Professor Özbay Güven, the head of sports sociology at the physical education and sports department at Gazi University, cautions that people shouldn't attach too much symbolism to this match and should not mix sports with diplomacy.
A member of the International Society for the History of Physical Education and Sport (ISHPES), Güven talked to Today's Zaman about the high expectations of Saturday's Armenia-Turkey match.

Noting that Turkish and Armenian sportsmen had competed many times in sports other than football in the past, Güven said it is normal for Turkish and Armenian nations to attach some symbolism to this match. "First of all, it was inevitable that one day Turkey would play against Armenia in such a match. Therefore, this event should be viewed with reason rather than sentimentality. Actually, Turkey should be happy as it will be playing against a weak team like Armenia. It is very unlikely that Armenia will be successful in this football match. They should regard this match against the Turkish national team as an opportunity for furthering their relations with Turkey and for the opening of borders," he says.

Güven advised that the Turkish national team should not underestimate Armenia and that the Armenian national team should not give different or historical meanings to the football match. "Although our rival, the Armenian national team, seems to be an easy target, we should not underestimate them. We saw what happened when the Maltese national team played Turkey in 2007 and the game was equated to the Ottoman siege of Malta. It is completely wrong to add symbolism to football or other sports matches," he noted.

Professor Güven also emphasized that both national teams, their players, their fans and their coaches should be ready to accept defeat or victory and behave with good sportsmanship.

However, he said, the biggest responsibility falls on the shoulders of Armenians in this respect. "Armenians should refrain from bringing their ongoing propaganda against Turkey to the match and from fueling tensions and prejudices. This football match may serve as a first step toward the softening of relations and establishing friendship between the two countries. The media organizations from both countries should emphasize a love for sports," he says.

Güven maintained that depending on the atmosphere of the first match in Yerevan, the second match in Turkey may be played in a tension-free environment. He said the Turkish national team has learned not to mix sports with diplomacy and foreign policy after obtaining considerable success at the world and European championships.

"It seems that from the Turkish side, the match will be like a friendship match. Turkey took this approach when it played against Greece. If Armenian fans do not behave in a sportsmanlike manner, the match's atmosphere may be tense. Serious measures should be taken against provocation. Armenia should prevent Armenian fans from waving banners or placards with provocative messages. However, if the players or fans of one country attempt to provoke those of the other country, FIFA has serious sanctions in this regard. FIFA can easily find out who is right and who is wrong," he cautions.

He explained that Armenia is a weak rival for Turkey and that its chances of defeating the Turkish national team are low. He suggested that neither side should view this match as a national cause.

"While we see it as a sports contest, Armenians may turn it into a national cause. Our image in the contest will be positive or negative in the eyes of the world. This match may also serve to improve relations by giving both sides an opportunity to get to know each other and contribute to peace. It may bring us closer. Even if some unwanted things happen during the match, we should not allow this to have a negative effect on the lives of our Armenian citizens. Of course, this will boost national sentiments, but we should not forget the historical incidents in which acting out of emotion caused great harm to both societies. This should never be forgotten," he says.

Güven added that while the Armenian national team is mediocre, it tends not to lose matches played at home, and therefore, the Turkish national team should be careful in the match.

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