Altintop's goal

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

I've no idea about Iraq, I'd assume no, considering it's classed as Asia.

Enlighten me. Why does this video raise the question about whether or not Turkey should be playing in European competition?

Right, so who is classing Iraq as Asia, and what criteria would be involved in so doing?

It's a clip from a game in which Kazakhstan and Turkey are contesting a qualifier for the European Championships.

It doesn't sound like a particularly European game to me, that's all...

[boltonboris]

I've no idea about Iraq, I'd assume no, considering it's classed as Asia.

Enlighten me. Why does this video raise the question about whether or not Turkey should be playing in European competition?

Right, so who is classing Iraq as Asia, and what criteria would be involved in so doing?

It's a clip from a game in which Kazakhstan and Turkey are contesting a qualifier for the European Championships.

It doesn't sound like a particularly European game to me, that's all...

Why though?

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

I've no idea about Iraq, I'd assume no, considering it's classed as Asia.

Enlighten me. Why does this video raise the question about whether or not Turkey should be playing in European competition?

Right, so who is classing Iraq as Asia, and what criteria would be involved in so doing?

It's a clip from a game in which Kazakhstan and Turkey are contesting a qualifier for the European Championships.

It doesn't sound like a particularly European game to me, that's all...

Why though?

Because both countries have the vast majority of their territories in geographical Asia, both have populations the vast majority of which are muslim etc etc....

[boltonboris]

I've no idea about Iraq, I'd assume no, considering it's classed as Asia.

Enlighten me. Why does this video raise the question about whether or not Turkey should be playing in European competition?

Right, so who is classing Iraq as Asia, and what criteria would be involved in so doing?

It's a clip from a game in which Kazakhstan and Turkey are contesting a qualifier for the European Championships.

It doesn't sound like a particularly European game to me, that's all...

Why though?

Because both countries have the vast majority of their territories in geographical Asia, both have populations the vast majority of which are muslim etc etc....

Even though they border with Europe? Since when did religious practice dictate which continent you're classified as. I read the the Ukraine is a predominantly Jewish country. Should they not be classed as European, because the majority of Europe is Christian?

I've put forward, what I believe to be facts based upon Turkeys rights/privilages (whatever you prefer) to play in European competition, spotring or not.

You've basically just put, 'Some of it creeps into asia and they're all Muslim'

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

Even though they border with Europe? Since when did religious practice dictate which continent you're classified as. I read the the Ukraine is a predominantly Jewish country. Should they not be classed as European, because the majority of Europe is Christian?

I've put forward, what I believe to be facts based upon Turkeys rights/privilages (whatever you prefer) to play in European competition, spotring or not.

You've basically just put, 'Some of it creeps into asia and they're all Muslim'

Well presumably some part of Asia HAS to border Europe?

You've put forward nothing other than an (apparently) limited understanding of the politics involved in modern West-East relations and geostrategic significance of somewhere like Turkey!

And I haven't said that 'some' of these countries 'creep' into Asia - I have said that the majority of both their territories are in geographical Asia.

And I do think that cultural (inc religious) factors might play a part in classification, too.

[Lofthouse Lower]

I'll chip in here and say that neither of you are coming out of this in a particularly favourable light.

[boltonboris]

I'll chip in here and say that neither of you are coming out of this in a particularly favourable light.

The fact that you chipped in at all with a comment like that, makes you look a whole lot worse.

[Gary the Enfield]

Not really in Europe. As a European Candidate they MAY be European in about 5 years time. I still don't understand Israel.

I guess it's complicated.

[Lofthouse Lower]

I'll chip in here and say that neither of you are coming out of this in a particularly favourable light.

The fact that you chipped in at all with a comment like that, makes you look a whole lot worse.

[ohjimmyjimmy]

I'll chip in here and say that neither of you are coming out of this in a particularly favourable light.

The fact that you chipped in at all with a comment like that, makes you look a whole lot worse.

[boltonboris]

Not really in Europe. As a European Candidate they MAY be European in about 5 years time. I still don't understand Israel.

I guess it's complicated.

Indeed!

The other one is why is Armenia part, but Iran isn't? Other than the obvious nuclear threats?

[Verbal]

Europe, Asia...can't well all JUST BE FRIENDS?

[Prufrock]

Even though they border with Europe? Since when did religious practice dictate which continent you're classified as. I read the the Ukraine is a predominantly Jewish country. Should they not be classed as European, because the majority of Europe is Christian?

I've put forward, what I believe to be facts based upon Turkeys rights/privilages (whatever you prefer) to play in European competition, spotring or not.

You've basically just put, 'Some of it creeps into asia and they're all Muslim'

Well presumably some part of Asia HAS to border Europe?

You've put forward nothing other than an (apparently) limited understanding of the politics involved in modern West-East relations and geostrategic significance of somewhere like Turkey!

And I haven't said that 'some' of these countries 'creep' into Asia - I have said that the majority of both their territories are in geographical Asia.

And I do think that cultural (inc religious) factors might play a part in classification, too.

It's an interesting one. I think I tend to lean the same way you do Mummy, however, Russia then poses an interesting question does it not. It also has it's vast majority in Asia, even, like Kazakhstan, bordering China. Europe or Asia. In terms of real life, I think the decision has to based on a lot more than geography, but for international football the borders have to be drawn somewhere. Seems odd how they are done so currently.

[Lord Kangana]

I thought a small part of Turkey is technically in Europe? Just to stir the pot up like.

[Prufrock]

I thought a small part of Turkey is technically in Europe? Just to stir the pot up like.

Aye, Bosphorus is the border IIRC, but I think that's Mummy's point, the vast majority isn't, hence my follow up Russia question. Football is mental on those rules though, FIFA recognise countries that don't exist, and Australia manages to be 'Asian' despite there being an Oceania Confederation for which Australia must account for about 90% of the land mass.

[Gary the Enfield]

I thought a small part of Turkey is technically in Europe? Just to stir the pot up like.

Have my newly aquired picture - posting skills all been for naught! Look up, man!

[Lord Kangana]

So you agree with me then?

[SonsOfThunder]

Well it's obvious why Israel is part of Europe, thereby ensuring that they will never do anything of note in regional competitions or have any chance of making it to the WC. Being a minnow in UEFA is certainly more appealing than the thought of traveling to away games in Iran, Syria, Jordan etc etc for the Asian Cup or AFC WCQ.

As for Turkey, I think boris makes a good argument for their inclusion. Just think of them as a being on the border and it makes a lot more sense.

Oh, and Australia joined AFC because there wasn't any competition for them in Oceania. In AFC they have a much tougher route to the World Cup, Confed Cup, etc. It was a step they needed to take to progress as a footballing nation. I think they've proved to be a good addition to Asia, being a strong opponent but by no means dominant in the region.

[Gary the Enfield]

So you agree with me then?

Sometimes.