Turkey(Turkiye) football(soccer) Column and News by Ahmet B.Turgut

TURKCELL SUPER LEAGUE WEEK 13, RESULTS...

2009-11-23T13:00:00.002-05:00

Galatasaray miss chance to go top.

Galatasaray 1 Manisaspor 1

Galatasaray scored in the 38 minute when a well placed pass from Nonda to Harry Kewell who then beat the keeper with a fine shot, after the break Galatasaray pushed forward for a second goal but good defending from the visitors denied them.

And luck fell their way in the 82 nd minute when a chance came to Joshua Simpson who put the ball in back of the net to stun Galatasaray. Cim Bom are 2 points behind leaders Fenerbahçe, who have 31 points.

Other results from the weekend

Gaziantepspor 0-1 Bursaspor

Besiktas 3-0 Fenerbahce

Denizlispor 1-1 Antalyaspor

Eskisehirspor 0-0 Ankaragucu

Genclerbirligi 3-1 Istanbul BB

Kayserispor 2-0 Diyarbakirspor

Galatasaray 1-1 Manisaspor

Source:AA

BESIKTAS BEAT FENERBAHCE 3-0 AND CLOSED THE GAP ON TOP!

2009-11-21T17:07:00.001-05:00

We have to give the credit where it is due....

Clearly Besiktas was better team on the Inounu turf in Istanbul on Saturday night...

Besiktas started to match with more power with the help of their fans....

Besiktas defeated the Turkcell Super League's top team Fenerbahce with three goals and closed the gap to four points with Fenerbahce.

As i wrote in early blog , This was more important for Besiktas...

Besiktas wanted to win this match to stay on the chase to top...

That's why Besiktas came out strong and finish strong...

But, the third goal was offsite in my opinion.....

Besiktas scored two goals in four minutes and finished Fenerbahce, there....

Michael Fink and Deivson Bobo scored the two goals in four minutes....

Fink was big factoir in this match , in my opinion...

He held Alex, during the whole match....

After Kazim was dismissed in the 75th minute , Fenerbahce just lost the controll in the match.

The sub, Ugur Inceman scoed the third goal seven minutesleft in the match....

With this win Besiktas reached to 27 points and League leader Fenerbahce stayed at 31 points..
Fenerbahce could lose the top spot if Galatasaray wins on Sunday against Manisaspor in Istanbul.

Galatasaray has 28 points and with a win they could reach 31 points and they have a better goal average against Fenerbahce...

So, we could see Galatasaray moving on top at theh end of 13th week,if they win on Sunday....

Also on Saturday there was a early important match in the league....

Fourth-placed Bursaspor were 1-0 winners at Gaziantepspor. Giani Kirita grabbed the only goal of the game 10 minutes left in the match.

Here are the Sunday matches in the TSL...

Denizlispor – Antalyaspor

Eskisehirspor - Ankaragücü

Genclerbirligi - Istanbul Büyüksehir Belediye

Kayseri – Diyarbakir

Kasimpasa – Trabzonspor

Galatasaray – Manisaspor

THE BIGGEST CORRUPTION IN TURKISH FOOTBALL(SOCCER)

2009-11-21T03:28:00.002-05:00

200 matches and nine different countries are under big mess....

And Turkey is in this mess too...

No one could say this is bogus news or investigation....

This investigation is being done by German Authority and UEFA knows it....

Fifteen people were arrested in Germany and two in Switzerland following more than 50 raids across those two countries.

According to the report,the most high-profile matches under suspicion took place in the Turkey's Turkcell Super League....

According to German authorities, 32 games are under suspicion in Germany, including four in the second division. The others were lower-tier matches.

In Belgium, 17 second division games are under suspicion; in Switzerland, 22 second division games; in Croatia, 14 first division games; in Slovenia, seven first division games; in Turkey, 29 first division games; in Hungary, 13 first division games; in Bosnia, eight first division games, and in Austria, 11 first and second-division games.

29 games in Turkey.......

At the press conference in Germany, police and UEFA officials said, the bad guys had influenced players, referees, coaches and other match officials.....

Who are these top players, coaches,referees and team officials?...

It is so sad, I have not herd a word from Turkish Football Federation (TFF) yet!...

What are they doing?....

The Turkish people and the whole world needs to see or hear these names....

Turkish Football Federation should announce these names as soon as possible...

This is disgrace for Turkish Football and Turkish sports...

I want to find out, who are these crooks and cheaters...

AHMET TURGUT

Turkcell Super League Preview.....WEEK 13!

2009-11-20T12:21:00.000-05:00

After WCQ break, The Turkish Turkcell Super League will take a start on Saturday....

Of course the big gest match of the week will be Besiktas v Fenerbahce derby match on Saturday.

First match on Saturday features fourth placed Bursaspor who will face Gaziantepspor in Gaziantep.

The last match on Saturday will be The derby match, the other matches will be on Sunday.

THE MATCH OF THE WEEK.....

Besiktas will host Fenerbahce in their home turf....

But, Besiktas stressed out and the fans are not happy with the team...

Besiktas is third with 24 points on the other hand Fenerbahce is the top team in the Turkcell Super league with 31 points.

That is why this match is very important for both teams..

But, Besiktas is more under pressure by their fans , a loss of points would meen turmoil for Besiktas Team !..

With the loss, Besiktas could even lose the third place to Kayserispor or Bursaspor at the end of the 13th week.

Looking at the both teams....They both have injuries .......

The biggest issue with Besiktas is goal keeping.....

We know Hakan is not playing for sure Rustu is doubtful for the match if he doesn't play, the third keeper will play in this match.

The second place Galatasaray will have a easy match against Manisaspor at home...

Galatasaray has 28 points.....

WEEK 13.......

Gaziantepspor - Bursaspor

Besiktas – Fenerbahce

Denizlispor – Antalyaspor

Eskisehirspor - Ankaragücü

Genclerbirligi - Istanbul Büyüksehir Belediye

Kayseri – Diyarbakir

Kasimpasa – Trabzonspor

Galatasaray – Manisaspor

ARDA TURAN HAS H1N1 VIRUS!

2009-11-18T11:30:00.001-05:00

Turkish International player and Galatasaray team captain Arda Turan tested positive for HI NI virus. Galatasaray official site wrote “Our football player was examined, as he suffered snuffle, high temperature, common ailment, he was tested positive for H1N1 virus. He was informed about the state of his health. The treatment continues. He feels normal and is resting. Arda Turan’s treatment will continue till November 23.”

Arda Turan was infected with swine flu in Italy. He will not play in the match between Galatasaray and Manisaspor on this weekend.

FATIH TERIM TALKED TO THE MEDIA FOR A LAST TIME AS A NATIONAL COACH OF TURKEY!

2009-10-19T10:28:00.002-04:00

At times very emotional at times very artistic coach of Turkey, faced the Turkish media for a last time as a coach of Turkish National team..

As we all know ,He called it quits after Belgium disaster match, when Turkey lost to Belgium.

After that match, he told the media that Armenia match will be his last match as a coach of Turkish National team.

That match, was show off for him, before the match and during the match!...

Before the match, we had never seen Mr. Terim this relax and smiley face, before....

During the match , after each goal was scored the players were rushed to him and huged him!

Even the guy who had bad fall out with him Halil Altintop went to him after he scored the goal!

Where was this spirit until, Armania match.....

Didn't Fatih Terim promised Turkish Soccer fans to go to South Africa after winning the first four matches....

Is anyone forgetting ,what he said?...

Well, those are all in the past time....

His crucial behavior on the side line , getting kicked out of the match, and much more, made Fatih Terim very controversial coach, in Turkey.

These were his week links......

But, Today He talked about his presence in the Turkish Football(soccer), today ...

Wheather we like him or not he has done good things at Turkish National team nad Galatasaray.

His most accomplishment came in when he was coaching Galatasaray and lastly with Turkish National team in 2008 Euro Tournament....finishing third place...

I have known Fatih Terim ever since he started coaching Turkish National Team...

I followed him when he came to United States and Canada...

So, I know a lot about him....

We know, He learned a great deal from Piontek, when he was working under him....

Today during the press conference he talked about why the Turkish National Team did not go the World Cup Tournament in South Africa and mainly him self....

Here are some quotes from Fatih Terim....

“I made mistakes, as anyone willing to make a revolution would,” he said. “Trying to take Turkey, which did not even have a place in the football world 15 years ago, somewhere, anyone would make mistakes. The biggest one was to raise expectations.”

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

“There are talented Turkish players raised in families living in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, et cetera,” said Terim. “Foreigners can find talent in 5 million Turks in Europe, so we should find seven or eight times that if we are talking about a country with a 70 million population.”

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

“I have my regrets and I have my ifs of course,” he said. “But I believe that the wrongs did not outnumber rights.”

Do you agree?...

Let me know and drop a line here , if you want.

AHMET TURGUT

GALATASARAY 4 TRABZONSPOR 3 , 9TH WEEK HIGHLIGHTS

2009-10-19T09:57:00.001-04:00

GALATASARAY CLOSING ON FENERBAHCE....

FENERBHACE CAN'T MAKE IT 9 IN A ROW GAZIANTEPSPOR 2 FNERBAHCE 1

2009-10-18T16:01:00.001-04:00

FENERBAHCE GOES DOWN IN GAZIANTEP!...

THERE IS NO UNBEATEN TEAM IN THE TURKCELL SUPER LEAGUE AFTER FENERBHACE LOSS IN GAZINATEP,,,

Galatasaray can't make it seven in a row!... Galatasaray 1 -Eskisehirspor 1

2009-09-27T19:19:00.002-04:00

GALATASARAY CAN'T MAKE IT SEVEN IN A ROW IN THE TURKISH TURKCELL SUPER LEAGUE..GALATASARAY 1- ESKISEHIRSPOR 1

Galatasaray's perfect start to the Super Lig season was ended after they were held 1-1 by Eskisehirspor.

TSL'S 7TH WEEK MATCH ......ANTALYASPOR 1- FENERBAHCE 2 ( TURKEY TURKCELL SUPER LEAGUE)

2009-09-27T01:41:00.001-04:00

FENERBAHCE STILL PERFECT AFTER SEVEN WEEKS IN THE TURKISH TURKCELL SUPER LEAGUE... FENERBAHCE TAKES THE TOP SPOT FROM GALATASARAY FOR AT LEAST FOR ONE DAY!!!!!

TURKISH NATIONAL TEAM AND FATIH TERIM CHOKED IN BOSNIA,,,,

2009-09-09T20:01:00.000-04:00

Bosnia-Herzegovina drew 1-1 with Turkey in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday to keep second place in Group 5 and keep alive its hopes of qualifying for the finals in South Africa.

Emre Belozoglu scored the opener for the Turkish National team in the 5th minute, but Sejad Salihovic equalized for Bosnia in the 26th with a perfectly placed free kick into the upper left corner of the goal.

Turkey coach Fatih Terim was sent off by Portuguese referee Olegario Benquerenca after vehemently protesting the awarding of the free kick.

Bosnia goalkeeper Supic, who made several key saves early in the game, said he was satisfied with the draw.

"We played exactly as we wanted to," Supic said. "We wanted a draw or a win and a draw is not a bad result."

Bosnia are in second place in the group with 16 points, five behind Spain, which played Estonia later on Wednesday. Turkey are in third place with 12 points.

___

Lineups:

Bosnia-Herzegovina: Nemanja Supic, Emir Spahic, Samir Muratovic (Muharem Pjanic, 60), Elvir Rahimic, Zvjezdan Misimovic, Edin Dzeko, Safet Nadarevic, Vedad Ibisevic (Zlatan Muslimovic, 68), Sejad Salihovic, Sanel Jahic, Senijad Ibricic (Admir Vladavic, 78)

Turkey: Volkan Demirel, Servet Cetin, Hakan Balta, Onder Turaci (Ismail Koyabasi, 45), Emre Belozoglu, Hamit Altintop (Sercan Yildirim, 45), Gokhan Gonul, Semih Senturk, Tuncay Sanli, Arda Turan, Ceyhun Gulselam

Source: wires

TO BE OR NOT TO BE MATCH FOR TURKEY AND FATIH TERIM...

2009-09-08T12:41:00.002-04:00

LIVE STREAMING .....BOSNIA V TURKEY .....14:00 ET

This has to be the most important match for Fatih Terim and Turkish National team.

Just think, a loss of points in Bosnia will spell a lot of disapointements for Turkish National Team and for Fatih Terim.

A win there could move Turkish National team within one point to Bosnia ...

That will be a huge victory in Zenica...

Spain leads the Group 5 with 18 points....

Spain has a comfortable six-point lead over Bosnia-Herzegovina. The real race here is for second place, where Turkey and Belgium trail Bosnia.

This will be the last chance Fatih Terim and his boy will have if they want to get back to the race in this group...

FATIH TERIM IS NOT CONFIDENT.........

After the Estonia win Fatih Terim said , "If we can't beat Bosnia, then we must accept defeat in good faith."

A lot of injuries , in the team is making him worry ....

Fatih Terim said he is aware of Bosnia's strength on the pitch and he said his players will do their best to beat Bosnia on Wendsday.

“We perform well against tough opposition and we must do everything we can to win. We can still make the play-offs if we beat Bosnia. We have mighty hearts and can certainly win the match," Terim was quoted as saying at a press conference.

"However, anything is possible in football and we will bow out as gentlemen if the worst happens. If we can't beat Bosnia, then we must accept defeat in good faith."

Turkish National Team. will face Bosnia for on Wendsday at 14:00 PM,ET in Zenica, Bosnia.

The Turks around world and in Turkey will be focused on this match on Wendsday.

A win against Bosnia will give some hope and little more for Fatih Terim and all of the Turks living around the world.

Than , They have to win against Belgium and Armania and hope Spain will beat Bosnia!...

AHMET TURGUT

TURKISH NATIONAL TEAM WAKES UP LATE AND WINS AGAINST ESTONIA 4-2

2009-09-05T16:35:00.000-04:00

Turkey beat Estonia 4-2 on Saturday with two goals for Tuncay Sanli helping the hosts keep their faint World Cup European Group Five qualifying hopes alive.

Turkey are chasing Bosnia for second-place in the group behind runaway leaders Spain and face a critical match on Wednesday away to Bosnia who beat Armenia 2-0 earlier on Saturday and still enjoy a four-point lead over the Turks.

Estonia's Vladimir Voskoboinikov stunned Turkey with a seventh-minute goal from just outside the penalty area, leaving Turkey struggling to find their rhythm until Tuncay grabbed an equaliser in the 29th minute with a strike into the corner of the net.

Sercan Yildirim made it 2-1 in the 37th minute as Turkey looked in control. But a sloppy start to the second half saw Konstantin Vassiljev strike home for Estonia from long range in the 53rd minute, testing the nerves of an anxious home crowd.

Turkey regained the lead in the 62nd minute when Arda Turan scored from a Hamit Altintop corner and Tuncay made it safe 10 minutes later.

TURKEY 4 ESTONIA 2 MATCH HIGHLIGHTS....

2009-09-05T16:31:00.002-04:00

TURKISH FOOTBALL (SOCCER) BLOG IS BACK..

2009-09-04T09:19:00.000-04:00

After a long summer and busy with other things in the family, I am back to write about Turkish Soccer(football) and what ever it is going on in the Turkish soccer world.

In very future we will talk about what went on in the past four weeks in the Turkcell Super League.

I will write about Turkish teams in the new Euro league and the only team will represent Turkey in the Champions League Besiktas.

This Saturday, Turkish National team has a very important match in Kayseri against Estonia.

And than following Wendsday against Bosnia in Bosnia...

So, two important matches fro Fatih Terim and his boys....

This is a little heads up for my dear readers to tell them Iam back...

See you soon with my latest news and blogs here about Turkish Football(soccer)

AHMET B. TURGUT

ELANO IN ISTANBUL!

2009-07-31T19:56:00.003-04:00

Former Manchester City playmaker midfielder Elano from Brazil is surrounded by cheering supporters of Galatasaray at the Ataturk airport in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, July 31, 2009. Elano has signed a four-year contract with the Turkish soccer club Galatasaray. (AP Photo)

Manchester City playmaker Elano has joined Galatasaray for an undisclosed fee, the Premier League club confirmed on Thursday.

Brazil star Elano was a fans' favourite at Eastlands when he joined the club from Shakhtar Donetsk two years ago, but he decided to move on after falling out of favour with manager Mark Hughes last season.
"Manchester City can confirm that Elano has completed his transfer to Turkish side Galatasaray," a statement on the club's website announced.

He may have struggled to hold down a regular place in the City team this season after Hughes's spending spree on the likes of Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz.

The 28-year-old, who is believed to have cost Galatasaray around eight million pounds, scored 18 goals in 80 appearances for City.

MANCHESTER CITY BOSS HAPPY TO SELL ELANO TO GALATASARAY....

boss Mark Hughes has explained the reason behind allowing Elano to join Galatasary for an undisclosed fee.

"It is a big year for him with the World Cup and he wants to stay in and around the Brazil squad," said the City boss.

"The guarantee of playing week-in, week-out, wasn't there and that was key to his decision to leave.

"It is a good deal for the club and a good deal for him."

IS THIS THE BEST TRANSFER IN THE TURKISH SUPER LEAGUE?....

2009-07-30T10:59:00.002-04:00

GALATASARAY SIGNS ELANO!

Manchester City have confirmed that Elano has joined Galatasary.

The Brazilian midfielder decided to move on after falling out of favour with manager Mark Hughes last season.

Following his arrival two seasons ago when Sven-Goran Eriksson was in charge, Elano quickly became a fans' favourite with a string of excellent displays.

However his form tailed off in the second half of his debut campaign and he struggled for consistency under Hughes.

Elano, 28, scored 18 goals in 80 appearances for City and remains a regular member of the Brazil squad.

So, is this the best transfer of the season in the Turkish Super league, so far?

I think so, let me know what you think?

GALATASARAY GETS KAZAK TEAM!

2009-06-22T11:37:00.000-04:00

DRAWS MADE FOR UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE..............

Draws were made for the UEFA Europa League's first and second qualifying rounds on Monday.
The draws took place in Swiss city of Nyon.

According to the draws, Turkey's Galatasaray soccer club will play against Kazakhstan's Tobol team on July 16 and 23 in second qualifying round. Galatasaray's first game with Tobol will take place in Kazakhstan.

The UEFA Europa League is the second most important European competition for eligible football clubs, after the UEFA Champions League.

Frank Rijkaard and Rustu Recber with Barca -2003 ,by Ahmet B. Turgut

2009-06-09T12:57:00.003-04:00

All the Photos in the silide show belongs to Ahmet B. Turgut

Mustafa Denizli Won't Leave Besiktas !

2009-06-05T12:34:00.003-04:00

Besiktas coach Mustafa Denizli has signed a one-year extension to a contract which was due to expire after leading the team for double cup this season

There had been a lot of speculation that Denizli, 59, would step down citing tiredness that he stated, but the coach decided to stay on with Besiktas.

France v Turkey: Preview

2009-06-05T11:59:00.001-04:00

Lyon striker Karim Benzema has urged his France team-mates to perform as well as possible in tomorrow's friendly with Turkey to put the nightmare against Nigeria behind them.
Les Bleus slipped to a 1-0 defeat on Tuesday in St Etienne amid continuous jeers from the sparse crowd.

Benzema and his fellow Lyon players were singled out for special attention at the home of their club's bitter rivals but he is confident similar scenes on and off the pitch will not be repeated tomorrow.

"We want to win this match and show that we made a mistake against Nigeria,'' Benzema said.

"And there the fans will be behind us. Turkey have very good supporters, there will be an atmosphere in the stadium.

"We have to win to change things with the fans. There have been a lot of matches where we weren't great, where we didn't have any success.

"We've made approaches to the fans. On the pitch we applaud them, we thank them.

"Now the people are coming to see a football match. We have to put on a show for them, be strong on the pitch, prove something because we need them.''

Benzema admits the jeers were hard for him and his team-mates.

"I just felt as if I was playing a Lyon-St Etienne match,'' added the 21-year-old. "It was disappointing, we represent the national team.

"I didn't understand the supporters. I wasn't expecting whistles like that every time I touched the ball.

"It always annoys you a bit. In a football match you need the supporters to push you, to give you that desire to look for something.

"I understand those who whistle after defeats. To be whistled like that, no. But I have to leave that to one side.''

The supporters have grown more and more disappointed with the France team following a dismal Euro 2008 and a poor start to their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Les Bleus lie second in Group Seven with 10 points from five games after losing to Austria and being held to a draw by Romania.

Florent Malouda, Cedric Carrasso and Franck Ribery are all doubts but coach Raymond Domenech has an otherwise full squad at his disposal.

France captain Patrick Vieira, who has had an injury-riddled season and before Tuesday's game last featured for Les Bleus in November, could play his second match in four days after declaring himself fit.

"The coach and I agreed we would wait for today's training session,'' he said. "I feel fine, there's no reason not to play.''

Turkey had a good start to their qualifying campaign but back-to-back defeats against Spain has dropped them to third.

However, coach Fatih Terim is confident his team will be in South Africa next summer and views the France match as the best preparation ahead of Turkey's next qualifier at home to Estonia in September.

"It will be a serious game,'' he said. "They were the world and European champions.

"It's important to play with the team well, and not act as individuals who are not part of a team.

Source: Wires
"It will be good experience. Whatever the result the match will be useful.''

Turkish National Team Moves UP In The FIFA May Rankings..

2009-06-05T11:12:00.003-04:00

Turkish National Team moved up in the FIFA rankings for May 2009.

Spain still holds the first place....

1. (1) Spain
2. (3) Netherlands
3. (2) Germany
4. (5) Italy
5. (4) Brazil
6. (7) England
7. (6) Argentina
8. (8) Croatia
9. (9) Russia
10. (10) France
11. (11) Portugal
12. (14) Turkey
13. (17) Paraguay
14. (15) United States
15. (12) Czech Republic
16. (18) Switzerland
17 = (13) Greece
17 = (16) Uruguay
19. (22) Ukraine
20. (23) Serbia

Galatasaray New Boss, Rijkaard

2009-06-05T09:21:00.005-04:00

Rijkard and Ahmet Turgut back in 2003 when he was the coach of Barca....

Galatasaray appointed Dutch technical director Frank Rijkaard as their new coach.

The club stated on its website on Friday that they agreed with former Barcelona coach Rijkaard to replace Bulent Korkmaz, according to the report.

Rijkaard is expected to arrive in Istanbul, Turkey on Friday and sign a 2-year-contract with the club at a ceremony at 8:00 p.m.local time (GMT 1700).

Rijkaard, born on September 30, 1962 in Amsterdam, is a Dutch football manager and former player. Rijkaard played for Ajax, Real Zaragoza and Milan, and represented his national side 73 times, scoring 10 goals.

Rijkaard's coaching career began when he was appointed manager of the Netherlands national football team in 1998. He had previously served as an assistant coach, along with Johan Neeskens and Ronald Koeman under the managerial tenure of Guus Hiddink.

During the 2001-02 season, he became manager of Sparta Rotterdam, and then he was appointed manager of Barcelona for the 2003-04 season.

I have followed Rijkaard back in 2003 when he came to United States with Barcelona for a friendly matches.

At that time he was the coach of Turkish International Keeper Rustu Recber who was

transfered to Barcelona.

Turkey Wins The Friendly Match Against Azerbaijan

2009-06-02T18:48:00.002-04:00

Turkish National soccer team scored two late goals to overcome Azerbaijan in an international friendly at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium.

The visitors battled well and looked like they might hold their opponents, ranked more than 100 places above them in FIFA's world standings, to a creditable goalless draw until Halil Altintop broke the deadlock with 20 minutes to go.

And within five minutes Turkey had doubled their advantage, Ibrahim Uzulmez slotting home to wrap up the victory.

Stadium: Kadir Has

Referees: Mario Vlk, Marian Rusbarsky, Erik Weiss (Slovakia)

Turkey: Volkan, Ceyhun (min. 58 Yusuf), Mehmet, Gokhan, Nihat (min. 46 Halil), Semih (min. 70 Sabri), Nuri, Tuncay (min. 63 Sercan), Kazim (min. 46 Arda), Ibrahim Uzulmez (min. 78 Caner), Eren

Azerbaijan: Valiyev, Malikov, Shukurov (min. 46 Chertogonov), Nabiyev (min. 46 Bakhshiev), Abasov, Gomes (min. 46 Javadov), Sadigov, Huseynov (min. 56 Pereira), Maharramov, Akhtyamov (min. 83 Subasic), Levin

Scorers: min. 70 Halil, min. 75 Ibrahim Uzulmez (Turkey) (GC-EÖ

FIFA.COM: "Black Eagles soar in Turkey"

2009-06-01T12:35:00.002-04:00

The streets of Istanbul became a sea of black and white at the weekend as Besiktas fans in their tens of thousands riotously celebrated the Kara Kartallar's (Black Eagles) first Turkish league title in six years. The team coached by Mustafa Denizli had already won the domestic cup and thus became the first club to do the double since 2000. The feeling on the Bosporus now is that Besiktas are finally poised to stretch their wings and regain long-term parity with bitter city rivals Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.

"Winning the double is a great achievement and I’m overjoyed. It felt like a volcano erupting inside me,” Denizli gushed after the title-clinching 2-1 victory away to Denizlispor on the last day. "We’ve succeeded in bringing a long adventure to a happy conclusion," continued the 59-year-old, for whom the triumph means not one but two entries in the Turkish roll of honour: he is not only the first Turkish coach to lead Besiktas to glory, he is also the first to win the Super Lig with all three of Istanbul’s major clubs. "My team totally deserves their triumph,” the former Turkey international summed up.

Sivasspor miss out, Gala fall short
However, a real upset looked on the cards for a long spell in Turkey this season. Surprise package Sivasspor were never far from the headlines after leading the league for most of the last five months. A first championship triumph for a club from outside Istanbul since 1984 seemed on the cards, but coach Bulent Uygun’s valiant side ultimately ran out of steam on the home straight. In an ironic twist, it was Besiktas' fierce rivals Galatasaray who administered the coup de grace, as new Turkey superstar Arda Turan struck a brace on the last day to seal a 2-1 win over Sivasspor and hand the title to the Black Eagles.

At the end of the day, a extra touch of class made the difference, as Besiktas finished five points clear at the top, with more victories and fewer defeats than Sivasspor. Uygun and his men thus failed in their attempt to become only the fifth team outside the Istanbul triumvirate and Trapzonspor to claim Super Lig glory, but were consoled with second place and a shot at qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. Trabzonspor, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray took third, fourth and fifth respectively, and have to be satisfied with place in the newly-formed UEFA Europa League.

Winning the double is a great achievement and I’m overjoyed. It felt like a volcano erupting inside me.
Besiktas coach Mustafa Denizli
Of this trio, Gala were the most disappointing this term. The previous year’s champions lost seven times on their travels, including a 4-1 defeat to Fener and a 3-1 reverse against Besiktas. Their record of 39 goals against was easily the worst of the teams in the top seven, and they sneaked into Europe only by virtue of Fenerbahce’s 4-2 defeat to Besiktas in the cup final – Fener qualified for the Europa League on the basis of their league position.

A small consolation for the Lions of the Bosporus, who rate as the nation’s joint-most successful club alongside Fenerbahce with 17 league titles apiece, was that Milan Baros recaptured the form of his golden years and finished Super Lig top scorer on 20 goals. Aided and abetted by Harry Kewell, who enjoyed a productive first season in a Gala jersey, Baros provided moments to celebrate for the boisterous and excitable Ali-Sami-Yen stadium crowd, although everyone at the club realises it was still not enough. "There is just one place for Galatasaray and that is the number one position. If you don't get that, there is going to be a backlash,” Kewell exclusively told FIFA.com just a few weeks ago. A stormy summer beckons for the wounded Gala crew.

Dawn of a new era?
Konyaspor, Kocaelispor and Hacettepe proved unable to escape the relegation trapdoor, but Besiktas' 11th domestic title has raised hopes of a new era for the men in black and white. The media spotlight has fallen on Yusuf Simsek and Fabian Ernst as the orchestrators and architects of the latest triumph. "Our midfield, and particularly Simsek and Ernst, made a major contribution to our triumph. Both absolutely lived up to expectations,” commented coach Denizli.

Ernst, capped 24 times by Germany, switched to the Bosporus from Schalke during the winter break. "We’ve played good football, and we’ve made our fans happy,” reflected Ernst. The next step for the Black Eagles is success on the international stage, with the aim of matching the achievements of Galatasaray, UEFA Cup winners in 1999/2000, and Fenerbahce, UEFA Champions League quarter-finalists in 2007/08. With the expertise and cunning of Denizli at their disposal, Besiktas certainly appear to have exactly the right man in charge of their destiny.

Source: Fifa.com