a daughter who wishes to remain anonymous, impersonating her dad

OK, I am on the plane to Turkey with my two daughters and not even the incessant and loud snoring of the guy behind me can dent my excitement. I can't push the miracle that just occurred in Euro 2008 out of my densely-packed, economically-filled brain.

I had dragged my daughters to the British Airways lounge and sweet talked the attendant behind the desk with my smooth moves (my silver card lets me bring one guest only). I proceed to trek through the crowd of men in suits surrounding the TV. I find a seat on the floor, embarrassing my daughters and attracting a few odd looks in the process. I am therefore able to catch the last half of the Turkey-Croatia game, where I witness the most amazing moments of my soccer viewing career, and throughout which I add a few sound effects of my own (mostly high pitched screams, and a few yelps here and there). What a final two minutes! I am crushed when Croatia scores but my spirits are soaring when Turkey equalizes soon after in the final seconds of extension time (luckily right before I couldn't control my tears). Hugging my knees like a toddler, I rock back and forth during the penalty kicks and debate whether I should go to the restroom and not come back until it is all over. Afterwards, I cannot seem to express my joy, but obviously attempt to anyway by repeating "I just can't believe this!" over and over again for maybe, I don't know, about the next 3 hours.

And now I'm jamming out to the music on my iPhone in celebration while my daughter is coping with her crap iPod from 1923. You should see me play the air guitar.. mm hmm magic flows from my fingers. And I'm sure you can't wait to see me dance because that is, of course, the main attraction. When I start my daughters are so overjoyed that they have to step outside for a little. They tell me that it's because they don't want to be seen with me, but I know it's really to suppress their misery that this gene was not passed on to them. Well, the main point of this is to report on the victory of Turkey because soccer is the favorite sport of Americans (how 'bout them Celtics?!) and assuming that the majority of American citizens TiVo legitimately every game that takes place and watch it with teeth ground and fists clenched, I think that you will agree with me when I say: what a game, my fellow soccer fans, what a game!

Overview: On the up side, Turkey just managed another come from behind feat.  On the down side, I may be dodging a few stray bullets here and there, courtesy of celebrating Turks after today's game.

Comments

[Elanor]

Oh my god, this is so funny!

[Chandan]

That was an amazing game. The penalty shoot out was scary. I still remember the hard times given by the Turks to the Brazilian team in 2002 World Cup. They have reached the semi finals in Euro Cup. Lets see whether the can reach the finals!

[chelnikov]

I am convinced Rüstü Reçber's return as keeper is a big part of the magic! What a great game... Türkiye! Türkiye! Türkiye!

[Kelly Mac]

Someone is looking down on the Turkish team at the moment :)

[Hafiz]

Go get the Germans!

[magnolia]

I agree, that game was amazing. I couldn't believe it. And I'm a completely American fan who was riveted and doesn't even watch basketball.

I just can't wait to see them play Germany (my Dad is rooting for them.)

[ben]

Hilarious!

[Philipp Krause]

A couple of years ago, I lived in a predominantly Turkish area of Berlin and since then I've always rooted for Turkey in any international tournament. Turkish fans are fantastic, although the sight of bullet casings on Berlin streetcorners after a victory is maybe not for the feeble-hearted. And this has been a fantastic run for the Turkish team, cheers to all Turkish fans who just had so much to suffer and rejoice. However, boys, this is as far as it goes. It will be a tough match for sure, but we kicked out Portugal, we're on a run, and I would cry like a baby if we lost.

[andrzej]

Congratulations!!!

I watched the second half of the game and initially was not sure whom I wished to win. I all honesty I have to say that the game was not as interesting as the one from the day before ... until the last minutes obviously. However I have to say that Turkish players won my heart as the play progressed, because I noticed how often they were smiling even in the heat of the intense fight. Is this some unknown to me feature of Turkish culture?

Anyway, congratulations again.

[suitable]

I detest the shoot-outs and didn't watch, but when the cars drove by honking (in Alsace) I knew and was glad. Too bad that the yellow cards will handicap the team for the next match.

Russia tonight was pretty impressive. Is Turkey - Russia in the final a possibility? In a "Euro" tournament?

[Hai]

Russia and Turkey in the final, anyone?

[Tord Steiro]

Turkey ahve showed up some amazing spirits in the past two games. I did truly believe that the Croats would fend off the attack in vienna, but they did not stand up in the end, by the closest margin possible.

Germany is next - that will be a tough one. I can not imagine the Germans collapse in the end like the Czech did, or lose concentration like the Croats did. So we'll see.

And Russia? You have to love the way they play! With 1-0 to Greece, and ten minutes left, they still sent 8 men in attack! And how they were running last game. With their spirits they can beat everyone, especially Italy if they get an early lead.

[ronaldo]

They show the Eurocup live at Dulles Airport at the passport control. Long lines cheering. Great. There is hope for the country which is America.

[Omair]

Nice post anonymous daughter.

[crack]

I DVR'd the replay and stupidly assumed they'd have it scheduled for enough time to fit the game in. So i saw up until the end of the 1st over time.

[Franklin]

Congratulations!!. Enjoy the trip and I hope you tell us about IEA congress soon.

[kfc]

Following centuries of conflict, can we now claim that Turkey are the new Greece?

[yioryos]

please, spare us of the "centuries of conflict" type clichés.
if only the greek team had exhibited such spirit ...

[kfc]

after many years not seeing eye to eye....? Despite a complex history.....?

Mind you, losers are forgotten, no matter how spirited or pretty. Who did Greece beat in the final?

[askin ozcan]

I liked your article very much. I recommend you my book SMALL MIRACLES - ISBN 1598001000 (Outskirts Press) Available at www.amazon.co.uk And for that matter my other books as well, which you will find under my name at the amazon.

Best regards
Askin Ozcan

[Jonathan]

Dani

I guess that we all enjoyed this evening's great performance. But should we be so surprised - does not the Turkish success illustrate one of your points about the need for domestic politics to manage for globalisation? The Turkish squad have a reasonably high proportion of both home-based & international players plus inspired management.
http://jonathandavies.wordpress.com/2008/06/05/football-environment/

[reason]

In the first game where the Turks were the better team they lost. Guess they don't have a monopoly on last minute miracles after all.

[kfc]

commiserations on the result last night........ if only i'd seen it. had to rely on sms updates from a friend

[Ekonomix]

We did not play well in this game and won. Then we played much better against Germany and lost.

Ekonomix
http://turkeconomy.blogspot.com

[sinem]

thnks