Turkey (National Football)

Last year's UEFA Cup holders Zenit St. Petersburg returned on Thursday the trophy to UEFA President Michel Platini at a ceremony held in Istanbul ahead of this year's final game.

"I have seen a great enthusiasm here and I believe it would be fantastic final," Platini told the ceremony.

Istanbul's Sukru Saracoglu Stadium is set to host the final match, which is scheduled for May 20.

Platini handed over to Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas the trophy, which is set to stay in the city for display until the final game.

"I am very excited. This is the greatest chance that a mayor could ever get," Topbas told reporters.

PLATINI VISITED FENERBAHCE'S SUKRU SARACOGLU STADIUM IN ISTANBUL

UEFA President Michel Platini visited the Fenerbahce Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul, which will host the UEFA Cup final, in May.

Two teams from Ukraine—Dynamo Kyiv and Shakhtar Donetsk—and two German teams—Werder Bremen and Hamburg—are in the running for the title.

It is the last time the competition is held under the UEFA Cup name and format. Next season the tournament will be renamed the Europa League.

Turkish Football Federation Chairman Mahmut Özgener said, "Istanbul will host a great final after its long preparations."

During the news conference when one of the Turkish reporter asked about Turkey's chance to get the 2016 European Football Championship he replied by saying, "France is one of the candidates as well." He went on to say, "You see, the UEFA president is French, but the vice president Senez Erzik  is Turkish."

He closed his remarks by saying they will not be voting on this matter.

IT IS A MUST-WIN MATCH FOR FATIH TERIM AND HIS BOYS...

Let's just remember, some of the things that Fatih Terim said before the first match in Spain...

Fatih Terim: "Spain will go as first place and Turkey will go as second place to World Cup"

"Fatih Terim Promises Turkey Will Play To Win In Spain..."

Well, Turkey did not beat Spain in Spain...

And, Fatih Terim's promise as far as going to World Cup 2010 to the Turkish soccer fans is in jeopardy.

Besides Turkey, there is Bosnia, and Belgium is fighting for the second place now...

After losing to Spain, Bosnia captured the second place from Fatih Terim and his boys.

That is why this is a must-win match for Turkey, if they want to at least put up a fight for second place in Group 5.

Loss of points in Ali Samiyen Stadium on Wednesday could spell bad times for Fatih Terim.

At the press conference on Tuesday, Fatih Terim said, "I will have 11 brave hearts on the pitch, and if it becomes 23,000 brave hearts with the fans, that will be all the more efficient," he said. "That’s how we can win." Terim went on.  Being the home team was important in this game.

"Patience and excitement are crucial parts of football," he said. "My friends in the stands should provide the excitement to my friends on the pitch."

"It is important that the players on the pitch and off the pitch create a synergy,"

So, it is put up or shut up time for Fatih Terim and his boys now!

If they want to give Turkish Football fans joy and pride, this is the match, they have to do it.

It will be a really good one, too, because they will end Spain's 30-match winning streak...

And whole world will be talking about Terim and Turkish Football one more time again.

If they can't, they will miss the chance to capture second place...

If Bosnia wins on Wednesday and Turkish National team lose, it will be four point gap between Bosnia and Fatih Terim's boys.

First 20 minutes of the match, the Turkish national team had more chances against Spain.

They outplayed the Spanish team in the first half but went down with a fluke goal in the second half.

Turkey just ran out of gas in the second half.

They could not do any set plays from backfield and midfield.

And the players, who ran their hearts out in the first half of the match, were just tired.

Fatih Terim and Turkey not only lost the match, they lost their second place to Bosnia after Bosnia won an away match against Belgium.

In the sixth minute, Turkey's team captain Nihat Kahveci fired a low shot just wide. After that Senturk brought a diving save out of Spain's goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Casillias was Spain's savior.

Just before half time, Spain's Fernando Torres tested Turkish keeper Volkan Demirel from the edge of the area.

In the closing minute of the first half, Arda Turan had a chance but he could not control the ball in the box, and Casillias rushed out and got the ball.

As I said, Terim's boys looked sluggish in the start of the second half.

The match's only goal came in the 61st minute. Xavi's free kick went to Sergio Ramos at the far post. The ball rebounded off Ramos' leg and bounced across goal to Pique, who forced home the rebound.

On this play, Tuncay Sanli's and keeper Demirel's timing was off..

Sanli made a huge mistake as far as going up to head the ball, and Demirel did not come out of his goal-line to get the ball.

"Spain deserved to win," Terim said after the match. "After the goal, they played better. I congratulate them. Wednesday's match will be different. Today we had three great chances. We did not take them, but it is clear that we can beat Spain."

Turkey hosts Spain in Istanbul on Wednesday, while second-place Bosnia will be at home against Belgium.

So, the second place that Terim was talking about earlier in the week...

Saying that Spain will be first and Turkey will finish in second place in Group Five might just be an empty promise!

If Terim's boys lose on Wednesday and Bosnia wins against Belgium, you can just kiss goodbye to second place too.

Spain is perfect with 15 points on top, while Bosnia sits in second with nine, and Turkey is one point behind in third. Belgium has seven points.

Let me say this first, how could you lose a match, when you are winning by two goals?

Easily when you have a coach who has never managed in the big leagues.

He might have played in big matches but, coaching, is far different from playing.

I have no question about Bulent Korkmaz's past as a player, but I have a lot of questions about his coaching ability.

He shocked everyone when he played Harry Kewell in defence and replaced Brazilian International Lincoln in both legs.

I think the power struggle between Lincoln and Bulent Korkmaz cost Galatasaray their place in the next round of the UEFA Cup.

After going two goals ahead, Galatasay rolled over and died after the 55th minute of the match.

Bulent Korkmaz should have made some changes when he was two goals up, not when Hamburg.

Instead, Hamburg came from behind to knock Galatasaray out of the UEFA Cup at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium, winning 3-2 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate.

Jose Paolo Guerrero was the hero for the Bundesliga side, striking twice to cancel out the home side's lead, established with a Harry Kewell penalty in the 42nd minute and Milan Baros' goal three minutes into the second half.

Guerrero struck his first in the 57th minute and added a second moments later, before Ivica Olic added a third late on to seal Hamburg's passage to the last eight, where they join fellow German side Werder Bremen.

Hamburg made a bright start with the first chance of the game falling to their striker Olic, whose dipping header was tipped over by Morgan de Sanctis.

At the other end, Joris Mathijsen was enjoying a physical battle with Baros as the Hamburg defense held firm against the home side's first advances.

Galatasaray began to increase the pressure with Sabri Sarioglu hitting two shots over the crossbar.

The home side's persistence was rewarded with the opening goal in the 42nd minute. It was scored from the penalty spot by stand-in central defender Kewell, after Milan Baros was sliced down by Jerome Boateng just inside the area.

The goal did not alter the fact that Hamburg had to score, but now they knew that just one goal would not be enough to put them through.

In the 48th minute Arda Turan poked the ball into the path of Baros, who neatly lifted it over the onrushing Frank Rost and into the back of the net.

Hamburg's reaction was exemplary, with two goals in as many minutes from Guerrero bringing them level—and giving them the advantage on away goals.

His first in the 57th minute came out of nothing, with the Peruvian forward trying his luck from long range and beating De Sanctis with a fine shot into the top left-hand corner.

And moments later, he went on a mazy run, leaving three Gala defenders trailing in his wake, before firing a venomous shot past De Sanctis.

Olic then sealed the win, lobbing De Sanctis after reaching David Jarolim's through ball in the last minute.

That was the end of Galatasaray's involvement in the UEFA Cup this season.

They dreamed about playing the final in the Sukru Saracoglu stadium, the home of their great rivals Fenerbahce, but that dream ended on their own pitch.

Lastly, After the first leg match, some of the absurd Turkish newspapers said Galatasaray had Hamburger in Germany.

I wonder, what they will say now. Like the Galatasaray team it seems they had forgotten about the second leg.

SIVASSPOR STILL ON TOP!...

Turkcell Super league Leader Sivasspor won a important match in away game against Ankaragucu.

They beat Ankaragucu with two goals ..Goals : 67′ Mehmet Yıldız, 83′ Kamanan

Because of suspension by the Federation, Sivasspor coach Bulent Uygun, was not on the sideline for this game . He will serve 4 game suspension in the league because of absurd behavior that he showed last weekend.

But, Sivasspor found the way, to score goals again by their go to guys, Mehmet Yildiz and Frenchman Kamanan .

BESIKTAS ON THE MOVE........

Besiktas won in Istanbul on Saturday night, which boosts its claim for the championship.

Black eagles won the game 3-0 against Genclerbirligi.

Goals: Fabian Ernst (64′) Ekrem Dağ (88′) Filip Holosko (90′)

Besiktas will plays Sivasspor next weekend in a show down match in Sivas...

The winner will grab the top spot, in my opinion...

A draw will be good for Trabzonspor, if they beat Galatasaray on Sunday.

At the end of the week 24, Sivasspor on top with 49 Besiktas on second with 48 and Trabzon on third with 45 and they have a game on hand which they will play against Galatasaray on Sunday.


This match is very important for both teams...


If Galatasaray loses this match , they will fell behind the race just like Fenerbahce!...


Also on Saturday, Giray Bulak's Konyaspor could not win games in their home field....

They loss to Gazinatep at home 2-3 , they are just lucky that a lot of the team that near them in the standings has loss points on Saturday...

But, the danger is not over for Bulak and for Konyasspor.........


Elsewhere , Antalyaspor beat Buyuksehir at home with one goal and sink Buyuksehir in to the danger zone!...

On Friday, in the opening of the match, Fenerbahce could not win their back to back third game in front of their own fans .

Roberto Carlos scored a early goal fro Fenerbahce in the fourth minute of the match as he took a powerful shot from out side of the box .

Fenerbahce hold on the lead most of the match but, again they forgot , the match is ninety minutes!..
In the 87nth minute a sub who came in for Kocaelispor Julio Cesar Moreira scored the the goal that
shattered Fenerbahce's dream to capture the top on Friday for at least for one day!....

If Fenerbahce keeps blowing chances like this at their home field, they might as well. forget about the Championship this season , in my opinion.

On the other hand, Giant killer who is looking to stay alive in the league, Kocaelispor , has a good chance to put up a fight, now

They have reached to 20 point mark , If they win their all remain games, they have a good chance to survive.

Lastly, On Sunday Result will bring more teams close to dangers zone and most important match of the night will be between Trabzonspor and Galatasaray ....

We will be watching........

AHMET TURGUT

Despite losing Portugese International defender Fernando Meira to Zenith team in this week, Galatasaray still thinks that they could beat Hamburg in Germany in the UEFA Cup last-16 first-leg match on Thursday.

Since the rookie coach Bulent Korkmaz took over the coaching duties, with a little help they have won their last three matches in the Turkish Turkcell Super League and beaten Bordeaux in their second-leg UEFA match.

With all the Turkish football fans who lives in Hamburg and around Germany, Galatasaray will feel like they are at home in Hamburg.

The fans in the stadium will be a plus for Galatasaray.

On the other hand, Hamburg coach Martin Jol admits his side must create a comfortable cushion for themselves.

"You definitely need to be one or two goals ahead if you want to survive over there," he said.  "We have got to be tight at the back and make the difference with a goal up front.  We will have to push ourselves to the limit."

Hamburg has a German-born Turkish player on their roster.  His name is Tunay Torun. He is only 19 years old and he says he would like to score against Galatasaray if he plays.

Galatasaray will have to strengthen the defense in Germany in my opinion.  After selling Meira to Zenith for cash, Galatasaray will have trouble in the backfield.

With Servet Cetin hurt, there is only one stopper on the team—Emre Asik, who is 36 years old.  If he gets hurt, the player who would replace him is only 18 years old—Semih Kaya, who has not seen action yet.

Look For Bulent Korkmaz to use Hakan Balta in the defense against Hamburg.

Striker Milan Baros is suspended for this match and Korkmaz will start with Shabani Nonda.  Harry Kewell is ready and will play in midfield alongside with  Lincoln.

Galatasaray's game plan should include the second-leg match.

They should be very conservative. Even a draw will be good for the second-leg match in Hamburg.

Galatasaray's lucky charm Korkmaz—former captain, now coach of the team—is all of sudden on top of the world with Galatasaray.

Not bad for a guy who was home watching the matches in his living room about twenty five days ago!

Korkmaz, who was not even welcome to the Galatasaray club facilities, now leads the team against Hamburg in the UEFA Cup..

Turkish Super League Saturday Wrap

TRABZONSPOR DOWN BESIKTAS UP

As I mentioned  in my preview article for Saturday matches, all the matches on Saturday was going to be tight matches.

SUPRISE....SUPRISE....

Well, what I predicted in Trabzon,  did happen....

Trabzonspor loses at home again against the team who is Fighting for their life in the league

As I said before, actualy the Trabzonians who plays for Konyaspor and coaches for Konyaspor beat Ersun Yanal's Trabzonspor team.

The young Konyaspor keeper Oguzhan had a huge match...

He made a lot of saves in this match.

Konyaspor, held Trabzonspor with a little luck until 84 minute of the match than scored the matches only goal by Roman Kratochvil in the 84th minute and won a very important three points in the 23th week.

With this win Konyaspor reached to 27 points in the league...

On the other hand Trabzonspor went down...

Before this match, they were sharing the top spot with Sivasspor ...

This was a good Birthday gift for Konyaspor coach who will celebrate his 51th birtday on March 9th, Monday.

BESIKTAS MOVING UP....

Although Besiktas played away match, Besiktas find to beat the last place team Hacettepe in Ankara .

It was not easy though...

Coach Mustafa Denizli was sweating big time in the last minutes of the match in a cold night in Ankara..

After scoring two goals in the first twenty minutes of the match, Besiktas went in to relaxing mode....

But, at the end, they beat Hacettepe with a 2-3 score.

Besiktas gooals came by M.E. Delgado,Mert Nobre and Bobo while Hacettepe answered with Patiyo Tampwe two goals.

This was back to back third win for Besiktas ..

And this was first, this season...

So, while Trabzonspor went down in the standing, Besiktas moved up in the standings.

With 45 points, Besiktas will go on top of the Trabzonspor and will wait for Sivasspor match on Sunday.

Sivasspor, Besiktas and Trabzonspor each has 45 points now and Sivasspor will play their match on Sunday.

Even if Sivaspor loses the match on Sunday against Ankaraspor at home , they will still be on top a draw and win will make Sivasspor the only top team at the end of the 23th week in the Turkish Super League.

Also on Saturday, Denizlispor surprised Istanbul B.B, and beat them in their own home with two goals

Under new coach Mesut Bakkal Denizlispor won four in a row in the league...

This loss put Istanbul B.B in serious trouble in the league..

Denizlispor's goals scored by Burak Akyildiz  and Emil Rosenov Angelov .

With this win Denizlispor surpass Istanbul B.B, in the standings....

Denizlispor moved up to 11 Th place with 27 points while Istanbul B.B drop down to 14th place with 25 points.

Antalyaspor the team who is trying to get out from the fire zone was winning in away match until the last minute but, in the last minute home team Gaziantepspor scored the  equalizer and killed Antalyaspor's three point hopes...

AHMET TURGUT

Turkish Super League Saturday Preview

Sivasspor remains on top

The Cinderella team of Turkey, Sivasspor won their home match against Eskisehirspor, who was desperate for points, with only one goal.  At the end of the 21st week, Sivasspor is still on top with 45 points. Sivasspor's only goal came in the seventh minute by Frenchman Yannick Kamanan.

Sivasspor's win became more important as three title contenders suffered heavy defeats on Saturday and Sunday.

Unlike last year, Sivasspor young rookie coach Bulent Uygun said, "We want to be the champions. The beautiful people of Anatolia deserve beautiful things. They can do anything with limited resources and Sivasspor shows that."

Sivasspor has been unbeaten in the last 10 games since November 9, 2008. If Sivasspor manages to defeat Fenerbahce in next weekend’s game, they can extend their lead.

Until now, Sivasspor has not been a favorite to win Turkcell Super League Championship, but this weekend it proved to be a main contender.

Also, Hacettepe beat Ankaraspor 3- 1 in Ankara this Sunday.

Galatasaray Nightmare!

Who thought Galatasaray would be beaten by last place Kocaelispor in Istanbul by surrendering five horrible goals?

This is how it happened.

At home, Galatasaray was beaten 5-2 by Kocaelispor in the closing game of the week.

The game turned out to be a nightmare for Galatasaray after Milan Baros missed a penalty kick, the only chance to have a draw at the end of the game.  This led to counter-attack ending that lead to another Kocaelispor goal.

The Kocaelispor hero was Taner Gulleri, who blasted four of his team's five goals. The other scorer was Murat Hacioglu.

In the 15th minute, Galatasaray grabbed the lead with Mehmet Topal's goal. Cassio Lincoln was the other scorer for Galatasaray.

After the match, Galatasaray team officials had a emergency meeting and they said, "Whoever is responsible for this disaster will be punished!"

Most likely, coach Sikibe will be sacked on Monday.

This was the worst defeat for Galatasaray in Ali Samiyen stadium in a long time.