25 Jun 2008German and Turkish fans encouraged to celebrate together

Football Leagues/ Association and Governance | Football Supporters News

German and Turkish fans are expected to celebrate tonight's Euro 2008 semi-final in harmony, as sets of fans from both nations were urged to join together.

The presidents of the nations' two football associations said the only rivalry should be on the pitch and called on fans to enjoy the occasion.

Basle in Switzerland will host the game and thousands of supporters are expected to watch from various public viewing areas in Germany.

Berlin's fan zone is expected to hold about 500,000 German and Turkish fans as both countries aim to book a place in the final.

Turks form the biggest community of foreigners in Germany with about 2.2 million living in the country.

This is making the game something of a derby and Theo Zwanziger and Hasan Dogan issued a joint statement encouraging the fans to enjoy the occasion.

"We are happy to see all those cars with German and Turkish flags on their windows," they said.

"That's the way it should be," they said.

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