(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Flag-map_of_Turkey.svg/800px-Flag-map_of_Turkey.svg.png)
A thread dedicated to all things pertaining to the magical world of Turkish football. I hope that some of our renowned experts in this field, users such as Black Eagle or Benfiquista de 1ª, can give their esteemed contributions.
Let's start with a brief history of the beautiful game in the lands of the Sublime Porte:
(https://i1.wp.com/surahotels.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/istanbul-in-ottoman-empire-period.jpg?resize=688%2C349&ssl=1)
Football was introduced to the Ottoman Empire by English men living in the area. The first matches took place in Selânik, now known as Thessaloniki, in 1875. F.C. Smyrna was the first football club established in Turkey. The same men brought football from İzmir to Istanbul in 1895. The first competitive matches between İzmir and Istanbul clubs took place in 1897, 1898, 1899, and 1904. The İzmir team won every match.
Early years (1875–1958)
The first Turkish man to play the sport was a soldier on assignment in İzmir in 1898. The first teams in the Ottoman Empire consisted of Greek, Armenian and English players.
The first club made up of Turkish footballers was Black Stockings, in 1899. Police of the Ottoman Empire invaded the pitch, arresting as many players as they could catch. Cadi Keuy FRC, Moda FC, Elpis, and Imogene FC followed the precedent set by Black Stockings. The first competitive league was created in 1904. Based in Istanbul and titled the "Constantinople Football League", it consisted the four aforementioned clubs (Cadi Keuy FRC, Moda FC, Elpis, and Imogene FC). However, Turkish players were still prohibited to compete. In the following years, clubs such as Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray (Still-active Turkish club with the oldest football team. Despite Beşiktaş was founded in 1903, they started football activities in 1911) were founded with Turkish players. The league was also known as the Sunday League because the matches took place on Sunday.
Two teams from the Ottoman Empire competed in football at the 1906 Intercalated Games: Smyrna and Thessaloniki. Both clubs lost heavily to Denmark and Athens, losing 5-1 and 5-0 respectively. However, Athens withdrew from the second place match, allowing Smyrna to compete against Thessaloniki. Smyrna won 3-0, winning the silver medal. Another league was created in Istanbul in 1912. The league was called The Friday League, and the clubs played their matches on Friday. The league was made up of Darülfünun S.K., İstanbul J.K. (later known as Türk İdman Ocağı, who became Trabzonspor in 1967), Anadolu S.K., Sanayii F.K., Şehremini S.K., and Fenerbahçe S.K. (II). The Sunday League remained the dominant league until the 1915-16 season, when both leagues merged.
Before the introduction of the professional nationwide league (later to be known as the Süper Lig), there were two top-level national championships: the Turkish Football Championship and the National Division. Fenerbahçe dominated Turkish football in those decades, having won three Turkish Championship titles and six National Division titles, both of them records. They were replaced by the Süper Lig in 1959.
European Competition Records of the Turkish Clubs:
European Cup / UEFA Champions League
Galatasaray (1988–89 – Semi-finals)
Galatasaray (1962–63 – Quarter-finals)
Galatasaray (1969–70 – Quarter-finals)
Besiktaş (1986–87 – Quarter-finals)
Galatasaray (1993–94 – Quarter-finals)
Galatasaray (2000–01 – Quarter-finals)
Fenerbahçe (2007–08 – Quarter-finals)
Galatasaray (2012-13 – Quarter-finals)
UEFA Cup / Europa League
Galatasaray (1999-00 – Champion)
Fenerbahçe (2012–13 – Semi-finals)
Besiktaş (2002–03 – Quarter-finals)
Besiktaş (2016–17 – Quarter-finals)
Inter-Cities Fairs Cup
Göztepe A.Ş. (1968–69- Semi-finals)
UEFA Cup Winners Cup
Fenerbahçe (1963–64 – Quarter-finals)
Göztepe A.Ş. (1969–70 – Quarter-finals)
Bursaspor (1974-75 – Quarter-finals)
Galatasaray (1991–92 – Quarter-finals)
UEFA Super Cup
Galatasaray (2000 - Champion)
UEFA Intertoto Cup
Kayserispor (2006 – Joint Winner)
Trabzonspor (2007 – Final)
Sivasspor (2008 – Final)
İstanbulspor (1997 – Semi-finals)
Samsunspor (1998 – Semi-finals)
Trabzonspor (1999 – Semi-finals)
Bursaspor (1995 – Quarter-finals)
Balkans Cup
Fenerbahçe (1966-67 – Champion)
Sarıyerspor (1991-92 – Champion)
Samsunspor (1993-94 – Champion)
Eskişehirspor (1975 – Final)
The Turkish football champions are the annual winners of the highest association football competition in Turkey. Brought to the country by Englishmen, the sport had first taken root in Istanbul, where the Istanbul Football League was founded and became the first football league in Turkey. After some time, many other regional and local leagues followed in other major cities, such as Ankara (1923), Eskişehir (1920), or İzmir (1923), to name a few.
The first competition to bring forth a national champion was the Turkish Football Championship (Turkish: Türkiye Futbol Şampiyonası), which began in 1924 and continued until 1951. The championship format was based on a knockout competition, contested between the winners of each of the country's top regional leagues. At the end of the 1924 season, Harp Okulu were the first club to be crowned champions after completing their fixtures unbeaten. They are also the only club who have ever changed their name after winning a championship title having been known as Harbiye for the first of their three titles.
Started in 1937, the National Division (Turkish: Millî Küme) was the first national league competition and was held until 1950.
A few years later, in 1959, the professional nationwide league was introduced, currently known as the Süper Lig. The league is contested on a round robin basis and the championship is awarded to the team that is top of the league at the end of the season. The league originally contained 16 teams. Today the Süper Lig is contested by 18 teams; the three lowest-placed teams are relegated to the 1. Lig and replaced by the top three teams in that division. Of the founding teams in the league, only Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, and Galatasaray have not been relegated to date.
Fenerbahçe are the most successful club, having won 28 titles in total so far.
Football team of Harbiye in 1924, the first national champions in Turkish football history:
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Harbiye1924.jpg)
Turkish newspaper Son Posta announcing the Turkish Championship title of Fenerbahçe on 9 September 1935:
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/SonPosta_09.09.1935.jpg)
Muhafızgücü, Turkish champions in 1927, with the championship trophy:
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Muhaf%C4%B1zg%C3%BCc%C3%BC_1927_T%C3%BCrkiye_%C5%9Eampiyonu.jpg)
Eskişehir Demirspor, Turkish champions in 1940, with the championship shield:
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/Eski%C5%9Fehir_Demirspor_1941.jpg)
Over the history of the Turkish football championships 14 different clubs have won the title. The most successful club are Fenerbahçe with 28 titles to their credit, most of those coming in Süper Lig competition. They are also the most successful pre-Süper Lig club with 9 titles overall in that era, 6 of them won in the National Division and 3 in the Turkish Football Championship.
All-time performance (1924–)
In the table below all national championship titles since 1924 are included, comprising the Turkish Football Championship and National Division, which are not counted by the Turkish Football Federation.
(https://s17.postimg.cc/pwowk47rj/alltime.png)
Performance since 1957
Only five clubs have been champions since the beginning of the Süper Lig in 1959: Galatasaray 20 times, Fenerbahçe 19 times, Beşiktaş 15 times (with an additional two titles counted for star purposes, see note below), Trabzonspor 6 times, and Bursaspor once.
(https://s17.postimg.cc/3xihx06dr/alltime2.png)
Beşiktaş formally requested that championships won in the 1956–57 and 1957–58 editions of the Turkish Federation Cup be counted as Turkish championship titles to the Turkish Football Federation. The ruling on this matter was announced in a press release on March 25, 2002 which indicated that the championships won by Beşiktaş in the Turkish Federation Cup will be considered as national league championships. Beşiktaş were given permission to represent Turkey in UEFA competitions in the 1956–57 and 1957–58 seasons.
Star rating system
Based on an idea of Umberto Agnelli, the honor of Golden Stars was introduced to recognize sides that have won multiple championships or other honours by the display of gold stars on their team badges and jerseys. Clubs are permitted to place a golden star above their crest for every five national championships won. For the 2017–18 season Galatasaray are permitted four golden stars, Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş are permitted three golden stars, and Trabzonspor are permitted one golden star to be placed above their crest on their jerseys.
Citação de: Gottschalk em 27 de Abril de 2018, 00:19
The Turkish football champions are the annual winners of the highest association football competition in Turkey. Brought to the country by Englishmen, the sport had first taken root in Istanbul, where the Istanbul Football League was founded and became the first football league in Turkey. After some time, many other regional and local leagues followed in other major cities, such as Ankara (1923), Eskişehir (1920), or İzmir (1923), to name a few.
Interestingly - before the 1920s - Izmir (Smyrna) football was dominated by two major historic city clubs. Panionios and Apollon. After the expulsion of the Greeks in the 1920s - the clubs both relocated to Athens. They are still both in the Super League.
Apollon Smyrnis (founded 1891) Full name: Γυμναστικός Σύλλογος Απόλλων Σμύρνης, Gymnastics Society Apollon of Smyrna:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollon_Smyrni_F.C.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/05/Apollon_Smyrna_1919.jpg)
Panionios (founded 1890) Full name: Πανιώνιος Γυμναστικός Σύλλογος Σμύρνης "All-Ionian Gymnastic Club of Smyrna:''
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panionios_F.C.
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oN8m6FG1iy0/WbkGtMFT7gI/AAAAAAAA4ko/ka9W98wRUxMML2cjzYS2YBFhJowm38F_gCLcBGAs/s1600/125.jpg)
Interestingly the original emblem of Apollon is the Swastika, but after WW2 - they changed it.
In 2016 - the historic Panionios stadium in Izmir was finally demolished - it had been used by Atlay after the Greeks had left Turkey.
(https://www.thenationalherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/panionios_field-760x419.jpg)
https://www.thenationalherald.com/115680/historic-panionios-stadium-in-izmir-demolished/
My only contribution to this thread will be the following:
REMOVE KEBAB!
Istanbul had a similar situation in Ottoman times. The biggest clubs of the city pre war were Énosis Tatávlon and Ermís. The others were Iraklís (Ηρακλής) from the Tatavla district, Mégas Aléxandros (Μέγας Αλέξανδρος) of Galata, and Olympiás (Ολυμπιάς) of Therapia.
Ermis ('Hermes' in English - founded 1875 in Galata) known as 'Pera' had its name Turkified after the population exchanges to "Beyoğlu Spor Kulübü'' in 1923. Here is a picture taken in 1922 when they were still known as Pera:
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/Pera_Club.jpg)
In 1924, the founders of AEK – a group of Constantinopolitan refugees (among them former athletes from the Pera Sports Club and the other Constantinopolitan clubs) – met at the athletic shop "Lux" of Emilios Ionas and Konstantinos Dimopoulos on Veranzerou Street, in the center of Athens, and created AEK. AEK chose the same colours of Pera FC - yellow and black - the colours of the Byzantine Empire.
Those refugees who settled in Thessaloniki instead of Athens in 1922 founded PAOK as a direct descendant of Pera Club (Ermis FC). The notable footballer Christoforos Pantermalis started his career at Pera Club (Hermes) of Istanbul and he also played at PAOK:
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1d/Christoforos_Pantermalis_PAOK.jpg/140px-Christoforos_Pantermalis_PAOK.jpg)
Speaking of Pera Sports Club, and Greeks in Constantinople, we cannot forget the great Lefter Küçükandonyadis, one of the greatest footballers to play for Fenerbahçe and Turkey.
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j4URz60BBac/Rz2JAstywPI/AAAAAAAAA7U/DhGxpWYU2JM/s400/lefter_kucukandonyadis_3.jpg)
Lefter started his footballing career in Büyükada (an island in Istanbul) but professionally played first with Taksim SK, a club based in the European part of Istanbul. He transferred to Fenerbahçe in 1947, achieving instant success. He was one of the first Turkish footballers to play abroad, playing during 1951–1953 for ACF Fiorentina in Italy and OGC Nice in France. Returning to Fenerbahçe, he won two Istanbul League titles and later, after the start of the Turkish national league, three Turkish League (1959, 1961 and 1964) titles. In the 1953–1954 season, he was the top scorer in the Turkish league. Overall, he scored a total of 423 goals in 615 games for Fenerbahçe. After ending his career in Turkey in 1964, he played a single season in Greece with AEK Athens FC. He participated in five games in the 1965 season scoring two goals before an injury in the match against Iraklis forced his retirement.
Küçükandonyadis was capped 46 times for the Turkish national football team, 9 of which as the captain. He also played at the 1954 FIFA World Cup netting in 2 goals, one against West-Germany and the other against South-Korea. He scored 21 goals for the national team and was the top scorer for Turkey until overtaken by Hakan Şükür. He was the first Turkish football player to receive the "Golden Honor medal", from the Turkish Football Federation, for having played for the National Selection in 50 international matches.
Lefter coached Egaleo F.C. in Greece and Supersport United in South Africa. He later returned to Turkey and coached the clubs Samsunspor, Orduspor, Mersin Idmanyurdu and Boluspor.
He was also known as "Ordinaryüs" (professor of professors) in Turkey. His statue was built next to the Şükrü Saraçoğlu Stadium in 2009. He was buried in the Greek Orthodox cemetery on his native island.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/LefterK%C3%BC%C3%A7%C3%BCkandonyadisStatueKad%C4%B1k%C3%B6y01.JPG/800px-LefterK%C3%BC%C3%A7%C3%BCkandonyadisStatueKad%C4%B1k%C3%B6y01.JPG)
Citação de: Gottschalk em 27 de Abril de 2018, 19:52
Speaking of Pera Sports Club, and Greeks in Constantinople, we cannot forget the great Lefter Küçükandonyadis, one of the greatest footballers to play for Fenerbahçe and Turkey.
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j4URz60BBac/Rz2JAstywPI/AAAAAAAAA7U/DhGxpWYU2JM/s400/lefter_kucukandonyadis_3.jpg)
Lefter started his footballing career in Büyükada (an island in Istanbul) but professionally played first with Taksim SK, a club based in the European part of Istanbul. He transferred to Fenerbahçe in 1947, achieving instant success. He was one of the first Turkish footballers to play abroad, playing during 1951–1953 for ACF Fiorentina in Italy and OGC Nice in France. Returning to Fenerbahçe, he won two Istanbul League titles and later, after the start of the Turkish national league, three Turkish League (1959, 1961 and 1964) titles. In the 1953–1954 season, he was the top scorer in the Turkish league. Overall, he scored a total of 423 goals in 615 games for Fenerbahçe. After ending his career in Turkey in 1964, he played a single season in Greece with AEK Athens FC. He participated in five games in the 1965 season scoring two goals before an injury in the match against Iraklis forced his retirement.
Küçükandonyadis was capped 46 times for the Turkish national football team, 9 of which as the captain. He also played at the 1954 FIFA World Cup netting in 2 goals, one against West-Germany and the other against South-Korea. He scored 21 goals for the national team and was the top scorer for Turkey until overtaken by Hakan Şükür. He was the first Turkish football player to receive the "Golden Honor medal", from the Turkish Football Federation, for having played for the National Selection in 50 international matches.
Lefter coached Egaleo F.C. in Greece and Supersport United in South Africa. He later returned to Turkey and coached the clubs Samsunspor, Orduspor, Mersin Idmanyurdu and Boluspor.
He was also known as "Ordinaryüs" (professor of professors) in Turkey. His statue was built next to the Şükrü Saraçoğlu Stadium in 2009. He was buried in the Greek Orthodox cemetery on his native island.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/LefterK%C3%BC%C3%A7%C3%BCkandonyadisStatueKad%C4%B1k%C3%B6y01.JPG/800px-LefterK%C3%BC%C3%A7%C3%BCkandonyadisStatueKad%C4%B1k%C3%B6y01.JPG)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9tSwG64ymA
Why Nobody Is Happy With The TFF Verdict For Abandoned Fenerbahçe – Besiktas Derby That Saw Senol Gunes Taken To Hospital
https://turkish-football.com/nobody-happy-tff-verdict-abandoned-fenerbahce-besiktas-derby-saw-senol-gunes-taken-hospital/ (https://turkish-football.com/nobody-happy-tff-verdict-abandoned-fenerbahce-besiktas-derby-saw-senol-gunes-taken-hospital/)
This Is Why The Turkish Süper Lig Is The Most Exciting Title Race In The World – Besiktas, Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray & Basaksehir Locked In Four Horse Race
https://turkish-football.com/this-is-why-the-turkish-super-lig-is-the-most-exciting-title-race-in-the-world-besiktas-fenerbahce-galatasaray-basaksehir-locked-in-four-horse-race/ (https://turkish-football.com/this-is-why-the-turkish-super-lig-is-the-most-exciting-title-race-in-the-world-besiktas-fenerbahce-galatasaray-basaksehir-locked-in-four-horse-race/)
(https://turkish-football.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/884515012.jpg)
Bored of your domestic title race? look no further than the Süper Lig if you want to follow a league that still means something.
With just four weeks remaining before we switch our attention to examining the World Cup Odds, there is still everything to play for in the Turkish championship.
Three points separate leaders Galatasaray from fourth-placed Fenerbahçe with Basaksehir and Besiktas level just a point behind the Lions.
Things could have been so different.
It all started according to plan. Basaksehir crushed Kayserispor 3-1. Even Arda Turan got in on the act scoring his first goal since joining the Istanbul based side on loan from Barcelona.
Basaksehir have the easiest run out of the teams remaining in the title race but the big question is do they have the bottle? they didn't last season. Perhaps Abdullah Avci will be able to get his players to avoid making the same mistake this time around.
Anyway onto Galatasaray. They headed into the Alanyaspor clash having won just one of their last five away games. Two goals inside 20 minutes told the record keepers where to shove their statistics. Then it happened. The Lions managed to concede twice and relied on Sinan Gumus to get them out of jail with a late goal. The Istanbul giants got the victory... just! Are cracks starting to show? we will find out next week against Besiktas.
With Basaksehir and Galatasaray winning Besiktas were under pressure to keep pace. It is so tight at the top now that any slip up could cost the championship. The Black Eagles were coming off the back of an eventful week.
The derby against Fenerbahçe in the Turkish Cup semi-final had to be abandoned after Besiktas manager Senol Gunes suffered a head injury from an object hurled from the stands.
It all kicked off soon after half-time when a dispute broke out between Besiktas substitute goalkeeper Tolga Zengin and several Fenerbahçe fans.
Gunes tried to split it up ended up but ended up being struck on the head by a foreign object from the Fenerbahce stand before collapsing on the floor.
The Besiktas boss was seen holding his head in agony before being escorted down the tunnel.
Gunes required five stitches to be applied in the dressing room before spending the night in hospital.
The manager was welcomed back by Besiktas fans like a triumphant gladiator returning from a battle in the Colosseum. The reigning titleholders got off to a great start when Negredo opened the scoring. Malatyaspor did equalize but Anderson Talisca put his side back ahead with goal number 19 this campaign. Ricardo Quaresma wrapped up all three points with an incredible free-kick effort.
This left Fenerbahçe having to win on Monday which they did with ease, crushing Antalyaspor 4-1.
Galatasaray Favorites But Still All To Play For In The Turkish Süper Lig Title Race
https://turkish-football.com/galatasaray-favorites-still-play-turkish-super-lig-title-race/ (https://turkish-football.com/galatasaray-favorites-still-play-turkish-super-lig-title-race/)
(https://turkish-football.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/GettyImages-492455077.jpg)
Galatasaray beat Besiktas 2-0 in the Istanbul derby at the Turk Telekom Arena to remain top of the Super Lig table but there is still everything to play for in the title race.
Despite the victory, just four points separate the top four. Basaksehir are just a single point behind Basaksehir, followed by Fenerbahçe and Besiktas.
(https://turkish-football.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Screen-Shot-2018-05-02-at-14.34.29-696x223.png)
Galatasaray fans celebrated in the streets after beating the reigning champions but it is way too early to get carried away.
I'll take a look at the title chances of all four contenders.
Galatasaray
It really is Galatasaray's to lose at this point. The Emperor, as he is known by Lions fans, Fatih Terim, has been here, done that, sent the postcard. The former Turkey national team boss already has six Süper Lig titles under his belt. His team however, are not nearly as experienced.
The Istanbul giants take on Akhisar away, followed by Malatyaspor at home and then a tricky trip to Izmir to face Göztepe.
The problem Galatasaray have is they are not very good on the road. They may be imperious at home but it is a different story away. If the league was determined on away form, the Lions would be 5th. Luckily for them, it is not. Unfortunately for them, they do have two away games. And that is exactly why this title race is not over yet.
I do not see Terim's boys cruising past Akhisar and Göztepe. Both sides will offer stiff opposition. There could be yet another twist.
Basaksehir
Basaksehir have scored seven goals in their last two games putting to bed rumors that they are feeling the pressure. The Istanbul minnows have two home games against Sivasspor and Kasimpasa which they should be able to take care of. The banana skin could be Antalyaspor. The Scorpions will be at home and desperate for points considering they are not safe from relegation just yet.
Fenerbahçe
Fenerbahçe have won their last five league games scoring 17 goals in the process. The Yellow Canaries also have two home games and one on the road. Bursaspor will be no pushovers on the weekend. Karabukspor are bottom of the table so if Aykut Kocaman cannot get his side to win a lot of questions will be asked. Konyaspor on the final day could throw up a surprise considering the Anatolian Eagles are still involved in a relegation battle.
Besiktas
Besiktas have to hope all three sides drop points – actually Galatasaray would have to drop points twice – if they hope to defend the league title for a third successive season. The Black Eagles take on Kayserispor at home, Osmanlispor away and Sivasspor at home on the final day. All they can do is win their final three games and hope. There will be less pressure on the team as nobody expects them to lift the title anymore but second-place is up for grabs and would bring Champions League football.
(http://c1.thejournal.ie/media/2016/06/soccer-fifa-world-cup-2002-second-round-japan-v-turkey-390x285.jpg)
One of my all time favourites.
Citação de: Zimmerman em 03 de Maio de 2018, 00:57
(http://c1.thejournal.ie/media/2016/06/soccer-fifa-world-cup-2002-second-round-japan-v-turkey-390x285.jpg)
One of my all time favourites.
The great
Bull of the Bosphorus.Legendary striker for Galatasaray. Şükür is of Kosovar Albanian origin, by the way.
Come to Besiktas!
The story of Hakan Şükür, the Albanian hero of Turkey, today declared a traitor
http://www.ocnal.com/2018/02/the-story-of-hakan-sukur-albanian-hero.html (http://www.ocnal.com/2018/02/the-story-of-hakan-sukur-albanian-hero.html)
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JGqraktadKM/WpHMXmG0kyI/AAAAAAAAbDo/knXvt98qRBA3hfQCGSIqSHhG4xDapKnnwCLcBGAs/s640/Untitled.jpg)
There is a famous picture in Turkey, taken at the wedding of one of the country's biggest players, a UEFA Cup winner and the player who led the team to the World Cup semi-finals.
In the photo is Hakan Şükür and beside him, there are two "witnesses", current President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the cleric Fethullah Gülen. A marriage is supposed to be one of the most important points in a man's life, but it was not like this for the well-known footballer. The woman with whom he married then has died while her father was imprisoned. The player is now in exile.
If he ever returns to his homeland, he will face charges of insulting the president and rebellion against the government. Would face life imprisonment. Şükür is in danger of the death penalty. He will never see his father again and with him has lost his place.
Many players have had a downfall in life, but nothing can be compared to Şükür's story of both the heights and the depths he touched. He was a legend, called the "Bull of the Bosphorus," in a place where the players eat, drink and sleep.
He was also the record scorer for Galatasaray and his country. Fans of other Turkish giants, Fenerbahçe and Besiktas respected him. He played 9 times for Blackburn Rovers in the 2002-03 season, scoring twice. He gained fame in the 2002 World Cup, scoring against South Korea at 10.8 seconds in the playoffs. It was the fastest goal in an international tournament.
After closing his career at the age 36, he worked as an expert and then entered politics. Şükür represented the religious and conservative AKP, the ruling party today. But suddenly, the picture came out of focus, and all that was achieved was multiplied by zero.
His marriage ended with divorce. Former wife Esra lost her life in the 1999 earthquake that took the lives of at least 17,000 people in Izmir and Istanbul.
Şükür was an expert at TRT, the national television channel. He was aware and appeared serious, always interesting and intriguing in his comments. He married again and had three children. His political views made him deputy for the Justice and Development Party, Erdogan's Party. But Şükür maintained a close relationship with Gülen, the other man in the wedding photo.
In 2013, when the government decided to shut down schools, a type of training center run by the "Hizmet" movement, Şükür resigned from the governing party and passed as an independent MP. Football seemed too far and at this time the first problems started. He faced many controversies especially during a university audience.
"I am Albanian, as such I am not a Turk," dangerous words at the best time in a country where words like "Albanian" and "Kurd" can be seen as against the prevailing nationalism.
In 2016 Şükür was charged with insulting the president on social media. A trial in absentia began in June. Şükür insisted he did not intend to offend the president, but prosecutors said Twitter posts were clearly related to Erdogan.
The failed coup of the state occurred in July. More than 300 people lost their lives. In the months that followed, 120,000 people lost their jobs and 50,000 were arrested. Anyone who liked Gülen was suspected. An arrest warrant was issued for Şükür in August.
Prosecutors in Sakarya province accused him as members of an armed terrorist group, Anatolian state agency said, referring to what Ankara calls a terrorist organization.
Şükür had a chance to give up on Gülen and secure his freedom and security. Şükür's father, Selmet, was captured in a mosque in Adapazari and was charged with financial coup support. Their possessions were confiscated.
Şükür managed to escape the US. In June his father was reportedly dead of cancer without regaining freedom. Şükür remains in exile, surrounded by the memories of an excellent football career. But a sensible man who lost Turkey when he played abroad finds his missing name at the place he once went to the stadium and on the street, writes The Guardian.
Ever thought an 11 made only of German born Turks could get to the Semis of a major tournament?
Champignon Galasataray :metal:
Basaksehir blew it today by drawing at home with Sivasspor.
Chance now for Galatasaray to pull clear if they manage to win or draw at Akhisarspor. Fenerbahçe can also catch Basaksehir in the table if they win against Bursaspor at home.
Great win for Kasimpasa in Trabzon today. 5-2! What a beating.
Black Eagle, are you there?
Really want Fener to be relegated but I know it is a long shot.
Citação de: Faliro em 26 de Novembro de 2018, 13:34
Really want Fener to be relegated but I know it is a long shot.
It won't happen. Fener is too big.
In any case, the season has been a disaster for them so far.
Chelsea Outcast Fabregas Holds Talks With Damien Comolli Over January Transfer To Turkey
https://turkish-football.com/chelsea-outcast-fabregas-holds-talks-with-damien-comolli-over-january-transfer-to-turkey-fenerbahce/ (https://turkish-football.com/chelsea-outcast-fabregas-holds-talks-with-damien-comolli-over-january-transfer-to-turkey-fenerbahce/)
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Fenerbahçe sporting director Damien Comolli has held talks with Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas' agent Darren Dein according to the Fanatik. Per the source, Fenerbahçe want to complete the move in January after a torrid start to the season.
The Yellow Canaries are currently 17th in the league, just one place above last place. Fenerbahçe club president Ali Koc is hoping to reach an agreement with Financial Fair Play over a plan that would allow them to spend again in January.
The Istanbul giants are planning to ship out several players and make transfers over the winter transfer window to turn around the fortunes of the team. The report also claims that AC Milan are no longer interested in Fabregas after targeting Lucas Paqueta.
Fabregas has under a year remaining on his contract and the Blues have yet to offer an extension. The Spaniard is likely to leave the Premier League outfit considering he has lost his place in the first-team.
Fabregas has started just one of the Blues last four league games. In total, he has played just 138 minutes of Premier League football this term. The 31-year-old has one goal and two assists in all competitions for the London based side.
Ersun Yanal is the new Fenerbahçe coach.
He was the last manager to win the title with the yellow canaries (13-14).
De onde vem este teu fetiche pelo turcão e pela Turquia?
https://youtu.be/aEGsgP0y_BY
Great YouTube channel and good vídeo about Turkish reality.
Galatasaray managed to win the title, two points clear ahead of Basaksehir. Besiktas, Trabzonspor and Malatyaspor, by this order, finished in the last remaining spots for Europa League football next year.
Fenerbahçe recovered from that disastrous first half of the season to finish in 6th position, just 1 point short of 5th position that would have qualified them for the EL. Bittersweet.
Bursaspor, Erzurum and Akhisar were relegated.
I remember that Bursaspor played against Man Utd in CL and now they are relegated...
I think that Trabzonspor cannot play the Europa League.
Behind The Scenes At The Fenerbahçe Revolution – The Damien Comolli Role Explained
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Fenerbahçe sporting director Damien Comolli has come under fire from sections of the Turkish media recently with rumors ranging from a rift building with head coach Ersun Yanal to the Frenchman having a diminishing role at the club. A source close to Fenerbahçe has informed Turkish-Football that these reports circulating in the Turkish press are false. The 47-year-old's role at the club has been subject to misinformation since his appointment over the summer.
Comolli remains Fenerbahçe sporting director, his position has not changed, he has the backing of the leadership and remains in charge of all football decisions, recruitment, the academy and training grounds. Contrary to speculation claiming otherwise he works closely with Yanal. The former Tottenham and Liverpool sporting director has made it clear he would ask to leave the club without any compensation if his role were to be changed.
Fenerbahce's longest-serving president Aziz Yildirim was been replaced by Ali Koç over the summer. The scion of the wealthiest family in Turkey, KocHolding. The new man in charge made it his duty to sort out the spiraling debt crisis, currently standing at a staggering €621m. Koç appointed Comolli as director of football to usher in the new era. Fenerbahçe were expected to go through a transitional period but nobody envisioned a relegation battle. But there could be light at the end of the tunnel.
Academy Revolution
Comolli has been in charge of bringing in sweeping changes to the Yellow Canaries footballing structure. The academy and scouting system has gone through a complete overhaul with Comolli recruiting a team of carefully selected scouts and technical staff for the project. Former Barcelona youth coach was appointed Fenerbahçe Football Academy Coordinator. Meanwhile, Serhat Pekmezci was brought in from Altinordu as Head Of Academy Recruitment. Pekmezci played an important role in Altinordu's youth recruitment process over the past six years. The Izmir based side are currently the poster boys of domestic player development in Turkey after first identifying Roma winger Cengiz Ünder and £20m Leicester City signing Caglar Soyuncu.
The current target is to add 30-40 new players to the academy by the end of the season. Fenerbahçe have already added highly-rated youngsters Efekan Karayazı, Ali Efe Katırcı and Arda Güler to their ranks. 15-year-old sensation Omer Faruk Beyaz was among 15 players given pro-contracts or signed to the academy this season. This marks a major change to the previous leadership's approach to youth players and development. Let's be frank: Fenerbahçe was one of the worst places for young players. The club opted for experience over youth. Fenerbahçe plan to promote their brightest prospects to the first-team and make greater use of homegrown players.
New Recruitment Policy
Comolli brought in former Crystal Palace Head of First Team Recruitment Analyst Beri Pardo as Head of Performance Analysis. Data analysis plays an important role in Comolli's player recruitment policy as was also the case at Tottenham and Liverpool. Change can be met with resistance and teething problems. Implementing a new scouting network, technical division and academy is not an overnight process.
It is worth underlining that the first transfers undertaken under the new system did not take place until January. Miha Zajc and Sadik Ciftpinar were the first players signed using what we can call the Comolli method. Both were initially identified by scouts and targetted following detailed data analysis. Comolli and his technical team presented Yanal with their findings. And then the board was approached before the decision was taken to push ahead with the transfer. Negotiations were led by Comolli and his transfer team in contrast to talks usually being conducted through intermediaries. The latest signings mark a shift in transfer policy away from being at the mercy of football agents. Fenerbahçe plan to sign undervalued players unearthed by data analysis and scouting.
What does the future hold?
Comolli plans to expand his scouting network nationwide and outside of Turkey to discover talent. The analytics team will also be strengthened and make greater use of data in expanding their search for players with potential. Yellow Canaries fans can expect to see between 8-10 new signings over the summer as the club continue efforts to overhaul the squad.
Fenerbahçe will however, have their hands tied in the transfer market over the summer. Free transfers and loan players will be the primary targets. The Yellow-Navy Blues are in a transition from targeting overpriced, over-the-hill footballers to discovering young, undervalued footballers with resale value. Short-termism has been endemic in Turkish football. Club presidents feel they do not have the time for a long term youth programme. Quick results are a necessity and many hope to find a quick fix through paying for proven players rather than take a risk on a good talent who may never reach his potential.
Ali Koç is bucking the trend. Fenerbahçe have a long-term vision but are in need of time. And time is the scarcest commodity in Turkish football.
Behind the Scenes at Fenerbahçe – Meet Serhat Pekmezci: Revolutionising Youth Football at Fenerbahce After Putting Altınordu on the Map
In Turkish Football (https://turkish-football.com/behind-the-scenes-at-fenerbahce-meet-serhat-pekmezci-revolutionising-youth-football-at-fenerbahce-after-putting-altinordu-on-the-map/).
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Fenerbahçe are in transition. The Yellow Canaries longest-serving president Aziz Yildirim was replaced by Ali Koç over the summer – the scion of the wealthiest family in Turkey, KocHolding. The new man in charge made it his duty to sort out the spiraling debt crisis, currently standing at a staggering €621m and modernize the club.
Koç appointed Damien Comolli as director of football but perhaps his most important signing was bringing in Serhat Pekmezci as Head of Academy Recruitment to usher in the new era. Pekmezci was brought in from Altınordu as Head Of Academy Recruitment. The academy and scouting system has gone through a complete overhaul with recruiting a team of carefully selected scouts and technical staff for the project.
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Pekmezci played an important role in Altınordu's youth recruitment process over the past six years. The Izmir based side are currently the poster boys of domestic player development in Turkey after first identifying Roma winger Cengiz Ünder and £20m Leicester City signing Çağlar Söyüncü. The current target is to add 120 new players to the academy. Fenerbahçe have already added highly-rated youngsters Efekan Karayazı, Ali Efe Katırcı and Arda Güler to their ranks. 15-year-old sensation Ömer Faruk Beyaz was among 15 players given pro-contracts or who signed to the academy this season.
This marks a major change to the previous leadership's approach to youth players and development. Let's be frank. Fenerbahçe has in recent years been one of the worst places for young players. The club opted for experience over youth. But that should change fairly soon under the new president. Fenerbahçe plan to promote their brightest prospects to the first-team and make greater use of homegrown players.
Pekmezci is a proponent of using data, technology, analysis and data. He has scouted over 450,000 players, 22,000 games and found 60 players who have been selected for the national team – at various age levels. It is easy to see why Pekmezci attracted the attention of Ali Koç. He has been using data to track players, record their progress and analyze statistics for years building a nationwide network earning himself as a reputation as one of the best in the business in Turkey.
He also understands the need for a personal touch and makes effort with players families and advises players to develop off the field as well, encouraging them to pursue their education. One of his more recent discoveries U17 Turkey international Tayfun Tatlı told us the following: "He told me to stay away from television and read books, he always encouraged me to focus on educating and developing myself off the pitch. And told me how much it would benefit me on and off the pitch."
Pekmezci was responsible for finding some of the brightest to emerge in Turkish football over the past few years at the highly acclaimed Altınordu academy. The Izmir based side have setup a project to develop talent that acted as the catalyst in the recent surge of talent emerging from Turkey. Turkish clubs had neglected developing players for years despite having a population of 80 million with the youngest average age in the UEFA zone.
Altınordu set out to change the culture and make use of the millions of kids that had been ignored and neglected for over a decade. Pekmezci was at the heart of the football revolution that has been taking place in Western Turkey. He set up a scouting network that scoured the pool across the nation focusing on regions that had pretty much been forgotten.
The first major success story was Cengiz Ünder. The 21-year-old was discovered in rural Balıkesir before moving to Izmir followed by Başakşehir before becoming the most expensive Turkish international to leave the Süper Lig for Roma on a €13m fee.
Next up was Çağlar Söyüncü who was snapped up by Freiburg before Leicester City shelled out €20m for the young defender last summer. Söyüncü was followed by the Turkish Donarruma Berke Özer and Barış Alıcı being signed by Fenerbahçe.
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Pekmezci left Altınordu for Fenerbahçe last season but his greatest gift to his former club look set to come. The U17 side is looking like one of the most talented generation Altınordu has seen. Perhaps eclipsing the side that gave birth to Ünder and Söyüncü.
Pekmezci built close ties with the players he unearthed, acting as a mentor to many of them. There is an emphasis at Altınordu for academy players to develop themselves academically as well as on the field. The academy has an extensive library and players are expected to spend at least an hour a day reading.
Pekmezci played an important role in installing the club philosophy in the young players he brought to the academy.
Fifteen-year-old Altınordu winger Polat Albay said: "He helped me settle in at Altinordu and worked with me on improving my technique. One thing he would always go on about was reading books. And he always encouraged me to dream big."
Football can be cutthroat at times. Altınordu found that out the hard way after losing two star names from youth sides in 18-year-old captain Atakan and 17-year-old wonderkid Salih Kavrazlı to Trabzonspor. The Black Sea based side gave both players a professional contract.
There are two sides to every argument. Altınordu were responsible for developing both players and felt hard done by to see two of their biggest talents leave. But on the flip side it could have been avoided had they given pro-contracts. It seems like Altınordu have learned their lesson as they have given pretty much every prospect from the U17 generation as well as U15 rising star Burak İnce pro-deals.
Pekmezci has left Altınordu with a golden generation and inadvertently helped Trabzonspor. Kavrazlı, in particular, is an outstanding talent. He was the pearl of the academy scoring 159 goals in 122 games. Despite being aged just 17 he may end up finding himself given first-team action at Trabzonspor. The Black Sea side have not been shy to give young talent a shot. Abdülkadir Ömür has been a first-team star since the age of 18.
"He was the one who first spotted my talent and changed my life. He was my mentor and I learned to always stay positive in life and never give up thanks to him. He has been a great role model," Kavrazlı said.
Pekmezci played an integral role in the getting the Altınordu project on its feet. It will be interesting to see how he fares at Fenerbahçe. Don't be surprised to see Pekmezci become a sporting director in the near future either in Turkey or in a top five league in Europe.
Turkish league is wild this year.
Besiktas in big trouble.
Basaksehir is the champion. Too bad that they don't have supporters.