Hardy von Auenmueller was born in Saxony, Germany, immigrated to the United States in 1959, and is president of the German Society of Pennsylvania.

Albulut is one of millions of Turks worldwide - and thousands locally - enraptured by Turkey's run in the European Soccer Championship. Von Auenmueller represents a German population he says has been in a frenzy since the country hosted the 2006 World Cup.

Their countries meet in Basel, Switzerland, at 2:45 this afternoon Philadelphia time in the semifinals of Euro 2008. Turkey is making its first appearance in the semifinals. Germany has won three World Cups and three European championships.

Nearly two million Turks live in Germany, making them the country's largest immigrant population.

Albulut said the rivalry was not hostile.

"For us, it is a pleasure to play with them," Albulut said.

Albulut was at work Friday when his home country defeated Croatia in the quarterfinals.

"My supervisor said to me, 'This is the first time I have seen you smiling this much,' " Albulut recalled.

The Turkish newspapers are making victory plans, said Albulut, who is working toward a master's degree in liberal arts at Penn. "They're hopeful."

Albulut said all of Turkey would be watching the game today because it begins at 9:45 p.m. Turkish time.

There are 120 Turkish nationals at Penn, and the group has been gathering on Drexel's campus to watch the games.

"I must work," said Albulut, whose parents live in Istanbul. "But I'm always on the phone with my father every 15 minutes during the game. I'm asking 'What was [the coach] thinking? Why did he make that change?' "

Von Auenmueller watches German news via satellite.

"I can tell you, they are in a great frenzy," he said of the German people.

Von Auenmueller said this year's tournament had continued an enthusiasm unleashed two summers ago, when Germany hosted the World Cup.

"There is such a different type of enthusiasm," von Auenmueller said. "A lot of people in the past were reluctant to show enjoyment because of the whole ugly thing of World War II. A whole generation finally let loose."

Never before have Turkey and Germany met in such a high-level, decisive soccer match.

"You'll see this will be a very, very interesting match," von Auenmueller said.