Turkey is hoping Wednesday's UEFA Cup final in Istanbul can be the latest step in a transformation from one of football's backwaters into a major power.
The match between Werder Bremen and Shakhtar Donetsk, the last before the 38-year-old tournament is rebranded as the Europa League, will be the second European final to be staged in the Turkish metropolis in four years.
The prestige is huge, but even more important is the chance to convince officials and fans that the country is a realistic contender to host the 2016 European Championship.
The 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul was beset by logistical problems but enough of a success for UEFA to now let it host the second-tier tournament, albeit at a different, more central stadium on the Asian side of the Bosporus Strait dividing the city.
A trouble-free event at Fenerbahce's 53,586-seat Sukru Saracoglu Stadium could be a trump card when European football's governing body decides in May 2010 where to stage Euro 2016, which will be the first European Championship to be expanded from 16 nations to 24.
"I sincerely believe that Istanbul, as a city that connects Europe and Asia, is an excellent choice for the last final of the UEFA Cup," Turkish Football Association president Mahmut Ozgener said. "The Turkish Football Association gained a lot of experience from organizing the 2005 UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul.
"We consider holding the UEFA Cup final as another important milestone for Turkey and the Turkish FA, who are eager to host Euro 2016."
Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu spent four years coaching in Istanbul with city rivals Galatasaray and Besiktas and appears to have no qualms about the city's suitability for hosting major events.
"It is a very beautiful and interesting city," Lucescu said. "Those years brought me a lot of happiness. Those years were very good years in my career. I established good relations with all fans, no matter which club they were fans of.
"Turkish fans are incredible supporters who understand the game in all its aspects, which is why Istanbul well deserved to host the UEFA Cup final."
A city of almost 13 million people, Istanbul hosts four professional football clubs, with Galatasaray, Besiktas and Fenerbahce the most well known.
Famed for the intimidating atmospheres created by those fanatical supporters -- who have sometimes overstepped the mark with "Welcome to Hell" banners and instances of throat-slitting gestures -- Istanbul is a city passionate about sport, and football in particular.
"I cannot think of a more exciting, vibrant setting for this year's UEFA Cup final than Istanbul, where football is woven into the tapestry of everyday life," UEFA president Michel Platini said. "Istanbul is a remarkable city."
There have been more serious problems, though.
Violence erupted most notoriously when two Leeds fans were stabbed to death in the city in April 2000 ahead of a UEFA Cup semifinal against Galatasaray, while Liverpool's famous Champions League final win over AC Milan was blighted by traffic jams that prevented many supporters from making it to the Ataturk Stadium in time to see the English club rally from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 and win a penalty shootout.
Such instances make it even more crucial for Istanbul to host a trouble-free event Wednesday to have any chance of winning the rights to Euro 2016 in the face of competition from Italy, France and a joint Norway-Sweden bid.
All are more established football nations with, Norway aside, experience of hosting major tournaments.
Source: : USA TODAY and AP
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