TURKEY: TURKISH SOCCER FANS TAKE LAST MINUTE FLIGHTS TO DENMARK TO SEE THE UEFA CUP FINAL

Record ID: 257588

  • Title: TURKEY: TURKISH SOCCER FANS TAKE LAST MINUTE FLIGHTS TO DENMARK TO SEE THE UEFA CUP FINAL
  • Date: 17th May 2000
  • Summary: ISTANBUL, TURKEY (MAY 17, 2000) (REUTERS TELEVISION - ACCESS ALL) 1. WIDE OF SQUARE 2. TAIL BACK OF TRUCK BEING OPENED 3. EQUIPMENT LOADED ON STAGE 4. TV TRUKC ARRIVING 5. TV TRUCK WITH ANTENNA AND BIG SCREEN ON TOP OF IT 6. CLOSE SHOT SCREEN 7. WIDE OF GIANT SCREEN 8. MIDSHOT SPEAKERS 9. STAG
  • Embargoed: 1st June 2000 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: ISTANBUL, TURKEY
  • Country: Turkey
  • Reuters ID: LVABLMWJR4NF5NP5YII4EY49S04
  • Story Text: Turkish fans have been taking last minute flights to
    Denmark to land their support for Galatasaray in the UEFA Cup
    final against Arsenal which kicks off on Wednesday (May 17)
    while the Turkish foreign minstry spokesman has condemned the
    stabbing of one English supporter in overnight clashes in the
    centre of Copenhagen.

    A giant screen was being built in Taskim's square, the
    largest in Istanbul in time for Turkish fans to follow their team
    Galatasaray in the UEFA Cup final agains Arsenal of England
    due to kick at 1845 on Wednesday (May 17), in Copenhagen.

    Thousands of supporters were expected to follow the
    action in a giant screen, which measures six meters in length
    by eight in width.

    But the match has already been overshadowed by the
    stabbing of one Arsenal supporter after clashes in Copenhagen's
    City Hall square between the two sets of fans.Ten people, six
    Turks and four British, were arrested.Seven other people injured.

    In Istanbul, the Foreign ministry spokesman Sermet
    Atacanli said: "Such incidents overshadow the beauty of
    sports.Everybody should behave within a certain concept of
    responsibility and not shadow the success of our football
    team."
    The last incident in Denmark follows the killing of two
    Leeds United supporters in central Istanbul before a UEFA
    semi-final last month, which produced a wave of anti-Turkish
    feeling in the Britain.

    Some 160 MPs, nearly a third of the Turkish parliament, and
    10 ministers will join 12,000 fans in Copenhagen.

    Flags and baloons with Galatasaray colors decorated
    Istanbul's airport as the last seven flights were to take off
    for Copenhagen for a historical match for Turkey as
    Galatasaray is the first team ever to play the UEFA Cup final
    in Europe.

    One of the travelling supporters, Haluk Sunay, condemned
    the violence: "I think it could be prevented but it happened.

    Anyway, we are sorry.We are going there just to watch the game,
    to see what is happening there but not for a fight and never we
    will go for it, never."
    Immortality, glory and public statues in their honour
    await Turkey's Galatasaray soccer players if they can beat
    Arsenal in the UEFA Cup Final on Wednesday, according to the
    domestic press.

    "Win and we'll erect your statues," the populist Hurriyet
    newspaper said on its front page.

    For decades in western Europe's shadow in sporting,
    political and economic terms, a victory for Galatasaray over
    the English team would give deep satisfaction to many Turks
    who often feel patronised by Europe's wealthier countries.

    "We have been waiting for years.We want victory," said
    Milliyet."We will be immortalised."
    "We can already feel the joy that would flood the hearts
    of 65 million from the victory to be won against Arsenal," the
    paper, normally relatively sober, added.

    "One target, 11 lions and 65 million hearts," said the
    Fanatik sports daily.
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