Dear Turkish soccer fans, I am getting light headed with all this winter transfer news from Turkcell Super League...and it is not over yet!....TFF extended the date until February fifth.
Anyway, Galatasaray told Necati that "they don't want him"
Galatasay loaned striker Necati Ates to Istanbul BB SK for the remainder of the season.
Necati Ates,returned to Galatasaray from a loan spell with Ankaraspor earlier this month, moves to Istanbul BB in the hope of enjoying a more productive second half of the season. He scored only three goals in 14 Süper Lig appearances for Ankaraspor.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Isaksson says no to Galatasaray!
Manchester City goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson has turned down a move to Galatasaray, having previously expressed a wish to join the Turkish club.Isaksson had been hoping to leave City before the close of the transfer window to safeguard his position in Sweden's Euro 2008 squad.
He has lost out to Joe Hart to be City's number one and admitted a desire to finalise a switch to Galatasaray in order to play regularly.
But City's first-team coach Tord Grip has confirmed Isaksson does not want to join Galatasaray on loan.
"Andreas is probably staying here, it now looks that way," City's Tord Grip told Sportbladet. "He is able to go on loan to Galatasaray and get a game.
"But that is what he doesn't want to do and we cannot do much more."
Meanwhile, Galatasaray have signed Roma midfielder Ahmed Barusso on loan for the rest of the season to provide cover for Tobias Linderoth.
The Ghanaian has struggled for first-team opportunities this season and will head to Turkey once his country's involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations is complete.
He has lost out to Joe Hart to be City's number one and admitted a desire to finalise a switch to Galatasaray in order to play regularly.
But City's first-team coach Tord Grip has confirmed Isaksson does not want to join Galatasaray on loan.
"Andreas is probably staying here, it now looks that way," City's Tord Grip told Sportbladet. "He is able to go on loan to Galatasaray and get a game.
"But that is what he doesn't want to do and we cannot do much more."
Meanwhile, Galatasaray have signed Roma midfielder Ahmed Barusso on loan for the rest of the season to provide cover for Tobias Linderoth.
The Ghanaian has struggled for first-team opportunities this season and will head to Turkey once his country's involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations is complete.
BBC Sport :Appiah seeks Fenerbahce departure
According to BBC sports, Fenerbahce's Appiah wants out!...
Appiah seeks Fenerbahce departure
Ibrahim Sannie
BBC Sport in Accra
Appiah is at the Nations Cup as an advisor to Ghana's players
Ghana captain Stephen Appiah is unhappy with the treatment he has received from Turkish giants Fenerbahce and wants to leave the club, BBC Sport understands.
Appiah, 26, claims the Turkish side misdiagnosed the knee injury that ruled him out of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The midfielder is with the Black Stars as an advisor during the tournament.
"I am utterly disappointed with the way the Fenerbahce hierarchy have treated me and now I am considering my options," he told BBC Sport.
He also claimed the club are seeking to freeze his registration with the Turkish Football Federation to allow them use another foreign player in his place.
"I got injured while playing for this club in January last year and the leaders pleaded with me to delay my surgery, take injections to minimize the pain and continue playing for the club to win the title," Appiah said.
"I made these sacrifices for the club and took the surgery at the end of season and now they are seeking to freeze my registration through the media.
"This is what I get for serving this club with my whole heart."
He added: "After the surgery in May I began having some breathing difficulties and pains in my left knee and right knee generally.
"The club's medical staff diagnosed it as asthma and for three months I was on asthma medication and the situation did not improve.
"It was only until December that Turkish and Italian doctors confirmed that I was not suffering from asthma as the club had diagnosed, but rather I had developed blood clots in my left leg after the surgery, which later developed into micro embolisms.
While I have been here in Ghana, some leaks of my medical condition have been published in the Turkish papers saying that my condition is hereditary but that is not true at all.
"If this surgery had been well handled I could be playing for my country so my agents are looking at the option to see the next line of action."
Appiah's absence at the Nations Cup is considered by many as a huge blow to the host country as he is an inspirational part of the Black Stars set-up.
He led them to become the only African side to make it through the knock-out stages of the World Cup in Germany in 2006.
Appiah scored the winning penalty in their group match against USA - a victory which sent them through to the last 16.
Appiah seeks Fenerbahce departure
Ibrahim Sannie
BBC Sport in Accra
Appiah is at the Nations Cup as an advisor to Ghana's players
Ghana captain Stephen Appiah is unhappy with the treatment he has received from Turkish giants Fenerbahce and wants to leave the club, BBC Sport understands.
Appiah, 26, claims the Turkish side misdiagnosed the knee injury that ruled him out of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The midfielder is with the Black Stars as an advisor during the tournament.
"I am utterly disappointed with the way the Fenerbahce hierarchy have treated me and now I am considering my options," he told BBC Sport.
He also claimed the club are seeking to freeze his registration with the Turkish Football Federation to allow them use another foreign player in his place.
"I got injured while playing for this club in January last year and the leaders pleaded with me to delay my surgery, take injections to minimize the pain and continue playing for the club to win the title," Appiah said.
"I made these sacrifices for the club and took the surgery at the end of season and now they are seeking to freeze my registration through the media.
"This is what I get for serving this club with my whole heart."
He added: "After the surgery in May I began having some breathing difficulties and pains in my left knee and right knee generally.
"The club's medical staff diagnosed it as asthma and for three months I was on asthma medication and the situation did not improve.
"It was only until December that Turkish and Italian doctors confirmed that I was not suffering from asthma as the club had diagnosed, but rather I had developed blood clots in my left leg after the surgery, which later developed into micro embolisms.
While I have been here in Ghana, some leaks of my medical condition have been published in the Turkish papers saying that my condition is hereditary but that is not true at all.
"If this surgery had been well handled I could be playing for my country so my agents are looking at the option to see the next line of action."
Appiah's absence at the Nations Cup is considered by many as a huge blow to the host country as he is an inspirational part of the Black Stars set-up.
He led them to become the only African side to make it through the knock-out stages of the World Cup in Germany in 2006.
Appiah scored the winning penalty in their group match against USA - a victory which sent them through to the last 16.
Besiktas getting Dinamo Zagreb's defender Dino Drpic
Besiktas agreed in principle with defender Dino Drpic of Dinamo Zagreb team of Croatia on Wednesday.
"Our club has reached an agreement in principle to join Drpic to our squad," Sinan Engin, the general manager of the Turkish club, said.
Drpic is actually having a training camp in southern province of Antalya with his team.
He is expected to arrive in Istanbul to sign a contract on Thursday.
Born in 1981, Drpic is a Croatian. He rose through the youth ranks of Dinamo and has become a consistent performer in the first squad. He was one of the key figures in Dinamo's UEFA Cup qualification run in 2007.
"Our club has reached an agreement in principle to join Drpic to our squad," Sinan Engin, the general manager of the Turkish club, said.
Drpic is actually having a training camp in southern province of Antalya with his team.
He is expected to arrive in Istanbul to sign a contract on Thursday.
Born in 1981, Drpic is a Croatian. He rose through the youth ranks of Dinamo and has become a consistent performer in the first squad. He was one of the key figures in Dinamo's UEFA Cup qualification run in 2007.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
2010 FIFA WORLD CUP GROUP DRAW
The fixture list draw of Groups 2 and 5 of the European preliminary competition for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ was conducted on Wednesday 30 January. FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke conducted the draw during the UEFA Congress in Zagreb, Croatia.
In Group 5 between Turkey and Spain will take place in the form of a double header on 28 March and 1 April 2009 respectively.
In Group 2, current European champions Greece open up with a trip to Luxembourg on 6 September, while the matches between the top two ranked teams in the group, namely Greece and Switzerland take place on 15 October 2008 and 5 September 2009.
FIFA informed all groups that should no agreement be found on the fixture list a draw would be conducted to confirm the position of the six teams within a standard match schedule. The standard match schedule is based on sporting criteria and guarantees an equal distribution of home and away match while trying to keep the suspense of the competition.
6. September 2008
Spain – Bosnia-Herzegovina
Belgium – Estonia
Armenia - Turkey
10. September 2008
Bosnia-Herzegovina – Estonia
Spain – Armenia
Turkey - Belgium
11. October 2008
Belgium – Armenia
Turkey – Bosnia-Herzegovina
Estonia - Spain
15. October 2008
Bosnia-Herzegovina – Armenia
Belgium – Spain
Estonia - Turkey
28. March 2009
Belgium – Bosnia-Herzegovina
Armenia – Estonia
Spain -Turkey
1. April 2009
Bosnia-Herzegovina – Belgium
Estonia – Armenia
Turkey - Spain
5. September 2009
Armenia – Bosnia-Herzegovina
Spain – Belgium
Turkey - Estonia
9. September 2009
Armenia – Belgium
Bosnia-Herzegovina – Turkey
Spain – Estonia
10. October 2009
Estonia – Bosnia-Herzegovina
Armenia – Spain
Belgium - Turkey
14. October 2009
Bosnia-Herzegovina – Spain
Estonia – Belgium
Turkey - Armenia
The Turkcell Super League coaching carousel continues!..
I just can't believe it any more!... After Giray Bulak was sacked from Vestel Manispor team, Gaziantepspor sacked their coach Mesut Bakkal and just Today there is talk in Ankara, according to my blogger friend Oz Kanka, http://ankarafootball.blogspot.com/
Bulent Korkmaz, coach of Genclerbirligi also was sacked yesterday!....
This is perfect sample, why I call theese changes "coaching carousel"
We herd from great divine....Mesut Bakkal will get Bulent Korkmaz job.....actualy his old job back!....if you remember, he was the coach a year ago in Genclerbirligi team.
Mesut Bakkal will be the fifth coach this young season(20 matches played) for Genclerbirligi and this won't be the end!....
We might just see team President Mr.CAVCAV, doing the coaching this time from side line instead of from stands!...
Bulent Korkmaz, coach of Genclerbirligi also was sacked yesterday!....
This is perfect sample, why I call theese changes "coaching carousel"
We herd from great divine....Mesut Bakkal will get Bulent Korkmaz job.....actualy his old job back!....if you remember, he was the coach a year ago in Genclerbirligi team.
Mesut Bakkal will be the fifth coach this young season(20 matches played) for Genclerbirligi and this won't be the end!....
We might just see team President Mr.CAVCAV, doing the coaching this time from side line instead of from stands!...
Danish striker Thomas Dalgaard Signed with Vestel Manisaspor
Danish striker Thomas Dalgaard (24) passed a medical check-up in western province of Manisa on Tuesday and signed a 3.5 years contract with Turkcell Super League soccer club Vestel Manisaspor.
Thomas Dalgaard
Personal information Date of birth April 13, 1984 (1984-04-13) (age 23)
Place of birth Nykøbing Mors, Denmark
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Playing position Forward
Club information
Current club Randers FC
Number 29
Youth clubs
Skive IK
Randers FC
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
2005-present Randers FC 29 (13
Ipswich Town gets Sumulikoski from Bursaspor
Bursaspor and FYR Macedonia international player Velice Sumulikoski ,will move to Ipswich Town, subject to a medical and the acquisition of a work permit.
Sumulikoski, who was also linked with a move to Blackburn Rovers, has agreed personal terms with Town and a fee has been reached with his club, Bursaspor.
He started his career with NK Publikum and also played for FC Slovacko and Zenit St Petersburg before joining Bursaspor in 2006
Sumulikoski, who was also linked with a move to Blackburn Rovers, has agreed personal terms with Town and a fee has been reached with his club, Bursaspor.
He started his career with NK Publikum and also played for FC Slovacko and Zenit St Petersburg before joining Bursaspor in 2006
MALDANADO IN ISTANBUL FOR FENERBAHCE
Chile defensive midfielder Claudio Maldonado signed with Fenerbahce on Tuesday on a 1 1/2-year contract.
Details of the 28-year-old player's contract were not released.
Fenerbahce was reportedly seeking a strong midfield player with defensive skills after Stephen Appiah, who transferred from Juventus in 2005, was seriously injured and could be out of action for the remainder of the season.
Signing Maldonado, a 39-time international, might make up for Appiah's absence as Fenerbahce looks toward the second round of the Champions League, where it faces Sevilla.
Fenerbahce signed Roberto Carlos last June, another high-profile player that moved to the Turkish team in recent years after France striker Nicolas Anelka and Serbia forward Mateja Kezman.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Claudio Maldonado coming to Fenerbahce
Fenerbahce is finaly getting Claudio Maldonado a Chilian soccer player.
He is due to arrive in Istanbul late tonight.
Hi real name is Claudio Andrés del Tránsito Maldonado Rivera, but he is known as Claudio Maldonado.
Born on January 3, 1980 in Curicó, Chile) is a Chilean football player who is captain of the national side. He is a similar type of player to the likes of Ivan Campo, Mahamadou Diarra and Claude Makelele. Maldonado poseeses a great big engine, top passing and tremendous battling qualities and is thought of by many as one of the best players in South America in his position creating an iron shield infront of the defence. He rarely goes forward, his goal tally is less than ten, although 3 of the goals were a hat-trick against Manchester United in a friendly in 2007, but what he lacks in scoring Maldonado makes up for in tenacity and an ability to break down the opposition with great efffectiveness.
He spent three seasons with São Paulo FC making 35 appearances with the team.
For the 2006 season, Maldonado was reunited with former Cruzeiro's coach Luxemburgo at Santos Futebol Clube for a fee of $4.5 million. However at the end of the Brazilian season was scheduled to have ankle surgery which caused him to be miss up to two months. After recuperating Maldonado continued playing for Santos reaching the semi-finals of the 2007 Copa Libertadores. Currently Santos has completed the 2007 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in second place and are eligible to compete in the upcoming Copa Libertadores 2008.
Maldonado has appeared in 39 games with the adult squad and has netted one goal. For 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification, Maldonado was a regular with the first team and has since gained the captaincy of the national team. As of recent Maldonando has been called up to serve on the Chilean national team that is managed by Marcelo Bielsa.
TURKISH FOOTBALL FEDERATION INCREASES FOREIGN-PLAYER QUOTA TO 6+2
TURKISH FOOTBALL FEDERATION INCREASES FOREIGN-PLAYER QUOTA TO 6+2 Turkish Football Federation Executive Board increased foreign-player quota to 6+2 for clubs at Turkcell Super League.
Galatasaray sign Barusso from Roma
Galatasaray have all but completed the signing of Roma midfielder Ahmed Barusso, the Turkish club’s Vice President Adnan Polat has confirmed.
The 23-year-old only signed for the Giallorossi last summer from Serie B side Rimini, however he has barely had a look-in under Coach Luciano Spalletti.
Roma currently possess some of the best centre-midfielders in Europe in the form of Daniele De Rossi, Alberto Aquilani and Simone Perrotta, and it was inevitable that Barusso was going to struggle to make his mark.
The Ghanaian is currently on international duty at the African Cup of Nations, but he will fly to Istanbul at the end of the tournament to begin his career in the Turkish League.
"In principle, we have agreed on everything with Roma and with the player,” Polat told Galatasaray TV.
“I can't say it is 100 % before we sign the contract but he will arrive in Turkey after the tournament."
Andreas Isaksson joining Galatasaray...
Manchester City expect Andreas Isaksson to join Galatasaray before the close of the transfer window on Thursday night.
The Turkish giants have made a bid for the Sweden international who has been told he can leave Eastlands by manager Sven Goran Eriksson.
Joe Hart’s success in assuming the role of being City’s number one, despite his tender years, has left Isaksson with little choice but to seek alternative employment.
The 26-year-old revealed on Sunday he was keen to move to the Turkish Superlig and Eriksson’s long-standing right-hand man, Tord Grip, has confirmed the keeper will most likely have his wish granted.
“I don’t see any reason why the deal should not be completed this week,” Grip told Expressen.
Isaksson has made just 18 Premier League appearances in the 18 months he has spent at Eastlands as the start to his City career was severely hampered by a string of injuries that prevented him from making his debut until December 2006.
Ankaraspor start to win with Antonio De Nigris!..........
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Mexican player Antonio De Nigris is the good luck charm for Ankaraspor!..
Ever since he transferred from Gaziantepspor to Ankaraspor, Ankaraspor won their games.
Antonio De Nigris first played against Vestel Manisaspor and they won that match 1-0.Antonio De Nigris was a big factor in this match.
This past weekend, Ankaraspor won the away match in Konya ,against Konyaspor.
In this match, Antonio De Nigris, scored his first goal under Ankaraspor uniform. Ankarspor won the match 3-1. The basement team of Turkcell Super League, Ankaraspor started the second half of the season , with a bang.
after this weekend, they moved up from 17th place to 15th place.
Lucky charm from Mexico,Antonio De Nigris, gave a shot in arm for Ankaraspor....
Monday, January 28, 2008
TURKEY FORTIS CUP QUARTER FINAL MATCHES
Turkish Fortis Cup Quarter Finals matches decided....
Fenerbahce and Galatasaray will play early final match in the Fortis Cup.
There will be two matches one at home and one away...and the winner will move on to next- round in the Fortis Cup.
First matches will be played on February 1,2 and 3rd.
Fenerbahce - Galatasaray
Caykur Rizespor - Besiktas
Adana Demirspor - Genclerbirligi
Genclerbirligi Oftasspor - Kayserispor
FENERBAHCE BLOW SIVASSPOR AWAY AND GALATASARAY GETS ON TOP AGAIN.....
Galatasaray have moved one point clear at the top of the Turkish Turkcell Super League thanks to a 4-0 rout of Ankaragucu and Fenerbahce, beating Sivaspor In Sivas.
Hakan Sukur got the ball rolling for the visitors after 36 minutes with Arda Turan and Umit Karan then scoring in the space of two minutes to give the Istanbul club a 3-0 lead at the interval.
Serkan Calik rounded off the scoring two minutes from time to move Galatasaray to the summit ahead of Fenerbahce, who were just as impressive in their 4-1 win over former league leaders Sivasspor.
Alex and Semih Senturk found the target in the first half, and although Musa Aydin pulled a goal back for the hosts, a brace from Mateja Kezman secured the win which allows Fenerbahce to leap-frog their opponents into second place.
Kayserispor sit a distant fifth after strikes from Alioum Saidou and Gokhan Unal earned them a 2-0 success at basement boys Kasimpasa. Manisaspor held off a late fightback to beat Denizlispor 3-2 and Ankaraspor were convincing 3-1 winners at Konyaspor.There were two matches that postponed to Monday in the league.
Bursaspor v Genclerbirlgi and Caykur Rizespor v Trabzonspor.
BESIKTAS MOVE ON!
Besiktas moved level two points with Turkcell Super League leaders Galaysaray thanks to a 3-1 defeat of Gaziantepspor on Sunday.
The visitors took the lead through Cristian Zurita but Edouard Cisse levelled for Besiktas before the break.
Second-half strikes from Mert Nobre and Ricardinho settled the contest and moved the hosts on to 43 points alongside Sivasspor, whose game in hand is at home to Fenerbahce on Monday .
Sunday's other game saw Genclerbirligi OFTAS edge out Istanbul Buyuksehir BSK 3-2.BSK went 2-0 up inside 13 minutes with Kerim Zengin and Ilyas Kahraman on target.
But the hosts stormed back to win it with Sandro's double added to by a Bulent Kocabey effort.
Hakan Sukur got the ball rolling for the visitors after 36 minutes with Arda Turan and Umit Karan then scoring in the space of two minutes to give the Istanbul club a 3-0 lead at the interval.
Serkan Calik rounded off the scoring two minutes from time to move Galatasaray to the summit ahead of Fenerbahce, who were just as impressive in their 4-1 win over former league leaders Sivasspor.
Alex and Semih Senturk found the target in the first half, and although Musa Aydin pulled a goal back for the hosts, a brace from Mateja Kezman secured the win which allows Fenerbahce to leap-frog their opponents into second place.
Kayserispor sit a distant fifth after strikes from Alioum Saidou and Gokhan Unal earned them a 2-0 success at basement boys Kasimpasa. Manisaspor held off a late fightback to beat Denizlispor 3-2 and Ankaraspor were convincing 3-1 winners at Konyaspor.There were two matches that postponed to Monday in the league.
Bursaspor v Genclerbirlgi and Caykur Rizespor v Trabzonspor.
BESIKTAS MOVE ON!
Besiktas moved level two points with Turkcell Super League leaders Galaysaray thanks to a 3-1 defeat of Gaziantepspor on Sunday.
The visitors took the lead through Cristian Zurita but Edouard Cisse levelled for Besiktas before the break.
Second-half strikes from Mert Nobre and Ricardinho settled the contest and moved the hosts on to 43 points alongside Sivasspor, whose game in hand is at home to Fenerbahce on Monday .
Sunday's other game saw Genclerbirligi OFTAS edge out Istanbul Buyuksehir BSK 3-2.BSK went 2-0 up inside 13 minutes with Kerim Zengin and Ilyas Kahraman on target.
But the hosts stormed back to win it with Sandro's double added to by a Bulent Kocabey effort.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
IS SIVASSPOR FOR REAL?......
It is the 20th week in the Turkish Turkcell Super League and we see a team from Anatolia ,Sivasspor, still holding on, the top spot in the league,in front of big teams, like Fenerbahce,Galatasaray and Besiktas.
And they are doing this, without Pina Balili from Israel and Australian goalkeeper Michael Petkovic.
This past week, Sivasspor got a lot of attention from foreign media and FIFA and UEFA web sites. They will be noticed more if they beat Fenerbahce this Sunday!..
Sivasspor Rookie coach, Bulent Uygun, is also getting a lot of attention from Turkish media and Foriegn media. The 36 years old former Fenerbahce player and former Turkish national player Bulent Uygun, first, was Manager, than became coach of the team!...
Not everyone lucky as him in Turkey, in my opinion!.....
I know a lot of Turkish coaches in Turkey, never giving the chances, that Bulent Uygun
was giving.......
The team's board of directors and Sivasspor President's, big role, in this sucsess is very important,in my opinion.....
Again, a win this Sunday against Fenerbahce will make them stronger in the league!
In the later weeks, they will also host top guns Galatasaray and Besiktas at home too
After this Sunday, we will see if Sivasspor is for real!...
The team with minimum budget is making a run against all odds.....
and they are doing it with second goal keeper Akin Vardar and unknown and reject players from other teams!...
Last note, this Sundays match will be played in daylight and the weather and the frozen field will be big factor......
AHMET TURGUT
Friday, January 25, 2008
Tumer signs contract with Larissa
Fenerbahce's Tumer Metin has signed a contract with Greek first division club Larissa, sources said on Thursday.
Officials of Larissa said that they will introduce 33-year-old Turkish midfielder on Friday with a news conference.
Greek media said Tumer Metin's transfer to Larissa was a "big hit".
Greek newspapers said Metin will play for Larissa at least until the end of the Greek soccer season in 2008.
Larissa is currently ranked 13th in the 16-team Greek soccer league.
The Guardian:Turkish delights continue to surprise!
Turkish delights continue to surprise
This weekend unfashionable Sivasspor have the chance to put a rocket up the Istanbul hierarchy of Turkish football with a fury not seen since Lagari Hasan Çelebi flew a gunpowder-powered jetpack over the Bosphorus in 1633.
Sivasspor, in case you haven't been paying attention, are the surprise leaders of Super Lig, and the first team to threaten the Besiktas-Fenerbahçe-Galatasaray stranglehold in a generation. They have been propelled to the summit by incredible home form: played 10, won 10, scored 20, conceded three. In the second half of the season Sivasspor face each of the big three at home. A win over Fenerbahçe this Sunday will set up the most exciting Turkish title race in recent memory.
Sivasspor actually owe much of their new-found success to Fenerbahçe, and have been rescued from obscurity by the former Istanbul Canaries' midfielder Bulent 'The Soldier' Uygun. The 36-year-old Uygun - once a tigerish, goalscoring midfielder in the Frank Lampard mould - has drilled Sivas into a formidable machine of the ugly-winning variety. "We are a professional team," he explains. "But we have the spirit of amateurs."
A rookie coach, Uygun credits his managerial success to the influence of Carlos Alberto Parreira, the manager who schemed Brazil's unBrazil-like 1994 World Cup triumph and was responsible for Fener's mid-90s revival. But equally key to Sivasspor's success is Uygun's own training system (nicknamed "Turbulence") in which players alternate between performance-enhancing fitness binges and prolonged rests, the idea being that form-sapping fatigue can be meticulously scheduled against breaks in the fixture calender. Sivasspor also go heavy on bonding sessions. As their president Mecnun Odyakmaz put it: "Money is not a major concern. We are a brotherhood."
Indeed, while over in neighbouring Greece it's taken awesome financial backing to move Asteras Tripoli into contention with the big Athenian teams, Sivasspor are a team of anti-stars very much like the Wimbledon of the past. They have a limited squad with average players. Their success depends on speedy counter-attacking football. It says it all that when the club announced they were ready to listen to offers for star player, Mehmet Yildiz, the silence was deafening.
The team's recruitment policy also seems to depend on Fenerbahçe. During the current transfer window, Mahmut Hanefi and Onur Tuncer have further swelled the Sivas ranks of fallen Fener stars - ranks that have recently included Servet Cetin, Can Arat, Gurhan Gursoy, Ilgar Gurbanov and Gokhan Bozkaya.
Despite Sivasspor having 'won' the first half of the season, Turkish journalists are dubious they can last the distance. Ebru Koksaldi of Fanatik urges caution. "Remember Real Sociedad in the 2002-03 season?" he says. "They had no stars but 13 or 14 players with incredible motivation. It still wasn't enough to beat Real Madrid. The next year, they collapsed. Now they are in the second division."
Added to the lack of resources, injury to pivotal Israeli forward Pini Balili - the 28 year-old forward who has bagged seven goals in 29 games for his country, but who muffed his lines during England's dismal 0-0 draw in Tel Aviv - is also a serious dent to Sivasspor's chances. "Nobody can say they will be the champions," says Koksaldi. "But it is clear that they will be the new power in the Turkish league, like Genclerbirligi and Gaziantepspor once were."
Still, from the very beginning, pundits have been expecting steady Sivas to fade as quickly as last season's great white hopes, Vestel Manisaspor, whose eye-catching start to the 2006-07 season ended in mid-table mediocrity and serious crowd trouble. They're still waiting.
With Anatolian Sivasspor well placed to take advantage of a hostile home climate that can mean games are played in knee-knocking temperatures of below -10C, it may be that the dramatic loss of form never comes. A Uefa Cup place already looks nailed on, but victory on Sunday will further shorten the odds on Sivasspor becoming only the fifth Turkish club ever to win the league title.
Scott ANTHONY/ The Guardian
This weekend unfashionable Sivasspor have the chance to put a rocket up the Istanbul hierarchy of Turkish football with a fury not seen since Lagari Hasan Çelebi flew a gunpowder-powered jetpack over the Bosphorus in 1633.
Sivasspor, in case you haven't been paying attention, are the surprise leaders of Super Lig, and the first team to threaten the Besiktas-Fenerbahçe-Galatasaray stranglehold in a generation. They have been propelled to the summit by incredible home form: played 10, won 10, scored 20, conceded three. In the second half of the season Sivasspor face each of the big three at home. A win over Fenerbahçe this Sunday will set up the most exciting Turkish title race in recent memory.
Sivasspor actually owe much of their new-found success to Fenerbahçe, and have been rescued from obscurity by the former Istanbul Canaries' midfielder Bulent 'The Soldier' Uygun. The 36-year-old Uygun - once a tigerish, goalscoring midfielder in the Frank Lampard mould - has drilled Sivas into a formidable machine of the ugly-winning variety. "We are a professional team," he explains. "But we have the spirit of amateurs."
A rookie coach, Uygun credits his managerial success to the influence of Carlos Alberto Parreira, the manager who schemed Brazil's unBrazil-like 1994 World Cup triumph and was responsible for Fener's mid-90s revival. But equally key to Sivasspor's success is Uygun's own training system (nicknamed "Turbulence") in which players alternate between performance-enhancing fitness binges and prolonged rests, the idea being that form-sapping fatigue can be meticulously scheduled against breaks in the fixture calender. Sivasspor also go heavy on bonding sessions. As their president Mecnun Odyakmaz put it: "Money is not a major concern. We are a brotherhood."
Indeed, while over in neighbouring Greece it's taken awesome financial backing to move Asteras Tripoli into contention with the big Athenian teams, Sivasspor are a team of anti-stars very much like the Wimbledon of the past. They have a limited squad with average players. Their success depends on speedy counter-attacking football. It says it all that when the club announced they were ready to listen to offers for star player, Mehmet Yildiz, the silence was deafening.
The team's recruitment policy also seems to depend on Fenerbahçe. During the current transfer window, Mahmut Hanefi and Onur Tuncer have further swelled the Sivas ranks of fallen Fener stars - ranks that have recently included Servet Cetin, Can Arat, Gurhan Gursoy, Ilgar Gurbanov and Gokhan Bozkaya.
Despite Sivasspor having 'won' the first half of the season, Turkish journalists are dubious they can last the distance. Ebru Koksaldi of Fanatik urges caution. "Remember Real Sociedad in the 2002-03 season?" he says. "They had no stars but 13 or 14 players with incredible motivation. It still wasn't enough to beat Real Madrid. The next year, they collapsed. Now they are in the second division."
Added to the lack of resources, injury to pivotal Israeli forward Pini Balili - the 28 year-old forward who has bagged seven goals in 29 games for his country, but who muffed his lines during England's dismal 0-0 draw in Tel Aviv - is also a serious dent to Sivasspor's chances. "Nobody can say they will be the champions," says Koksaldi. "But it is clear that they will be the new power in the Turkish league, like Genclerbirligi and Gaziantepspor once were."
Still, from the very beginning, pundits have been expecting steady Sivas to fade as quickly as last season's great white hopes, Vestel Manisaspor, whose eye-catching start to the 2006-07 season ended in mid-table mediocrity and serious crowd trouble. They're still waiting.
With Anatolian Sivasspor well placed to take advantage of a hostile home climate that can mean games are played in knee-knocking temperatures of below -10C, it may be that the dramatic loss of form never comes. A Uefa Cup place already looks nailed on, but victory on Sunday will further shorten the odds on Sivasspor becoming only the fifth Turkish club ever to win the league title.
Scott ANTHONY/ The Guardian
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
FORTIS CUP TUESDAY ACTION..........
CAYKUR RIZESPOR AND BESIKTAS FROM GROUP A, FENERBAHCE AND KAYSERISPOR FROM GROUP C, GENCLERBIRLIGI OFTAS AND GALATASARAY FROM GROUP D, REACHES THE QUARTER FINALS IN THE TURKISH FORTIS CUP. IN GROUP B , GENCLERBIRLIGI ALLREADY QUALIFIED ,TOMORROW'S MATCH BETWEEN ADANA DEMIRSPOR AND VESTEL MANISASPOR WILL DECIDE THE SECOND TEAM FROM THIS GROUP...THEY BOTH HAVE SIX POINTS.......
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Turkish Journalist Cuneyt Koryurek passes away
Dear Readers, Turkey(Turkiye) loss a dear Turkish journalist Cuneyt Koryurek.
This was not bedside or sickness dead....it was Istanbul's kaos traffic!....
A young man with BMW ran over 77 years old Cuneyt Koryurek who was crossing the street .
Cuneyt Koryurek made a huge contribution to Turkish athletics at various levels for nearly half a century.
He served as the General Secretary and the Vice-President of the Turkish Athletic Federation before he held office as President from 1982 to 1984.
He was one of the founders of the Intercontinental Istanbul Eurasia Marathon, which he later served as the Race Director.
Koryurek had been to seven Olympic Games, six times as a journalist and once as the Head of Delegation of the Turkish athletics team.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
GIRAY BULAK SACKED BY VESTEL MANISASPOR!
There is one thing, we know by now!...If you are a coach in the Turkcell Super League ,you never know when you will be kicked in the butt!...
Giray Bulak, the coach who saved Vestel Manisaspor last year from dropping to the lower division, after Ersun Yanal's bad run with Vestel Manisaspor,sacked by Vestel Manisaspor Yesterday.
But, in soccer, there is no yesterday!...
If you lose a couple games you will be canned!...
Giray Bulak is the first coach sacked in the second half of Turkcell Super League!
So far After 18Th week of matches played, he is the 11Th coach got his butt kicked!
What is so absurd is, the Vestel Manisaspor hired in same day Yilmaz Vural who has a Television program on LIG TV!..... it is called "Santraya Dogru"....
On that program, 12 hours before Giray Bulak was sacked, Vural talked to Giray Bulak about the upcoming match this weekend for Vestel Manisaspor!...
Twelve hours later, TV commentator Yilmaz Vural became the coach of Vestel Manisaspor!...Yilmaz Vural coached Antalyaspor who dropped out of the Turkcell Super League,last season.
As I said it before(Coaching merry-go-round Dilemma in the Turkish League ) , this would only happened in Turkiye....no place else!...
My stomach can't take what is going on in the Turkish Football(soccer) anymore!....
AHMET TURGUT
Antonio de Nigris did not like the offer!....
Mexican National player Antonio de Nigris ,who plays for Gaziantepspor in the Turkey's Turkcell Super League did not like the money that Ankarspor offered him.
Although two teams agreed on the transfer fee for one million dollar,Antonio de Nigris did not like the 500.000 Euro....he told Ankaraspor team officials that he wanted 700.000 Euro. So, Antonio de Nigris still remain with Gaziantepsor until end of his contract with the team.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Antonio de Nigris Goes to Ankaraspor.
Journeyman Antonio de Nigris , doing what he does best.... move around!...
Antonio de Nigris, who plays for Gaziantepspor , now he will be playing for Ankaraspor.
Ankaraspor team offered, one million dollars, transfer fee to Gaziantepspor to transfer De Nigris.
Ankaraspor team wants to stay in the Turkish Turkcell Super League, with this transfer. They are in relegation zone in the League.
Antonio de Nigris , who's list of former teams include Polideportivo Ejido and Villareal of Spain; Club América, Pumas and Puebla of Mexico; and Once Caldas of Colombia. On 31st August 2006 he signed for the Turkish side Gaziantepspor.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
KAOS IN TURKISH FOOTBALL(SOCCER)!......
THIS PICTURE TELLS THE WHOLE STORY!.....
Photo:Hurriyet
If you look at this picture very closely, you would see, what I mean!...
From left to right, third person with red tie is Trabzonspor President(hand is not raised all the way)....next to him, Galatasaray President(hand up all the way),next to him Fenerbahce President(hand all the way up!)next to him, Besiktas President(hand is not all the way!) and Last person on very end with mustache ,Current TFF President Haluk Ulusoy( checking the room!...who is raising the hands!...)
Why do you think, Trabzonspor and Besiktas Presidents, did not raised their hands all the way!.....one is From Trabzon where Haluk Ulusoy is from and the other one (Besiktas President) distance relative!.....that will hurt!......
What it is going on, in Turkish Football( soccer), is just sickening!...
First ,there was a court order to take TFF current Prsident Haluk Ulusoy's, duty from him and giving to special committee!.......
Than, there was a special emergency meeting in Ankara, Today.
In that meeting, delegates of Turkish Football(soccer) organization, voted for new elections to be held on February 14-15.
Would you believe, there were observers from UEFA and FIFA organization in this meeting!.....
The world is laughing at us!....
This is total disgrace and absurd!....
Photo:HurriyetIf you look at this picture very closely, you would see, what I mean!...
From left to right, third person with red tie is Trabzonspor President(hand is not raised all the way)....next to him, Galatasaray President(hand up all the way),next to him Fenerbahce President(hand all the way up!)next to him, Besiktas President(hand is not all the way!) and Last person on very end with mustache ,Current TFF President Haluk Ulusoy( checking the room!...who is raising the hands!...)
Why do you think, Trabzonspor and Besiktas Presidents, did not raised their hands all the way!.....one is From Trabzon where Haluk Ulusoy is from and the other one (Besiktas President) distance relative!.....that will hurt!......
What it is going on, in Turkish Football( soccer), is just sickening!...
First ,there was a court order to take TFF current Prsident Haluk Ulusoy's, duty from him and giving to special committee!.......
Than, there was a special emergency meeting in Ankara, Today.
In that meeting, delegates of Turkish Football(soccer) organization, voted for new elections to be held on February 14-15.
Would you believe, there were observers from UEFA and FIFA organization in this meeting!.....
The world is laughing at us!....
This is total disgrace and absurd!....
World Cup qualifiers Draw will be held on January 30
FIFA will hold a draw to determine the order of matches in two 2010 World Cup qualifying groups after the teams involved failed to reach agreement by the January 16 deadline.
The draw will involve European qualifying Group Two (Greece, Israel, Switzerland, Moldova, Latvia and Luxembourg) and Group Five (Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Armenia and Estonia).
FIFA said the draw would be held on January 30 during the UEFA Congress in Zagreb, Croatia.
The draw will involve European qualifying Group Two (Greece, Israel, Switzerland, Moldova, Latvia and Luxembourg) and Group Five (Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Armenia and Estonia).
FIFA said the draw would be held on January 30 during the UEFA Congress in Zagreb, Croatia.
BESIKTAS MAKES MOVE TO BETO!....
Besiktas, the team never stops looking for new players now, after Recreativo's Beto!..
The classy defender has hardly played this season, despite his hefty price-tag, and is wanted by Benfica and Besiktas before the winter market shuts.
According to tribalfootball.com ,Beto is unhappy with his coach and the team.
Beto signed a three-year contract in the summer of 2007 with Huelva team.
Beto, a centre-back, as a free-kick specialist. He is nearing 50 career goals.
When he was asked why aren't you playing? he replied with "Why aren't I playing? Ask the coach and the club, because I'm not injured.
"I can't be happy if I'm not playing. I'm happy in Huelva, but I need to take care of my career."
TURKISH FIRST DIVISION CHANGES THE NAME!...
Bank Asya has become the name sponsor of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) first division league.
Dogan Yayın Holding, which owns the broadcasting and name rights of the first division league, and Bank Asya was signed at a meeting yesterday in İstanbul. Under the agreement, the TFF first division will be called the "Bank Asya 1st League" for the next year and a half. Bank Asya Vice General Manager Ayhan Keser, Doğan TV Yayın Group President Murat Saygı and TFF board member Cihangir Onger participated in the meeting. Keser said .
D Spor TV station, Doğan Yayın Holding's subsidiary, had acquired the broadcasting and name rights of League A last year. He said the goal of the company is to create a new brand and add value to it. Saygı noted that the name of the league had been changed to the TFF 1st Division at the beginning of this soccer season and that now Bank Asya has become the sponsor of the league. Saygı also emphasized that they are delighted to gain a new sponsor for sports events as these kinds of sponsorships had only been provided by a limited number of companies in Turkey.
TFF board member Cihangir Onger said that the main goals of the TFF are to spread soccer all across Turkey and to make the leagues reputable brands. He said they are pleased about the sponsorship of Bank Asya as this agreement serves their goals.
Monday, January 14, 2008
TURKCELL SUPER LEAGUE SUNDAY WRAP:(WEEK 18)
FENERBAHCE STALLED !....SIVASSPOR ONCE AGAIN ON TOP AGAIN.....
Sivasspor moved to the top of the Turkish TURKCELLSuper League following a 2-0 home win over 10-man Trabzonspor on Sunday.
The home side went in front five minutes after half-time through Ivan Cvetkov, before Trabzonspor's Cagdas Atan was shown a straight red card with 14 minutes left.
And Mehmet Yildiz sealed the win from the penalty spot as Sivasspor moved a point-clear of second-placed Galatasaray who had held top-spot temporarily on Saturday night after beating Caykur Rizespor.
Fenerbahce missed the chance to take top spot after they salvaged a point against Istanbul Buyuksehir BSK with a stunning late comeback.
Ilyas Kahraman put Istanbul Buyuksehir ahead with 16 minutes remaining and Gokhan Kaba's goal with nine minutes left looked to have sealed a shock win for the visitors.
However, Luis Edu Dracena pulled one back for Fenerbahce in the 84th minute before Deivid completed the comeback with two minutes remaining as Fenerbahce dropped a point behind Galatasaray in third place.
Elsewhere Ankaragucu were held to a 1-1 home draw with Ankaraspor, Bursaspor also drew 1-1 with 10-man Denizlispor and Kayserispor won 1-0 at Manisaspor.
Sivasspor moved to the top of the Turkish TURKCELLSuper League following a 2-0 home win over 10-man Trabzonspor on Sunday.
The home side went in front five minutes after half-time through Ivan Cvetkov, before Trabzonspor's Cagdas Atan was shown a straight red card with 14 minutes left.
And Mehmet Yildiz sealed the win from the penalty spot as Sivasspor moved a point-clear of second-placed Galatasaray who had held top-spot temporarily on Saturday night after beating Caykur Rizespor.
Fenerbahce missed the chance to take top spot after they salvaged a point against Istanbul Buyuksehir BSK with a stunning late comeback.
Ilyas Kahraman put Istanbul Buyuksehir ahead with 16 minutes remaining and Gokhan Kaba's goal with nine minutes left looked to have sealed a shock win for the visitors.
However, Luis Edu Dracena pulled one back for Fenerbahce in the 84th minute before Deivid completed the comeback with two minutes remaining as Fenerbahce dropped a point behind Galatasaray in third place.
Elsewhere Ankaragucu were held to a 1-1 home draw with Ankaraspor, Bursaspor also drew 1-1 with 10-man Denizlispor and Kayserispor won 1-0 at Manisaspor.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
SATURDAY ROUND-UP IN THE TURKCELL SUPER LEAGUE.(WEEK 18 )
GALATASARAY STARTS THE SECOND HALF WITH A BANG!
Shabani Nonda's hat-trick powered Galatasaray to 5-2 win at Caykur Rizespor and sent Galatasaray to the top of the Turkish Turkcell Super League standings at least until Sunday. If Fenerbahce and Sivasspor draw on Sunday Galatasaray will be on top .
Nonda opened the scoring on five minutes but Altan Aksoy levelled for Rizespor just short of the half-hour mark.
Servet Cetin restored Galatasaray's lead on 42 minutes before Nonda made it three on the stroke of half-time.
Arda Turan extended the visitors' lead six minutes after the restart while Nonda completed his treble 13 minutes from time before Zafer Biryol grabbed a second for the beleaguered hosts.
The win lifts Galatasary to 39 points, two clear of Sivasspor and Fenerbahce.
BESIKTAS GETS AWAY WIN TOO!
Besiktas remain on the coat-tails of the leaders after a fighting 2-1 win at Konyaspor.
Sedat Agcay fired the hosts in front on 14 minutes, a lead they held to the interval.
But Besiktas came out revitalised for the second period, and levelled through Ibrahim Toraman on 49 minutes before substitute Mert Nobre grabbed a dramatic winner for the visitors in injury time.
The Ankara derby between Genclerbirligi OFTAS and Genclerbirligi ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
Hosts OFTAS took the lead through Bulent Kocabey on 41 minutes but Mehmet Cakir ensured local pride was satisfied with the equaliser on 62 minutes.
Gaziantepspor secured a 1-0 win at rock-bottom Kasimpasa courtesy of Ekrem Dag's strike midway through the second half.
Shabani Nonda's hat-trick powered Galatasaray to 5-2 win at Caykur Rizespor and sent Galatasaray to the top of the Turkish Turkcell Super League standings at least until Sunday. If Fenerbahce and Sivasspor draw on Sunday Galatasaray will be on top .
Nonda opened the scoring on five minutes but Altan Aksoy levelled for Rizespor just short of the half-hour mark.
Servet Cetin restored Galatasaray's lead on 42 minutes before Nonda made it three on the stroke of half-time.
Arda Turan extended the visitors' lead six minutes after the restart while Nonda completed his treble 13 minutes from time before Zafer Biryol grabbed a second for the beleaguered hosts.
The win lifts Galatasary to 39 points, two clear of Sivasspor and Fenerbahce.
BESIKTAS GETS AWAY WIN TOO!
Besiktas remain on the coat-tails of the leaders after a fighting 2-1 win at Konyaspor.
Sedat Agcay fired the hosts in front on 14 minutes, a lead they held to the interval.
But Besiktas came out revitalised for the second period, and levelled through Ibrahim Toraman on 49 minutes before substitute Mert Nobre grabbed a dramatic winner for the visitors in injury time.
The Ankara derby between Genclerbirligi OFTAS and Genclerbirligi ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
Hosts OFTAS took the lead through Bulent Kocabey on 41 minutes but Mehmet Cakir ensured local pride was satisfied with the equaliser on 62 minutes.
Gaziantepspor secured a 1-0 win at rock-bottom Kasimpasa courtesy of Ekrem Dag's strike midway through the second half.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Besiktas is talking to Sweden National player Daniel Majstorovic
Besiktas still not done with winter transfer season yet!....
They are talking to FC Basel for 30 year old defender Daniel Majstorovic. Italian team Lazio also wants Majstorovic.
AHMET TURGUT
They are talking to FC Basel for 30 year old defender Daniel Majstorovic. Italian team Lazio also wants Majstorovic.
AHMET TURGUT
GALATASARAY LEADS THE TURKISH TEAMS IN ALL TIME CLUB WORLD RANKINGS
IFFHS released its annual Top 350 Club World Ranking. G Saray with 187 points takes the 42th, Besiktas with 67 points 82th and F Bahce with 57 points 89 in the Club Ranking ever.
An All-time Club World Ranking determined by taking account all the results of the national championships, the national cup competitions, the club competitions of the six continental confederations and the FIFA.
1. FC Barcelona España 710
2. Manchester United FC England 628
3. Real Madrid CF España 602
4. Milan AC Italia 595
5. Juventus FC Torino Italia 584
6. FC Internazionale Milano Italia 532
7. FC Bayern München Deutschland 514
8. Arsenal FC London England 511
9. CA River Plate Buenos Aires Argentina 483
10. FC do Porto Portugal 405
11. AFC Ajax Amsterdam Nederland 400
12. Chelsea FC London England 397
13. Liverpool FC England 387
14. CA Boca Juniors Buenos Aires Argentina 374
15. Parma AC Italia 373
16. AS Roma Italia 361
17. Valencia CF España 352
18. SS Lazio Roma Italia 342
19. Glasgow Rangers FC Scotland 334
20. São Paulo FC Brasil 326
21. Club Atlético de Madrid España 287
22. BV Borussia Dortmund Deutschland 285
23. Paris Saint-Germain FC France 284
24. Spartak Moscow Russia 278
25. AS de Monaco France 277
26. Olympique Lyonnais France 268
27. SV Werder Bremen Deutschland 264
28. Club Brugge KV Belgique 260
29. CSD Colo Colo Santiago Chile 259
30. Glasgow Celtic FC Scotland 257
31. Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña España 255
32. Sport Lisboa e Benfica Portugal 245
33. Grêmio de Foot-Ball Porto-Alegrense Brasil 233
34. Feyenoord Rotterdam Nederland 227
35. CD América Cali Colombia 225
36. AJ Auxerroise France 204
37. Newcastle United FC England 197
38. Cruzeiro EC Belo Horizonte Brasil 194
39. Olympique de Marseille France 193
40. PSV Eindhoven Nederland 192
41. FBC Olimpia Asunción Paraguay 188
42. Galatasaray SK İstanbul Türkiye 187
43. RSC Anderlecht Belgique 182
44. CA Vélez Sarsfield Argentina 176
45. TSV Bayer Leverkusen Deutschland 163
46. SE Palmeiras São Paulo Brasil 162
47. Santos FC Brasil 157
48. FC Girondins de Bordeaux France 156
49. CD Universidad Católica Santiago Chile 149
50. Club Nacional de Football Montevideo Uruguay 142
FC Schalke 04 Deutschland 142
52. Sevilla FC España 141
53. CDC Atlético Nacional Medellín Colombia 140
54. CR Flamengo Rio de Janeiro Brasil 139
Real Zaragoza CD España 139
56. AC Sparta Praha Česká Republika 138
57. FC de Nantes France 136
58. Cerro Porteño FBC Asunción Paraguay 135
59. CR Vasco da Gama Rio de Janeiro Brasil 127
60. Torino Calcio Italia 126
61. Dinamo Kyiv Ukraina 123
62. Panathinaikos Athens Greece 113
63. CA San Lorenzo de Almagro Buenos Argentina 107
SK Slavia Praha Česká Republika 107
65. FK Crvena zvezda Beograd Srbija 105
66. Real Club Deportivo Mallorca España 103
67. SC Corinthians Paulista São Paulo Brasil 95
68. Real Betis Balompié España 93
69. Leeds United AFC England 87
Villarreal CF España 87
71. Sampdoria UC Genova Italia 83
72. CF América Ciudad de México México 81
73. Hamburger SV Deutschland 79
74. Eintracht Frankfurt Deutschland 76
75. VfB Stuttgart Deutschland 75
76. AEK Athens Greece 73
CSKA Moscow Russia 73
78. Lokomotive Moscow Russia 72
79. Tottenham Hotspur FC England 71
80. Olympiakos Pireas Greece 69
RCD Espanyol Barcelona España 69
82. Beşiktaş JK İstanbul Türkiye 68
CA Peñarol Montevideo Uruguay 68
SC Internacional Porto Alegre Brasil 68
85. AC Firenze Italia 64
86. Club Libertad Asunción Paraguay 62
87. FC Shakhtyor Donetsk Ukraina 61
88. AZ Alkmaar Nederland 60
89. CA Mineiro Belo Horizonte Brasil 57
Fenerbahçe SK İstanbul Türkiye 57
91. FC Steaua Bucureşti România 56
Lille Olympique Sporting Club France 56
93. FC Rapid Bucureşti România 51
94. CA Independiente Avellaneda Argentina 50
95. FC Basel Schweiz 49
96. AD São Caetano Brasil 48
Sporting Clube de Portugal Lisboa Portugal 48
98. 1. FC Kaiserslautern Deutschland 43
99. Racing Club de Lens France 40
VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach Deutschland 40
An All-time Club World Ranking determined by taking account all the results of the national championships, the national cup competitions, the club competitions of the six continental confederations and the FIFA.
1. FC Barcelona España 710
2. Manchester United FC England 628
3. Real Madrid CF España 602
4. Milan AC Italia 595
5. Juventus FC Torino Italia 584
6. FC Internazionale Milano Italia 532
7. FC Bayern München Deutschland 514
8. Arsenal FC London England 511
9. CA River Plate Buenos Aires Argentina 483
10. FC do Porto Portugal 405
11. AFC Ajax Amsterdam Nederland 400
12. Chelsea FC London England 397
13. Liverpool FC England 387
14. CA Boca Juniors Buenos Aires Argentina 374
15. Parma AC Italia 373
16. AS Roma Italia 361
17. Valencia CF España 352
18. SS Lazio Roma Italia 342
19. Glasgow Rangers FC Scotland 334
20. São Paulo FC Brasil 326
21. Club Atlético de Madrid España 287
22. BV Borussia Dortmund Deutschland 285
23. Paris Saint-Germain FC France 284
24. Spartak Moscow Russia 278
25. AS de Monaco France 277
26. Olympique Lyonnais France 268
27. SV Werder Bremen Deutschland 264
28. Club Brugge KV Belgique 260
29. CSD Colo Colo Santiago Chile 259
30. Glasgow Celtic FC Scotland 257
31. Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña España 255
32. Sport Lisboa e Benfica Portugal 245
33. Grêmio de Foot-Ball Porto-Alegrense Brasil 233
34. Feyenoord Rotterdam Nederland 227
35. CD América Cali Colombia 225
36. AJ Auxerroise France 204
37. Newcastle United FC England 197
38. Cruzeiro EC Belo Horizonte Brasil 194
39. Olympique de Marseille France 193
40. PSV Eindhoven Nederland 192
41. FBC Olimpia Asunción Paraguay 188
42. Galatasaray SK İstanbul Türkiye 187
43. RSC Anderlecht Belgique 182
44. CA Vélez Sarsfield Argentina 176
45. TSV Bayer Leverkusen Deutschland 163
46. SE Palmeiras São Paulo Brasil 162
47. Santos FC Brasil 157
48. FC Girondins de Bordeaux France 156
49. CD Universidad Católica Santiago Chile 149
50. Club Nacional de Football Montevideo Uruguay 142
FC Schalke 04 Deutschland 142
52. Sevilla FC España 141
53. CDC Atlético Nacional Medellín Colombia 140
54. CR Flamengo Rio de Janeiro Brasil 139
Real Zaragoza CD España 139
56. AC Sparta Praha Česká Republika 138
57. FC de Nantes France 136
58. Cerro Porteño FBC Asunción Paraguay 135
59. CR Vasco da Gama Rio de Janeiro Brasil 127
60. Torino Calcio Italia 126
61. Dinamo Kyiv Ukraina 123
62. Panathinaikos Athens Greece 113
63. CA San Lorenzo de Almagro Buenos Argentina 107
SK Slavia Praha Česká Republika 107
65. FK Crvena zvezda Beograd Srbija 105
66. Real Club Deportivo Mallorca España 103
67. SC Corinthians Paulista São Paulo Brasil 95
68. Real Betis Balompié España 93
69. Leeds United AFC England 87
Villarreal CF España 87
71. Sampdoria UC Genova Italia 83
72. CF América Ciudad de México México 81
73. Hamburger SV Deutschland 79
74. Eintracht Frankfurt Deutschland 76
75. VfB Stuttgart Deutschland 75
76. AEK Athens Greece 73
CSKA Moscow Russia 73
78. Lokomotive Moscow Russia 72
79. Tottenham Hotspur FC England 71
80. Olympiakos Pireas Greece 69
RCD Espanyol Barcelona España 69
82. Beşiktaş JK İstanbul Türkiye 68
CA Peñarol Montevideo Uruguay 68
SC Internacional Porto Alegre Brasil 68
85. AC Firenze Italia 64
86. Club Libertad Asunción Paraguay 62
87. FC Shakhtyor Donetsk Ukraina 61
88. AZ Alkmaar Nederland 60
89. CA Mineiro Belo Horizonte Brasil 57
Fenerbahçe SK İstanbul Türkiye 57
91. FC Steaua Bucureşti România 56
Lille Olympique Sporting Club France 56
93. FC Rapid Bucureşti România 51
94. CA Independiente Avellaneda Argentina 50
95. FC Basel Schweiz 49
96. AD São Caetano Brasil 48
Sporting Clube de Portugal Lisboa Portugal 48
98. 1. FC Kaiserslautern Deutschland 43
99. Racing Club de Lens France 40
VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach Deutschland 40
Thomas Gravesen to Galatasaray ?...
According to reports Celtic's Thomas Gravesen, currently on loan at Everton, could move to Galatasaray during the current transfer window - though the Turkish side are reportedly considering a number of other players as well.
According to the Daily Mail, Galatasaray are considering making a move for either Gravesen, Swiss international Johann Vogel or Swede Christian Wilhelmsson. Hopefully they will opt for Gravesen...
According to the Daily Mail, Galatasaray are considering making a move for either Gravesen, Swiss international Johann Vogel or Swede Christian Wilhelmsson. Hopefully they will opt for Gravesen...
AC MILAN AFTER EMRE BELEZOGLU
AC Milan showed interest for Newcastle's turkey midfielder Emre Belozoglu (27), who would like to leave England. During next days his agent will meet Milan's executive Ariedo Braida. Ancelotti would like to see him as ideal alternative to Andrea Pirlo.
Vestel Manisaspor signs Brazilian player Santos
Vestel Manisaspor, signed a 3.5-year contract with Brazilian defense player Allyson Araujo Santos on Thursday.
Semih Vardarer, an executive from the club, said that Santos previously played in Turkish teams Caykur Rizespor and Denizlispor, adding, "He knows about Turkey and our league well. I believe we made a good transfer."
Semih Vardarer, an executive from the club, said that Santos previously played in Turkish teams Caykur Rizespor and Denizlispor, adding, "He knows about Turkey and our league well. I believe we made a good transfer."
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Besiktas: 3 Ankaraspor: 1
Besiktas won the game against Ankaraspor by a score of 3-1 in the Fortis Turkish Cup Group A. New Transfer Filip Holosko scored his first goal as a Besiktas player.
First goal came in the fifth minute, Delgado gave a beautifull pass to Tello and scored the first goal for Besiktas.
In the 34th minute, Holosko sent the ball to the middle field; and Tello scored the second goal for Besiktas.
In the second half, Bobo sent the ball to the left and Holosko scored the third goal for Besiktas and his first goal as a Besiktas player.
Ankaraspor only goal scored by Necati Ates on a penalty kick
First goal came in the fifth minute, Delgado gave a beautifull pass to Tello and scored the first goal for Besiktas.
In the 34th minute, Holosko sent the ball to the middle field; and Tello scored the second goal for Besiktas.
In the second half, Bobo sent the ball to the left and Holosko scored the third goal for Besiktas and his first goal as a Besiktas player.
Ankaraspor only goal scored by Necati Ates on a penalty kick
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
FIFA.COM: Sivasspor slaying giants
Turkish Super League first half league leaders voice of a new bread in Turkish football(soccer) Sivasspor,got a attention from Fifa.com too...
This is very good and dandy for Sivasspor and the whole city of Sivas. They are the representatives of Anatolian teams know.....this is good part!...
The bad part is, watching Sivasspor coach Bulent Uygun and the President of the club, going from one TV to another TV station to talk about their success is a Little too early, in my opinion!...
I remember well last year when Turkish media pumped Vestel Manisaspor and Kayseri Erciyesspor coach Bulet Korkmaz very well.....
All that positive good time charlie news,turned in to sour one,this season.....
I just hope this does not happened to Bulent Uygun and Sivasspor in the second half of the season.
Here is the article by Fifa.com.....
Sivasspor slaying giants
At the halfway mark in the 2007-8 campaign, the Turkish top flight standings have a distinctly unfamiliar look to them. After 17 matches, the Istanbul-based big three of Fenerbahce, Galatasaray and Besiktas are cast in the unlikely role of pursuers behind surprise front-runners Sivasspor. A mere three points cover the sides from top spot down to Besiktas in fourth, but what coach Bulent Uygun and his men have achieved so far still rates as one of the biggest shocks in European league football this term.
The Anatolia-based club first won a place in the second division in 2000-2001, appearing as fringe candidates in the promotion battle for a number of seasons after that. The second division championship and a prized berth in the Turkcell Super Lig finally arrived two-and-a-half years ago in summer 2005.
Sivasspor finished a highly respectable eighth in their debut top flight season, advancing a place to seventh the following year, but this term's form under greenhorn coach Uygun is still a revelation. The Anatolian upstarts currently represent the crème de la crème in Turkish club football with 37 points and the best goal difference in the section, leaving the highly-fancied Istanbul giants scrambling to keep pace.
Goal-getters Mohamed Kurtulus and Mehmet Yildiz have emerged as the star players this term for the club founded as recently as 1967. Thirty-three year-old midfielder Kurtulus has eight goals to his name, with his team-mate contributing a further seven. Sivasspor's miserly 13 goals against is the second-best record in the league, this despite the absence of influential Australian international keeper Michael Petkovic with injury since late October.
Unity and team spirit appear the key to the surprise leaders' success. They have already visited all three of their chief pursuers in Istanbul, losing to Fenerbahce and Galatasaray but coming away from Besiktas with all three points, and have otherwise displayed a consistency their rivals are struggling to match.
On the right track
With all three Istanbul clubs still to visit the compact 18,500 capacity Sivas 4 Eylul Stadi in the second half of term, 36-year-old coach Uygun's optimistic vision for 2008 is easy to understand. "Given our limited resources and small budget, my players have done a great job so far, and I believe they can keep it up in the second half of the season too," the former Turkey international and Fenerbahce striker comments.
International experience from overseas is another feature of Uygun's regular line-up. At the still-tender age of 23, Guinea starlet Mamaduo Diallo offers a commanding defensive presence, although he will miss his club's early matches in the second half of the campaign as he will be away on CAF Africa Cup of Nations Ghana 2008 duty. Up front, Israel international Pini Felix Balili is now in his third season at the club and has chalked up two goals in 14 matches, although his real value to the team is as a provider.
After becoming the first Anatolian side for 14 years to top the standings at the midpoint in the campaign, Uygun and his men now face a true test of their credentials as they seek to prove the achievement is no flash in the pan, nor merely a product of their rivals' inconsistency. The remainder of the Turkcell Super Lig programme promises excitement galore and potentially the first champions from outside Istanbul since Trabzonspor's title triumph back in 1984, fully 24 years ago.
This is very good and dandy for Sivasspor and the whole city of Sivas. They are the representatives of Anatolian teams know.....this is good part!...
The bad part is, watching Sivasspor coach Bulent Uygun and the President of the club, going from one TV to another TV station to talk about their success is a Little too early, in my opinion!...
I remember well last year when Turkish media pumped Vestel Manisaspor and Kayseri Erciyesspor coach Bulet Korkmaz very well.....
All that positive good time charlie news,turned in to sour one,this season.....
I just hope this does not happened to Bulent Uygun and Sivasspor in the second half of the season.
Here is the article by Fifa.com.....
Sivasspor slaying giants
At the halfway mark in the 2007-8 campaign, the Turkish top flight standings have a distinctly unfamiliar look to them. After 17 matches, the Istanbul-based big three of Fenerbahce, Galatasaray and Besiktas are cast in the unlikely role of pursuers behind surprise front-runners Sivasspor. A mere three points cover the sides from top spot down to Besiktas in fourth, but what coach Bulent Uygun and his men have achieved so far still rates as one of the biggest shocks in European league football this term.
The Anatolia-based club first won a place in the second division in 2000-2001, appearing as fringe candidates in the promotion battle for a number of seasons after that. The second division championship and a prized berth in the Turkcell Super Lig finally arrived two-and-a-half years ago in summer 2005.
Sivasspor finished a highly respectable eighth in their debut top flight season, advancing a place to seventh the following year, but this term's form under greenhorn coach Uygun is still a revelation. The Anatolian upstarts currently represent the crème de la crème in Turkish club football with 37 points and the best goal difference in the section, leaving the highly-fancied Istanbul giants scrambling to keep pace.
Goal-getters Mohamed Kurtulus and Mehmet Yildiz have emerged as the star players this term for the club founded as recently as 1967. Thirty-three year-old midfielder Kurtulus has eight goals to his name, with his team-mate contributing a further seven. Sivasspor's miserly 13 goals against is the second-best record in the league, this despite the absence of influential Australian international keeper Michael Petkovic with injury since late October.
Unity and team spirit appear the key to the surprise leaders' success. They have already visited all three of their chief pursuers in Istanbul, losing to Fenerbahce and Galatasaray but coming away from Besiktas with all three points, and have otherwise displayed a consistency their rivals are struggling to match.
On the right track
With all three Istanbul clubs still to visit the compact 18,500 capacity Sivas 4 Eylul Stadi in the second half of term, 36-year-old coach Uygun's optimistic vision for 2008 is easy to understand. "Given our limited resources and small budget, my players have done a great job so far, and I believe they can keep it up in the second half of the season too," the former Turkey international and Fenerbahce striker comments.
International experience from overseas is another feature of Uygun's regular line-up. At the still-tender age of 23, Guinea starlet Mamaduo Diallo offers a commanding defensive presence, although he will miss his club's early matches in the second half of the campaign as he will be away on CAF Africa Cup of Nations Ghana 2008 duty. Up front, Israel international Pini Felix Balili is now in his third season at the club and has chalked up two goals in 14 matches, although his real value to the team is as a provider.
After becoming the first Anatolian side for 14 years to top the standings at the midpoint in the campaign, Uygun and his men now face a true test of their credentials as they seek to prove the achievement is no flash in the pan, nor merely a product of their rivals' inconsistency. The remainder of the Turkcell Super Lig programme promises excitement galore and potentially the first champions from outside Istanbul since Trabzonspor's title triumph back in 1984, fully 24 years ago.
Sivasspor will sign with Tunisian defender Karim Saidi
Leader of Turkish Turkcell Super League Sivasspor agreed in principle with Dutch team Feyenoord's Tunisian defender Karim Saidi. Saidi, 24, is soon expected to sign a contract with Sivasspor, sources said. Sivasspor plans to sign another foreign player, sources added.
Karim Saidi born 1983 is a Tunisian football player currently playing for Feyenoord Rotterdam. He is a regular in the Tunisian national team.
SHORT ..SHORT.....TRANSFER NEWS FROM TURKCELL SUPER LEAGUE.........
*GENCLERBIRLIGI AGREE WITH CHILEAN GOALKEEPER
Turkcell Super League team Genclerbirligi agreed on terms with Chilean goalkeeper Nicolas Miroslav Peric.
*BURSASPOR TO SIGN PERUVIAN STRIKER ZUNIGA.........
Turkish Turkcell Super League team Bursaspor said they agreed in principle with Peruvian striker Ysrael Zuniga Yares.
* The former Genclerbirligi player Nick Carle has completed his move to high-flying English Championship club Bristol City.
NEWEST GALATASARAY PLAYER ...EMRE GUNGOR
Newest Galatasaray player Emre Güngör, the 23 years old defense player transferred from Ankaragucu in the mid-term, transfer season.
He gave his first interview to Galatasaray TV last week and during the interview he said "“I am excited. I have been accepted to a big community. I know that my responsibilities are heavier now. I hope I will be worthy of this important community. I will do the best I can not to frustrate the ones that have trusted me. I have played a lot of matches in Ali Sami Yen Stadium. In Ali Sami Yen the supporters have a profound effect on the player. Hopefully with our supporters backing us we will achieve many victories altogether.”
Sunday, January 6, 2008
FENERBAHCE DRAW ARSENAL IN LONDON!...
Arsenal were forced to share the spoils with Fenerbahce after the goalless draw in UEFA Champions League action on Wednesday night in London. The Gunners will be disappointed with the result but they still sit on top of the Group G table.
Volkan Demirel was the hero in goal for Fenerbahce. The Fenerbahce was constantly under pressure from the Gunner attack but withstood the onslaught to deny Arsene Wenger’s men. The pressure was most constant in the first half when Fenerbahçe failed to test the Arsenal Number 1 at the opposite end.
Fenerbahce made some attacking looks in the second half and finally forced Arsenal youngster goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański in goal to make some saves but by the mid point of the second half were content to defend with 11 and take a point.
Arsenal remain on top of the table thanks to Porto’s win over Dynamo Kiev while Fenerbahce have fallen further behind and occupy the table cellar on 2 points.
Friday, January 4, 2008
TURKISH FOOTBALL LOST A DEAR FRIEND....GUNDUZ TEKIN ONAY DIED....
He was the master teacher of the Turkish Football...He served many years under Turkish Football Federation as a teacher and consultant. He died of cancer at age 65.
Turkish Football fans, players will miss him dearly......
TFF president Haluk Ulusoy said: "I am deeply saddened after the death of my close friend, colleague, and an unforgettable figure in Turkish football, Gündüz Tekin Onay. We've lost a man who served Turkish football at every level. Onay always brought new ideas – we could even call him a football philosopher."
We all will miss him.
AHMET TURGUT
www.turkishsoccer.com/ Editor
GOALS SCORE BY MIDFIELDERS IN EURO LEAGUES
According to recent article by FIFA.COM , the trend from last season is still going strong..... while the goal scorers are not scoring attacking midfielders are doing their job for them.
And what's funny, in this list, we see two Turkish born soccer players names!..
From Turkcell Super League Gokdeniz Karadeniz and from Switzerland Super League Hakan Yakan, who has 13 goals so far....
Here is the article by FIFA.com..........
Midfielders make a difference(FIFA.com) Friday 4 January 2008
Goals win games and it is, principally, a striker's duty to score them. However, the benefit of having prolific players adrift of the frontline has become evermore apparent in recent years. This was certainly the case in title battles across Europe last season.
Ajax were 13 minutes away from recapturing the Dutch Eredivisie crown on goals scored, in no small part due to Wesley Sneijder's 18 strikes, until engine room stalwart Phillip Cocu netted to keep the trophy in PSV Eindhoven's possession. Attacking midfielder Alex top-scored in Turkey to thrust Fenerbahce to Super League glory, Juninho Pernambucano hit double figures for the fourth time in five campaigns to help Lyon make it six French Ligue 1 golds in a row, and Cristiano Ronaldo finished as the leading marksman for English Premier League winners Manchester United, repeating Frank Lampard's feat for 2005/06 champions Chelsea.
This trend has been continued this term, with a crop of non-strikers spearheading their sides' title challenges. With the season at its halfway point, FIFA.com takes a look at the goal-scoring exploits of these players.
Duo keep pressure on Bayern
Bayern Munich spent heavily last summer to replenish their frontline, and both 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ adidas Golden Shoe winner Miroslav Klose and Italian world champion Luca Toni have lived up to expectations in front of goal thus far. However, the pair are currently tied at the front of the 2007/08 Bundesliga scoring charts with a pair of attacking midfielders.
Diego's nine strikes have propelled Werder Bremen level on points with the Bavarian title favourites, while the return of Dutch maestro Rafael van der Vaart, who found the net consistently during his five-year spell with Ajax, has lifted SV Hamburg to within four points of the pace. The duo remain consistent providers of assists, but it is their ability to shoot from long range that has most caught the eye of late.
Hakan Yakan, meanwhile, is the outright leading marksman in the Switzerland. The inventive No10 has been on target 13 times for Young Boys, who remain in contention for the Super League prize.
Gala winners provide the goals
The English Premier League scoring charts may be monopolised by forwards, but it presently topped by a winger. Not that is any great surprise to see Cristiano Ronaldo's name at the summit, given that he finished as the 17-goal, third-highest marksman in the competition last season - and the only non-striker in the top ten. Possessing power, accuracy and an uncanny capacity to swerve the ball, the Portuguese sensation has 13 goals to his name this term, including a number of match-winning efforts that have helped Manchester United keep pace with Arsenal in the battle for honours.
Lionel Messi, who beat Ronaldo to second place behind Kaka at the FIFA World Player Gala 2007, has also been sporting his shooting boots this campaign. Indeed, only two players boast higher tallies than the Argentine wide player in the race for the Pichichi award. Whether or not his supply can inspire Barcelona to La Liga ecstasy remains to be seen, but with leaders Real Madrid benefiting from goals from midfield too, it will be no easy task.
As for Kaka, the most prolific player in the 2006/07 UEFA Champions League, he is the leading marksman for AC Milan, who nonetheless appear to be out of the title picture after a winner from Inter Milan midfielder Esteban Cambiasso condemned them to a 2-1 defeat last time out. Atalanta are also out of the running but Cristiano Doni, an eternal scorer in their black-and-blue jersey, is level with the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year on seven goals. Dundee United's Barry Robson, Gokdeniz Karadeniz of Trabzonspor and Vaslui's Marko Ljubinkovic are also among the leading scorers in Scotland, Turkey and Romania respectively.
While it would take a minor miracle for one of the aforementioned trio to pocket a title-winners' medal in 2008, a number of champions across Europe will be indebted to goals from midfield at the season's end.
And what's funny, in this list, we see two Turkish born soccer players names!..
From Turkcell Super League Gokdeniz Karadeniz and from Switzerland Super League Hakan Yakan, who has 13 goals so far....
Here is the article by FIFA.com..........
Midfielders make a difference(FIFA.com) Friday 4 January 2008
Goals win games and it is, principally, a striker's duty to score them. However, the benefit of having prolific players adrift of the frontline has become evermore apparent in recent years. This was certainly the case in title battles across Europe last season.
Ajax were 13 minutes away from recapturing the Dutch Eredivisie crown on goals scored, in no small part due to Wesley Sneijder's 18 strikes, until engine room stalwart Phillip Cocu netted to keep the trophy in PSV Eindhoven's possession. Attacking midfielder Alex top-scored in Turkey to thrust Fenerbahce to Super League glory, Juninho Pernambucano hit double figures for the fourth time in five campaigns to help Lyon make it six French Ligue 1 golds in a row, and Cristiano Ronaldo finished as the leading marksman for English Premier League winners Manchester United, repeating Frank Lampard's feat for 2005/06 champions Chelsea.
This trend has been continued this term, with a crop of non-strikers spearheading their sides' title challenges. With the season at its halfway point, FIFA.com takes a look at the goal-scoring exploits of these players.
Duo keep pressure on Bayern
Bayern Munich spent heavily last summer to replenish their frontline, and both 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ adidas Golden Shoe winner Miroslav Klose and Italian world champion Luca Toni have lived up to expectations in front of goal thus far. However, the pair are currently tied at the front of the 2007/08 Bundesliga scoring charts with a pair of attacking midfielders.
Diego's nine strikes have propelled Werder Bremen level on points with the Bavarian title favourites, while the return of Dutch maestro Rafael van der Vaart, who found the net consistently during his five-year spell with Ajax, has lifted SV Hamburg to within four points of the pace. The duo remain consistent providers of assists, but it is their ability to shoot from long range that has most caught the eye of late.
Hakan Yakan, meanwhile, is the outright leading marksman in the Switzerland. The inventive No10 has been on target 13 times for Young Boys, who remain in contention for the Super League prize.
Gala winners provide the goals
The English Premier League scoring charts may be monopolised by forwards, but it presently topped by a winger. Not that is any great surprise to see Cristiano Ronaldo's name at the summit, given that he finished as the 17-goal, third-highest marksman in the competition last season - and the only non-striker in the top ten. Possessing power, accuracy and an uncanny capacity to swerve the ball, the Portuguese sensation has 13 goals to his name this term, including a number of match-winning efforts that have helped Manchester United keep pace with Arsenal in the battle for honours.
Lionel Messi, who beat Ronaldo to second place behind Kaka at the FIFA World Player Gala 2007, has also been sporting his shooting boots this campaign. Indeed, only two players boast higher tallies than the Argentine wide player in the race for the Pichichi award. Whether or not his supply can inspire Barcelona to La Liga ecstasy remains to be seen, but with leaders Real Madrid benefiting from goals from midfield too, it will be no easy task.
As for Kaka, the most prolific player in the 2006/07 UEFA Champions League, he is the leading marksman for AC Milan, who nonetheless appear to be out of the title picture after a winner from Inter Milan midfielder Esteban Cambiasso condemned them to a 2-1 defeat last time out. Atalanta are also out of the running but Cristiano Doni, an eternal scorer in their black-and-blue jersey, is level with the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year on seven goals. Dundee United's Barry Robson, Gokdeniz Karadeniz of Trabzonspor and Vaslui's Marko Ljubinkovic are also among the leading scorers in Scotland, Turkey and Romania respectively.
While it would take a minor miracle for one of the aforementioned trio to pocket a title-winners' medal in 2008, a number of champions across Europe will be indebted to goals from midfield at the season's end.
ALPAY OZALAN NOW TURKISH SOLDIER!
One time bad boy and Turkish National Soccer Teams famous defender Alpay Ozalan came to Turkiye(Turkey) to do his soldier Duties in Burdur.
He will be in Millitary uniform only for 21 days though!..
Former Besiktas and Aston Villa player now days playing in Germany's second division team FC Köln.His contract will finish at the end of the 2007/2008 season.
We might see Alpay in the MLS next year!..Alpay has stated that his next move will be to the Major League Soccer in the United States.
Alpay made a name for himself by clashing with England captain David Beckham during the Euro 2004 qualifier in Istanbul. Beckham missed a penalty in the first half, and Alpay confronted him as soon as he missed. He yelled at the England captain, "God is big. Even if you took the penalty 100 times, you would've missed 100 times." Then at half-time, Alpay poked a finger at Beckham's face which instigated a brawl between the Turks and the English.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
BLOW TO TFF AND HALUK ULUSOY BY LOCAL COURT!..
If you belive or not this is Truth!...
A local Istanbul Bakirkoy court took the duties from Turkish Football federation President Haluk Ulusoy after Turkcell Super League's two team Presidents filed papers against Haluk Ulusoy and Turkish Football Federation.
Istanbul Buyuk Sehir Belediyespor team President Goksel Gumusdag and Kayserispor President Recep Mamur made the complaint files to the court.
Than, court appointed, TFF generel secretary Lutfu Aribogan , Turkcell Super league teams representative organization's general secretary Yunus Egemenoglu, and a member from Istanbul Buyuk Sehir Belediyespor committee Kamil Dizar will call all the duties until the elections. Elections will take place in February of 2008.
I wonder what Mr. Ulusoy will do now?!...
A local Istanbul Bakirkoy court took the duties from Turkish Football federation President Haluk Ulusoy after Turkcell Super League's two team Presidents filed papers against Haluk Ulusoy and Turkish Football Federation.
Istanbul Buyuk Sehir Belediyespor team President Goksel Gumusdag and Kayserispor President Recep Mamur made the complaint files to the court.
Than, court appointed, TFF generel secretary Lutfu Aribogan , Turkcell Super league teams representative organization's general secretary Yunus Egemenoglu, and a member from Istanbul Buyuk Sehir Belediyespor committee Kamil Dizar will call all the duties until the elections. Elections will take place in February of 2008.
I wonder what Mr. Ulusoy will do now?!...
Besiktas let go Diatta!....
Lamine Diatta has quit Besiktas after reaching a financial agreement with Besiktas.
"I wanted to leave for personal reasons. Besiktas were opened to discussion and we reached a financial agreement," the 32-year-old defender was quoted as saying on the website of Sport daily L'Equipe www.lequipe.fr
After spending a few days with his family near Bordeaux, Diatta will join Senegal's national team to train for the African Nations Cup which runs from January 20 to February 10 in Ghana.
"I wanted to leave for personal reasons. Besiktas were opened to discussion and we reached a financial agreement," the 32-year-old defender was quoted as saying on the website of Sport daily L'Equipe www.lequipe.fr
After spending a few days with his family near Bordeaux, Diatta will join Senegal's national team to train for the African Nations Cup which runs from January 20 to February 10 in Ghana.
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