Atlanta, GA — Turkish-American business owners in the Atlanta area are feeling a mix of emotions as Turkey competes against the United States in the last match of the group stage.
Kemal Aytac, who runs Cafe Istanbul in Sandy Springs, shared the personal struggle of supporting both teams. “My heart is half Turkey, half America,” he said, as he has been serving diners in the metro Atlanta region for many years.
His son, Bijan, also finds himself torn. “I’m wearing a Turkey jersey, but I love both the United States and Turkey; I could never pick between them,” he explained.
At Cafe Istanbul and various other Turkish eateries throughout the region, fans are glued to the screens, singing national anthems and cheering with enthusiasm for their teams.
“It’s getting crazy. Fans are singing their own anthems, just having fun and celebrating the sport,” one customer remarked.
Despite Turkey’s challenges in the tournament, many still maintain a light-hearted atmosphere. Umut Canaslan, who helps at his family’s restaurant Ephesus in Milton, noted that he expects Turkey to struggle in the game tonight.
Even with competitive tensions, the vibe in Turkish-American restaurants remains lively and welcoming. Bijan pointed out the special camaraderie among the diverse crowd. “It’s unique here because we have many American and Turkish customers coming together. There’s no hatred; it’s all good fun. We just want to enjoy a great game,” he said.
As the match unfolds, it’s clear that the love for the sport and shared community outweigh any rivalries.
