Kezman Would Welcome Move to Bundesliga

Kezman Would Welcome Move to Bundesliga
By Nathan L. Redd

Fenerbahce striker Mateja Kezman has endured a tumultuous season in Kadikoy. He missed much of the first half with an injury and lost his starting spot to rising star Semih Senturk. His difficulties have led to speculation that Kezman's time in Turkiye could be winding down.

Kezman recently conducted an interview with media outlet Express in which he seemed resigned to knowing that his time in Turkiye may be limited. Kezman stated he would welcome a move to another European league like the German Bundesliga. In the interview, Kezman stated “I still have a contract with Fenerbahce and know that the club are happy with me. I scored important goals last year particularly in the Cup and the Champions League. However, I think you can only play in the Turkish league for a certain amount of time." It's widely believed that the Turkcell Super Lig is a difficult league for strikers because of the defensive nature of the league, but other top goal scorers have flourished, including the rising star Semih Senturk this year.

When asked about a potential move to the Bundesliga, Kezman told Express “I love it. The style of play is similar to that in the Eredivisie where I had a super time with PSV, so I don’t think I’d find it too difficult to adapt. I think that within the next three years a German club will win a European trophy. The league has some real superstars like Ribéry, van der Vaart, Kuranyi and Pantelic. It would be an honor to play alongside such big names."

Despite his struggles and loss of starting position, Kezman remains confident in his abilities. “When I am fit, I’m among the top five strikers in Europe. If a club wants me then it’s no problem. The financial things will take care of themselves.”

Speculation in Istanbul has been that Kezman may be on his way out during the January transfer window. It is believed that Fenerbahce will make several moves, and AC Milan star Ronaldo has been mentioned as a possible newcomer to Turkiye. Fener has not issued any specific statement recently regarding the status of Mateja Kezman.

Fener Denies Aurelio-Valencia Swap

Fener Denies Aurelio-Valencia Swap
By Nathan L. Redd

Fenerbahce issued a statement late this week denying the transfer speculation involving midfielder Mehmet Aurelio. Rumors had begun circulating that Aurelio could be swapped with Spanish side Valencia in exchange for striker Nikola Zigic. Fener had been linked with an interest in Zigic in the past.

Fenerbahce denied any current interest in Zigic, as well as any agreement to send Aurelio packing. In addition, the club denied any interest in CSKA Moscow's Brasilian star Wagner Love. "The report that our player, Roberto Carlos, has met with Love is false as well. Fenerbahçe does not employ its players for its transfer work, which is conducted by the transfer committee and technical committee," the statement said.

Fenerbahce issued a myriad of statements denying potential transfer rumors this week, including one that would send Can Arat to Konyaspor next month. While it is believed that Fener will make some transfer moves during the January transfer window, a move to send Mehmet Aurelio away from Kadikoy is highly unlikely. The Brasilian-born star has been a target for several European clubs in the past, but the midfielder has Turkish nationality and is a star for Fatih Terim's Milli Takim Turkish national team. Because of the foreign player rule, Fenerbahce is unlikely to part with either Aurelio or Wederson, another Brasilian-born star with Turkish nationality. If Aurelio or Wederson were to leave the Sari Lacivert, Fenerbahce would likely have to replace them with other Turkish stars rather than foreign-born players - a move the club is not likely to make.

Zico Hosts Charity Match in Brasil

Zico Hosts Charity Match in Brasil
By Nathan L. Redd

Fenerbahce Manager Zico took advantage of the holiday break by returning to his homeland of Brasil and hosting a charity match in Rio de Janeiro this week. Ironically, the game featured an all-star cast taking on former players from Flamengo, one of Zico's old clubs and a reported rival with Fenerbahce for the services of AC Milan's Ronaldo.

The match took place in Maracana Stadium in Rio - a venue where the record for goals scored is owned by Zico himself. More than 35,000 spectators turned out to see the Fenerbahce Manager take on world superstars such as Inter Milan's Adriano, Barcelona midfielder Deco, and Japanese star (and former Zico player) Hidetoshi Nakata. Zico led his former Flamengo teammates to an 8-5 win over the world stars.

(photo courtesy of Alalam News)

Ghana Confirms Appiah Will Miss African Cup of Nations

Ghana Confirms Appiah Will Miss African Cup of Nations
By Nathan L. Redd

In a report on the BBC's website on Friday, Ghana National Coach Claude LeRoy confirmed that Fenerbahce star Stephen Appiah will miss the African Cup of Nations in February. LeRoy told BBC Sport "Even without Stephen we'll try to do our best to win the competition. That's why I want him to join us for our training camp and if possible to be with us during the tournament as well. We will use him as a special advisor because he can bring a lot to the team even without playing."

Ghana is seeking their fifth African Nations Cup in 2008. The tournament will be hosted by Ghana this time around, and the news has reportedly devastated Appiah. LeRoy knows that the home team's chances have been severely hampered by Appiah's absence. He went on to tell BBC Sport "It's terrible news for all the Ghanaian people because it won't be the same team without him. It was difficult for me to sleep when I heard the news that he was out. It's a huge problem."

Stats from the Super Lig's First Half

Stats from the Super Lig's First Half

Turkish Daily News recently published an article (in English) citing some of the fundamental stats from the Turkcell Super Lig's first half. To read the article, click on http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=92383

Appiah Could Be Exiting Kadikoy

Appiah Could Be Exiting Kadikoy
By Nathan L. Redd

After missing most of the 2007-2008 season, rumors are circulating that Fenerbahce's Stephen Appiah may be leaving the club soon. According to one report in Turkish newspaper Milliyet, Fenerbahce has requested to void the contract of Appiah based on his current health and fitness. Appiah missed the end of last year's championship campaign and has been sidelined for nearly all of this season with a knee injury. He underwent surgery to correct the problem, but more medical issues have arisen for the Ghana star. According to one report, a circulatory issue is not only threatening Appiah's current fitness level, but possibly could shorten his career.

Appiah went to Torino, Italy recently to seek a second opinion on the potential surgery after hearing from Turkish doctors. The midfielder seemed resigned to possibly skipping the surgery, and he's been adamant about his ability to return to the pitch this season. He recently issued a statement saying he hopes to play for his native Ghana in the African Cup of Nations which begins in early February.

Fenerbahce may be preparing for life after Appiah by looking at transfer options during the January transfer window. The club could be seeking a definitive answer on Appiah's future as they look forward to bringing new talent into Turkiye.

Fener Target Ronaldo Not Going to Brasil

Fener Target Ronaldo Not Going to Brasil
By Nathan L. Redd

After rampant speculation recently involving potential Fenerbahce target Ronaldo, AC Milan has issued a statement denying that the star is headed for his home country. Brasilian squad Flamengo publicly announced they were in negotiations with AC Milan to bring Ronaldo to Brasil. Flamengo Vice-President Kleber Leite stated earlier this week "We've had preliminary conversations, noting that he wants to change the direction of his life."

AC Milan quickly issued a statement on the club's official website shortly thereafter. The statement read “A.C. Milan denies to have started a negotiation with Flamengo for the transfer of Ronaldo; therefore also denies to have authorized the same Brazilian club for an eventual agreement with the footballer.”

It has been widely speculated that Ronaldo will leave AC Milan this year, and Fenerbahce has been a possible destination mentioned for the star.

End of the First Half: The Season So Far, Part 2

End of the First Half: The Season So Far, Part 2
By Ozgur R. Nazilli

Now that the holiday season has crept in, the Turkish Super League news will also go into a deep slumber, with the occasional transfer rumor making the silence a little more bearable. However, there is always the first half of the season to discuss, and Fener fans will not tire easily from hearing about it, seeing as how it has been the most successful first half ever for the century-old club.

Nevertheless, the first few weeks of the season were far from being glamorous for Fenerbahce. Even though Fener had qualified for the Champions League by beating Anderlecht, there were protests, although muffled, amongst the fans against the poor form the team was showing in the league. Truth be told, the discontent could not be easily labeled as unwarranted, since Fenerbahce was 7 points behind their arch-rivals Galatasaray, with only 2 wins out of the first 6 six league games. The situation was far from hopeless, but the fans, dreading being pushed out of the title race this early on, were going as far as asking for the resignation of Zico. This was hardly news for Fenerbahce, or for any other Turkish club for that matter, since it is almost the custom to kill off the manager first, whenever things get bad. This had been extra true for Fenerbahce for the past year and a half, as most people saw Zico as an "intern" who did not know enough of "European" football, and were ready to see him get fired as soon as he made even the slightest mistake.

Now, about 4 months after those troubled times in the Turkish Super League, almost all the fans are pressuring the Fenerbahce Board to renew the contract of Zico as soon as possible, and it is not because they have suddenly started liking the way he dresses. After the weak performances of the first 6 weeks, Fener players pulled themselves together and managed to win 9 out of the next 11 games of the first half of the season, including 3 derby wins. When this was coupled with the historical success Fener achieved at the Champions League, the fans were more than happy to keep seeing Zico at the head of Fenerbahce. The question is: How long will Zico enjoy this positive wave before the general attitude changes for the worse again? This might seem like an unnecessarily negative way of looking at things, but anyone who has watched the Turkish League with a critical eye can see this trend easily: Things go well, all the players and the manager are heroes in the eyes of the public and they should all be awarded the key to the city, things change for the worse, we should have the heads of everyone responsible, starting from the manager of course, and start looking at new players and/or manager(s) to attract to the club, in order to start the vicious cycle all over again. This has always been the case with the Turkish clubs, and it will most likely be the case for the foreseeable future.

So what triggers this inefficient cycle? Or rather, what keeps the gears oiled so the events always unfold this way, regardless of the team in question? What can be, and most likely, should be done in order to prevent this from happening? How did Fenerbahce manage to break this unfruitful chain, and to what extent did this contribute to the success they are enjoying this season?

Check back in a few days for the answers to all of the aforementioned questions in Part 3 of our "Season So Far" series here on Fenerbahce Worldwide.

Happy Holidays from Fenerbahce Worldwide

Happy Holidays from Fenerbahce Worldwide
By Nathan L. Redd

One of my favorite things about operating this website is checking the visitor statistics every day - seeing how many visitors we have, where they are from, etc. We have a lot of visitors from Turkiye, USA, England, Canada, and Brasil obviously, but nearly every time I check I'm surprised to see visitors from El Salvador, Japan, Israel, Kuwait, Iran, Palestine, Iceland, Australia, and everywhere else you can imagine. Sometimes as I'm looking at the locations, I sit and wonder who these people are, what their lives are like, etc. Chances are if you are reading this, I've probably sat and thought about you and what brought you to this blog. I can honestly say that I am thankful for each and everyone of you who visit this site, whether it is once or daily.

As most of you know, I am American and was born to American parents. I had very little connection to Turkiye before becoming a Fenerbahce fan. Although my nationality and passport says that I'm American, my heart is Turkish. Because of this, I consider myself fortunate to celebrate Christmas as well as Bayram/Eid, etc. That is what I love about being a part of the Fenerbahce Cumhuriyeti (Fenerbahce Republic). I spoke very little Turkish when I started this website, and my Turkish is still spotty at best now. However, being a Fenerbahce fan is more than belonging to a specific nationality, religion, or race. It doesn't matter where you live, what holidays you celebrate, or what your personal convictions are - Fenerbahce is larger than us all. The Fenerbahce Republic welcomes us regardless of what our backgrounds are. I experienced this firsthand when I attended my first Fenerbahce match just two months ago. If I had a nickel for every time another fan told me "you are my brother" I would be a wealthy man. However, this had very little to do with me. They would do the same for you as well. That is what makes Fenerbahce the greatest club on Earth - the fans themselves. The Fenerbahce Republic welcomes us all.

I say this because we are ALL Fenerbahce. Some of us will celebrate Christmas today, some will celebrate Bayram/Eid, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, or another holiday. However, we are all united as part of the Fenerbahce Cumhuriyeti.

No matter where in the world you are as you read this, I hope these holidays are wonderful for you and your family. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Bayram/Eid, Hannukah, or something else, I hope and pray that the holidays bring you joy and happiness. From my friend Ozgur Nazilli and myself, thank you for visiting our website. Merry Christmas and Iyi Bayramlar to each of you!

End of the First Half: The Season So Far, Part 1

End of the First Half: The Season So Far
By Ozgur R. Nazilli

Now that the first half of the 2007-2008 Turkish Super League is over, one can look back and see that it has been an interesting 17 weeks for the big 3 (Fenerbahce, Besiktas, Galatasaray). Before these weeks are analyzed from the perspective of Fenerbahce, I would like to first congratulate Sivasspor and pay my respects to the Board, the manager, and the players of that team. Everyone who has even followed the Turkish League for one season knows that the title will most definitely go to one of the big three. If by some big miracle the Istanbulian three manages to miss the title, the recipient will certainly be Trabzonspor, who is considered by some as the 4th member of the big 3. However, this year, Sivasspor, whose budget is probably a tenth of Fenerbahce's, have managed to secure the top spot going into the break, with some very solid performances over the past 17 weeks. Even though their Manager Bulent Uygun had made a declaration stating that "they cannot be Champions", they certainly look like they will be contending the coveted title until the very end. So a sincere congratulations from the Fenerbahce Worldwide staff to Sivasspor, for beating all the odds and financial troubles to finish the first half as the leader of the League.

Now that we have done our job as partly-objective futbol fans, we can go back to focusing on Fenerbahce.

As a friend of mine who is much older than I am and also is a fellow Fener fan was saying to me just a day ago, "we are lucky to be living in this time as Fenerbahce fans". When I think back to older times, I can easily see his point. Before, just a few years ago, Fener fans were very disillusioned with their team and even though they continued supporting Fenerbahce, the tagline of the games were "Ah it's Fenerbahce, what did we expect?". Fener had a very unfortunate tendency to lose very easy games back then, as exemplified by the catastrophic defeat against Pendikspor. However, the picture would not improve against the big teams, since whenever Fenerbahce went out to Europe, the result would be a huge disappointment for each and every Fener fan.

Now, a new era is slowly creeping in for Fenerbahce. The winds of change are blowing away the bad memories into the distant past, and bringing in the golden age for both Fenerbahce, and consequently for the Fener fans. This year has been the most successful year ever in the 101 year history of the Yellow and Navy, and we are lucky enough to be witnessing it. Fenerbahce first qualified for the group stages of the Champions League by beating, in both the home and the away game, Anderlecht, who is a constant participant in the European tournaments. Then, the real miracle happened and Fener enjoyed an immensely successful Champions League run, starting with the 1-0 victory against the Italian giants Inter, and ending with the 3-1 victory against the 2005 UEFA Cup winners CSKA Moscow. This run earned Fenerbahce 11 points, which also was the most ever points won by a Turkish team in the Champions League.

Contrary to the glamorous European campaign, the league was not going so well for Fenerbahce, with the Yellow Canaries trailing as much as 7 points behind the leaders at one point back in the earlier weeks. However, Fenerbahce managed the unthinkable, at least, unthinkable for the people who knows Fener's past, and the Yellow and Navy players pulled themselves together, and kept it together, both in the European Champions League and the Turkish League, which resulted in them qualifying out of the group stages in the Champions League, and finishing the first half of the league at the top, with the same number of points as the leaders Sivasspor. This feat, which Fenerbahce had never managed before, is why this year is inarguably the most successful year for Fenerbahce so far. The only thing on the minds of the fans now is that hopefully Fenerbahce will be able to keep this pace up and be as successful in the second half too.

With this, we are concluding the first part of our "The Season So Far" series. Check back in a few days to read the rest of the series on Fenerbahce Worldwide.

Goal Galore at Kadikoy: Fenerbahce 3 - 2 Trabzonspor

Goal Galore at Kadikoy: Fenerbahce 3 - 2 Trabzonspor
By Ozgur R. Nazilli

5 goals in 35 minutes, and a 3-2 scoreline was what ensured the winning streak of Fenerbahce to continue, and let the players go on the winter break with clear heads.

The match was as fast as they get in the Turkish Super League, with the opening coal coming in only the 4th minute. Deivid, with inarguably the best goal of the game, found the back of the net from outside the penalty area with a scorcher. After that, the goals just kept coming, with the scoreboard showing 3-2 at the 35th minute. However, the goals ended as abruptly as they had started, and the final score was the same as it was at the end of the first half, even though it looked like both sides would score more in the second half.

Both teams, from the very beginning, were concentrated fully on attacking. Fenerbahce was, as usual, out to win the match, especially since it was played in Kadikoy. However, Trabzon had the same aim too, and therefore had a very open playing style to get some scoring chances. When this was coupled with the fact that both Edu and Lugano were unavailable for the game, Trabzon scored two easy goals, which even though was not enough to let them come away with some points, still kept Fenerbahce on edge until the very end.

This game has been a good chance to see how vital a role both Edu and Lugano plays in the success of Fenerbahce. Onder and Yasin are both promising players, but we have seen that they are not yet ready to take over the central defense positions, which are the most unforgiving positions of all. A player in an attacking position can miss many scoring opportunities and he will be seen as a "good" player at the end of the game as long as he scores one. However, as a defender, you have to be perfect, because even if you cut off 10 attacks, you will be criticized at the end even if you have missed only one which led to a goal. Therefore, I applaud the decision of the Fenerbahce board, and thank them for bringing two such strong defenders. We have seen today that yes Alex, Roberto Carlos, and Zico have all played very important roles in the success of Fenerbahce this year, but the Edu-Lugano duo have been the unnamed heroes of this year's campaign.

All in all, it was an entertaining match for both of the parties involved. Fener fans have of course walked away happier, since they collected all 3 points, and also increased their winning streak to 5 straight games. Hopefully, the break will not be too much of a distraction, and Fenerbahce will return to the league in full force, with possibly a one or two additions to the squad.

(Photo courtesy of Hurriyet.com)

Fenerbahce - Trabzonspor: Match Preview

Fenerbahce - Trabzonspor: Match Preview
By Ozgur R. Nazilli

Now that the suspense over the European Champions League draw is over (which handed a pretty tough opponent to Fenerbahce, but then again, at this stage of Champions League, who isn't a tough opponent?), Fener fans can finally concentrate back on the Turkish League, with no European games for the next 2 months.

Fenerbahce have been going through one tough match after the other for the past few weeks, and did very well so far, with 4 consecutive wins in the Turkish League, crowned by a CSKA Moscow win. However, Fener's work is far from being done for the first half of the season, with still a derby-like match to go against Trabzonspor.

Trabzon, touted as the 4th biggest team in Turkey by many, has always been a tough game for Fenerbahce. For the past few years, Fenerbahce has been beating Trabzon, but never with a comfortable margin. Looking at the past, Fener have not lost a single league game to Trabzon for 6 years, with the most recent victory of Trabzon being a 2-1 win in December, 2001. However, during this 6 year period, Fener only managed to win 2 games with a margin of 2 goals or more, and the most recent one was back in 2004. This shows that even though Fener has an advantage over Trabzon, the players had to grind out the victory each and every time, with Trabzon never giving an easy time to Fenerbahce.

The last game between the two sides was back in May 2007 in İzmir, which ended in a 2-2 draw. That game was especially significant for the Fener side, as it also marked the point at which Fenerbahce had won the 2006-2007 Turkish League.

Fenerbahce's team has undergone a big change in the past 7 months since the last game against Trabzonspor, which cost them the likes of Tuncay, who had scored the first goal against Trabzon in the 2-2 draw, but fortified them with a living legend, Roberto Carlos, who brought in more than just his experience. With the coming of Carlos, Fenerbahce has become a different team. It is true that the efforts of Zico and Alex also played important roles in this change towards the better Fenerbahce is going through, but no one can argue against the fact that the presence of Roberto Carlos instills courage and self belief in every Fener player on the pitch, which made it possible for them to beat a European giant, Internazionale, and qualify out of the Champions League groups with a record number of 11 points.

Fenerbahce has built a good momentum now, and Zico and his players will be looking to keep it rolling into the winter break. However, Trabzonspor has also been regrouping and climbing up the spots in the Turkish League, with two wins in the last two games.

It will surely be a difficult game for Fener, especially since the defensive duo of Edu and Lugano are both unavailable for the game due to yellow cards. However, Fenerbahce are still the favorites to come out on top, as they always are in home games.

Turkcell Super Lig Weekend Schedule

Turkcell Super Lig Weekend Schedule
By Nathan L. Redd

Friday, December 21:

Vestel Manisaspor v. Besiktas - 20:00

Saturday, December 22:

Ankaragucu v. Kayserispor - 14:00
Konyaspor v. Kasimpasa - 14:00
Fenerbahce v. Trabzonspor - 19:00 (12 Noon EST in the U.S.)

Sunday, December 23:

Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyespor vs. Gaziantepspor - 14:00
Caykur Rizespor v. Denizlispor - 14:00
Bursaspor v. Ankaraspor - 14:00
Sivasspor v. Genclerbirligi - 15:30
Genclerbirligi OFTASSpor v. Galatasaray - 19:00

Sevilla Pleased with Fenerbahce Draw

Sevilla Pleased with Fenerbahce Draw
By Nathan L. Redd

After drawing each other in the first knockout round of UEFA Champions League, both Fenerbahce and Spanish side Sevilla seem pleased with the matchup. Following the Friday morning draw, Sevilla Director Ramon Rodriguez Verdejo spoke with the media.

"We cannot be unhappy. Our first choice would have Olympiakos, then Celtic and then Fenerbahçe. We have to respect a side that has very good players. They will make things very tough for us, but the positive thing is that we avoided Liverpool, Roma and Lyon. We are delighted that we finished top of our group because Arsenal finished second and they have drawn AC Milan."

Sevilla's Victor Orta spoke about the problems that Fenerbahce's Brasilian contingent could give them. "They are a team that have spent a lot of money and will probably strengthen again in the winter market," he said. "They have a few Brasilians, with the main one being Alex, and they are important. They have Aurelio, Roberto Carlos and Deivid too. Fenerbahçe are a strong team that like to attack and we wil have to be cautious of the atmosphere in the away game, but I think that technically we will have the edge."

Sevilla It Is!

Sevilla It Is!
By Nathan L. Redd

Fenerbahce got the draw many fans hoped for, as the Turk Champions will face Spanish side Sevilla in the first knockout round of the UEFA Champions League. The draw, held in Switzerland this morning, will match Fenerbahce vs. Sevilla in the first leg on either February 19 or 20. The first leg will be played at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Kadikoy.

The second leg of Fenerbahce vs. Sevilla will be played on either March 4 or 5 in Sevilla, Spain. The other matchups for the final 16 are as follows:

Celtic (Scotland) vs. Barcelona (Spain)
Lyon (France) vs. Manchester United (England)
Schalke (Germany) vs. Porto (Portugal)
Liverpool (England) vs. Inter Milan (Italy)
Roma (Italy) vs. Real Madrid (Spain)
Arsenal (England) vs. AC Milan (Italy)
Olympiakos (Greece) vs. Chelsea (England)

İyi Bayramlar, Arkadaşlarım!

İyi bayramlar, Arkadaşlarım!
By Nathan L. Redd

We'd like to take a moment to wish our Turk brothers and sisters "İyi bayramlar" from Fenerbahce Worldwide. We hope that our readers around the world, both Turk and otherwise, enjoy this wonderful festival with friends and family.

To all of our Turkish-speaking readers and visitors, Kurban Bayramınızı kutlar, nice mutlu bayramlar dilerim!

Appiah Could Be Sidelined for Three More Months

Appiah Could Be Sidelined for Three More Months
Fener Star Facing Major Knee Surgery
By Nathan L. Redd

Stephen Appiah has missed nearly all of the 2007 season so far, and it's possible that the midfielder could miss the entire season altogether. After consulting with specialists in Istanbul, Appiah is considering surgery on his injured knee that is expected to sideline him for three more months. The Ghana star wants to consult another specialist in Italy, however, before making the decision.

"I have had several tests and meetings with my doctors here in Turkiye over the past 48 hours and there has been nothing conclusive,” he says. “I’m actually feeling fine physically. However, I am traveling to Italy on Thursday to meet another specialist in this area for further analysis.”

Appiah suffered the original injury during the 2006-2007 championship campaign for Fenerbahce. After sitting out much of the first half of the season, Appiah returned last month but played sparingly and has since missed several more games. If he does decide to undergo surgery, he would not miss most of Fenerbahce's season, but also that of his native Ghana's 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. Appiah, however, seems willing to put off the surgery to play in his homeland's tournament. “I want my fellow countrymen and women to know I will do all it takes to be available for Ghana when the Africa Cup of Nations starts. I really want to help my country win the trophy on February 10.”

A Loose Analysis of Turkish Futbol

A Loose Analysis of Turkish Futbol
By Nathan L. Redd / Emre Kizilkaya

Our good friend Emre Kizilkaya has written an excellent piece called "A Loose Analysis of Turkish Futbol" on his website. Please check out Emre's article at http://istanbulian.blogspot.com/2007/12/loose-analysis-of-turkish-football-and.html

Fener Target Adriano Heading to Sao Paolo

Fener Target Adriano Heading to Sao Paolo
By Nathan L. Redd

Inter Milan star Adriano, rumored to be on Fenerbahce's wish list, is heading to his native Brazil for the rest of the season. Adriano will join Sao Paolo FC on loan from Inter Milan for six months.

Fenerbahce Worldwide correspondent Cristina Prado is in Sao Paolo and broke the news earlier this week (I've always wanted to say that.....and yes, we really do have a correspondent and she really is in Sao Paolo now :) ). Adriano will finish his contract with Sao Paolo - the contract ends on June 30, 2008. "I'm very happy with this deal," he told reporters. "Since my first day at the club, everyone has treated me very well. It will be an honor to win titles for this club. I'm going to work very hard for this and to return to the Brazil team."

It has been rumored for several months that Fenerbahce was one club in pursuit of the Brasilian star. Chelsea and West Ham United in England were also mentioned as potential destinations for the much-criticized star. Fenerbahce's Diego Lugano starred for Sao Paolo before joining the Sari Lacivert. Only time will tell if Adriano will do the same.

Rumors Continue Linking Ronaldo to Fenerbahce

Rumors Continue Linking Ronaldo to Fenerbahce
By Nathan L. Redd

Rumors linking Brasilian superstar Ronaldo to Fenerbahce first began earlier this season, but the buzz is heating up once again as the winter break nears. Italy's La Repubblica reports that Fener has offered AC Milan £4m for the striker.

Ronaldo is under contract with AC Milan until the end of the season, but sources close to the club have revealed the team may be willing to let him go during the January transfer window. The star has missed nearly all of this season due to injury. He is currently sidelined with a calf injury.

La Repubblica reports that Fener is willing to offer Ronaldo a six-month contract worth approximately £2.5m. The £4m fee would be a buyout Fenerbahce would pay to AC Milan to release him in January.

Fenerbahce has denied transfer rumors in recent days involving a number of players, but the club has made no official statement regarding Ronaldo. Stay tuned to Fenerbahce Worldwide as more developments unfold.

Genclerbirligi Match No Cause for Concern

Genclerbirligi Match No Cause for Concern
By Nathan L. Redd

"Did Fenerbahce really just win today?" Yes, it was one of those games for Fener on Sunday. We've seen them before and to their defense, every team has them. They were completely dominated for much of the game, looking tired and out of place. But there was one glaring difference this time: Fenerbahce pulled out a 2-1 victory.

One of the biggest knocks on Fenerbahce in recent years is a lack of focus and concentration in the Turkcell Super Lig. Critics say they take a European spot for granted and therefore play to their opponents level domestically. That criticism may be true, and Fenerbahce has had their share of duds in recent years. The Canaries started this season by dropping a 2-0 decision to newly-promoted Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyespor. Denizlispor has had their number several times over the years. Today appeared to be one of those domestic Fenerbahce duds. But there was one difference - Fenerbahce won this one. It may be a sign of what is to come for this club.

Anyone who watches Turk futbol knows that the style of play is very different. It's very aggressive and less fluid than many other European leagues. Contrary to the beliefs of many Turks, I for one feel that the level of competition is fantastic and that the league as a whole is underrated. But I agree that it's very different. Fenerbahce faces the same problem that Galatasaray and Besiktas face. With only one other champion from the afore-mentioned Istanbul three since 1959, there is an image problem for many Turk clubs. The Istanbul big three expect a European spot every year (and usually get it), while most other Turk clubs don't believe they can ever win it. The resulting factor is that many of the less-optimistic clubs play for a draw against the Istanbul three. Any point against Fener, Galatasaray, or Besiktas suits them just fine. When the Istanbul three venture out to face some of the lesser-known clubs, the games often result in a locked-down, grind-it-out style of futbol. In the few years that I've been watching Fenerbahce, I've known them to drop several of these games each year. However, good teams win bad games. It's true in any sport, which is exactly why I'm thrilled with Sunday's win.

Last weekend Fenerbahce was coming off an emotional 2-0 domination of rivals Galatasaray. Four days later, they disposed of CSKA Moscow to earn their first-ever spot in the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds. Next week they'll face old rivals Trabzonspor as they get ready to take off for the winter break. The team was tired and uninspired for the "trap game" against Genclerbirligi. They played like a team not thrilled to be on the pitch, but they pulled it out in the end. That's a characteristic of good futbol teams and to be honest, something we didn't see from Fenerbahce in seasons past. Great European teams have games like this - games where they play terrible and shouldn't win. No team, despite how good they are, can play to a superior level for 34 domestic games as well as numerous European games, cup games, etc. It's those games where they look less than excited to be playing futbol that day. Often, they are matches where they are outplayed for much of the contest. I've seen AC Milan do it, I've seen Chelsea and Arsenal do it, and I've seen nearly every other traditional European power do it. But the great teams somehow win those games that they shouldn't. Just one year ago, Fenerbahce would have likely left town with no points after a game like this. This time, thanks to Semih Senturk, Fener comes back to Kadikoy with three points and five days off before they host Trabzonspor. It's way too early to say, but Fener's ugly win in Ankara may be a sign that this team is ready to take the next step in their quest for European glory. Great teams win ugly games, and at the end of season, an ugly win is still a win.

Photos from Fenerbahce 2 - 1 Genclerbirligi

Click here to view Hurriyet's photo gallery from Fenerbahce's 2-1 victory over Genclerbirligi:
http://fotogaleri.hurriyet.com.tr/galeridetay.aspx?cid=8335&rid=155

Semih the Savior in Ankara

Semih the Savior in Ankara
Fener Grinds Out Ugly 2-1 Win Over Genclerbirligi
By Nathan L. Redd

Despite being dominated in many facets throughout the game, Fenerbahce was able to grind out a 2-1 win over Genclerbirligi Sunday afternoon. The win moves Fenerbahce up with 34 points, tied with second-place Sivasspor.

The match was defined by sloppy play and controversy in Ankara. Fenerbahce, coming off two emotional wins over Galatasaray and CSKA Moscow, looked unenthused and fatigued. Sloppy passing and out of position defending helped Genclerbirligi get on the boards first with a goal by Burhan in the 10th minute. A perfectly deflected pass in the box was sent back to Burhan who put a bullet past Volkan to give the home side the lead.

The Genclerbirligi goal would energize the 16th-place side while Fener appeared to hang their heads for most of the first half. Two controversial calls that should have given Fenerbahce an opportunity to draw even were missed. Genclerbirligi goalkeeper Gokhan Tokgoz attempted to put the ball in the air to kick it out when Alex de Souza stepped in to knock the ball away. The ball bounced behind the goalkeeper and Alex put it in goal to seemingly tie the game up. However, the goal was waived off by the referee. Further review showed that Alex did not come in contact with Tokgoz. Another missed call saw a handball in the box by Genclerbirligi that everyone in the stadium noticed, except the referee. After the handball (shown in the photo above), the player was so aware of his offense that he stopped and appeared to wait for the referee's whistle, which never came. The first half would see Genclerbirligi maintain their 1-0 lead going into the break.

The second half started much like the first half ended. Sloppy passing from Fenerbahce and a lack of energy again allowed Genclerbirligi to take control. The home side dominated the game through the first half, and the second half appeared it would be no different. A number of yellow cards were handed out, and Gokhan Gonul would get an opportunity to tie the match with an open path in the box to send the ball past Tokgoz. With no defender in front, Gonul was taken down from behind by a defender in the box, which should have resulted in a penalty kick. Again, the call was missed and Fener would have to press on.

Semih Senturk has been the hero for Fenerbahce on so many occasions this year, and number 23 would come to the rescue again in Ankara. Sixty-six minutes in, Semih was able to put the ball just over the head of Tokgoz at the top of the goal to get the equalizer. With at least a draw seeming likely, Fener went on the attack looking for more. Semih's goal was an obvious momentum-changer, as the counter-attacking from Genclerbirligi that we had seen in the first half seemed to disappear. Fener created more opportunities in the last 25 minutes, something they sorely lacked in the first half. Finally, five minutes before the end of regulation, Fener would get the second goal they needed. A beautifully placed free kick to the left side of the box found Semih Senturk again waiting, where he put a magnificent header past Tokgoz who was caught off-guard and off-balance. The second goal from Semih sealed the win for Fenerbahce, who will leave Ankara with three points.

Despite being in the relegation zone, Genclerbirligi played superb futbol through the first 65 minutes of the game, keeping Fenerbahce from find any real opportunities to score. Magnificent play from both Isaac Promise and Burhan Eser nearly created a 2-0 lead for the Ankara side on several occasions. The home side was active and energetic, not resembling a team fighting to avoid relegation at the bottom of the table. Fenerbahce clearly looked tired and unproductive, but Genclerbirligi took advantage and contributed to Fener's problems in the first half. Bulent Korkmaz had his side well-prepared, but the momentum-changing first goal from Semih took the life out of Genclerbirligi.

The win gives Fenerbahce 34 points on the season so far, tied with second-place Sivasspor. It's Fenerbahce's tenth win of the season, tied with Galatasaray and one short of Sivasspor's 11th. Fener will now head back to Kadikoy and get ready to host rivals Trabzonspor next weekend. Trabzon defeated Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyespor earlier in the weekend to jump up to seventh place in the standings.

(photos courtesy of Hurriyet)

Champions League Compilation: All Fener Goals

Champions League Compilation: All Fener Goals
By Ozgur R. Nazilli

Here is a good opportunity to re-live all those joyous moments of this year's Champions League group stage for Fenerbahce.

This is a video posted to YouTube by a Fenerbahce fan, so the credit is not mine. I decided to share it with the Fenerbahce Worldwide readers, since a compilation of all our goals is not so easy to find.

Enjoy!

The Genclerbirligi Perspective

The Genclerbirligi Perspective
By Nathan L. Redd

Our good friends at The Round Ball in Ankara have a website that covers news and on-goings with Ankara teams Genclerbirligi and Ankaragucu. Like myself, they are also non-Turks who love Turk futbol (I'm not the only strange one).

The Round Ball in Ankara is also completely in English. To check out their perspective on Sunday's Fenerbahce opponent, visit their site at http://ankarafootball.blogspot.com/

Fenerbahce: The New Prince of Europe

Fenerbahce: The New Prince of Europe Represented Amongst The Top 10 Goals
By Ozgur R. Nazilli

The group stages of the 2007-2008 UEFA Champions League is over, and Fenerbahce fans are still celebrating the most successful Europe campaign of the 101 year old Yellow-and-Navy Club, which they are entitled to. After all, Fenerbahce collected many honors during this year's Europe campaign, one of which is the "Most points won by a Turkish team in the group stages of the Champions League".

While Fener fans have unofficially named their team "The new Prince of Europe" amongst themselves, it looks like UEFA does not disagree either. Yesterday (14th of December), UEFA released the top 10 goals scored in the group stages, and the Canaries are represented with 2 amongst the 10, an honor only shared by the reigning champions Milan.

The phenomenal volley by Deivid, which marked the only defeat of the Group G Leaders Inter Milan, found its way to the top 10, alongside the 25 meter scorcher from Alex in the last game of the group against CSKA Moscow.

Here are the two representatives of Fenerbahce in the top 10 strikes:

Deivid Against Inter:



Alex Against CSKA:




Fenerbahce is making history nowadays, no-one can really argue against that, and will be continuing their Europe campaign in February. Regardless of what the outcome will be then, Fener fans will remember this year's Champions League with a big grin on their faces.

(The link to the UEFA.com article on the top 10 goals: http://www.uefa.com/magazine/news/kind=67108864/newsid=637737.html )
(Photo courtesy of Hurriyet.com)

Volkan Silencing Critics With Superior Play

Volkan Silencing Critics With Superior Play
By Nathan L. Redd

"He doesn't belong on a top team like Fenerbahce." "He's not a Super Lig-level goalkeeper." "His mistakes will cost Fenerbahce a championship." Volkan Demirel heard all of those statements and more last year. The 26-year-old Istanbul native took more hits than a mafia target last season after then-starter Rustu Recber was injured in a national team match. He was then passed up for the starting spot by third-string goalkeeper Serdar Kulbilge. As Tuncay Sanli, Umit Ozat, Serkan Balci, Mehmet Yozgatli, and Rustu Recber left Kadikoy during the summer, the quiet rumblings of concern were that Fenerbahce didn't have a top-notch goalkeeper. Then starter Serdar Kulbilge went down with a knee injury.

Enter the new Volkan Demirel. After a tumultous 2006-2007 campaign, Volkan quietly improved his game. His concentration, focus, and reflexes closely resemble his one-time mentor, Rustu. But as Rustu quietly drifts into retirement age across the Bogazici in Istanbul, Volkan is entering the prime of his career. Fenerbahce is making history in UEFA Champions League, advancing to the knockout stage for the first time in club history. The team also dominated rivals Galatasaray last weekend in Kadikoy. While Roberto Carlos, Semih Senturk, and veteran Alex de Souza have played major roles in the team's success, Volkan may be the team MVP through the first half. He's allowed only 14 goals through 15 games so far this season. Fourteen of the Super Lig's 18 teams have given up more goals so far. Most of the goals have been beyond his control, and Volkan has been at the top of his game when it mattered most. A clean sheet against world powers Inter Milan. Zero goals given up to Galatasaray. One of the previously-believed "weak spots" for Fenerbahce has quickly become a strength.

As he becomes more experienced with the first team as well as Turkiye's Milli Takim, Volkan is more focused and playing smarter futbol. He seems oblivious to the criticism, but he's quietly learned from his mistakes. After conceding what could have been a disastrous goal to CSKA Moscow earlier this week after a mistake by defender Edu Dracena, Volkan quickly re-focused and became a wall in goal for Fener. "We were trying very hard to score first, but conceding a goal actually woke us up" he said after the match. "I promised our fans to do my utmost. On Saturday we did not allow Galatasaray to score a single goal against us and my teammate Edu just made a mistake. As a result of this mistake I was not able to keep it. However, it makes us realize that we have to show a better performance" he told Fenerbahce TV.

Semih Senturk has become a dominant Super Lig scoring threat. Roberto Carlos may actually be playing better than expected. Colin Kazim-Richards, Ugur Boral, and Gokhan Gonul have all emerged as budding stars for the Yellow Canaries. Alex de Souza and Mehmet Aurelio have both provided their usual leadership for the team. While the fans relish in the team's offensive success so far, the best performance may be happening at the other end of the pitch. As a result, Zico may be faced with a difficult decision to make once Serdar Kulbilge returns from injury. Fenerbahce finally have a luxury in goal that they haven't had in quite some time.

Key Matchups Highlight Weekend Schedule

Key Matchups Highlight Weekend Schedule
By Nathan L. Redd

As the first half of the Turkcell Super Lig begins to wind down, the battle for first place and to avoid relegation is just heating up. Several key matchups highlight this weekend's fixtures. The match of the week took place on Friday night, as Sivasspor's reign at the top of the Super Lig was short-lived. Galatasaray re-took the league lead at Ali Sami Yen last night. The Lions rebounded from their humiliating loss to Fenerbahce last weekend with a 2-0 win in Istanbul. GS scored back-to-back goals late in the match to claim the three points. The win puts them in first place with 35 points, one point up on Sivasspor.

Fenerbahce has a chance to move into a tie for second place with Sivasspor on Sunday. The reigning champs are in Ankara to take on Genclerbirligi during the Sunday afternoon game. While Fener is looking to move back toward the top spot, Genclerbirligi is currently sitting in the relegation danger zone at 16th place. The capital side has been a disappointment this season and are looking to keep their heads above water. While it appears to be a one-sided contest from first glance, it will be interesting to see if Fenerbahce can keep their focus and hustle after two back-to-back emotional games with Galatasaray and CSKA Moscow. The Canaries also have a rivalry game next weekend as Trabzonspor comes to Kadikoy.

The last game of the weekend is another superb matchup featuring fourth-place Besiktas hosting sixth-place Ankaragucu. Besiktas has two wins and a draw in their last three games, while Ankaragucu has slumped a little with one loss , one draw, and one win. Ankaragucu currently is tied with Konyaspor and Kayserispor with 22 points each.

In another battle to avoid relegation, Ankaraspor hosts Caykur Rizespor on Saturday. Ankaraspor currently sits in 17th place, while the Teamen from Rize are one spot out of the relegation zone. One of the biggest surprises of the first half of the season is the performance of two of the Super Lig's newly-promoted sides. Both Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyespor and Genclerbirligi OFTASSpor sit in the top ten of the table. Neither side looks to make their Super Lig debut a short one. Both teams are on the road this weekend, with Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyespor visiting disappointing Trabzonspor. The Black Sea team is usually a perenial championship contender, but the maroon and light blue side is in the bottom half of the standings in 11th place now. A Trabzon win could help them jump as high as seventh place, however, including leap-frogging their promoted opponents Saturday night.

Turkcell Super Lig Weekend Schedule

Turkcell Super Lig Weekend Schedule
By Nathan L. Redd

Friday, December 14:

Galatasaray v. Sivasspor - 20:00

Saturday, December 15:

Gaziantepspor v. Konyaspor - 14:00
Ankaraspor v. Caykur Rizespor - 14:00
Trabzonspor v. Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyespor - 19:00

Sunday, December 16:

Kasimpasa v. Vestel Manisaspor - 14:00
Kayserispor v. Bursaspor - 14:00
Denizlispor v. Genclerbirligi OFTASSpor - 14:00
Genclerbiriligi v. Fenerbahce - 15:30 (8:30 AM EST in the U.S.)
Besiktas v. Ankaragucu - 19:00

Fenerbahce UEFA Knockout Phase Game One

Fenerbahce UEFA Knockout Phase Game One
By Nathan L. Redd

Following Fenerbahce's historic 3-1 victory on Wednesday, it was announced that the club will host their first knockout phase game. The first leg will be played at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Kadikoy on either February 19 or 20. The second leg will be played on either March 4 or 5.

Photos from Fenerbahce 3 - 1 CSKA Moscow

Photos from Fenerbahce 3 - 1 CSKA Moscow
By Nathan L. Redd

Turkish media outlet Hurriyet has uploaded an extensive gallery of photos from Fenerbahce's historic win on Wednesday. To check out more photos from the game, click on http://fotogaleri.hurriyet.com.tr/galeridetay.aspx?cid=8255&rid=155

Celebration in Kadıköy!!!

Celebration in Kadıköy!!!
3-1 Victory Makes History for Canaries
By Nathan L. Redd

No one knows how to throw a party like Fenerbahce, and the club will certainly send fans celebrating in the streets of Kadıköy tonight. Fenerbahce defeated CSKA Moscow 3-1 Wednesday to advance to the knockout stage of UEFA Champions League. The victory marks the first time in team history to advance this far.

Fener knew they had to win to put away any doubt of not advancing. The team came out attacking, with four shots in goal in the opening minutes to show CSKA they were here to win. Fener dominated ball possession at nearly 70% early on, rapid-firing shot after shot at the short-handed Russian side. However, it would be CSKA who would jump on the boards first. A mistake by Edu Dracena as goalkeeper Volkan Demirel came out of goal caused an own goal to put CSKA up 1-0. The fans at Sukru Saracoglu gasped in shock, but fortunately (especially for Edu) it wouldn't matter on this day. Two minutes later Alex de Souza took a fantastic pass off the chest, then sent a bullet past the CSKA goalkeeper for a marvelous goal to tie it at 1-1.

As the first half wound down, UEFA Champions League rookie Ugur Boral would prove to be the hero of the day. In stoppage time of the first half, the midfielder took a fantastic shot from the left side past CSKA to put Fener up 2-1. With fans eyeing the ongoing PSV Eindhoven vs. Inter Milan score, Fener gave their faithful a little breathing room going into halftime.

The second half would see CSKA come out attacking to find an equaliser, but Volkan Demirel was magnificent in goal yet again to keep the visitors from finding another goal. Fenerbahce would have several more opportunities as both Ugur Boral and Selcuk Sahin took blistering shots that hit the crossbar. Ugur Boral, however, would get one more chance to put it away and he would capitalize on it. As Inter Milan put away PSV Eindhoven guaranteeing Fenerbahce's advancement, the midfielder would score once more in the 90th minute to put Fener up 3-1. He came out of the game shortly thereafter to a thunderous applause as Mateja Kezman replaced him.

With the final whistle blown, Fenerbahce advanced to the knockout stage of UEFA Champions League for the first time. A few months ago, the promise of such victory seemed thrilling. However, the Canaries are playing superior futbol and seem like they have no intentions of ending their European dreams just yet.

Fenerbahce finished with 24 total shots to only eight for CSKA Moscow. Of those shots, 13 were on target for Fener with only three for CSKA. Fenerbahce controlled the possession 53% to 47% for the game. Gokhan Gonul picked up the only yellow card for Fener. Zico's starting eleven for the game was Volkan Demirel, Semih Senturk, Diego Lugano, Roberto Carlos, Mehmet Aurelio, Alex de Souza, Selcuk Sahin, Ugur Boral, Edu Dracena, Gokhan Gonul, and Deivid de Souza. Colin Kazim-Richards, Mateja Kezman, and Gokcek Wederson all came on as substitutes late in the game.

Check back with Fenerbahce Worldwide for more analysis, commentary, and photos of Fenerbahce's historic win!!!

(all photos courtesy of Hurriyet)

UEFA Match Day: Fenerbahce vs. CSKA Moscow

UEFA Match Day: Fenerbahce vs. CSKA Moscow
By Nathan L. Redd

Wednesday could become "History Day" in Kadikoy if all goes as planned. Fenerbahce has a chance to advance to the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in club history. While celebrations in Istanbul will be planned throughout the night, CSKA Moscow has other plans. Although eliminated from UEFA Champions League, the Russian side has a chance to change their fate with a gigantic upset at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.

CSKA Moscow's Russian domestic league season has ended, and it will be interesting to see which team shows up Wednesday. Fans hope the Russian side puts their past behind them and plays as if this is their European championship. On the other hand, a disappointing year could get worse as turmoil seems to have settled with some of the team's top players. It will be a tremendous task to beat Fenerbahce in Kadikoy.

Fenerbahce Boss Zico is careful not to let his players celebrate prematurely. While advancing to the next round seems probable, several scenarios still have to play out for the Yellow Canaries. Simply put, if they win, they're in. However, a draw would have them relying on either a draw or loss by PSV Eindhoven. PSV hosts group champs Inter Milan in Holland on Wednesday. Zico is eager to remind his guys that while Fener is significantly more talented on paper, CSKA played them to a 2-2 draw earlier this year in Moscow. He's hoping the draw in Russia will keep his players from taking anything for granted.

Carvalho, Jo, and Vagner Love all played a significant role in CSKA's first leg against Fenerbahce. Now, all three are out for the last match and reports in Moscow indicate the Brasilian trio could be leaving Moscow permanently during the break. Vasily Berezutsky is also out for CSKA, while Elvir Rahimic, Yuri Zirkov and Dudu are all suspended for the match. Tumer Metin is out for Fenerbahce and Stephen Appiah's status is listed as questionable. Serdar Kulbilge is still out with a knee injury, while Deniz Baris is questionable with a groin injury. Gokcek Vederson is also battling the flu and his status is not known.

Fenerbahce and CSKA Moscow kick it off at 21:45 (2:45 PM EST in the U.S.) live from Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Kadikoy. The game is available live on pay-per-view from UEFA.com.

FB TV's "Countdown" Live from Fenerium Wednesday

FB TV's "Countdown" Live from Fenerium Wednesday
By Nathan L. Redd

Fenerbahce TV's "Countdown" will broadcast a live special episode on Wednesday. Prior to Fenerbahce's gigantic clash against CSKA Moscow, "Countdown" hosts Ipek Ustaoglu and Kivanc Ozkok will broadcast live from Fenerium at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Kadikoy.

The show will go live at 18:00 from the stadium and is open to the public. If you're not in Istanbul, you can watch "Countdown" free online at http://fbtv.mail2web.com/.

Pre-game warmups Fenerbahce

Our good friend Erol Asim filmed this short clip during Fenerbahce's warmups prior to the match vs. Galatasaray over the weekend. Thanks, Erol!

Fenerbahce Worldwide on FB TV's "Countdown"

(L-R: Fenerbahce Worldwide's Nathan L. Redd, Ipek Ustaoglu, Kivanc Ozkok)

Fenerbahce Worldwide on FB TV's "Countdown"
By Nathan L. Redd

Fenerbahce Worldwide was again featured on Fenerbahce TV's "Countdown" program during the most recent episode. Our good friends Ipek Ustaoglu and Kivanc Ozkok are loyal supporters of Fenerbahce Worldwide and have featured our website on their program four times in the last two months.

"Countdown" airs every Friday night at 19:00 (12 Noon EST in the U.S.) on Fenerbahce TV. Special episodes also air during the week for UEFA Champions League matches and other European games for Fener. You can watch Fenerbahce TV online and free at
http://fbtv.mail2web.com/.

Turkiye Shows USA Who's Boss

Turkiye Shows USA Who's Boss
By Nathan L. Redd

There's football and then there's futbol. Turkiye reminded the USA that futbol still reigns supreme outside of America with a dominant 2-0 win on Sunday. The Turkiye U-17 National Team beat the Americans on their own soil with a big victory in Bradenton, Florida.

The Americans were coming in feeling confident after a 2-0 victory over Brasil this weekend - a team that beat Turkiye handily earlier in the week. Turkiye, however, showed the USA that they still have a lot to learn when it comes to futbol. The match was the final in the USA Development Academy Nike Friendlies.

Ali Cukadar scored both goals for Turkiye in the first half. Turkiye had many opportunities as soon as the match started, earning a corner kick in the sixth minute that Ogulcan Gokce headed just over the bar. Cukadar started his dominance a few minutes later, as he passed his defender and picked up a cross from Omer Karanci cross, sending the ball sailing past U.S. goalkeeper Samir Badr. As the first half wound down, Kamil Tevfik sent a long pass for Berkin Aslan. Aslan saw Cukadar alongside him in the box, sending a beautiful pass across that Cukadar was able to put in from two yards away.

After the match, USA's Carlos Martinez said “I think we had trouble finding a rhythm today. They took advantage of the scoring opportunities they created, and we didn’t put ours away. That’s how futbol goes sometimes."

Turkiye vs. USA Match Statistics:

Participants: U.S. Under-17 MNT ‘92 vs. Turkey
Competition: Development Academy Nike Friendlies, Under-17/18 Competition
Location: IMG Academy; Bradenton, Fla.
Date: December 9, 2007
Weather: Warm, 83 degrees

Lineups: USA: 1-Samir Badr; 2-Zachary Herold, 3-Tyler Polak, 4-Joshua Sylva, 6-Jared Watts; 5-Marlon Duran, 7-Jaime Gutierrez, 8-Edson Lemus, 9-Jack McInerney, 11-Aaron Horton, 13-Andrew Craven

Turkiye: 2-Gokay Iravul, 4-Ogulcan Gokce, 5-Furkan Seker, 6-Baris Yardimci, 8-Orhan Gulle, 10-Berkin Kamil Arslan, 11-Gokhan Tore, 12-Sercan Hacioglu, 15-Ali Cukadar, 16-Armagan Kus, 17-Ferhat Karakaya

Statistical Summary:
Shots: 7 (USA) / 19 (Turkiye)
Shots on Goal: 5 (USA) / 9 (Turkiye)
Saves: 6 (USA) / 4 (Turkiye)
Corner Kicks: 5 (USA) / 6 (Turkiye)
Fouls: 17 (USA) / 16 (Turkiye)
Offsides: 4 (USA) / 2 (Turkiye)

Misconduct Summary: TUR – Gokay Isitan (cautious) 51st minute
USA – Alex Bramall (caution) 56.
USA – Donovan Henry (caution) 62.
TUR – Gokay Iravul (caution) 64.
TUR – Baris Yarimci (caution) 75.
TUR – Kamil Tevfik (caution) 82.

Officials: Referee: Oscar Ortiz
1st Assistant: Syril Madukanya
2nd Assistant: Mark Cahen
4th Official/Reserve: Jeff Gontarek

(some content courtesy of US Soccer)

Turkiye U-17 On American Television Tonight

Turkiye U-17 on American Television Tonight

By Nathan L. Redd

Turkiye's U-17 Milli Takim will make a rare appearance in the United States on Sunday night. The team will play USA (ABD) on Sunday night at 8 PM EST. The game will be broadcast live on America's Fox Soccer Channel.

Led by Manager Senol Ustaomer, the team is led by Fenerbahce youth stars Ozgur Cek, Sertac Eren, and Dogukan Genc. The game is expected to be a hard-fought match for Turkiye. After suffering a 7-2 loss to Brasil, the Turks suffered a 4-3 setback to Russia over the weekend. USA (ABD) is coming off a historic 2-0 win over Brasil on Saturday. All games are being played in Bradenton, Florida, in the United States.

More Photos from Fenerbahce 2 - 0 Galatasaray

Our good friend Berfu Ozlen took these photos at Fenerbahce's 2-0 win over Galatasaray on Saturday. Thanks, Berfu!

(all photos courtesy of Berfu Ozlen)

Photos from Fenerbahce 2 - 0 Galatasaray

(photos courtesy of Hurriyet)