Mesut Özil a Turk for Germany.

Now it is for sure Mesut Özil is going to play for Germany. Özil who was born in Germany but his parents are from Turkey. Last week he decided that he wants to play for his birth nation Germany, after national team coach Joachim Löw nominated him for the friendly against Norway on 11. February. In an interview he said that this was a difficult decision, but that he feels German, that Germany was were he learned how to play and that Germany is his home. Özil has played for Germany at the youth level, but Turkish national team coach Fatih Terim has been trying to talk Özil into playing for the country of his parents.

Özil's decision is significant, it marks the first time that a young turkish top player has chosen to play for Germany over Turkey. Germany has been succesfull in integrating players of other national minorities into the national team. Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski, or Piotr Trochowski who are all of polish origin, but were raised or born in Germany and have chosen to play for Germany. Turkish Germans have always prefered to play for Turkey instead, many do so because of family pressure, others just feel that there chances are higher when they play for Turkey.

Part of it is also the lack of integration into the German community. Özil's nomination is therefore much more significant then that of any other player. If he does well at the German national team he could set an example for other young turkish players. Such as Baris Özbek who is currently playing for Galatasaray Istanbul but has chosen to represent Germany at the youth level. Özbek (22) has won a place in Galatasaray's first squad and has won the Turkish Championship with the club last year. Özbek is a typical number 6 and could one day replace Thorsten Frings.

Özil himself, will be an important member for Löw's squad. His creativity and scoring ability have been the only bright spot in Werder Bremen's shaky season so far. Many have compared him to Diego, a comparison that is not that far off. Germany have been lacking a player of his dimensions ever since Sebastian Deisler decided to quit the game 2 years ago.