Tebrikler to Genclerbirligi OFTASSpor!

From a die-hard Fenerbahce fan, I'd like to say congratulations to Genclerbirligi OFTASSpor, the first team from Lig A (second division) to be promoted to the Turkcell Super Lig so far this season. Two more will earn a berth in the top flight, but have yet to be decided.

If you are unfamiliar with G.O., they are a peculiar team indeed. Here are some facts on the club courtesy of "Today's Zaman":

Ankara's Gençlerbirliği Oftaşspor is the former ASASSpor which played in League A between 1999 and 2001. It pulled out of this league because it was moved from Group 4 to Group 5, which is made up of mostly eastern and southeastern Anatolian teams. In 2003, ASASSpor suffered a serious financial crisis and so Genclerbirliği bought the club, changed its name to Gençlerbirliği ASASSpor and the emblem of the club was replaced with that of Gençlerbirliği. After OFTAŞ signed a sponsorship deal with Gençlerbirliği the club last year changed its name to Gençlerbirliği Oftaşspor. It is worthy to note that all the players in this club belong to Gençlerbirliği under a special contract. As a matter of fact, Gençlerbirliği Oftaş is Gençlerbirliği's reserve team and the average age of the players is 21. The Turkish Futbol Federation (TFF) had recently announced that there was no law banning Gençlerbirliği Oftaş from playing in topflight Turkish futbol if the team gained promotion.

Additionally, G.O. is Turkiye's answer to Castel Di Sangro, the Italian team made popular in the book "The Miracle of Castel di Sangro" that climbed from the depths of Italian calcio before nearly making Serie A. Genclerbirligi was not in League A, but League B just two seasons ago. Only one year after being promoted to League A, the side now finds itself playing against giants such as Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, Besiktas, and Trabzonspor.

The promotion of G.O. will give Ankara, Turkiye's capital city, four Super Lig teams, moving ahead of Istanbul's three.

Congratulations/Tebrikler to Genclerbirligi OFTASSpor and "hos geldiniz" to the Turkcell Super Lig!