Photos of the week: Never "Shhh" the Emperor!

The Emperor - that's how in Turkey they call Fatih Terim, the coach of Turkey's national football team. The team that is rocking Euro 2008! That is creating miraculous comebacks! That smashed the teams like Czech Republic and Croatia...

A moment from Turkey vs Croatia game; Bilic, Croatia's coach, is having small argument with Fatih Terim, and telling him to shut up with his finger. If only he had known the surprise he'd get at the end of the game...




...Extra time in the game. In 119th minute, Ivan Klasnic scores the goal and Bilic is running around like crazy as usual. It seemed the victory was guaranteed!

...The last seconds of the only extra minute of the extra time in the game. Turkish goalkeeper Rustu's long pass to the front, and Semih's fantastic shot to the top left corner of Croatia's goal. Semih gives perfect reply to Bilic...

Photos from fanatik.ekolay.net

p.s. Not 70 million (population of Turkey), but 700 million hearts will beat for Turkey!
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Video of the Day: How Croatians invaded Vienna!

Dedicated to all Croatian fans! Vienna was literally invaded by Croatian fans in white-red checked jerseys. Euro Cup 2008 is on full motion happening and exciting millions of fans around Europe and beyond. And to really feel it, you have to go to one of the host cities in Austria or Switzerland.

Good luck to Croatians! I bet on them ;)
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Football fest in Europe - Euro 2008 in Vienna report

Fantasy without borders; Anubis in Austrian jersey

For football fans, this is the best time to visit Europe! Not necessarily it should be Euro-2008 hosts Switzerland or Austria. In many other countries, central squares of the cities are turned into Fan Zones with huge screens to follow the games. Euro atmosphere is all over the continent! Even the people with zero interest in football can easily turn into the wildest fan! :) But if you have a chance to go to Austria or Switzerland, then do not miss it now! We spent last weekend in Vienna (one of the Euro'08 host cities), and the atmosphere was very "footballic"! All the photos are here.

Our Vienna trip gang; 1 Kyrgyz, 3 Kazakhs, 1 Russian, 3 Catalans

Museum Quartier has put up giant football boots for each participating country

As Croatia was to play with Austria in Vienna first, the city was literally invaded by Croatioans (proof videos and photos are to be provided). It was as if noone was left in Croatia and migrated to Austria (probably they had some good ventilation in Croatia during that period). Suddenly, we were in Zagreb, not Vienna.

Not only the half-drunk male fans, but pretty halves of Croatian supporters were in the Vienna streets as well.

Forza Croatia!

More of Croatian invasion. Giant Croatian flag floating over the square in front of Vienna's main cathedral - St.Stephen's Cathedral. (Videos are coming next!)


This 5-million nation is indeed very successful in sports; football, water polo, basketball, etc.

Local Austrian fans in Vienna streets - like rare tourists.

Besides them many other fans in different national jerseys, hats, face paints, scarves,... that's how football brings together nations and colors. And there were several Fan Zones (for all those who doesn't have the match tickets and who is not willing to watch the games lazily from home) where you could follow the game from huge screens, enjoy your beer and cheer your fav team with many other comrades.

In the Fan Zone in front of Rathhaus building

One of the Fan Zones inside the park. Photo taken from the top of the giant Ferri's Wheel. Similar fan zones can be found in several locations around the city.

Peter Cech (Czech Rep. & Chelsea goalkeeper) illustrated on the Ferri's Wheel.

With the hosts - Austria fans

I was... I am... I will cheer for Turkiye!

Apparently there were some Barcelona fans there as well! I had my Barca jersey on me, so 2 other Barca fans noticed me in that crowd and I heard them calling me "hey Barca, Barca!". Friendly chit-chat and a photo for the memory.

Leila came back to Prague after almost a year since she went back home to Kazakhstan. It was great to see her again, and to travel together after another great trip to Krakow (Poland) last year. We did our part and cheered for Czechs as well!

Now this is the pose of the real football fan!

Adil and Alex are already getting ready for future Spain vs Kazakhstan games in UEFA tournaments

Russia fans - Nastya & Leila

Czech fans - Adil & Kamilya

Holland supporters - yours truly & Leila(?)

Avrupa Avrupa! Duy sesimizi! Ishte bu Turklerin ayak sesleri!
(Europe Europe! Hear us! This is the sound of Turks' footsteps!)

Real Croatian fans!

Portugal boot (uploaded for viewing pleasure of Tamara)

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Yesterday, Turkey beat Switzerland. Now they need to do the same with Czechs. Despite living in Prague, I'm 100% sure which team I will cheer for! Together with her (see below) and other millions.

(Photo: www.ntvmsnbc.com)

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