AMERICAN BOBBY BOSWELL HEADED TO TURKEY!..

BOBBY BOSWELL IN PRACTICE WITH ANTALYASPOR IN ANTALYA,TURKEY.......

You herd it here....

American born Bobby Boswell who is free agent from MLS Houston team is searching his luck in beautiful Antalya Turkey.

The All- American boy from Florida who played for US national team in 2006 might just play for Antalyaspor..

He is been training with the team since this past past week....

He is solid defender and I think he will help Antalyaspor get out of the danger zone of the Turkish Turkcell Super league....

Like I said, he is free agent and Antalyaspor will like that....

That is though if they pay him....

Like most of the clubs in the Turkish Super League, Antalyaspor is having financial problems too!...

AHMET TURGUT/TURKISHSOCCER.COM

WHO IS BOBBY BOSWELL?......



Robert "Bobby" Allen Boswell (born March 15, 1983 in Austin, Texas) is an American soccer defender, who currently played for the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer this past season.

Boswell grew up in Tampa, Florida and played college soccer at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, but was not drafted by an MLS club in either the 2005 MLS Super Draft or the Supplemental Draft. However, after impressing during the pre-season, he was signed by DC United as a discovery player and earned a starting spot in the club's defense after Bryan Namoff had to miss the beginning of the season due to injury. He started the season well, but set the league record by scoring three own goals in a season.

During the 2006 MLS season, Boswell was the starting centerback for DC United, who finished the with the best regular season record and won the Supporters' Shield. Boswell was named an All-Star, and he started and played the entire All-Star match in the 1-0 victory over Chelsea, the defending English Premiership champions. He was named DC United's 2006 Defender of the Year and Humanitarian of the year. He was also named the 2006 MLS Defender of the Year and selected as a member of the Best XI.

International career

In January 2006, Boswell was called into his first training camp for the US national team. He earned his first cap on February 19, 2006, in a 4-0 victory against Guatemala.

COACHING CONFERENCE IN TURKEY....

21st International Coach Development Congress will be held on 12th and 13th of January 2009 in Antalya by Turkish football(soccer)Federation.

TERIM,ARAGONES AND CAPELLO ARE MAIN ATTRACTION.......


The ‘Technical Analyses of UEFA 2008 European Championship’ panel with the participation of Fatih Terim who lead the Turkish National Team into semi-finals as the Head Coach, Luis Aragones who is the Head Coach of European Championship winner Spanish National Team and Fabio Capello, Head Coach of English National Team, is believed to be followed with a high interest.

There will be other speakers in this event.

US National team interim Youth director Sam Snow and Shad Forsythe from Athletes Performance, USA) was invited to this conference by TFF.

For more information go to the link below........
http://www.ucgk2009.


AHMET TURGUT/TURKISHSOCCER.COM

TURKEY SUPER LEAGUE STATS FOR END OF 2008

Total number of games: 144
Total goals scored: 382
Average per game: 2.65
Own goals: 8

**********************
Player Position Goals (Pen.Incl) Penalties
FW 195 52% 10 50%
MF 133 36% 6 30%
DF 53 14% 3 15%
GK 1 0% 1 5%
382 20

***************************************************
Min. of game Goals (Pen.Incl) Penalties
46-80 146 39% 7 35%
16-45 111 30% 8 40%
last 15 69 18% 3 15%
First 15 56 15% 2 10%
382 20

**********************************************************

Number of games with 0 goals 19
Number of games with 1 goals 19
Number of games with 2 goals 31
Number of games with 3 goals 34
Number of games with 4 goals 18
Number of games with 5 goals 16
Number of games with 6 goals 2
Number of games with 7 goals 5

******************************************************

Team Goals (total) Players who scored
Galatasaray 38 9
Fenerbahce 30 12
Sivasspor 28 10
Besiktas 27 9
Trabzonspor 24 7
Gaziantepspor 23 10
Denizlispor 22 9
Bursaspor 21 8
Ankaraspor A.Ş. 21 7
Kocaelispor 19 8
Genclerbirligi 18 8
Eskişehirspor 18 9
Kayserispor 17 7
Büyükşehir Bld.Spor 16 7
Antalyaspor 16 9
Konyaspor 14 8
MKE Ankaragücü 14 6
Hacettepe SK 8 4
Own goals 8
382

******************************************************************
Top Scorers Team Goals (total) Penalties
Baros Galatasaray 14 -
Yildiz Sivasspor 11 2
Rodrigo Tabata Gaziantepspor 8 3
Gülleri Kocaelispor 7 1
Cakir, M Ankaraspor A.Ş. 7 1
Lincoln Galatasaray 7 -
Yıldırım Bursaspor 7 -
Marcio Nobre Besiktas 7 -
Unal Trabzonspor 7 -
Roberts, D Denizlispor 6 -
Youla Eskişehirspor 6 1
Bulut Trabzonspor 6 -
Kewell Galatasaray 6 -
Djiehoua Antalyaspor 6 -
Gülenc Bursaspor 5 -
Alex Souza Fenerbahce 5 1
Aydin Sivasspor 5 -
Delgado, Matias Besiktas 5 -
Hološko Besiktas 5 -
Topuz Kayserispor 5 -
************************************************************************

More than 2 goals in a game

Aghahowa 3 Fenerbahc 1 - Kayserisp 4
Baros 3 Galatasar 3 - Hacettepe 1
Baros 3 Galatasar 4 - Besiktas 2
Rodrigo Tabata 3 Kocaelisp 2 - Gaziantep 5
Yildiz 3 Sivasspor 3 - Denizlisp 1


***********************************************************
Players by Nationality
Turkey 291
Brazil 33
Cameroon 8
Argentina 6
Croatia 6
Slovakia 5
Guinea 4
Germany 4
Czech Rep. 4
Serbia 4
Australia 4
Albania 3
Chile 3
Poland 3
Sweden 2
Nigeria 2
Ivory Coast 2
Tunisia 2
Ghana 2
Spain 2
Montenegro 2
Bosnia and Herzegovina 2
France 2
Portugal 2
Senegal 2
Egypt 2
Congo DR 1
Italy 1
Peru 1
Israel 1
Paraguay 1
Trinidad and Tobago 1
Bulgaria 1
Switzerland 1
Netherlands 1
Namibia 1
Zimbabwe 1
Belarus 1
Lebanon 1
Belgium 1
Mexico 1
Austria 1
Uruguay 1
Venezuela 1
Romania 1
Burkina Faso 1
Liberia 1


*************************************************************
REFEREES

Aydinus 10
Cakir 10
Göcek 9
Yildirim, Y 9
Abitoglu 8
Dereli 8
Gezer 7
Özkalfa 7
Müftüoglu 7
Durmaz 7
Meral 7
Coban 6
Arslanboga 6
Yıldırım 6
Abay 6
Türkalp 6
Özkahya 5
Özkan 5
Gencerler 5
Yilmaz 4
Cinar 2
Inönü 1
Güneser 1
Gizlenci 1
Öz 1

25 referees, 144 games.

******************************************
TACTICS..................
Summary

4-4-2 146
4-2-3-1 102
4-1-3-2 12
4-3-3 9
4-3-1-2 6
3-4-3 5
4-5-1 3
5-3-2 2
5-4-1 1
4-4-1-1 1
3-4-1-2 1

**********************************************************************
PLAYERS USED..............


Team Players Used Foreigners Average Age
Kocaelispor 28 5 27.6
Genclerbirligi 26 7 23.6
Büyükşehir Bld.Spor 25 7 25.7
Denizlispor 25 8 24.2
Fenerbahce 25 8 26.1
Antalyaspor 24 7 26.7
Kayserispor 24 10 24.2
Hacettepe SK 24 9 23.5
Galatasaray 24 8 26.1
Ankaraspor A.Ş. 24 9 24.3
Bursaspor 24 8 25.4
Eskişehirspor 23 7 26.1
Konyaspor 22 5 26.8
Gaziantepspor 21 6 25.4
MKE Ankaragücü 21 5 25.9
Besiktas 21 8 26.0
Trabzonspor 19 8 24.8
Sivasspor 19 7 27.1
Total 419 132
Average 23 25.5

********************************************************************

TURKEY SUPER LEAGUE ROUND- UP

SIVASSPOR BACK ON TOP................

They were the the top team last season winter brake they are again the top team in the Turkcell Super League going into the winter brake!........

They won in away match in Ankara against Genclerbirlgi...2-1

Sivasspor's Musa Aydin opened the score on 37 minutes, only for his goal to be canceled out by Bruce Djite just before the half time whistle.

The winner came in the 61st minute though, with M.Ali Kurtulus netting for 1-2 and helping his side back to the top of the league.

Sivasspor share first place with Trabzonspor but have a better goal difference.

DERBY GOES TO GALATASARAY............

This years last Derby match played between Galatasaray and Besiktas.

Galatasaray and Besiktas ended in a 4-2 home victory.

Servet Cetin put Galatasaray ahead on 8 minutes but Delgado equalized five minutes later. Milan Baros then converted a spotkick in the 16th minute to restore his side's lead.

The Czech striker went on to net for 3-1 in the 53rd minute, not long after Besiktas' Delgado conceded a second yellow card.

Holosko did get one back for Besiktas in the 55th minute but Baros completed his hat-trick, again from the penalty spot, in the 67th: 4-2.

at the brake after 16 matches Milan Baros leads the league with scoring he has scored 14 goals in 18 matches. Mehmet Yildiz from Sivaspor follow him with 11 goals..

Here is the results from week 16, in the Turkcell Super League...


Konyaspor 1-2 Fenerbahçe
Hacettepe 0-3 Kayserispor
İstanbul BB 5-0 Kocaelispor
Trabzonspor 2-1 Eskisehirspor
Antalyaspor 1-1 Ankaraspor
Denizlispor 1-1 Ankaragücü
Genclerbirligi 1-2 Sivasspor
Gaziantepspor 2-0 Bursaspor
Galatasaray 4-2 Besiktas

LAST DANCE BEFORE THE WINTER BRAKE IN THE TURKEY SUPER LEAGUE

It is the last Tango in the Turkcell Super league before the winter brake....

The 16th week could bring a lot of surprise score in my opinion..

If you look at the standings the teams are lined-up for the race for the top!..
Sivasspor and Trabzonspor on top with 31 and Galatasaray with 30 ,Fenerbahce and Ankaraspor with 29 , lastly Besiktas who has 2 8 points are in tight race for the top spot.....

Even, Kayserispor who has 24 points could well be in this race...

The real standings table is very different from the leagues "form" table....

In this table we see Galatasaray on top of this table...

In the last six matches Galatasaray captured 16 points while Fenerbahce captured 14 points.

Sivaspor follows them with 13 points and Trabzonspor earned 11 points in the last six matches.


Besiktas is on tenth place in the form table in the last six mathces...

they only collected 7 points in the last six matches!...

This Mustafa Denizli's Besiktas will face Galatasaray in the Derbey match on Sunday.


If Sivaspor who plays in away match against Genclerbirligi wins their match and Trabzonspor who will be at home against Hacettepe wins thier match there won't be any change in the top of the league..

But, a draw for Trabzonspor and Sivaspor will not help.....

They could lose their spot if Galatasaray and Fenerbahce win their match in the week 16.

Again, this is the week, we could see a lot of a draws in the league...

Here is the week 16th matches....

Friday Dec 19, 2008 Konyaspor Fenerbahce

Saturday Dec 20, 2008 Istanbul BB Kocaelispor
Saturday Dec 20, 2008 Hacettepe Kayserispor
Saturday Dec 20, 2008 Trabzonspor Eskisehirspor

Sunday Dec 21, 2008 Genclerbirligi Sivasspor
Sunday Dec 21, 2008 Denizlispor MKE Ankaragücü
Sunday Dec 21, 2008 Antalyaspor BB Ankaraspor
Sunday Dec 21, 2008 Gaziantepspor Bursaspor
Sunday Dec 21, 2008 Galatasaray Besiktas

AHMET TURGUT
www.turkishsoccer.com

Fatih Terim listed among top ten in world!...

Turkish National team soccer(football) coach Fatih Terim named among the world's ten top football coaches by World Soccer Magazine.

Fatih Terim, coach of Turkey's national soccer(football) team, was named among the top ten world's football coaches by World Soccer magazine. Terim took seventh place in the ranking. Manchester United's Alex Ferguson topped the list. Fenerbahce's current coach and former Spanish National team coach Luis Aragones came in second place.

Here is the top ten best coaches in the world according to World Soccer Magazine.
1 Alex Ferguson (Manchester United)
2 Luis Aragones ( Spain-Fenerbahce)
3 Dick Advocaat (Zenit St Petersburg)
4 Hassan Shehata (Egypt)
5 Guus Hiddink (Russia)
6 Cesare Prandelli (Fiorentina)
7 Fatih Terim (Turkey) 8 Muricy Ramalho (Sao Paulo)
9 Phil Brown (Hull City)
10 Roberto Mancini (Inter)

Turkey finish the year in top ten of the FIFA rankings

European champions Spain remain top of the world football rankings issued Wednesday by the world governing body FIFA while Turkey jumped three places to move into the top 10. Spain finish 2008 well clear of Euro 2008 finalists Germany while the Netherlands leapfrog World Champions Italy into third spot.

Brazil remain fifth, followed by Argentina and Croatia. England jump two places to eighth, with Russia dropping one spot to ninth and Turkey up three to 10th.

The Czech Republic and Portugal both drop out of the top 10 while Australia move up nine places to 28th and Kenya are up 17 to 68th.

TUGAY KERIMOGLU SET TO MAKE ANOTHER HISTORY!....

When he left his Turkish Team Galatasaray every body called him old and he could not play football anymore!....

Instead he was the first Turkish player ever to play in the Scotland with Glasgow Rangers than the Premier League after his old coach from Galatasaray Sounes told him to come to England.

That old man, who was Galatasaray's and Turkey's most talented midfielder took a different role and became Blackburn's one of the best play maker, thanks to Sounes!..


Now, that Sounes will offer Tugay another role .....

After Blackburn Rovers sacked current coach Paul Ince, Sounes most likely will be the next coach of the Blackburns and Sounes might select Tugay Kerimoglu as his assistant coach.

He was the first Turkish player ever to play in the Premier League and now, he will be the first Turk, ever to coach in the Premier League!...

AHMET TURGUT/
www.turkishsoccer.com

WHO IS TUGAY KERIMOGLU.......

Tugay Kerimoglu was born in August 1970 in Trabzon, Turkey. He spent 12 seasons at Galatasaray and made 224 appearances for the club, scoring 34 goals.

The midfielder was made captain at Galatasaray in the 1992-93 season, making him the youngest captain in the history of his hometown club. His record in European competition for Gala is impressive. He represented Galatasaray in UEFA competitions no less than 52 times, 44 of which were in the starting line-up. While at 'Gala', he scored 43 goals. 33 were scored in the Turkish championship with a further six in the Turkish Cup and four in European competition.

As an international, Tugay has played over 70 times for Turkey, including experience of the European Championships and the World Cup. While at Glasgow Rangers, he played 36 times, scoring 5 goals. He is rated as one of the most talented Turkish players ever.

Graeme Souness recognised this. After the former manager of Galatasaray noticed that Tugay was available for 1.3 million, he jumped at the chance to bring him to Blackburn Rovers.

Tugay's first season in the Premiership was a great success. He made 43 appearances, scoring 3 goals. He was one of Blackburn's most consistent performers and he was an automatic choice for the Turkish squad in the 2002 World Cup.

When he returned, he continued to build on an impressive start to his Premiership career making over 50 appearances for Rovers scoring just the once, but was integral part to the squad that finish in the top six.

He had a great season for Rovers during the 2003/04 campaign, appearing in nearly every game and scoring two goals. He was in the right kind of form to have had a fantastic Euro 2004 and was unlucky not to appear in the European Championships after Turkey failed to qualify.

The 2004/05 campaign saw his wonderful form from the previous season continue. After being knocked off his bicycle in the summer, he returned to fitness in time for the start of the season, making 26 appearances and scoring once - the first in an FA Cup Fifth Round Replay win against local rivals Burnley.

He signed a 12-month contract extension in April 2005 and continued his good form in the 05/06 season, playing thirty-four games and scoring once. This stat increased to two goals in 36 starts in the 2006/07 as he continued to prove his worth to Blackburn and Mark Hughes.

Although he didn't play quite as much in 2007/08, he was still a vital member of the squad, and signed a new deal to keep him at Ewood Park in 2008/09.

FATIH TERIM MUST MAKE UP HIS MIND ON MESUT OZDIL!...

Germany coach Joachim Loew said he would not be giving Werder Bremen midfielder Mesut Ozil a first international cap in order to head off an approach from Turkey.

"We don't do that sort of thing. There will be no promises from us," Loew told

The Germany-born Ozil, 20, who is regarded as one of Germany's biggest talents, can until he reaches 21 decide to switch to play for Turkey although he has already appeared for Germany's under-21 team.

Ozil said that should he be asked by Fatih Terim coach of Turkish National team, he would decide on the spur of the moment.

Loew could end any discussion by selecting Ozil for Germany's friendly international on February 11 against Norway.

"He has a role in our internal planning but it is his decision. It's something he has to decide for himself," Loew said.

TURKEY SUPER LEAGUE SUNDAY RESUTS..

FENERBAHCE GOES UP TO FORTH AND ANKARASPOR ON FIFTH!...

After bowing out at the European Competition, Fenerbahce is going full force in the Turkish Turkcell Super League after beating Antalyaspor at home 2-0.

With this win Fenerbahce moved up to fourth and Ankaraspor moved in the fifth place...

After these result , like I wrote it on Saturday , Besiktas went down to sixth...

Here is the results from Sunday....

Ankaraspor 2 : 0 Denizlispor
Eskisehirspor 0 : 0 Konyaspor
Fenerbahce 2 : 0 Antalyaspor
Kocaelispor 2 : 5 Gaziantepspor

AHMET TURGUT

TUNCAY SANLI ON THE WAY TO BE A STAR IN ENGLAND!..

Tuncay Sanli . a street soccer player and former Fenerbahce player from Sakarya, Turkey, finally making a impact in the premier league.

After scoring the fancy back heal goal and and playing better this season and being mentioned by Chelsea team is the talk of the town in England.

Recently he was future on Timesonline newspaper, where he spoke to reporter George Caulkin.

In this interview Tuncay talks about life and issues and playing for Boro team.

He told the reporter, he wants to finish playing football in Boro team and he watches a lot of Turkish Turkcell Super League matches on his free time on the

satellite from Turkey...
He also said he grew up watching Zidane and he talked about the differences between Turkey and England.

What I saw after reading this article on Timesonline, I think, TUncay's looking at world and football in general has changed!....

He found out that he has to work hard to get the success...

Overall I enjoyed this excellent piece by George Caulken........


Here is the article...............

Tuncay determined to live life to the full at Middlesbrough

George Caulkin

“My hero when I was growing up was Zinédine Zidane. When you watch him, it’s almost like seeing a really good film. You get a sense of thrill, expectation and anticipation. You always wanted to know what was going to happen next.” — Tuncay Sanli

To continue the cinematic theme, watching Middlesbrough’s Turkey striker summons up memories of the scene in Kes, where Mr Sugden, the half-deranged PE teacher, simultaneously referees, stars in and commentates on a school-field football match. As he dribbles past several awestruck, if faintly bemused, children before lobbing the goalkeeper, Tuncay struggled to smother his own sense of mischief.

If medals were awarded for effervescence, the 26-year-old would have few rivals for decoration. At a recent event to promote healthy living at the club’s community centre involving Garmin, the Middlesbrough kit sponsor, Tuncay was breathless and dripping with perspiration; he is not on Teesside to see out his contract.

The difference between Tuncay and Brian Glover’s appalling, mesmeric character is a wide grin and wholesome motives. In keeping with most of his team-mates, he has thrust himself into the local initiatives that are part of Middlesbrough’s identity.

This one was held in South Bank, where Wilf Mannion grew up, an area of genuine deprivation. “There are lots of similarities between my home and Middlesbrough,” Tuncay, who originates from Sakarya in Turkey, said. “There are poor parts of Middlesbrough, but I was a poor boy myself. I know what it’s like to come from a family which has to work hard to get by. I feel at home in this environment. It’s where football is most important.”

The message and its tone were uplifting, along with the dynamism that Tuncay has brought to Gareth Southgate’s team, who face Arsenal at home today, since his free transfer from Fenerbahçe in the summer of 2007. Nicknamed Cesur Yurek — Braveheart — at his former club, he has grown in influence at the Riverside Stadium; Chelsea have been linked with an £8 million bid.

“I live life with a smile on my face,” he said. “What else can you do? If you don’t smile, you’re bound to get distressed. You have to see good things in life. Otherwise, what’s the point of being here? I don’t have time for being sad. It doesn’t matter what country you’re in — a little smile can make a lot of difference.”

It almost passed him by. “My career started by mistake, because I didn’t have a background of playing in youth teams,” he said. “I was an ordinary kid who played in the streets. If I hadn’t been seen by an amateur coach in an indoor match I would probably have started a job the following year and never played again. It was that close.

“It’s still very difficult for a young boy in Turkey to get the opportunity to make it and I never really realised I was good enough to be spotted. You never think that way when you are little, but maybe that made me even more determined to make it when the opportunity arose. By that stage, I knew it was my only chance.”

His parents wavered. “They wanted me to stay at school, get qualifications, learn a trade,” Tuncay said. “They wanted the best for me, but it took some nagging before they relented.”

What other profession might have beckoned? “Maybe I would have become a runner. It’s the only thing I’m good at. I was always bound to run somewhere.” But he is happy to have come to rest at Middlesbrough. “I have seen quite a bit of the area,” he said. “I’ve been to Newcastle, Manchester and Leeds. I like Hartlepool Marina. There’s a nice Turkish restaurant in Redcar and I’ve taken my family there when they’ve come over. The people who run it have been here for 16 years and are good people.

“I can’t get over how punctual the English are. I’ve never known anyone be late. Even taxi drivers. If you call a taxi and they say, ‘I’ll be there in ten minutes’, they’ll be there. That doesn’t happen in Turkey.”

Free time is spent keeping track of Turkish football on satellite television, while “DVD box sets — 24, Prison Break — have been brilliant for me. Sometimes I spend half a day watching one.” Christmas will be enlivened by the visit of his two sisters and their children. “My biggest aim is to be able to compete in European football as a Middlesbrough player,” he said. If he achieves his goal, he will certainly have a smile on his face.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/middlesbrough/article5333207.ece

TRABZONSPOR GOES DOWN!,,,,

Trabzonspor not only go down against Bursaspor they also went down in the standings too!...

It might be only Saturday in the Turkcell Super League but before even Sunday's matche we know one think, Turkcell Super league top team is not Trabzonspor.

Trabzonspor went down in the last minutes of the match in Bursa on Saturday.

Bursaspor scored the winning and their second goal by young striker Sercan Yildirim.

That is the kid, that Sir Alex Ferguson has his eyes on....

While Trabzonspor was playing away match, the other top contender Sivaspor, was at home, against the leagues bottom team Hacettepe. Herve Tum scored the both goals for Sivasspor. Sivaspor second goal came in the late minutes of the match too!..

In the other early day match, on Saturday, Kayserispor beat Istanbulspor BB at home 2-0.

On Saturday, last match played in Istanbul....

Besiktas beat Ankaragucu with only one goal...

Thanks to Holosko!........

Mert Nobre missed a lot of goals in this match...

This was the first match that we saw Slovikian star in the first eleven since Eskisehirspor where he scored one and assist too..

Finaly Besiktas coach seen the light and did the right thing!........

But, that cost him the top spot in my opinion...

Because, against Fenerbahce, Mustafa Denizli made a huge mistake not starting Holosko in the match....

That is why Besiktas, now is on forth place with 28 points behind Galatasaray Trabzonspor ,Sivaspor and could be behind Fenerbahce and Ankaraspor if they win their match on Sunday....

This was very important win for Besiktas.....

On Friday, Galatasaray beat another Ankara team Genclerbirligi in Ankara 3-1 with first half goals...

Galatasaray first time this season captured the second place on Friday and went down to third after Saturday matches.

We know one think, Sivaspor will be on top with 31 points, at the end of the fifteen week....

Trabzonspor will be on second with same points and Galatasaray will hold on the third place with 30 points.

In the last week, before the brake, Galatasaray will face Besiktas in Istanbul.

Sivsspor will be away in Ankara against Genclerbirligi and Trabzonspor will be at home against Eskisehirspor.

So, the race for the top is getting hot...

Who will close the first half of the season as a leader, in the Turkcell Super League?.....

AHMET TURGUT

THE EUROPEAN DREAM IS OVER FOR FENERBAHCE!

THE EUROPEAN DREAM IS OVER FOR FENERBAHCE!

Turkey's Fenerbahce team says good bye to Champion League and the European dream to after losing against Dynomo Kiev 1-0 in Kiev.

They're UEFA CUP dream is over too!...

The UEFA CUP final match will be played at Fenerbahce's Sukru Saracoglu Stadium .

Turkey's another team Galatasaray who is still in the UEFA CUP will have a chance to bring the UEFA CUP one more time , this time in Turkey and In Fenerbahce's Stadium.

That is if , they make it to the finals!....

The Matches only goal came in the 20th minute by Roman Eremenko .

Dynamo Kiev: 31-Stanislav Bogush; 3-Betao, 15-Pape Diakhate, 17-Taras Mikhalik, 26-Andriy Nesmachniy; 4-Tiberiu Ghioane, 5-Ognjen Vukojevic, 19-Florin Cernat, 11-Roman Eremenko; 10-Ismael Bangoura, 25-Artem Milevskiy


Fenerbahce: 1-Volkan Demirel; 77-Gokhan Gonul, 4-Edu, 2-Lugano, 3-Roberto Carlos; 21-SelcukSahin, 16-Josico; 99-Deivid, 10-Alex, 25-Ugur Boral; 14-Daniel Guiza


Referee: Florian Meyer (Germany)

IT IS TO BE OR NOT TO BE TIME FOR FENERBAHCE!...

Fenerbahce travel to Dynamo Kiev with an extra incentive as both do battle to keep their European dreams alive.
Neither side have a hope of reaching the Champions League knockout stages, with Arsenal and Porto already having clinched the two Group G spots, but both will be hoping their final game in the competition is not their last in Europe.

Dynamo have a three-point advantage over Fenerbache and only need to avoid defeat to progress to the UEFA Cup, something their opponents will achieve with victory at the Lobanovsky Dynamo Stadium.

The final is set to be held at Fenerbahce's Sukru Saracoglu Stadium and the Turkish side would love nothing more than to lift the trophy on their own turf on May 20.

Moreover, if they reach the final, reports suggest they will net two million dollars.

After a stumbling start to the season Fenerbahce have started to come into their own and are now unbeaten in eight games domestically.

Coach Luis Aragones has given a rallying call to his troops to transfer that form into Europe.

Turkish newspaper Fotomac reveal he told his players: "In the league we have reached the point we wanted to.

"We have to continue on our path in Europe and if we win the game in Kiev, the path will remain open.

"From this moment on we have to bare our teeth.''

Alex played at the weekend despite suffering a fever and remains a doubt for the clash.

He has nevertheless urged his team-mates pull out all the stops to take the three points because "it is a good way of redeeming ourselves for the bad start to the season''.

Onder Turacy is also a doubt for the game, with Tumer Metin, Semih Senturk and Emre Belozoolu definitely out.

Fenerbahce have not won away from home in the Champions League for four years but even more remarkably that is the last time - to the day - that Dynamo won at home in the competition.

All signs indicate the game will end in a draw, as the first match between the pair did, and that would suit Dynamo coach Yuriy Semin to a tee.

"Any result that allows us to entry into the UEFA Cup round of 32 will be positive for us,'' he said. "I can only say that the main success criteria are based on a balanced game and patience.''

Semin insists he is proud of his team whatever happens.

"First of all, I feel like we have a real team,'' he said. "Our players had a great chance to gain valuable experience playing against strong rivals.

"Undoubtedly, we committed some mistakes and that cost us a lot of problems. But it was a good trial for the team.

"We had a great chance to compete with the top European teams and oppose major footballers stars. Nevertheless, I think we looked pretty good.''

Indeed Dynamo could have even done better had extremely late goals not seen them draw and lose to Arsenal, and lose to Porto.

Semin will be missing a host of players with Ayila Yussuf, Artem Kravets, Milos Ninkovic, Olexandr Romanchuk, Badr El Kaddouri, Oleksandr Aliyev, Oleh Husyev and Maksim Shatskikh all injured.

CHELSEA AFTER TUNCAY SANLI!....

Acccording to report from the wires Chelsea are planning an £8 million New Year raid on Middlesbrough for Turkish international striker Tuncay Sanli.
Chelsea Manager Luiz Felipe Scolari's Premier League scouts have identified the former Fenerbahce idol as one of their main targets for the January transfer window.


Scolari has been looking for a striker who is capable of playing upfront and in the hole in his line-up and Tuncay, who was signed from Fenerbahce on a free transfer in the summer of 2007, fits the bill after an impressive spell at the Riverside this season.

Tuncay has four goals this season, including a neat back-flick in last week's defeat at Hull, it is on international duty that Tuncay has really caught the eye of the Chelsea scouting team.

CHELSEA AFTER TUNCAY SANLI!....

UEFA: Alex eyes UEFA Cup spot in Kiev

Fenerbahçe SK midfielder Alex took a break from preparations for his team's UEFA Champions League tie at FC Dynamo Kyiv on Wednesday to come into the Talk Football chatroom and answer questions put to him by uefa.com users from around the globe. The Brazilian emphasised the importance of the match in Ukraine, which will see his side clinch a place in the UEFA Cup Round of 32 should they win, while also giving an insight into his life in Turkey.

The next UEFA Champions League match against Dynamo Kyiv is a must win in order to get into the UEFA Cup. What will your mentality be before such a crucial match? Canbek Alakay, New Jersey, USA
Alex: It's a very, very important game for us. It's important that Fenerbahçe keep playing in Europe and there is an interesting angle – the UEFA Cup final will be played in our home stadium this year. So, it's a good chance for us to recover from the slow start we've had this season.

How do you like working under new coach Luis Aragonés? Patrick Gouveia
Alex: I really like Luis. I've never worked with a coach who is so interested in football. He knows about everything; you can never come and tell him news that he doesn't already know! He is aware of everything that is happening all around the world and I like it. Besides, he defends his players, no matter what. Yes, he is demanding. There are harsh reprimands and he gives a good scolding now and then. But this is all internal; it never leaks to the press.

What were your first impressions of the Sükrü Saraçoglu Stadium and what do you think of the Fenerbahçe fans? Mehmet Guzel
Alex: The first impression I had was when I arrived at the airport and there were 10,000 people there waiting for me. They are real fanatics; Fenerbahçe is above everything. As time goes by, it just gets bigger and bigger. They are the best fans in the world.

Your contract expires at the end of this season. What are your future plans? Hurol Emre Candan, Cairo, Egypt
Alex: We are talking about the extension of my current contract and the feeling is that I will stay at Fenerbahçe. This year I've had the most relaxed holidays of my life, nobody has come after me. Yes, if a big European club makes me an offer, then we will sit and analyse. But things have cooled off, I am not a youngster anymore and I am happy here.

What is your favourite Turkish food? Do you ever cook Turkish food and, if so, what? Aykut Sinanoglu, Chicago, USA
Alex: I don't have a favourite food. As long as it is not too spicy, I can eat anything. No, I've never cooked Turkish food. It is not my speciality and I don't like to mess in the kitchen!

In which club or country did you enjoy playing the most and why? Guney Serkan Cakmakli, Columbia, USA
Alex: If I had to choose a club, it wouldn't be fair on the others. But regarding 'where', I can honestly say there is no place on earth like our stadium. Fenerbahçe fans are the best I've ever seen.

As a huge fan living in Australia, I wake up for every game I possibly can. However, this year the results have been very mixed. Sometimes it is easy to blame the coach and sometimes it is easy to blame the players. Could you provide some insight into why Fenerbahçe have had such mixed results? Sabit Kozak, Sydney, Australia
Alex: After two years with Zico, a guy who used to chat a lot with all the players, we've had a change. Luis Aragonés is a different coach, he's got a different style and it takes time to adapt, for both him and the players. Now the hurricane has subsided and the results are starting to follow.

How would you compare the fans and players of Brazil and Turkey? Andaç Altan, Ankara, Turkey
Alex: Turkish fans are much better. They are noisier and they participate more throughout the game. There are good Brazilian supporters, but there are clubs whose supporters go to the football stadium as if they were going to the theatre. All Turkish fans are great, all around the country.

Which was your best match for Fenerbahçe? Kazim Can, Kocaeli, Turkey
Alex: I've played plenty of good matches. I remember I scored two goals last season at Beşiktaş and I had a good game against PSV Eindhoven two years ago, and also against CSKA Moskva in the last Champions League. I've played more than 200 games for Fenerbahçe now, so there have been many days when I went home knowing I had played really well.

Who is the best player you have played with and the best player you have played against in Turkey? Omar, USA
Alex: The best Turkish player I've played with is Semih Şentürk. The best that I've played against is Sergen [Yalçin], Beşiktaş's old No10.

I heard that you can speak Turkish a little bit. Was it hard to learn? Kemal Önen, Zurich, Switzerland
Alex: Well, I've never studied Turkish. I've promised the president that if we extend my contract, I will go to school and I'll definitely learn it! I understand almost everything, but speaking is quite hard. When I am with a group of friends, I try to speak some and I mix it with English and Spanish. But if I am not with friends, it's harder.

What do you think about the rivalry between Galatasaray AŞ and Fenerbahçe? Oguzhan Fidan, Berlin, Germany
Alex: It's a fierce rivalry, isn't it? Look, for me Corinthians against Palmeiras, back in Brazil, was something big. Because I felt it throughout the week, I could understand everything that was being said. Here, I am sure the rivalry is bigger. However, I don't feel it as I did in Brazil, simply because I am not Turkish.

Can Fenerbahçe win the Turkish Süper Lig? Can we get into the UEFA Cup and play in the final in our own stadium? luetfiye Yilmaz
Alex: Yes, I think we can do both. We are working towards that and things have started to work better for our side. Let's never forget that, although we did well in the last Champions League, the domestic league has always been and will always be our priority.

Some players play for one team but are in love with another club. Which team do you support? Which team excites you as a fan? Oguz Kubilay Han, Istanbul, Turkey
Alex: I support Coritiba, my first club. And there is no team that excites me more than any other. I like football, really. If I see a good game on TV, be it in the Brazilian league, the Spanish league or whatever, I will always stop and watch it.

What is your favourite playing system and which do you want to play? Ahmet Yavuz Metinoglu, Konya, Turkey
Alex: I like to play as a midfielder really close to the strikers. I have no preference in terms of systems.

Since you signed for the club a few years ago, have you noticed an improvement in your style of play and in Fenerbahçe's performances overall? Cathal Kearney, Bunclody, Ireland
Alex: I sure did. I have added lots of things to my game, to my style. You have to learn in order to improve. And Fenerbahçe have certainly got better during these years. You just have to look at our results to see that.

What does Fenerbahçe need most to be successful in European competition? Dinçer Özcan, Turkey
Alex: Fenerbahçe need more high-level players. Little by little, they have to improve the quality of the players. There is one policy that needs to be changed, in my opinion. Here they consider 24, 25-year-old players to be youngsters. For me, they should give more opportunities to boys who are 18, 19. They are really young. Then, when they are 24, 25, they will be peaking; they will be first-team regulars. That would be very helpful for the club and they would be stronger in Europe.

Alex was speaking to Julio Gomes Filho

Courtesy of UEFA.com

TURKEY TURKCELL SUPER LEAGUE WEEK 14 ,PREVIEW...

The week 14, in the Turkish TurkCell Super League will open on Friday As Fenerbahce visits Denizlispor.

The team who had a bad start in the league came behind and moved up in the standings very well!..............

FIRST, OLD BUSINESS FROM LAST WEEK!.............

I am talking about Fenerbahce,after beating Mustafa Denizli's Besiktas last week moved in to the top five..............

It was very crucial match for Fenerbahce.......

Just think, a loss against Besiktas would it put them out of the chase..

Because a loss would leave them with 20 points in the standings 8 points behind the top team!..

Fenerbahce knew they had the win this match....

That's why they had more desire to win the match!..............

On the other hand, Besiktas, after Trabzon leaving two points in Kayseri, had a chance the capture the top spot with 28 points and leave Fenerbahce at 20 points!...

This is why , Mustafa Denizli's Besiktas, had to win this match!...

Earlier in the week, Denizli was upset with the people that was criticizing him, for giving the match away!........

Why?!.............

Can't we talk about the mistakes!............

I wonder if he knew the important of last weeks match against Fenerbahce...

If he knew, He would not wait until 20 minutes left in the match to make a substitution............

Well, I just had to get this out of my chest again!.....

FRIDAY...................

Getting back to the Friday's match.....

Fenerbahce leads the form table in the league in the last six weeks...

they have won their last three home matches and in the last three away matches they won one and draw two matches.

On the other hand unpredictable Denizlispor who has a very young roster scores a lot goals but also lets in a lot of goals too!...

They have a big problem on defense...............

They are though at home though!...

In the last three home matches they won two and draw one....

If they get one point against Fenerbahce , that would spoil Fenerbahce's day!...


SATURDAY.........

There are four matches on Saturday....

Three of them will be on early in the day............(07:00 ET)

Antalyaspor against Eskisehirspor, Gaziantepspor will host Kayserispor and two teams from Ankara,Hacettepe, Genclerbirligi will play for brother ship!...
In the late and night match Besiktas the team who gave the match to Fenerbahce last week will try to mend the wounds by winning the match at home against Ankaraspor.

That won't be easy though............

Ankaraspor who has 23 points two points behind of Besiktas...

So, They could well spoil Besiktas's day, in Istanbul!............

It will be hard fought match ,in my opinion..............

Besiktas, has to win this match, other wise , Mustafa Denizli could be in the hot seat!............

SUPER SUNDAY!.............

Well, we could call it Super Sunday...........

All the most important matches will take place on Sunday.

Leagues top team Trabzonspor will play in the early day match at home against the last team in the standing, Kocaelispor!..........

But, wait, Kocaelispor will not be easy team to beat....

They won their second match of the year beating Konyaspor with three goals at home...

They looked like a team last week!.............

Also on Sunday, early day match, in Istanbul, the team who has no fan base will play against top contender Sivaspor ........

This time there will be fans in the big old Ataturk Olympic Stadium but , they will cheer for Sivaspor...........

Because, there is a big Sivaspor fans who are living in Istanbul.........

Like Besiktas, Sivasspor has 25 points going in to week 14.

Sivaspor has to win this match if they want to make a run for the top spot...

Elsewhere on Sunday in the early match, Konyaspor will host Bursaspor at home....

Konyaspor who has 15 points , has to beat Bursaspor if they don't want to go to danger zone of the league...........

Last match of the week 14, will take a place in Ankara , Ankaragucu against Galatasaray...........

By the time this match rolls on, we should know who is on top and who on the bottom!..


Galatasaray who is with 24 points, will probably be the lucky team of the week!...

A negative news and scores from the top contender will make Galatasaray smile to the bank!...........

They would be more motivated for this match in Ankara............

A win would bring them to 27 points ...............

But, one small thing...........

When ever Galatasaray plays in European competition , they don't do good in the Turkcell Super League..........

On the other hand, Ankaragucu has not win a match in last three home matches!....


So, two weeks to go to brake in the Turkcell Super League, the heat is on.......

The heat is on on top and the bottom too.........

There are six teams who are competing for the top spot at this moment.........

But, what ever week 14 will bring we don't know yet!..........

Wr know one thing though..............

Trabzonspor is the top team with 28 points and they are playing at home.........

And Trabzonspor has't loss any matc at home yet....but they draw three!....

A draw will cost them the top spot,,,,,,,,,,,,

If Besiktas or Sivaspor wins one of them will capture the top spot from Trabzonspor in the case of a draw!...................

So, week 14, in the Turkcell Super League will be very crucial........

The winners will go on .......losers will cry!............

Have Great weekend...............

AHMET TURGUT/
TURKISH SOCCER COLUMNIST

TURKISH DELIGHT FOR GALATASARAY!.....

Galatasaray advance in UEFA Cup

Hertha Berlin 0-1 Galatasaray.


Galatasaray advanced to the last 32 of the UEFA Cup as Milan Baros scored the only goal at Hertha Berlin.

Baros converted a penalty in the 69th minute to give the Turkish side nine points from four games in Group B.

Hertha, who were playing in front of an estimated 40,000 Turkish fans at their home Olympic Stadium, remained on two points from three matches but can still advance if they win at Olympiacos in a fortnight.

Hertha had the first real chance of the game in the fifth minute as Raffael played in Marko Pantelic, who worked past Sabri Sarioglu and got a fine shot on goal, but Morgan de Sanctis was perfectly placed.

The Turks began taking over the game, with Lincoln influential.

The former Schalke playmaker struck dangerously from 20 yards but Hertha keeper Jaroslav Drobny parried the ball over his crossbar.

Lincoln again sent a fine blast on goal four minutes later from 22 yards but again could not beat Drobny, who dove to his right and fisted Lincoln's shot away with his left hand.

It was again Lincoln versus Drobny after 40 minutes and once again the Berlin stopper kept out the Galatasaray midfielder's long shot.

And Drobny was again in fine form just before the break, stopping Baros from 16 yards.

Berlin were better in the second half and missed a golden chance to grab the lead on the hour mark as Andriy Voronin and Pantelic both failed to make the most of a two-on-one situation.

Six minutes later, Gojko Kacar's 24-yard blast was fended away by De Sanctis.

And the Turks made Hertha pay for not converting with a penalty on 69 minutes. Steve von Bergen handled Harry Kewell's cross in the area and Baros stepped up to the spot, beating Drobny in the right corner.

De Sanctis tipped Josip Simunic's header over his crossbar after 74 minutes and then defender Servet Cetin kept out Kacar's shot.

Three minutes later, Valeri Domovchiyski worked his way through the Galatasaray defence but couldn't get shot on goal from four yards out.

Hertha pushed forward looking for the equaliser and had a series of good opportunities but could not get a decent shot on goal.

Hertha Berlin v Galatasaray ....Preview

Galatasaray will be heading to Berlin looking to do what they failed to manage last week at home to Metalist Kharkiv.

The Turkish giants, coached by German Michael Skibbe, still need a point to guarantee their place in the last 32 after following up victories in their opening two games with a 1-0 loss to the Ukrainians.

But midfielder Lincoln warned the 2000 UEFA Cup winners cannot afford to sit back and play for a draw.

"Hertha are strong. We have to be wide awake and not just concentrate on defending,'' the former Schalke man said in Kicker.

Galatasaray needs a point to advance to the round of 32 when the two sides meet Wednesday in the UEFA Cup.

Galatasaray will feel at home in Berlin's Olympic stadium, with tens of thousands of tickets going to Turks living in Germany.

Skibbe will be without a host of players, including Hasan Sas, Serkan Calik, Ugur Ucar and Tobias Linderoth.

Ayhan Akman is also suspended for the match.

Hertha Berlin striker Marko Pantelic insists he is not bothered if he is again asked the play the role of super-sub in tomorrow's UEFA Cup clash at home to Galatasaray.

The Serbia international came off the bench to net a late winner against Cologne last Friday as Lucien Favre's men strengthened their surprise bid for the Bundesliga title.

Pantelic had been reportedly unhappy with his treatment by Favre, who has left him out of the starting line-up for the last three games, but the pair now appear to have put aside any differences.

Asked if he was worrying about whether he would get to start or have to make do with a place on the bench again against the Turks, the 30-year-old told the Berliner Kurier: "It is totally unimportant. This is a final for us. We can only win it as a team - and we are a team.

"There is a really good atmosphere in the dressing room. Everyone can work with everyone. Old and young players have to grow together. That is the reason why we are so successful on the pitch at the moment.''

The capital club are indeed enjoying a fine run, having won their last four games in the league to climb to third.

They have, though, yet to win in UEFA Cup Group B, with two draws from their opening two games.

Pantelic has scored their only goal in the competition so far, again coming off the bench to grab the equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Benfica, and victory tomorrow looks a necessity if they are to make the knockout stages.

Hertha lie second bottom of the group and have a tough-looking trip to Greece to face Olympiacos - 5-1 winners over Benfica in their last game - to come in the final match.

Whether Pantelic starts is likely to depend on the fitness of fellow frontman Andriy Voronin, who is battling a bout of flu.

The on-loan Liverpool forward said: "I feel quite weak and because of the doping regulations was not allowed to take any medication. But I will battle through.''

Midfielder Maximilian Nicu is definitely out because of a gastro-intestinal infection.

UEFA CUP 2009 FINAL ISTANBUL LOGO UNVEILED!...

Turkish Football(soccer) Federation unveiled the new logo for UEFA CUP Finals 2009 which will be played at Fenerbahce's Sukru Saracoglu Stadium on May 20th of 2009.

The special event took place in Istanbul Süreyya Opera House to announce the new logo on Tuesday with a large attendance from UEFA and Turkish officials.

Turkish Football(soccer) Association (TFF) President Mahmut Ozgener said,"We feel proud because we can make the name of our city and country heard," "I believe this final will open the door for Turkey to host some bigger events, such as the UEFA European Championship. Our aim is to see at least one Turkish team in the final."

The only Turkish member in the UEFA organization, Senes Erzik, also talked about how he was excited about having the finals in Istanbul , UEFA vice-President and honorary TFF President,Senez Erzik said, "I am excited and proud. Istanbul has learned from past experiences like the UEFA Champions League final between Liverpool and Milan in 2005. I can assure people coming to the final that they will received a traditional Turkish welcome next May."

Tickets will go on sale from Friday at 12.00 Local Turkey time and end at the same time on 23 January of 2009. Fans in Turkey will be able to purchase a maximum of two tickets, with prices ranging from €75 to €130.

ROBERTO CARLOS WAS THERE TOO!....

Fenerbahce's Brazilian soccer star Roberto Carlos poses with the logo of the UEFA Cup Final 2009 during a presentation in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008. The UEFA Cup 2009 Final will take place at Fenerbahce Sukru Saracoglu stadium in Istanbul in May 20, 2009.(AP)

FORMER GALATASARAY CAPTAIN BULENT KORKMAZ WAS ALSO THERE........


Former Galatasaray captain Bulent Korkmaz, left, and Fenerbahce's Brazilian soccer star Roberto Carlos pose with a symbolic match ticket of the UEFA Cup Final 2009 during a presentation in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008. The UEFA Cup 2009 Final will take place at Fenerbahce Sukru Saracoglu stadium in Istanbul in May 20, 2009.(AP)


AHMET TURGUT

TURKISH-AMERICAN YOUTH,’ "SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR" IN NEW YORK...

According to report from FiveBoroSports , Turkish-American Youth , Cemil Turan was choosing the "Player of the Year" in the High School competition in the Staten Island.

Cemil Turan who plays for St. Peters High School, scored 29 goals in the league wants to play in Turkey according the report.

Also,, another Turkish-American youth player Kemal Gurel, who plays for New Dorp High School made it to "ALL-STATEN ISLAND FIRST TEAM "

I just hope , Turkish Football(soccer) national team coach Fatih Terim will turn his eyes to the Turkish- American youth who are getting really good training her in the United States.

I wonder how many of kids like Cemil Turan, who are playing youth level football(soccer) in the United states....

Please respond, if you are current youth players playing in the youth level (ages 6 to 18) in the United States and Canada.

Drop a line to me,please...
contact@turkishsoccer.net

AHMET TURGUT