We are sitting inside the Hasir restaurant in Kreuzberg.

"I've only been living here in Germany for the Euro 2008: Germany and Croatia advance to quarter-finals ...
Turkey Alters Law Curtailing Free Speech ...
Turkey 'kills 16 Kurdish rebels' ...
EU Calls Case Against Turkish Ruling Party Unjustified ... last 13 years, so I know where my allegiances lie," Ufuk explained.
"Turkey will thrash Germany in the semi-final and we will reach the Euro 2008 final in Vienna on Sunday, because we've simply got the best team. I don't think there will be any problems - it's a bit like a friendly game.
"If we don't win, we will stay calm. I'll be watching the match with my Turkish friends in Kreuzberg and you bet, the atmosphere is going to be electric," said Ufuk.

Little Istanbul
Lots of bars and kebab restaurants in Berlin's Kreuzberg district, known as Little Istanbul, have their TVs already set up for Wednesday's Turkey vs. Germany semi-final.
Thousands of Turks are going to be watching the match at public viewing areas all over the German capital.

As you wander around Kreuzberg, red Turkey flags, with the crescent and star, heavily outnumber the red, black and gold colours of the Germany flags.

But, despite the euphoria, Turkish community leaders are urging Turkish fans to remain peaceful.

"I really hope it's going to be peaceful, but you can never rule out violence," said Kenan Kolat, the head of Germany's Turkish community.
"It isn't really a test of integration, it's just a good old-fashioned football match. But football does help to ease tensions and the semi-final may strengthen friendships between Turks and Germans.
"I'm going to watch the match with some German and Turkish friends. I support Turkey, but we'll be waving German and Turkish flags," said Mr Kolat.

There will be a heavy police presence in Berlin, especially around the public viewing areas, like the "fan mile" at the Brandenburg Gate.
A police spokesman said the authorities had drafted in extra officers, but that's just being seen as a precautionary measure.

The organisers say they are expecting up to 500,000 fans to gather on the fan mile around Berlin's Tiergarten park, to watch the match on giant screens.
Gripping match
But will there be a mixture of Turkish and German fans, or will Germans outnumber Turks at the Brandenburg Gate?
At least the caterers are banking on both groups of fans turning up, as they are planning to sell beer and sausages, as well as plenty of doner kebabs for Turkey fans.

The Turkish newspaper Hurriyet has also called on Turks to keep a cool head.
"We are telling Turks and Germans that they should try to watch the match together, and celebrate together," said Suleyman Selcuk.
"There are so many Turkish young people who were born here. Germany is their second home... I've heard that a lot of Turks will go to the 'fan mile' at the Brandenburg Gate to watch the match," he said.

Two of Turkey's stars, Hamit Altintop and Hakan Balta, grew up in Germany and play for major clubs in Germany's Bundesliga.

Loud
More than two and a half million people of Turkish origin live in Germany and on Wednesday, it is going to be a gripping match - for them, two "national" teams are competing against each other in a major football tournament.

"I still support Turkey, although I've lived here in Germany since 1970," said Talat Ozgen.
"I feel at home in Germany, yet when it comes to football, I'm Turkish. My heart is Turkish. But of course this is difficult, because we are playing against the country where we are living.
"Germany is playing against my motherland. I'm sure there won't be any trouble after the match, whoever wins, but you never know, there are always a few black sheep," he added.

Memocan, preparing kebabs in the kitchen of a Turkish restaurant in Kreuzberg, said he is also supporting Turkey.
"I have many German friends, but I hope Turkey wins. It will be good for us, as I think it will send a clear signal to young Turks that we should be taken seriously," he said.

When Turkey beat Croatia last week, thousands of Turks took to the streets of Berlin, setting off fireworks and chanting "we are the champions!"
On Wednesday, many Turks may still be divided over who to support - Turkey, or Germany. But one thing is sure, it is going to be loud, virtually everywhere.


(BBC)

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