June 27, 2006
ANY JEWS?:
German Turks' divided loyalties (Sam Wilson, 6/27/06, BBC News)
Turks make up the largest ethnic minority in Germany, but there are none in Germany's World Cup squad. [...]Posted by Orrin Judd at June 27, 2006 10:15 AMThe future looks no different.
One of Germany's most exciting young players hails from Borussia Dortmund. Nuri Sahin became the youngest player ever to feature in the German Bundesliga in August last year, at 16 years old.
But despite approaches from the German side, he has opted to play international football for Turkey.
He made his Turkey debut in October - against Germany - in a friendly. He came on as a substitute with four minutes left - and took only three to score the winning goal.
"I was actually born in Germany but feel more Turkish," said Sahin, explaining his career decision.
"I learnt my football in Germany but as a Turk, I have never thought of playing for Germany... Scoring a goal in my first game was nice but it is even better to score against Germany."
This story highlights the moral shortcomings on both sides.
The guy benefits from an environment and nation that his culture couldn't produce, yet bites the hand that fed him.
Germany is no better (or perhaps worse) by maintaining the quiet apartheid practiced in the EU.
Posted by: Bruno at June 27, 2006 10:38 AMMy colleagues in Essen tell me that the party celebrating the Turkish team advancing to the World Cup semi-finals in 2002 was much bigger and louder than the one celebrating Germany's advancing to the finals.
Among the Turks in Essen, there is no doubt where their allegiances lie.
Posted by: jeff at June 27, 2006 1:02 PMDoesn't the same thing happen in the Olympics when athletes living in the U.S. participate on the teams from their ancestral lands.
Posted by: erp at June 27, 2006 1:17 PMRegarding dual-citizen athletes in America, I think most of those who represent their ancestral land do so as a chance to get in the Olympics more than from any animus to the States. I remember an announcer during a past Olympics ('88, maybe?) stating the following about an American diver representing France: "Because America's diving program is so strong, she probably could not make the U.S. team, but being a dual citizen gave her opportunity to dive for France, where the competition was easier." I expect the World Cup works that way as well, though a European dual-citizen would probably have an easier time making the American team.
Posted by: John Barrett Jr. at June 27, 2006 1:41 PMThey represent another country if they aren't good enough to make out team.
Posted by: oj at June 27, 2006 1:47 PMThat's one of the many reasons why I dislike dual citizenship.
Posted by: erp at June 27, 2006 4:16 PM