CAN BESIKTAS CLINCH THE TITLE THIS WEEKEND?....
Two weeks to go in the Turkish Turkcell Super League, the team ,who will have saying, in this race, will be Galatasaray .
Galatasaray playing this weekend on Sunday, against the League Leader Besiktas and than in the last weekend of the league, next weekend they will face Leagues another top contender Sivasspor in Istanbul.
So , Galatasaray will decide who will be the Champions of Turkey this season, since they can't make it to there!...
If Besiktas Beat Galatasaray on this Sunday , Besiktas will be one step closer to the title, in my opinion.
But, In case of crash, this could spell danger for Besiktas.
While Besiktas will be playing a Istanbul derby match Second place Sivasspor will host a team who is desperate for points , Genclerbirlgi.
This match will be close one too...
If Sivasspor wants to keep the pressure on Besiktas they have to win this home match
There is no if or buts about it....
Most of the matches will be played on Sunday except one match, Kayserispor v Hacettepe.
That match will be on Saturday.......
All the sunday matches will start at same time(20:00) Turkish local time.
Can Besiktas do it and clinch the Turkish Turkcell Super League Title...
That is up to first Mustafa Denizli's Besiktas team!...
If they play as a team and they have a desire to win they will do it...
But, like I said , Galatasaray holds the Championship cards in this last two wekends.
It will not be easy....
FIRE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LEAGUE....
Just think, the team who is in 9th place with 40 points Ankaraspor will be listening the news will come from Fenerbahce v Konyasspor match on Sunday.
If Konyaspor goes down in Sukru Saracoglu Stadium against Fenerbace , they will most likely the third team will relegate from the Turkcell Super league.
That is why this match is very important to Konyaspor and the other teams too.
Konyaspor have 35 points and there is a lot of team between 35 points and 40 points.
A win for Konyaspor against Fenerbahce will shake and rattle the bottom of the league.
This has to be the match of the week in my opinion!...
Early in the week, Konyaspor team sacked Giray Bulak, and rehired their former coach Unal Karaman!..
So, The top and the bottom of the league, might just shape up after this Sunday...
Or, it will go down to the wire in the last weekend of the season....
Lastly, Eskisehirspor who is fighting for their life in the league after beating Konyaspor in Konya last weekend, The players from this team were protesting the team officials about not getting paid in the last eight weeks!...
They ended their protest on Friday, I wonder , if they got paid!...
It is Absurd and it is stupid ,to call these teams, Professionals teams!..
This is what happens, when politics gets involved in any sport in Turkey....
Here is the matches for 33th week in the Turkcell Super League....
SATURDAY
Kayseri - Hacettepe
SUNDAY
Ankaraspor - Antalyaspor
Beşiktaş - Galatasaray
Bursaspor - Gaziantepspor
Eskişehirspor - Trabzonspor
Fenerbahçe - Konyaspor
Kocaelispor - İstanbul BB
MKE Ankaragücü - Denizlispor
Sivasspor - Gençlerbirliği
STANDINGS.........
1 Besiktas 32 19 8 5 56-28 65
2 Sivasspor 32 18 9 5 50-24 63
3 Trabzonspor 32 18 8 6 48-30 62
4 Galatasaray 32 17 7 8 54-36 58
5 Fenerbahce 32 16 7 9 54-33 55
6 Bursaspor 32 15 9 8 44-34 54
7 Gaziantepspor 32 12 9 11 43-45 45
8 Kayserispor 32 11 11 10 33-26 44
9 Ankaraspor 32 11 7 14 36-39 40
10 Eskisehirspor 32 10 9 13 42-43 39
11 Buyuksehir 32 11 6 15 34-43 39
12 Genclerbirligi 32 10 8 14 36-43 38
13 Denizlispor 32 11 5 16 38-47 38
14 Antalyaspor 32 9 9 14 33-42 36
15 Ankaragucu 32 10 6 16 33-46 36
16 Konyaspor 32 9 8 15 30-42 35
17 Kocaelispor 32 7 5 20 41-70 26
18 Hacettepe Spor 32 5 7 20 24-58 22
AHMET TURGUT
Friday, May 22, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
WHAT A HONOR FOR LUCESCU TO WIN THE UEFA CUP IN ISTANBUL
Lucescu's Shakhtar Donetsk wins the last UEFA Cup in Istanbul Turkey.
He won two championship in Turkey with
Galatasaray and Besiktas and The UEFA Super Cup with Galatasaray , still he was rejected by team officials and Turkish media in Turkey.
This should be the most proud moment for Romanian coach to lift the last UEFA Cup in Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.
In a way this was a slap in the face for those who called him all kinds of names while he was coaching in Turkey.
Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Jadson scored in extra time Wednesday to clinch the last UEFA Cup with a 2-1 win over Werder Bremen.
The teams had drawn 1-1 through regular time at Istanbul's Sukru Saracoglu Stadium before Jadson, one of five Brazilian players in Shakhtar's lineup, hit a shot from about 12 yards in the 97th minute.
"I am happy that we continued the success of Ukrainian teams. I hope this result will give us more stamina and strength to prepare for the 2012 (European Championships)," Lucescu told reporters.
"The team is very young and I hope no players will leave the team. We want to do well in the Champions League. I think we can do better than we did today," he said.
"I think the Champions League will be the future aim for these east European countries," he added.
AHMET TURGUT
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
USA TODAY: Turkey hoping UEFA Cup final helps Euro 2016 bid
Turkey is hoping Wednesday's UEFA Cup final in Istanbul can be the latest step in a transformation from one of football's backwaters into a major power.
The match between Werder Bremen and Shakhtar Donetsk, the last before the 38-year-old tournament is rebranded as the Europa League, will be the second European final to be staged in the Turkish metropolis in four years.
The prestige is huge, but even more important is the chance to convince officials and fans that the country is a realistic contender to host the 2016 European Championship.
The 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul was beset by logistical problems but enough of a success for UEFA to now let it host the second-tier tournament, albeit at a different, more central stadium on the Asian side of the Bosporus Strait dividing the city.
A trouble-free event at Fenerbahce's 53,586-seat Sukru Saracoglu Stadium could be a trump card when European football's governing body decides in May 2010 where to stage Euro 2016, which will be the first European Championship to be expanded from 16 nations to 24.
"I sincerely believe that Istanbul, as a city that connects Europe and Asia, is an excellent choice for the last final of the UEFA Cup," Turkish Football Association president Mahmut Ozgener said. "The Turkish Football Association gained a lot of experience from organizing the 2005 UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul.
"We consider holding the UEFA Cup final as another important milestone for Turkey and the Turkish FA, who are eager to host Euro 2016."
Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu spent four years coaching in Istanbul with city rivals Galatasaray and Besiktas and appears to have no qualms about the city's suitability for hosting major events.
"It is a very beautiful and interesting city," Lucescu said. "Those years brought me a lot of happiness. Those years were very good years in my career. I established good relations with all fans, no matter which club they were fans of.
"Turkish fans are incredible supporters who understand the game in all its aspects, which is why Istanbul well deserved to host the UEFA Cup final."
A city of almost 13 million people, Istanbul hosts four professional football clubs, with Galatasaray, Besiktas and Fenerbahce the most well known.
Famed for the intimidating atmospheres created by those fanatical supporters -- who have sometimes overstepped the mark with "Welcome to Hell" banners and instances of throat-slitting gestures -- Istanbul is a city passionate about sport, and football in particular.
"I cannot think of a more exciting, vibrant setting for this year's UEFA Cup final than Istanbul, where football is woven into the tapestry of everyday life," UEFA president Michel Platini said. "Istanbul is a remarkable city."
There have been more serious problems, though.
Violence erupted most notoriously when two Leeds fans were stabbed to death in the city in April 2000 ahead of a UEFA Cup semifinal against Galatasaray, while Liverpool's famous Champions League final win over AC Milan was blighted by traffic jams that prevented many supporters from making it to the Ataturk Stadium in time to see the English club rally from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 and win a penalty shootout.
Such instances make it even more crucial for Istanbul to host a trouble-free event Wednesday to have any chance of winning the rights to Euro 2016 in the face of competition from Italy, France and a joint Norway-Sweden bid.
All are more established football nations with, Norway aside, experience of hosting major tournaments.
Source: : USA TODAY and AP
The match between Werder Bremen and Shakhtar Donetsk, the last before the 38-year-old tournament is rebranded as the Europa League, will be the second European final to be staged in the Turkish metropolis in four years.
The prestige is huge, but even more important is the chance to convince officials and fans that the country is a realistic contender to host the 2016 European Championship.
The 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul was beset by logistical problems but enough of a success for UEFA to now let it host the second-tier tournament, albeit at a different, more central stadium on the Asian side of the Bosporus Strait dividing the city.
A trouble-free event at Fenerbahce's 53,586-seat Sukru Saracoglu Stadium could be a trump card when European football's governing body decides in May 2010 where to stage Euro 2016, which will be the first European Championship to be expanded from 16 nations to 24.
"I sincerely believe that Istanbul, as a city that connects Europe and Asia, is an excellent choice for the last final of the UEFA Cup," Turkish Football Association president Mahmut Ozgener said. "The Turkish Football Association gained a lot of experience from organizing the 2005 UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul.
"We consider holding the UEFA Cup final as another important milestone for Turkey and the Turkish FA, who are eager to host Euro 2016."
Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu spent four years coaching in Istanbul with city rivals Galatasaray and Besiktas and appears to have no qualms about the city's suitability for hosting major events.
"It is a very beautiful and interesting city," Lucescu said. "Those years brought me a lot of happiness. Those years were very good years in my career. I established good relations with all fans, no matter which club they were fans of.
"Turkish fans are incredible supporters who understand the game in all its aspects, which is why Istanbul well deserved to host the UEFA Cup final."
A city of almost 13 million people, Istanbul hosts four professional football clubs, with Galatasaray, Besiktas and Fenerbahce the most well known.
Famed for the intimidating atmospheres created by those fanatical supporters -- who have sometimes overstepped the mark with "Welcome to Hell" banners and instances of throat-slitting gestures -- Istanbul is a city passionate about sport, and football in particular.
"I cannot think of a more exciting, vibrant setting for this year's UEFA Cup final than Istanbul, where football is woven into the tapestry of everyday life," UEFA president Michel Platini said. "Istanbul is a remarkable city."
There have been more serious problems, though.
Violence erupted most notoriously when two Leeds fans were stabbed to death in the city in April 2000 ahead of a UEFA Cup semifinal against Galatasaray, while Liverpool's famous Champions League final win over AC Milan was blighted by traffic jams that prevented many supporters from making it to the Ataturk Stadium in time to see the English club rally from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 and win a penalty shootout.
Such instances make it even more crucial for Istanbul to host a trouble-free event Wednesday to have any chance of winning the rights to Euro 2016 in the face of competition from Italy, France and a joint Norway-Sweden bid.
All are more established football nations with, Norway aside, experience of hosting major tournaments.
Source: : USA TODAY and AP
Last UEFA CUP Final Will Be In Istanbul,Turkey.
Germany's Werder Bremen will face Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine in the last UEFA Cup final in Istanbul,Turkey.
Werder Bremen will hope to make up for a disappointing league campaign by beating Shakhtar Donetsk to capture the UEFA Cup on Wednesday and then use that success as a springboard to also capture the German Cup.
But while Thomas Schaaf's team chases a cup double it has slipped to 10th in the 18-team Bundesliga and is out of contention for qualification for the Europa League, which replaces the UEFA Cup next season.
"We have experienced a lot of downs but we are through to two finals," Bremen striker Markus Rosenberg said. "It's been a strange season. We are used to challenging for the Bundesliga title but that did not happen. Instead we did really well in the cups."
The Sweden striker hopes to rediscover his goal-scoring touch in Istanbul's Sukru Saracoglu stadium.
"It has been a really strange season for me too. I started really well and scored quite a few goals. I don't know what happened," he said. "I am saving my goals for the UEFA Cup final.
"It will be the biggest game I have ever played for a club. It's second only to a Champions League final. So far I have only won a Dutch Cup with Ajax so I would love to add another title to my collection."
Rosenberg is set to replace the suspended Hugo Almeida and, like Peru international Claudio Pizarro, is fit again after missing Saturday's match against Karlsruhe.
But captain Frank Baumann is struggling to shake off a thigh muscle injury and central defender Per Mertesacker is out with a right-foot injury.
"We have enough classy players, no matter who plays," sporting director Klaus Allofs said.
Bremen goalkeeper Tim Wiese insists that the team should not be disheartened by its failure to mount a credible league challenge.
"There is not much difference between winning a championship or a cup," the 27-year-old Wiese said. "But this is the last UEFA Cup so it is very special to have made it to the final."
For Shakhtar Donetsk, Istanbul will be the culmination of a journey to reinvigorate Ukrainian football as the state has a team in a European final for the first time since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1990.
The team has goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov to thank for reaching the final after he let in just five goals in eight UEFA Cup matches on the way to Istanbul. Although Pyatov deflected praise to his defenders.
"All in all, it's more thanks to the defenders - my role is as a leader," the goalkeeper said. "The better I can lead the team - the defence, that is - the easier it is for me."
The 24-year-old Ukraine international said he is trying to forget the significance of the occasion.
"I'm calm," he said. "I've had other games and other finals before. This one is the final of the UEFA Cup and of course I think it means a lot to everyone. But life will go on ...
"Our goal was to win each individual match. We've stuck by this goal, gradually moving step by step, preparing ourselves psychologically to win each game and it's been successful."
Source: Wires
Werder Bremen will hope to make up for a disappointing league campaign by beating Shakhtar Donetsk to capture the UEFA Cup on Wednesday and then use that success as a springboard to also capture the German Cup.
But while Thomas Schaaf's team chases a cup double it has slipped to 10th in the 18-team Bundesliga and is out of contention for qualification for the Europa League, which replaces the UEFA Cup next season.
"We have experienced a lot of downs but we are through to two finals," Bremen striker Markus Rosenberg said. "It's been a strange season. We are used to challenging for the Bundesliga title but that did not happen. Instead we did really well in the cups."
The Sweden striker hopes to rediscover his goal-scoring touch in Istanbul's Sukru Saracoglu stadium.
"It has been a really strange season for me too. I started really well and scored quite a few goals. I don't know what happened," he said. "I am saving my goals for the UEFA Cup final.
"It will be the biggest game I have ever played for a club. It's second only to a Champions League final. So far I have only won a Dutch Cup with Ajax so I would love to add another title to my collection."
Rosenberg is set to replace the suspended Hugo Almeida and, like Peru international Claudio Pizarro, is fit again after missing Saturday's match against Karlsruhe.
But captain Frank Baumann is struggling to shake off a thigh muscle injury and central defender Per Mertesacker is out with a right-foot injury.
"We have enough classy players, no matter who plays," sporting director Klaus Allofs said.
Bremen goalkeeper Tim Wiese insists that the team should not be disheartened by its failure to mount a credible league challenge.
"There is not much difference between winning a championship or a cup," the 27-year-old Wiese said. "But this is the last UEFA Cup so it is very special to have made it to the final."
For Shakhtar Donetsk, Istanbul will be the culmination of a journey to reinvigorate Ukrainian football as the state has a team in a European final for the first time since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1990.
The team has goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov to thank for reaching the final after he let in just five goals in eight UEFA Cup matches on the way to Istanbul. Although Pyatov deflected praise to his defenders.
"All in all, it's more thanks to the defenders - my role is as a leader," the goalkeeper said. "The better I can lead the team - the defence, that is - the easier it is for me."
The 24-year-old Ukraine international said he is trying to forget the significance of the occasion.
"I'm calm," he said. "I've had other games and other finals before. This one is the final of the UEFA Cup and of course I think it means a lot to everyone. But life will go on ...
"Our goal was to win each individual match. We've stuck by this goal, gradually moving step by step, preparing ourselves psychologically to win each game and it's been successful."
Source: Wires
Konyaspor Coach Giray Bulak Sacked!
Konyaspor coach Giray Bulak was sacked on Tuesday by Team officials on Tuesday before the do or die match against just five days before Fenerbahce.
After going down against Eskisehirspor at home Konyaspor fans and Team officials publicly criticized coach Giray Bulak.
Even after Eskisehirspor match, bunch of lunatic Konyaspor fans rushed in to the press conference room, before the press conference and shout absurd things about coach Giray Bulak.
Konyasspor without good players and money has been struggling in the league.
This weekend they will play do or die match against Fenerbahce in Istanbul.
A loss will definitely make them the third team that will relegate from the Turkish Turkcell Super League.
Sacking a ,weeks to end the league is a big mistake in my opinion..
AHMET TURGUT
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Fatih Terim almost lost his finger in Bodrum,Turkey
Turkish National team coach Fatih Terim while vacationing in BOdrum as he was getting ready to get on his private boat his midle finger got stuck between the rope and cut his finger immediately.
After this weird accident Fatih Terim was taken with private plane to Istanbul and was operated on his finger .
It look like they found the other piece that fell to the water and his finger once again was saved by Acibadem Hospital Hand specialist Dr Ufuk Nalbantoğlu.
"The important thing in the veins of blood circulation was, which took place. The found piece was erected in place," he said.
Fatih Terim will be resting about 15 days in the hospital.
AHMET TURGUT
Friday, May 15, 2009
Turkish Turkcell Super League Preview
CLUTCH WEEKEND WILL BRING OUT THE CLUTCH TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE..
As we get closer to the end of the rope, things are getting hotter in the Turkish Turkcell Super league.
In the 32th week, Top two team Besiktas and Sivasspor will put a fight against the lower teams in the league.
There will be only one match in Ankara on Saturday and rest of the seven matches will play on Sunday at same time (20:00 Turkish Local Time)
Once again, Sivaspor will play before Besiktas ..
Sivasspor will face last place team Hacettepe in Ankara on Saturday at 20:00 Turkish Time
This could be last chance for Sivaspor...
They have to win this match if they want to pressure league leader Besiktas.
A loss of points will end Sivasspor dreams in Ankara.....
On the other hand Leagues top team Besiktas, won't have easy night in Ankara on Sunday night.
They will play against the team who is desperate for points in the league.
Ankaragucu is feeling the heat from the bottom of the league...
That is why they will put up a bight fight against Besiktas , in my opinion.
Besikstas who thrashed Fenerbahce in the Fortis Turkish Cup, if they play like that again they will easily beat Ankaragucu..
Bobo and Holosko is very hot as far as scoring goals...
Holosko scored four goal in the last four matches and Bobo score two of the goal against Fenerbahce in the Turkish Cup match.
If Mustafa Denizli does not play with his line-up Besiktas will win this match..
Any good news from Sivasspor match will give them morale boost before this match too
If Sivasspor and Besiktas wins their matches the margin will stay at two points.
That is why both of these teams can't afford to lose points!...
The third place team Trabzonspor could move up if they win their home match against Bursaspor, in this case...
So, Besiktas at 62 Sivasspor at 60 and Trabzonspor at 59 ......
The thrill of the victory will go on in the league...
The Agony of defeat will be felted by a lot of teams in the mid bracket and the bottom too..
We all know,Hacettepe and Kocaelispor said good-by to the league....
We still don't know who will be the third team that will go down, yet!...
Just take a look at the standings....
A team who is on 10th place with 40 points Ankaraspor, if they lose all their three matches they could well go down too.
Ankaraspor will face all the teams who are in danger zone and desperate for points.
There a lot of team at 35 points and 36 and 38 points....
The clutch and cool and calm teams will win their matches..
In the last three weekends these team will have games against each other too..
If Konyaspor wins their two home matches they reach too 41 points and most likely will survive !..
We know one thing, out of these teams one of them will go down...
But, just now we don't know who is that team going to be yet...
So, after Super Saturday last week will call this Super Sunday in the Turkish League.
And good luck trying to watch all of the matches at the same time....
Here is the 32th weekend matches....
SATURDAY
Hacettepe V Sivasspor
SUNDAY
Antalyaspor V Fenerbahce
Denizlispor V Ankaraspor
Galatasaray V Gençlerbirlii
Gaziantepspor V Kocaelispor
İstanbul BB V Kayserispor
Konyaspor V Eskişehirspor
Ankaragücü V Besiktas
Trabzonspor V Bursaspor
AHMET TURGUT
As we get closer to the end of the rope, things are getting hotter in the Turkish Turkcell Super league.
In the 32th week, Top two team Besiktas and Sivasspor will put a fight against the lower teams in the league.
There will be only one match in Ankara on Saturday and rest of the seven matches will play on Sunday at same time (20:00 Turkish Local Time)
Once again, Sivaspor will play before Besiktas ..
Sivasspor will face last place team Hacettepe in Ankara on Saturday at 20:00 Turkish Time
This could be last chance for Sivaspor...
They have to win this match if they want to pressure league leader Besiktas.
A loss of points will end Sivasspor dreams in Ankara.....
On the other hand Leagues top team Besiktas, won't have easy night in Ankara on Sunday night.
They will play against the team who is desperate for points in the league.
Ankaragucu is feeling the heat from the bottom of the league...
That is why they will put up a bight fight against Besiktas , in my opinion.
Besikstas who thrashed Fenerbahce in the Fortis Turkish Cup, if they play like that again they will easily beat Ankaragucu..
Bobo and Holosko is very hot as far as scoring goals...
Holosko scored four goal in the last four matches and Bobo score two of the goal against Fenerbahce in the Turkish Cup match.
If Mustafa Denizli does not play with his line-up Besiktas will win this match..
Any good news from Sivasspor match will give them morale boost before this match too
If Sivasspor and Besiktas wins their matches the margin will stay at two points.
That is why both of these teams can't afford to lose points!...
The third place team Trabzonspor could move up if they win their home match against Bursaspor, in this case...
So, Besiktas at 62 Sivasspor at 60 and Trabzonspor at 59 ......
The thrill of the victory will go on in the league...
The Agony of defeat will be felted by a lot of teams in the mid bracket and the bottom too..
We all know,Hacettepe and Kocaelispor said good-by to the league....
We still don't know who will be the third team that will go down, yet!...
Just take a look at the standings....
A team who is on 10th place with 40 points Ankaraspor, if they lose all their three matches they could well go down too.
Ankaraspor will face all the teams who are in danger zone and desperate for points.
There a lot of team at 35 points and 36 and 38 points....
The clutch and cool and calm teams will win their matches..
In the last three weekends these team will have games against each other too..
If Konyaspor wins their two home matches they reach too 41 points and most likely will survive !..
We know one thing, out of these teams one of them will go down...
But, just now we don't know who is that team going to be yet...
So, after Super Saturday last week will call this Super Sunday in the Turkish League.
And good luck trying to watch all of the matches at the same time....
Here is the 32th weekend matches....
SATURDAY
Hacettepe V Sivasspor
SUNDAY
Antalyaspor V Fenerbahce
Denizlispor V Ankaraspor
Galatasaray V Gençlerbirlii
Gaziantepspor V Kocaelispor
İstanbul BB V Kayserispor
Konyaspor V Eskişehirspor
Ankaragücü V Besiktas
Trabzonspor V Bursaspor
AHMET TURGUT
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