Turkish Amsterdam celebrating soccer victory

News of: Monday, June 16 2008,

Traffic stuck around Mercatorplein after Amsterdam Turks celebrate soccer victory

Mercatorplein square, in Amsterdam West, filled up quickly yesterday evening with partying Turks, after the Turkish team had defeated Czechia in the European Soccer Championshiop with 3-2.

Right after the match, thousands of Turks living in Amsterdam took to the streets with Turkish flags and honking cars to celebrate. There was also much firework, particularly in the neighbourhood of Mercatorplein (called 'De Baarsjes').
Soon, the traffic around Mercatorplein (in a neighbourhood with many Turks) got stuck with cars wanting to go to the square.
Amsterdam has about 35,000 immigrants with a Turkish background (on a total population of 750,000).

Although the police were present in large numbers, no problems were supported.

Like the Dutch team, the Turkish team is now on to the quarter finals of the European soccer tournament.

Turkish Amsterdam celebrating soccer victory

Turkish Amsterdam celebrating soccer victory