Collecting 21 points in June with victories in the friendly international games under preparations for Euro 2008 Soccer Championship, Turkey climbed 5 rows in FIFA World Ranking for June 2008 to 2Oth place with 877 points.
Among Turkey's rivals in Group A of the Euro 2008 Soccer Championship, Czech Republic is 6th, Portugal is 11th and Switzerland is 44th in the FIFA's World Ranking.
Turkey is set to take on Portugal in Geneva on Saturday, June 7th.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
AMERICAN SOCCER(FOOTBALL) FANS WILL WATCH EURO 2008 ON ESPN
For the first time, ESPN will offer blanket coverage of the European Football Championship (Euro 2008) starting June 7 and running through June 29.
This is more proof that soccer popularity is growing in the United States. The ESPN network wouldn't be carrying all 31 games (on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPN Deportes and even ABC for the championship match) if it thought an insignificant number of people would be tuning in.
Here are the early odds on the 16 countries,Germany 5-to-1; Spain 6-to-1; Italy 8-to-1; Portugal 8-to-1; France 10-to-1; Croatia 13-to-1; Netherlands 13-to-1; Czech Republic 17-to-1; Greece 23-to-1; Russia 23-to-1; Switzerland 26-to-1; Sweden 34-to-1; Turkey 34-to-1; Poland 41-to-1; Romania 41-to-1; Austria 101-to-1.
This tournament is famous for upsets. For example, Greece won the most recent UEFA tournament in 2004 at odds of 80-to-1.
This is more proof that soccer popularity is growing in the United States. The ESPN network wouldn't be carrying all 31 games (on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPN Deportes and even ABC for the championship match) if it thought an insignificant number of people would be tuning in.
Here are the early odds on the 16 countries,Germany 5-to-1; Spain 6-to-1; Italy 8-to-1; Portugal 8-to-1; France 10-to-1; Croatia 13-to-1; Netherlands 13-to-1; Czech Republic 17-to-1; Greece 23-to-1; Russia 23-to-1; Switzerland 26-to-1; Sweden 34-to-1; Turkey 34-to-1; Poland 41-to-1; Romania 41-to-1; Austria 101-to-1.
This tournament is famous for upsets. For example, Greece won the most recent UEFA tournament in 2004 at odds of 80-to-1.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
ARDA TURAN:"I think offense is the best defense,"
Turkish National team coach and players are on the same page...
We all know Terim always believes in good defense before attack...
Well, Today in press Conference Arda Turan said:"I think offense is the best defense,"
"If we attack strongly, then our rivals will have to defend against us. We will try to score and be aggressive. That's the influence of our coach."
Turan who plays in central midfield and try and get the ball in behind opposition defenses to forward Nihat Kahveci. Emre Belozoglu and Hamit Altintop will be on either flank to allow Turan to drive forward, with Mehmet Aurelio in a holding role behind them to provide security on any possible counterattacks.
The 21-year-old Turan has been known to drift out of games late in the second half due to being physically weaker than his teammates, but he says he has toughened up and improved his tackling.
After Portugal, Turkey will play co-host Switzerland on June 11 and the Czech Republic four days later.
We all know Terim always believes in good defense before attack...
Well, Today in press Conference Arda Turan said:"I think offense is the best defense,"
"If we attack strongly, then our rivals will have to defend against us. We will try to score and be aggressive. That's the influence of our coach."
Turan who plays in central midfield and try and get the ball in behind opposition defenses to forward Nihat Kahveci. Emre Belozoglu and Hamit Altintop will be on either flank to allow Turan to drive forward, with Mehmet Aurelio in a holding role behind them to provide security on any possible counterattacks.
The 21-year-old Turan has been known to drift out of games late in the second half due to being physically weaker than his teammates, but he says he has toughened up and improved his tackling.
After Portugal, Turkey will play co-host Switzerland on June 11 and the Czech Republic four days later.
Hamit Altintop says he's fit for Euro 2008 opener
Hamit Altintop will be fit and ready for Turkey's opening Euro 2008 Group A match against Portugal on Saturday despite a late injury scare, he said on Tuesday.
"I am looking forward to the game," a team spokesman quoted Hamit as saying at a news conference at the squad's training base near Geneva.
The 25-year-old midfielder only returned to action in a friendly against Uruguay on May 25 after a two-month layoff due to a broken bone in his foot.
His club Bayern Munich said on Saturday he had suffered a muscle strain in training the previous day and could miss the Portugal match. Turkey's other Group A opponents are Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
"I am looking forward to the game," a team spokesman quoted Hamit as saying at a news conference at the squad's training base near Geneva.
The 25-year-old midfielder only returned to action in a friendly against Uruguay on May 25 after a two-month layoff due to a broken bone in his foot.
His club Bayern Munich said on Saturday he had suffered a muscle strain in training the previous day and could miss the Portugal match. Turkey's other Group A opponents are Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
12,000 pay to watch Portugal Practice
A crowd of 12,000 people have paid to watch Portugal's Euro 2008 squad hold an open practice in Neuchatel, a team spokesman said.
Tickets worth 15 Swiss francs (7.21 pounds) to watch the Group A favourites at Neuchatel's La Maladiere stadium on Tuesday (5:30 p.m. British time) have sold out and are being negotiated on the black market at four times that price, Portuguese online media said.
"There will be 12,000 people to watch the practice, that's already confirmed," team spokesman Antonio Florencio said over the telephone from Neuchatel.
Portugal arrived to a rousing welcome from an estimated 10,000 crowd of expatriate Portuguese at their tournament hotel in the lakeside city on Sunday evening, media reported.
"Neuchatel is a little piece of Portugal in the middle of Europe," said maisfutebol.iol.pt
Carlos Godinho, the squad's technical director, said Portugal were charging for two training sessions to help meet high costs of their participation in the tournament. There is another open session scheduled for Sunday.
"We are the only national team that has paid training sessions, but we're also the only one that will have training in front of 12,000 people," he told reporters.
However, fans were less happy with the large security operation surrounding the team, whose hotel has been declared out of bounds to anyone not attached to the squad, reports said.
There was a security vessel on the lake to ensure no-one got within 300 metres of the hotel grounds and large black panels around the hotel to prevent contact with players.
Portugal, who trained twice behind closed doors on Monday, meet Turkey in Geneva on Saturday in their opening group match. They also face co-hosts Switzerland and Czech Republic.
Source:(Reuters)
Tickets worth 15 Swiss francs (7.21 pounds) to watch the Group A favourites at Neuchatel's La Maladiere stadium on Tuesday (5:30 p.m. British time) have sold out and are being negotiated on the black market at four times that price, Portuguese online media said.
"There will be 12,000 people to watch the practice, that's already confirmed," team spokesman Antonio Florencio said over the telephone from Neuchatel.
Portugal arrived to a rousing welcome from an estimated 10,000 crowd of expatriate Portuguese at their tournament hotel in the lakeside city on Sunday evening, media reported.
"Neuchatel is a little piece of Portugal in the middle of Europe," said maisfutebol.iol.pt
Carlos Godinho, the squad's technical director, said Portugal were charging for two training sessions to help meet high costs of their participation in the tournament. There is another open session scheduled for Sunday.
"We are the only national team that has paid training sessions, but we're also the only one that will have training in front of 12,000 people," he told reporters.
However, fans were less happy with the large security operation surrounding the team, whose hotel has been declared out of bounds to anyone not attached to the squad, reports said.
There was a security vessel on the lake to ensure no-one got within 300 metres of the hotel grounds and large black panels around the hotel to prevent contact with players.
Portugal, who trained twice behind closed doors on Monday, meet Turkey in Geneva on Saturday in their opening group match. They also face co-hosts Switzerland and Czech Republic.
Source:(Reuters)
ZICO:“My problem with Fenerbahce is not money, but professional issues.”
In the recent interview on Sb Tv in Brazil, Zico said “My problem with Fenerbahce is not money, but professional issues.”
Zico, is set to leave Fenerbahce after leading them to the Champions League quarter final last season, has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Sven Goran Eriksson for Manchester City team.
Zico has admitted that he would love to test himself in The Premier League.
I would like to work in England,” Zico told Sbs TV.
“My path is still in Europe. I thank Fenerbahce for giving me a chance and I repaid their support with good work on the field.
“I have some possibilities and I hope to resolve one as soon as possible.
“My problem with Fenerbahce is not money, but professional issues.”
It looks like Zico Era is over for Fenerbahce...
Zico, is set to leave Fenerbahce after leading them to the Champions League quarter final last season, has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Sven Goran Eriksson for Manchester City team.
Zico has admitted that he would love to test himself in The Premier League.
I would like to work in England,” Zico told Sbs TV.
“My path is still in Europe. I thank Fenerbahce for giving me a chance and I repaid their support with good work on the field.
“I have some possibilities and I hope to resolve one as soon as possible.
“My problem with Fenerbahce is not money, but professional issues.”
It looks like Zico Era is over for Fenerbahce...
Monday, June 2, 2008
YILDIRAY BASTURK:"I will never play under Terim again"
Yildiray Bastürk will not be playing for the Turkish team as long as Fatih Terim is the manager.
In an interview with German sports paper 'Der Kicker', Bastürk revealed his frustration after missing out on the European Championships.
"I will never play under Terim again," said Bastürk who has made 49 appearances for the national team so far.
"I like playing for the Turkish team, but as long as Terim has the reigns, there's no point for me."
There is hope for the player though, as it seems likely that Terim will be making a move to a club team after Euro 2008.
In an interview with German sports paper 'Der Kicker', Bastürk revealed his frustration after missing out on the European Championships.
"I will never play under Terim again," said Bastürk who has made 49 appearances for the national team so far.
"I like playing for the Turkish team, but as long as Terim has the reigns, there's no point for me."
There is hope for the player though, as it seems likely that Terim will be making a move to a club team after Euro 2008.
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