Nobel winner Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk says football(soccer) in Turkey serves nationalist and xenophobic thinking, but he would still be supporting the country's team at Euro 2008. Pamuk said in an interview with the Germany's weekly Der Spiegel magazine that football(soccer) in Turkey had become "a machine for the production of nationalism, xenophobia and authoritarian thought."
Pamuk referred to an ill-tempered match against Switzerland in November 2005 when the national side missed out on qualifying for the 2006 World Cup. Players and officials from both sides were involved in a brawl at the end of the match.
"That was unethical and unacceptable, especially how the Turkish newspapers reported it. Failure is blamed on the referees and some sort of conspiracies. Terrible," he was quoted as saying.
However , Pamuk, said that he was "of course for the Turkish team at the European Championships" even though Turkey coach Fatih Terim was "an ultra nationalist."
Turkey's first game at the tournament is against Portugal in Geneva on Saturday, when Pamuk also celebrates his 56th birthday.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
ANOTHER BAD NEWS FOR TERIM!..
THIS TIME HAMIT ALTINTOP BROTHER OF HALIL ALTINTOP IS HURT
Hamit Altintop is a doubt for Euro 2008 after picking a thigh injury over the weekend during the international friendly with Uruguay.
The midfielder made the trip to Germany to show his leg to doctor in chief Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt, who does not seem to be very optimistic over his chances of playing in the first game against Portugal, and even the rest of the tournament.
“If Altintop fails to recover fitness before his country’s first match at the tournament, coach Fatih Terim would be advised to call up a replacement,” a Bayern spokesman told the club’s official website.
Could Farih Terim call back, Yildiray Basturk (Stuttgart) or Hamit’s twin brother Halil Altintop (Schalke), both were surprisingly axed by Fatih Terim, from the final squad announced last week.
Friday, May 30, 2008
FATIH TERIM TO FENERBAHCE?
After Emre's huge announcement by Fenerbahce club on Friday, there are rumors that Fatih Terim Turkish National coach might sign with Fenerbahce after the Euro 2008 Tournament.
According to the reports from Turkey, Fenerbahce also gave a proposal to Fatih Terim, the technical director of Turkish national team.
It is claimed that Fenerbahçe also made an offer to transfer the technical director Fatih Terim and has achieved an agreement of 80%.
IT'S OFFICIAL!...EMRE TO SIGN WITH FENERBAHCE
Fenerbahce reached an agreement with Newcastle United in order to sign the Turkish player Emre Belozoglu .Fenerbahce team has to work out the details of the contract with Emre and His agent.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
TURKEY WIN AGAINST FINLAND.... 2-0
Turkey's national soccer team pose prior to a friendly between Turkey and Finland in Duisburg, western Germany, Thursday, May 29, 2008, in preparation for the Euro 2008 soccer championships. Down from left: Hamit Altintop, Sabri Sarioglu, Nihat Kahveci, Tuncay Sanli, Mevlut Erdinc, Emre Beloezoglu. Up from Left: Mehmet Aurelio, Gokhan Zan, Servet Cetin, Hakan Balta, Volkan Demirel.
Photo (AP )
Turkey put in their most impressive performance of their warm-up matches for Euro 2008 here on Thursday as they eased to a 2-0 win over Finland.
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Goals by Middlesbrough's Tuncay Sanli and Semih Senturk, leading scorer in the Turkish championship last season, gave Turkey a deserved win and will have done them no harm of good ahead of their opening Euro 2008 Group A match against 2004 finalists Portugal.
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While Tuncay and Semih got the goals it was the young Turk Mevlut Erdinc that caused interminable problems for the Finnish defence, as the striker, who plays for French First Division side Sochaux, twisted and turned them everywhere.
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Equally encouraging for fiery coach Fatih Terim was that his defence re-enforced by Servet Cetin and Mehmet Aurelio showed much more resolve than in their previous two matches which saw them beat Slovakia 1-0 and then lose 3-2 to Uruguay.
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Tuncay opened the scoring in the 15th minute, after good work by Sabri Sarioglu and Semih added a second two minutes from time after seizing on a ball from Kazim.
Source — AFP
Euro 2008 Betting - Group A Preview
Euro 2008 Betting Preview - Group A Betting Preview
Punters are now within touching distance of three weeks of top Euro 2008 soccer betting action. The coaches of the 16 teams qualified for the 2008 UEFA European Championships have named their final squads for the event starting June 7th, and leading online sportsbook, PinnacleSports.com, have for some time posted outright prices and odds for the winners of each Group. PinnacleSports.com are also offering a host of other Euro 2008 bets including Asian Handicap betting and total goals markets for the opening fixtures, priced to just 102% - which gives punters 60% better Euro 2008 betting odds than traditional bookmakers.
Weak Section Could Be Portugal’s For the Taking
Portugal lead the Group A winner’s betting market at PinnacleSports.com priced 2.350* to top the pool phase. The Portuguese possess an enviable pair of wing wizards in Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Nani, but cannot match that quality in the striker department. Though the Portuguese lost just once during Group A qualification, they finished second, having drawn six of their 14 games. Ronaldo was their top-scorer with eight goals, but an unhealthy amount of expectation rests on his young shoulders, and if the opposition can neutralize his threat, coach, Felipe Scolari may struggle with a plan B.
As hosts in 2004, Portugal progressed to the final, and despite being strong favourites, lost out to a single Greek goal. The Portuguese may however, have been flattered in reaching the final, as England had a perfectly good goal ruled out against them in the semi-final. They were also left sweating on qualification for Euro 2008 right up to the final game and key playmaker Deco has had a poor season with Barcelona. Nevertheless PinnacleSports.com make Portugal one of the favourites on their Euro 2008 betting market at 8.600*.
Czech’s Dealt Blow By Rosicky Injury
After topping Group D at the finals of Euro 2004, with three wins, including over Germany and Holland, the Czech Republic became many punters’ favourites to go all the way. In the event they were beaten by a dogged Greek side in an extra time semi-final. Much of their success was the product of the creativity of Tomas Rosicky and Pavel Nedved, and goals of Milan Baros. However, Rosicky is out of the Euro 2008 through injury, Nedved is retired while Baros has struggled to emulate the form he showed in Portugal.
35year old striker Jan Koller is one of several Czech players reaching their sell-by date, so coach, Karel Bruckner, has tried to mix youth with experience. Euro 2008 will be the Czech Republic’s fourth straight European Championship stretching back to Euro 1996 in England when they were surprise finalists, losing to Germany. They qualified this time round ahead of tournament favourites Germany who they beat 3-0 in Munich, but are nevertheless considered unlikely winners priced 20.00* on PinnacleSports.com’s Euro 2008 betting market, but just 3.330* to top Group A.
Turkey Seeking Stability & Composure
Turkey’s third place finish at the 2002 World Cup was an immense achievement that catapulted those players involved to national heroes. Unfortunately, the story since then has failed to match that magic, with failed qualification to the 2006 World Cup marred by violent scenes against Switzerland that ended with several lengthy bans, which will make the rematch potentially fiery. Though some of that volatility remains, coach, Fatih Terim has been able to guide the national side through a tricky qualifying group to the finals in Austria and Switzerland.
A 2-1 victory in Norway was the pivotal result in their penultimate qualifier and if Turkey can show the same resolution at the Euro 2008 finals, they could easily negotiate a path out of an open group. Injury problems have abated leaving Turkey without any major obstacles in preparation. Emre hasn’t had a great season at Newcastle, but the left-footed midfielder is capable of match-winning skill, playing alongside Hamit Altintop who has enjoyed a steady season at Bayern Munich while Tuncay Sanli has steadily improved at Middlesbrough. Volatility is the Turk’s main weakness, part of the reason why PinnacleSports.com price them 58.00* in their outright Euro 2008 betting markets, with odds of 8.440* to top Group A.
Swiss Host Hampered By Injuries
Of the two hosts of Euro 2008, the Swiss are certainly considered the likelier to make a real impact on the event. Their chances have however, been dealt a severe blow by a spate of injuries that has ruled out several key players and placed doubts of many more. Tranquillo Barnetta, Christoph Spycher and Philipp Degan all missed the 2-0 friendly win over Slovakia on May 24th, though hopes are high that they will participate in the tournament.
On the plus side, striker, Alexander Frei has returned to form after long-term injury, and much is expected over 19 year old Eren Derdiyok. The 6ft 2” striker, scored within minutes of a substitute appearance at Wembley against England, only his second appearance for the Swiss national side. In common with Austria, Switzerland have lacked competitive football, qualifying as hosts, but their showing at the 2006 World Cup, where they didn’t conceded in open play in four games, shows they are defensively tough, if lacking creativity. PinnacleSports.com price Switzerland 33.00* outsiders on their Euro 2008 betting market, with odds of 4.780* to win Group A.
Best Euro 2008 Odds at PinnacleSports.com
Punters are now within touching distance of three weeks of top Euro 2008 soccer betting action. The coaches of the 16 teams qualified for the 2008 UEFA European Championships have named their final squads for the event starting June 7th, and leading online sportsbook, PinnacleSports.com, have for some time posted outright prices and odds for the winners of each Group. PinnacleSports.com are also offering a host of other Euro 2008 bets including Asian Handicap betting and total goals markets for the opening fixtures, priced to just 102% - which gives punters 60% better Euro 2008 betting odds than traditional bookmakers.
Weak Section Could Be Portugal’s For the Taking
Portugal lead the Group A winner’s betting market at PinnacleSports.com priced 2.350* to top the pool phase. The Portuguese possess an enviable pair of wing wizards in Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Nani, but cannot match that quality in the striker department. Though the Portuguese lost just once during Group A qualification, they finished second, having drawn six of their 14 games. Ronaldo was their top-scorer with eight goals, but an unhealthy amount of expectation rests on his young shoulders, and if the opposition can neutralize his threat, coach, Felipe Scolari may struggle with a plan B.
As hosts in 2004, Portugal progressed to the final, and despite being strong favourites, lost out to a single Greek goal. The Portuguese may however, have been flattered in reaching the final, as England had a perfectly good goal ruled out against them in the semi-final. They were also left sweating on qualification for Euro 2008 right up to the final game and key playmaker Deco has had a poor season with Barcelona. Nevertheless PinnacleSports.com make Portugal one of the favourites on their Euro 2008 betting market at 8.600*.
Czech’s Dealt Blow By Rosicky Injury
After topping Group D at the finals of Euro 2004, with three wins, including over Germany and Holland, the Czech Republic became many punters’ favourites to go all the way. In the event they were beaten by a dogged Greek side in an extra time semi-final. Much of their success was the product of the creativity of Tomas Rosicky and Pavel Nedved, and goals of Milan Baros. However, Rosicky is out of the Euro 2008 through injury, Nedved is retired while Baros has struggled to emulate the form he showed in Portugal.
35year old striker Jan Koller is one of several Czech players reaching their sell-by date, so coach, Karel Bruckner, has tried to mix youth with experience. Euro 2008 will be the Czech Republic’s fourth straight European Championship stretching back to Euro 1996 in England when they were surprise finalists, losing to Germany. They qualified this time round ahead of tournament favourites Germany who they beat 3-0 in Munich, but are nevertheless considered unlikely winners priced 20.00* on PinnacleSports.com’s Euro 2008 betting market, but just 3.330* to top Group A.
Turkey Seeking Stability & Composure
Turkey’s third place finish at the 2002 World Cup was an immense achievement that catapulted those players involved to national heroes. Unfortunately, the story since then has failed to match that magic, with failed qualification to the 2006 World Cup marred by violent scenes against Switzerland that ended with several lengthy bans, which will make the rematch potentially fiery. Though some of that volatility remains, coach, Fatih Terim has been able to guide the national side through a tricky qualifying group to the finals in Austria and Switzerland.
A 2-1 victory in Norway was the pivotal result in their penultimate qualifier and if Turkey can show the same resolution at the Euro 2008 finals, they could easily negotiate a path out of an open group. Injury problems have abated leaving Turkey without any major obstacles in preparation. Emre hasn’t had a great season at Newcastle, but the left-footed midfielder is capable of match-winning skill, playing alongside Hamit Altintop who has enjoyed a steady season at Bayern Munich while Tuncay Sanli has steadily improved at Middlesbrough. Volatility is the Turk’s main weakness, part of the reason why PinnacleSports.com price them 58.00* in their outright Euro 2008 betting markets, with odds of 8.440* to top Group A.
Swiss Host Hampered By Injuries
Of the two hosts of Euro 2008, the Swiss are certainly considered the likelier to make a real impact on the event. Their chances have however, been dealt a severe blow by a spate of injuries that has ruled out several key players and placed doubts of many more. Tranquillo Barnetta, Christoph Spycher and Philipp Degan all missed the 2-0 friendly win over Slovakia on May 24th, though hopes are high that they will participate in the tournament.
On the plus side, striker, Alexander Frei has returned to form after long-term injury, and much is expected over 19 year old Eren Derdiyok. The 6ft 2” striker, scored within minutes of a substitute appearance at Wembley against England, only his second appearance for the Swiss national side. In common with Austria, Switzerland have lacked competitive football, qualifying as hosts, but their showing at the 2006 World Cup, where they didn’t conceded in open play in four games, shows they are defensively tough, if lacking creativity. PinnacleSports.com price Switzerland 33.00* outsiders on their Euro 2008 betting market, with odds of 4.780* to win Group A.
Best Euro 2008 Odds at PinnacleSports.com
Turkey takes on Finland in its last friendly match
WATCH TURKEY V FINLAND LIVE HERE....
The Turkish national team will play its last warm-up match against Finland in Germany today before heading to Switzerland to prepare for next month’s UEFA Euro 2008 proper. Fatih Terim’s side has played two friendlies so far, winning one and losing one. Fatih Terim boys beat Slovakia 1-0 in their first match and lost 3-2 to Uruguay on Sunday despite going ahead twice. Even though the Uruguayans were awarded two penalties, the general consensus was that Turkey lost as a result of poor defending. And the reason is not far-fetched. Servet Çetin, one of Turkey’s best defender, is injured and have not been fielded in any of the friendly matches.
The Turkish national team will play its last warm-up match against Finland in Germany today before heading to Switzerland to prepare for next month’s UEFA Euro 2008 proper. Fatih Terim’s side has played two friendlies so far, winning one and losing one. Fatih Terim boys beat Slovakia 1-0 in their first match and lost 3-2 to Uruguay on Sunday despite going ahead twice. Even though the Uruguayans were awarded two penalties, the general consensus was that Turkey lost as a result of poor defending. And the reason is not far-fetched. Servet Çetin, one of Turkey’s best defender, is injured and have not been fielded in any of the friendly matches.
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