Turkish fans sad but satisfied

Updated: Wednesday June 26, 2002 10:50 a.m. ET

ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) -- Turkish fans watched their World Cup final dream die on Wednesday, as their team lost 1-0 to Brazil in the semifinal -- but the sadness was mixed with satisfaction at the country's best ever sporting performance.

The streets of Istanbul and the capital Ankara were swarming with red and white -- the national team's colors -- before Wednesday's match, but during the game they fell largely silent. Braving heavy rain in Istanbul's central Taksim Square, crowds of Turks listened to match commentary broadcast from giant speakers.

State employees had been given the afternoon off to watch the match. No one else seemed to be working either.

There was no repeat, though, of the scenes of jubilation that had marked Turkey's progress through the tournament -- allowing Turks hard pressed by an economic crisis that brought massive layoffs a rare chance to celebrate.

A few fans waved giant Turkish flags, but the majority stood in thoughtful silence.

"They played really well, they fought really hard, but it wasn't to be," said Gulsum Yilmaz, 22, a student. "I'm very sad, but it's made us all really happy to get this far. Now Turkish soccer is in a better place."

"Turkey played above its strength, but Brazil is a great team. If you want to be realistic, Brazil is a world giant, and the result is about right," said Erdal Savas, 32. "To get here was a great achievement and from now on everyone will be scared to play against Turkey."

In Ankara, almost the only people visible on the streets during the match were selling Turkish flags. After the game the thousands of people who gathered in Kizilay square in anticipation of a party began to disperse.

"We've been unsuccessful with our economy, and our victories in the World Cup made us happy for a little while," said Umit Ozbey, 24, an engineer. "It made us forget the crisis. I'm upset we didn't win ... but now we have to get back to the real world."

Turkey's coach Senol Gunes said after the game that he was proud of his team but "sorry we couldn't give the Turkish people one more reason for optimism."

Some fans, though, were determined to stay on and party regardless.

"We're here because we're happy that Turkey got us this far," said Tulay Manbacioglu, 28.