What happened in Turkish football today? 30.01.2016

Fenerbahce has won last 16 game against determined Kayserispor

The game between Fenerbahce and Kayserispor at the Turkish Cup has shown at least from first game of knockout stages that the level of performance of the teams has been risen and we would see different tournament with much higher quality football which could bring surprising results. Fenerbahce has got to quarter-finals with 1:0 scoreline at 2nd extra time with goal by Diego Ribas and Kayserispor has shown difficult moments for the Istanbul side.

The change of priority for Fenerbahce in fact became obvious with the squad of the team, which was in fact strongest since start of the tournament. Fenerbahce was playing controlled and attacking football while the opponents Kayserispor has provided great defence and has went also in attacks making clear it will find goal positions during the game, without forgetting discipline. Despite of all low number of supporters at the game, the game itself was played at very high quality and has shown how much both teams wanted to win the game. As said above, it surely shows that Fenerbahce head coach Vitor Pereira is changing focus for the tournament. Prior to goal of Diego Ribas at 113rd minute there were high number of goal-scoring opportunities by Robin van Persie, Fernandao and Lazar Markovic which were stopped by defence and mainly by Kayserispor goalkeeper Abdulaziz.

Fenerbahce has won well-deserved game against Kayserispor as it tried its best as it needed to and with Kayserispor player Mustafa Akbas getting red card few minutes before goal had gave them opportunity to find goal which was hard to find while game was played 11 to 11. Fenerbahce is now gets to quarter-final and might change priority and viewpoint of the Turkish Cup from now on.

Meanwhile, Kayserispor has played a great football and players should be proud of themselves with only disadvantage is red card recieved by Mustafa Akbas but despite that very good play by Kayserispor.

Turkish Cup for Galatasaray could be alternative for success this season.

Galatasaray would play against Gaziantepspor at the Turkish Cup last 16 game tomorrow as the tournament is getting into serious aspect with 1-game elimination at this stage. Galatasaray as been mentioned before might change the priorities and might turn out to be much higher favourite of the Turkish Cup, if it decides to be.

Lots of supporters and critics does see Turkish Cup as 2nd tournament and failure at the Turkish Super League and European tournaments bad play would be seen as bad season, regardless how it performs at the Turkish Cup. However, if Galatasaray does manage to win tomorrow and get Turkish Cup in the May than it could be seen at least some success to at the season. Coming to the game, big focus would be to Sinan Gumus with his high performance during the last games and he would be respected to be key player at the game tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Gaziantepspor should not be ruled out as it has high motivation especially with midweek win against Trabzonspor with 2:0 scoreline. Gaziantepspor surely will not just allow Galatasaray to win the game.

Besiktas is coming out as favourite but it doesnt perform best football at cup so far.

Among of all of the big "4" games at the Turkish Cup, Besiktas has easiest opponent as it would play against 1st league team against Bucaspor even through Bucapor did finish its group as leaders at the previous stage of the tournament.

As been mentioned at yesterday blog, Besiktas was criticised for purposefully losing to Sivas Belediyespor on Thursday so to meet against Bucaspor at the last 16 stage. Regardless if that is case it is observed that Besiktas didnt perform good enough at the last 2 games of the Turkish Cup and taking account there was no league game didnt so far in this year it has showed performance which is expected by them compare to 1st half of the season. Apart of that, Besiktas does come as strong favourites and as long players will take this seriously should get desired results with no big issues.

Of course, ending as group leaders Bucaspor will not show big fear from Besiktas and will try their best to win and bring another surprise to Besiktas. It should also use its advantage of playing home very strongly for to succeed in game.

Results
Turkish Cup, Last 16
Fenerbahce 1:0 Kayserispor

Schedule 
Turkish Cup, Last 16
14:00 Bursaspor - Amed Sportif
16:00 Konyaspor - Antalyaspor
17:45 Bucaspor - Besiktas
18:30 Sivas Belediyespor - Rizespor
20:45 Galatasaray - Gaziantepspor

In other news:

- TurkishCup draw for quarter-finals and semi-finals will take place on 2nd February.

- Besiktas 2nd CEO Ahmet Nur Cebi: Everyone wants to be 2nd CEO at the club. Their doors should be opened.I might not understand which players are good or not. We have professional workers who research this.We have good conversation with Besiktas head coach Senol Gunes as we both speak Turkish and from Trabzon.Slaven Bilic played players who were in good condition, Senol Gunes tried to develop players. Our club needs 3 goalkeepers, thats why we transferred Denis Boyko. We happy with Tolga Zengin performance.Postponed games didnt affect our morale, but brought confusion.Hopefully we wont be stopped to become champions with mistakes of referees.

- Fenerbahce CEO Aziz Yildirim: I am not leaving the club on May. I am still here as CEO. We pay our taxes each year, this year we paid 86-96 million taxes from our own resources. After match -fixing we will open case to everyone but all of them are running away currently.We had recieved 20 million euro offer for LuisNani, club wanted to give him salary 10 million euro. We wanted 1 million euro loan fee from West Ham United for Emmanuel Emenike, and would sell him for 11 million

- Trabzonspor has signed its ex-player Jose Bosingwa for 1.5 +1 years.

- Bursaspor player Pablo Batalla has signe 2.5 year contract with team.

- Eskisehirspor has principally agreed to sign Guangzhou player Jeremy Bokila. Club has also loaned Konyaspor player Donny Junior.

- Trabzonspor is having negotiations with Samsung, Avea and Turkcell for sponsorship of its Akyazi Stadium

- Eskisehirspor has signed Beylerbeyi player Ismail Erdogan and Adana Genclerbirligi player Mehmet Ozcan.

- Trabzonspor has signed 1461 Trabzon player Serge Akakpo.

- Galatasaray is planning to double 550 thousand euro salary of its player Sinan Gumus.

- Fenerbahce CEO Aziz Yildirim: Emmanuel Emenike is still in Dubai. West Ham United wants to loan him for 1 million euro.West Ham United is willing to pay 11 million euro after he reaches 10 games.

- Besiktas players Alexis Delgado and Denis Boyko are included at club squad during Turkish Cup game against Bucaspor

- Besiktas player Mario Gomez is expected to play in game against Bucaspor tomorrow.

- Konyaspor has loaned Yeni Malatyaspor player Emre Selen until end of the season.

- Kayserispor has loaned Malaga player Adnane Tighadouni until end of the season.

- Fenerbahce has announced that its debt is 254 million 482 thousand TL.

- Galatasaray player Yasin Oztekin: I didnt come to the club to play one season and then leave in the next.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Kaan Baysal.

- Inter Milan to Galatasaray that if their dont sell Alex Telles to them their will purchase Fenerbahce player Caner Erkin.

What happened in Turkish football today? 29.01.2016

Besiktas loss to Sivas Belediyespor raises some suspecions and conspiracies.

Sivas Belediyespor with a win against Besiktas with a 4:3 scoreline has provided surprising scoreline against big "4" team club and has ended the group stage as leaders despite of fact for being the weakest team at the group. However, following result has brought some match-fixing conversation inside sports media and football world even through this allegation are being unproven.

According to the fixture, Besiktas is playing against Boluspor at the last 16 stage which is 1st league team and has hence avoided Super League team Rizespor and hence has led to some criticism and suspecision including from 1461 Trabzon who with following result did not get to the next stage of the tournament and been elimanated. All of this is only suspicions and conspiracy theories and hard to find if its true however it is very surprising for Besiktas to lose game against Sivas Belediyespor in either way.

Right now Besiktas would focus to play against Boluspor who as level of the team should not provide big problems to the team and hence as long as team wants to be in quarter final should get that spot without big problems on Sunday.

Fenerbahce youth provide big chance in game against Kayserispor.

With an impressive performance especially by youth players at the Turkish Cup group stage, Fenerbahce has been qualified to last 16 stage as a leaders and would meet now fellow Super League team Kayserispor. Fenerbahce will be coming out as favourite even if its squad would be mainly consisting of the youth.

So far Fenerbahce youth players has provided impressive performance at Turkish Cup group stage and has shown that its key players that their also have hunger for the wins and hence very likely to perform great football at game tomorrow. Regardless how much Fenerbahce head coach Vitor Pereira says that Turkish Cup is not very important for them, the youth players seem to disagree with him and does provide image that their wanted to get this tournament as much as senior players aim for Super League and Europa League. With this aspect Fenerbahce does come out as strong favourite at the game tomorrow.

Coming to Kayserispor, being Super League squad and having experience against Fenerbahce it would surely not provide easy game for its opponent taking account its one-game knock -out. Kayserispor has chances assuming that Fenerbahce will play its youth players.

Four teams at the Turkish Cup last 16 are from lower leagues.

The group stage of Turkish Cup has been criticised by our blog several times for reducing chances of lower leagues team to get to the knock-out stages of the tournament hence affecting to the beauty of cup competition factor of surprises, however at this season of Turkish Cup last 16 we are having four teams which has come from lower leagues.

Namely those teams are 1st league team Bucaspor and 2nd league teams Tepecikspor, Sivas Belediyespor and Amed Sportif who surely has managed to do important task of getting to the next stage especially Sivas Belediyespor who has ended as group leaders at the group with Besiktas. If those teams would be able to see quarter-final is big question but with one game elimination system anything can happen right now. This aspect might be seen as minus for Super League teams in general but it is good thing for Turkish football and experience for lower side teams.

It is unclear if those clubs will get to next stage but the experience gained so far to the teams and players would be crucial for future developments. Clubs should be proud of this achievement.

Schedule
Turkish Cup, Last 16
20:45 Fenerbahce - Kayserispor

In other news: 

- Eskisehirspor were referred to Professional Football Disciplinary Committee for not following instruction at game against Bursaspor.

- Bursaspor: Due of decision of Bursa Security Board none of the supporters of Amed Sportif will be admitted on Sunday of Turkish Cup game.

- Galatasaray general secretary FatihI sbecer:5 years ago our consultancy and social media workers were paid 15 million TL.Now their work for free. We did recieve loan offer for our player Burak Yilmaz but we didnt agree on conditions.We are currently working to reduce our debt to 10 million euro.

- ClubsUnion CEO and Basaksehirspor CEO Goksel Gumusdag: All clubs needs to be careful with its finances. TFF will assist them.

- AkhisarBelediyespor player Hugo Rodallega has become injured.

- Trabzonspor: Our club has started negotiations with Hebei China Fortuna for our player Stephane Mbia transfer.

- Bursaspor CEO Ali Ay: We had solved tax issues and now can sign officially Pablo Batalla. He can play on Sunday.

- Trabzonspor:We have transferred Akhisar Belediyespor player Gural Vural for 3 years and has send our players Alper Uludag and Soner Aydogdu

- Trabzonspor: Our club has started negotiations our ex-player Jose Bosingwa, Manisaspor players Soner Aydogdu and Alper Uludag.

- Galatasaray player Lukas Podolski will return to Istanbul in few days and will continue recovery at club facilities.

- Galatasaray player Yasin Oztekin manager Ozgur Sancar:We recieved some transfer offers from England. He wont move in January but it can happen future

- Besiktas: Our player Aras Ozbiliz has been loaned to Rayo Vallecano until end of the season.

- Konyaspor has terminated contract with its player Mario Felguiras.

- Manchester City player Enes Unal has been loaned to NAC Breda until end of the season.

- Multigroup Alanyaspor has loaned Antalyaspor player Emre Akbaba until end of the season.

- Gaziantepspor has terminated contract with Demba Cambara and took from squad for some time player Ferhad Ayaz

- WestHamUnited loaned player Ricardo Vaz Te has told Akhisar Belediyespor that he wants to return to the team.

- ShanghaiShenhua has offered 9 million euro for 3 years to Galatasaray for Lukas Podolski.

- Club in China are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Luis Nani.

- Twente are interested to transfer Sivasspor player Batuhan Karadeniz.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Uygar Mert Zeybek.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Dinamo Moscow player Alexander Kokorin.

- Fenerbahce doesnt plan to sell its player Robin van Persie.

- WestHamUnited will pay 1 milling sterling to Fenerbahce for Emmanuel Emenike and have an option to sign him for 4 million sterling.

- AlJaziri and Al Ahn are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Yasin Oztekin.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Atletico Madrid player Angel Correa.

- CSKA Moscow and Zenit are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Mehmet Topal.

- 

What happened in Turkish football today? 28.01.2016

Sivas Belediyespor brought surprise against Besiktas 

Last game of the Turkish Cup group stage between Besiktas and Sivas Belediyespor has took place with goal duel between two teams and has ended with 4:3 win for Sivas Belediyespor and hence made one of the biggest surprises of this year Turkish Cup competition.

Besiktas has started a game with an attacking football and had attempted trying to find position until the point when Alexander Milosevic has got red card and penalty which made Sivas Belediyespor to score a penalty. The game has progressed with second goal of Sivas Belediyespor. In between duration of 10 minutes Besiktas has managed to bring great comeback by scoring back to back 3 goals and bringing things back to normal and looking for a win and leadership at the group. However, Sivas Belediyespor has scoring 2 goals between 79 and 82 minutes. Sivas Belediyespor showed great character at the game and has gotten historical win even and more importantly has got group leadership at the end.

Besiktas seems to have lost concentration possibly of not playing two league games at the Super League and being too certain that it had qualified to the next stage. While other big "4" teams, has qualified to last 16 stage being leaders at the group stage, Besiktas has gotten at 2nd place. Another explanation, of this could be put into low concentration it has towards Turkish Cup and high focus at the Super League. It should not be surprise if Besiktas will be eliminated at the last 16 stage of the tournament.

Coming to Sivas Belediyespor, it has ended Turkish Cup group stage with very important win for a club and its history with winning Besiktas with 4:3 scoreline while being behind game 3:2. This game would go into memories of the players and has provided lots of experience for future development for them. Sivas Belediyespor has huge mark this year by ending as leaders with pretty tough group for them.

Fenerbahce and Antalyaspor youth provided some positive images but its hard to judge with how game was played yesterday.

Since both Fenerbahce and Antalyaspor has been qualified to the last 16 stage prior to the game yesterday, it was big opportunity for both clubs to take a look at the youngsters and newly-signed players prior to important games at Super League and knock-out stages of the Turkish Cup.

Naturally, both teams did not play its best football and decided to play save game as it was none important crash and hence it was hard to analyse performance of the youth despite of the fact that their want to be selected at the first team and willing to try their best.Performance wise for both sides there are lots of positive areas which could be noticed at the game and some skills available with continuation of the hard work those youngsters at both clubs can be important for the team and Turkey in general in the future.

Right now, Fenerbahce would play with Kayserispor at the Turkish Cup at the last 16 one game elimaniton game and for team being at the Super League level it would provide harder task, but it is questionable if Fenerbahce would aim to win that game with the fight for title at the league and Europa League coming up soon. We might see again lots of youth players at the weekend game.

Gaziantepspor had more motivation compare to Trabzonspor.

The fact that Gaziantepspor has won against Trabzonspor with 2:0 scoreline even through it was not important for them should not be seen surprising as it will play against Galatasaray at the last 16 stage of Turkish Cup and hence needed high motivation and morale prior to that game. Trabzonspor meanwhile has achieved its aims to get to last 16 stage as leaders and hence was in calmer manner.

The scoreline might seem unexpected as Trabzonspor has stated as soon as group stages started that it will aim for Turkish Cup and yesterday result should not be seen as fact that team changed its priorities. It was hard for whole team, who has gotten 1st place and having not difficult opponent at last 16 stage to stay unfocussed and allowing Gaziantepspor to control and score goals as it has difficult task at the weekend.

Trabzonspor will still aim at the Turkish Cup title and surely will provide its best football at the last 16 knock out game this weekend against Akhisar Belediyespor. It is known that team is focussing to get this title to finish not so good at the high note.

Results

Turkish Cup, Group Stage, Group A, 6th week
14:00 Basaksehirspor 2:2 Amed Sportif

Turkish Cup, Group Stage, Group B, 6th week
12:00 Buyukcekmece  2:1 Boluspor
18:00 Eskisehirspor 2:3 Bursaspor

Turkish Cup, Group Stage, Group C, 6th week
20:15 Besiktas 3:4 Sivas Belediyespor

Turkish Cup, Group Stage, Group D, 6th week
12:00 Rizespor 1:0 Mersin IdmanYurdu

Turkish Cup,  Group Stage, Group E, 6th week
16:00 Karsiyaka 0:2 Akhisar Belediyespor

In other news: 

- Professional Football Disciplinary Committee has announced following fines/bans: 
- Fenerbahce has recieved 15,000 TL fine for broadcasting at stadium in game against Rizespor without permission
- Basaksehirspor has recieved 50,000 TL fine and blockage of section of stadium due of behaviour of fans.
- Kasimpasa has recieved warning due of behaviour of fans in last week game.
- ArbitrationCourt has declined Professional Football Disciplinary Committee decision to Antalyaspor fine of 100,000 L fine and blockage of stadium and decided to delay decision

- Osmanlispor has signed Tuzlaspor player Okan Baydemir for 3.5 years.

- Kayserispor has signed MSK Zilina player William Alves de Oliveira for 1.5 years.

- Ruzgar Sagnak has announced that he would run for CEO election at Besiktas in May.


- ChinaFortune: We have signed Trabzonspor player Stephane Mbia for 3.5 years. Mbia will be paid 16 million euro as salary.

- Besiktas: Our club has started negotiations of loaning our player Aras Ozbiliz with Rayo Vallecano

- Fenerbahce player Diego Ribas has returned to training sessions after recovering from injury.

- Galatasaray head coach Mustafa Denizli: Our club will not recieve ban from UEFA. We are currently doing our defence and we will succeed.Yes, we have lost to Osmanlispor but we are still at the league title race, we didnt give up.

- Antalyaspor CEO Gultekin Gencer: We had declined 18 million euro offer from Shanghai Shenhua for Samuel Eto'o

- WestHamUnited head coach SlavenBilic: At first we had negotiations with AlAin about Emanuel Emenike it was going ok. However, when Fenerbahce it became confusing and longer. But we close to get agreement.

- Besiktas player Denis Boyko had asked to be only paid half of the championship bonus at the end of the season.

- Galatasaray has declined transfer offer from Brugge for its player Lionel Carole.

- Besiktas: Our club has signed Alexis Delgado for 2.5 years and Aras Ozbiliz for 4.5 years.

- Fenerbahce aims to reduce its staff members by 300. Reduction expected at Fenerbahce, FBTV, Fenercell and Fenerbahce Card staff.

- Fenerbahce didnt agree with transfer fee with Roma player Seydou Doumbia and has ended negotiations.

- Monaco are interested to transfer Bursaspor player Serdar Aziz.

- InterMilan are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Caner Erkin in summer.

- Trabzonspor are interested to bring its old player Jose Bosingwa.

- Basaksehirspor are interested to trnasfer Nordsjaelland player Alexis Maxso.

- PSG and Roma are interested with Fenerbahce player Simon Kjaer.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Feyenoord player Kazim Kazim

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Milan player Honda, Sao Paulo player Gonso and Napoli player Gokhan Inler.

- Fenerbahce once again will start negotiations against with Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao player Robinho.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Atletico Madrid player Fernando Torres.

- Besiktas from now on will not announce publicly salary of the players who been transferred.

- Galatasaray has offered 6 million euro for Indepediente player Martin Benetiz while Indepediente requests 8 million euro.

- Kasimpasa has signed Blackburn Rovers player Bengali Foti Koita for 2.5 years.

- Jeobuk Hyundai Motors has offered 7 million euro for Fenerbahce player Robin van Persie.

What happened in Turkish football today? 27.01.2016

Fenerbahce and Antalyaspor formality game has ended with goalless draw.

Last game at the Turkish Cup group stage between Fenerbahce and Antalyaspor has ended with a draw 0:0, where both teams were playing with its youth players and was more checking capability of its players and getting ready mentally for last 16 knock-out stage this weekend.

At the yesterday review it was mentioned that both teams will play calm football with lack of dangerous attacks and attacking positions and this happened more or less during the game with some number of attacks by both teams in some parts of the game. This game in fact was seen as opportunity for youth players to prove themselves but very likely the fact that both teams position at the group were arleady clear as game has started has led them to play slow and not attacking football and more to control game. The result should not be treated as surprise as both teams has managed its aims to get to last 16.

Fenerbahce would play against Kayserispor and this game would make it even more clear what kind of focus would Fenerbahce would give to competition as the game progresses on weekend. The game itself and squad will give us clues, assuming their get through quarter-final.

Antalyaspor meanwhile had stated that their aim is final when group stages started and as the game will be played in Antalya, the team has managed its task to get to last 16 stage but the way it would play from now on would show how serious their taking this aim.

Gaziantepspor has won Trabzonspor at formality game at Turkish Cup. 

Gaziantepspor has managed to stop Trabzonspor reaching to 100% record at the Turkish Cup group stage with 2:0 win, even through to some extend Trabzonspor did not try its best at this formality game with two teams getting to the last 16 stage.

As was expected both teams has quarenteed first two places at the group stage and was playing the game which could be considered as training ground prior to last 16 knock-out game at the Turkish Cup taking place this weekend. As was mentioned several times, Trabzonspor aim at this season will be to win Turkish Cup in similar manner as for Galatasaray but losing this game should be considered as normal result taking account that team has taken 1st spot at the table arleady. The win for Gaziantepspor was also bit more needed as it was looking for more morale as it would play against tougher opponent at last 16 and was aiming to provide at least mediocre performance today.

Only downside was for Trabzonspor head coach Hami Mandirali losing his first game at his post but neither fans, Mandirali himself and administrators would question too much for this loss.

Gaziantepspor opponent at the last 16 knock-out game will be Galatasaray so it was important for a team to get a win against another big "4" team to obtain high amount of morale prior to crucial game against Galatasaray, and now it will look forward to game with some self-belief and motivation.

Galatasaray is likely to set its eye to the Turkish Cup final.

Galatasaray has played its last game at the Turkish Cup group stage where it got a comfortable win against Kastamonuspor 1966 with 4:1 scoreline and provided signals that it will take Turkish Cup with more focus as it has lost chances to get league title, with being 13 points behind Fenerbahce and 8 points from Besiktas who has two games in the hand.

The biggest gain for Galatasaray at the game yesterday was hat-trick scored by player Sinan Gumus and once again proved that he has important future both at the club and for Turkish football in general as he had generally good performance during 2016 so far. Galatasaray has controlled the game from start to end against much weaker opponent and to some extend has shown that it is capable of playing good occassionally and only problem coming to league games could be mainly of the focus of the team.


This weekend Galatasaray would play against Gaziantepspor during last 16 stage of the tournament and will very likely provide its best football as it will try to get until final of the competition in this season.

Results
Turkish Cup, Group Stage, Group A, 6th week
13:00 Bandirmaspor 1:2 Sanliurfaspor

Turkish Cup, Group Stage, Group C, 6th week
12:00 1461 Trabzon 2:0  Kardemir Karabukspor

Turkish Cup, Group Stage, Group D, 6th week
14:00 Aydinspor 1923  0:1 Bucaspor

Turkish Cup, Group Stage, Group F, 6th week
19:00 Gaziantepspor 2:0 Trabzonspor

Turkish Cup, Group Stage, Group H, 6th week
12:00 Tuzlaspor 0:1 Giresunspor
20:45 Antalyaspor 0: 0 Fenerbahce

Schedule
Turkish Cup, Group Stage, Group A, 6th week
14:00 Basaksehirspor - Amed Sportif

Turkish Cup, Group Stage, Group B, 6th week
12:00 Buyukcekmece - Boluspor
18:00 Eskisehirspor- Bursaspor

Turkish Cup, Group Stage, Group C, 6th week
20:15 Besiktas - Sivas Belediyespor

Turkish Cup, Group Stage, Group D, 6th week
12:00 Rizespor - Mersin IdmanYurdu

Turkish Cup,  Group Stage, Group E, 6th week
16:00 Karsiyaka - Akhisar Belediyespor

In other news: 

- Turkish Football Federation has announced that postponed Besiktas-Mersin Idman Yurdu game will take place on 17th February at 19:30 and Trabzonspor -Besiktas game will take place on 15th March at 19:30

- WestHamUnited has loaned Fenerbahce player Emmanuel Emenike until end of the season.

- Sivasspor has signed Kayseri Erciyesspor player Emre Ozturk for 3.5 years.

- Trabzonspor has agreed with transfer of Akhisar Belediyespor player Guray Vural.

- Fenerbahce ex-administrator Ali Koc will not be able to run for CEO position of club if he becomes Koc Holding Chairman of the Board.

- Mersin IdmanYurdu have signed its academy players Gokhan Akkan and Mehmet Ali Kacar.

- Union of Club 2nd CEO Mesut Hoscan: Apart of 2-3 clubs in Turkey, all clubs have serious economic issues. Their have big debts.There are works to find solution to debt issues with union's CEO Goksel Gumusdag.

- Inter Milan has appointed its scout analyst Galatasaray scout analyst Marco Fumagalli

- Galatasaray has signed sponsorship deal with Platform for club's digital media and content section.

- Trabzonspor player Salih Dursun was playing with Ishak Dogan shirt during Turkish Cup game against Gaziantepspor during 2nd half.

- Monaco are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Sinan Gumus.

- TurkishNationalTeam trying to convince Galatasaray player Sinan Gumus to play for them. Alternatively, Gumus can play for Germany.

- Galatasaray player Emre Colak has declined an offer from Antalyaspor.

- Galatasaray player Lukas Podolski might be returning to Koln.

- Fenerbahce head coach Vitor Pereira and Turkey head coach Fatih Terim has discussed about Fenerbahce player Volkan Demirel latest performance

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Huracan player Cristian Espinoza

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Derby County player Darren Bent.

- Besiktas player Jose Sosa has requested for raise in his salary from club administrators.

- Trabzonspor player Cavanda has told to club administrators that he wants to leave the club.

- Chelsea are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Robin van Persie.

- Fenerbahce aims to reduce its current 40 million euro debt to 10 million euro within 3 years. It might sell some players or reduce salary.

- Wolfsburg, Schalke and Bayer Leverkusen are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Caner Erkin.

- Trabzonspor administrators told to its player Stephane Mbia that he can leave club if he pays 2.2 million euro and finds new club himself.

- WestHamUnited has ended negotiations with Galatasaray player Burak Yilmaz without success.

What happened in Turkish football today? 26.01.2016

Galatasaray win shows that team would focus more into cup for rest of the season.

After making its chances of getting league title to almost impossible with loss to Osmanlispor on weekend, Galatasaray has returned to Turkish Cup last game at group stage with comfortable win against Kastamonuspor 1966 with 4:1 scoreline and hence getting to last 16 knock-out game of competition with high mood to the weekend.

The star of the game is undoubetdly was Sinan Gumus who made hat-trick at the game with all goals coming at the first half of the game. Gumus has shown some impressive football lately both at cup and league, and has continued this at today's game with 3 quality goals. As been stated in yesterday blog, Galatasaray will now focus towards Turkish Cup and Europa League and it would be expected for Galatasaray to change its priorities for aiming to win Turkish Cup this season. Hence, it should not be surprising that team has won with such scoreline prior to start of the competition knock-out stages. Galatasaray newly-signed player Martin Linnes was also present at the starting 11 and has shown pretty impressive performance and reminded that he as player could be very useful to the club.

Galatasaray will go to the knock-out stage last 16 game at high mood with today win and very likely to aim for the win at the weekend. Usually for big "4" teams when chances of league title is getting into null the main focus is always at the Turkish Cup and as been stated this what would we likely to see from a team.

Meanwhile, Kastamonuspor 1966 has ended the group stage at last place at the group with 4 points, with getting into group stage of competition and playing two games against Super League clubs Galatasaray and Akhisar Belediyespor has given lots of experience to the team which it could use for development for players.

Fenerbahce and Antalyaspor will play for formalities

The game at the Turkish Cup between Fenerbahce and Antalyaspor tomorrow does not have any importance since both clubs has been qualified to last 16 stage prior to this game and more likely to used it as a training game prior to the knock-out game this weekend.

The game would likely to be played in slow tempo with both teams just trying to control the game and possibly find some positions but as usual with this case it would be hard for players to provide its full concentration and keeping at higher place with the fact that both teams would be looking forward for the game at the weekend. Fenerbahce has some advantage with its performance recently both at the Turkish Cup and Super League, however this factor will not play an important role at the game.

Meanwhile, Antalyaspor might try to find revenge for its earlier game at the Turkish Cup but apart of that it is in similar way as Fenerbahce as it would surely end at 2nd place at the group regardless of the result.

So is, Trabzonspor-Gaziantepspor game.

Exactly same things could be said for the game between Trabzonspor and Gaziantepspor as in similar manner both teams has qualified to the next stage with Trabzonspor being at top spot and Gaziantepspor securing its 2nd place prior to last week of the game.

The game as with Fenerbahce- Antalyaspor, would be seen as for both teams try to find some positions during the game but the focus and morale would lead teams to play slow football and with lack of positions. The games involving big "4" teams, especially tomorrow has lack of any importance to them and would also be seen as an attempt to get ready for knock-out stage of the Turkish Cup. Trabzonspor with taking Turkish Cup might take game seriously and try to end group stage with 6 out of 6 but once again it could be hard to achieve as mission at the group has arleady been achieved.

Gaziantepspor also game doesnt play an important role and it would just try to get good result possibly even winning it.

Result
Turkish Cup, Group Stage, Group E, 6th week
Galatasaray 4:1 Kastamonuspor 1966

Turkish Cup, Group Stage, Group F, 6th week
Nazilli Belediyespor 1:2 Adanaspor

Turkish Cup, Group Stage, Group G, 6th week
Inegolspor 0:2 Kayserispor
Konyaspor 2:1 Etismesgut Belediyespor

Schedule
Turkish Cup, Group Stage, Group A, 6th week
13:00 Bandirmaspor - Sanliurfaspor

Turkish Cup, Group Stage, Group C, 6th week
12:00 1461 Trabzon- Kardemir Karabukspor

Turkish Cup, Group Stage, Group D, 6th week
14:00 Aydinspor 1923 - Bucaspor

Turkish Cup, Group Stage, Group F, 6th week
19:00 Gaziantepspor- Trabzonspor

Turkish Cup, Group Stage, Group H, 6th week
12:00 Tuzlaspor - Giresunspor
20:45 Antalyaspor - Fenerbahce

In other news:

-Fenerbahce will play against Kayserispor at Turkish Cup last 16 game.

- Professioanl Football Disciplinary Commitee has recieved fines and bans, which are:
- Eskisehirspor CEO Mesut Hoscan has recieved 30,000 TL fine and 45 days deprivation of rights.
- Besiktas, Kayserispor and Trabzonspor has recieved warning notice for behaviour of fans.
- Trabzonspor trainer Salih Tekke has recieved 1 game ban and 13,000 TL fine

- Professional Football Disciplinary Committee has announced referarls to its committee, which are:
- Fenerbahce has been referred to for not following rules at the game against Rizespor.
- Basaksehirspor and Kasimpasa were reffered for behaivour of the fans.

- Galatasaray player Wesley Snejder manager Guido Albers: Snejder is not going anywhere. I was here to talk about sponsorship deals.

- Fenerbahce player Luis Nani and Raul Meireles have joined training session of team today.

- Kayserispor has signed Toulouse player Ali Ahlamada for 2.5 years.

- AkhisarBelediyespor has signed Balikesirspor player Mugdat Celik for 2.5 years.

- RayoVallecano has loaned Besiktas player Aras Ozbiliz.

- Maiz05 has declined transfer offer from Borussia Dortmund for its player Yunus Malli.

- Al Nasr player Youness Mokhtar has arrived to Kayseri to have negotiations with Kayserispor.

- Bursaspor has terminated contract with Youth Development responsible Oliver Chavanon.

- Crystal Palace are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Emmanuel Emenike.

- Fenerbahce CEO Aziz Yildirim has been acquinted from case against Hamdi Akin where Akin stated that Yildirim has used foul language to him

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Roma player Seydou Doumbia.

- Rizespor are interested to transfer Partizan player Filip Knezevic.

- Bursaspor player Pablo Batalla has visited Uludag University Ongology patient and Bursaspor fan Samet Oner and give him t-shirt as present.

- Number of fans came to Antalyaspor training for protest but instead took pictures with club player SamuelEtoo and head coach Jose Morais.

- Akhisar Belediyespor head coach Cihat Arslan: I dont know if Trabzonspor transfer of our player Guray Vural will take place.I dont know with which players I will continue season

- InterMilan are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Caner Erkin.

- Besiktas player Denis Boyko is expected to play at the Turkish Cup game against Sivas Belediyespor on Thursday.

- Galatasaray might sell its player Fernando Muslera if it recieves good offer.

- Galatasaray player Burak Yilmaz has told to club head coach Mustafa Denizli that he wants to leave the club.

- WestHamUnited will start transfer negotiations with Fenerbahce player Emmanuel Emenike.

- Construction of Vodafone Arena might take longer then planned due of rebuilding of saddles at the stadium.

What happened in Turkish football today? 25.01.2016

Fenerbahce has got important 6 points in last two games.

Fenerbahce has done its job by winning its first two games at the Super League after winter break, without taking notice that Besiktas did not play its two games and regardless how Besiktas plays its gamews ,Fenerbahce did manage to get 6 points out of 6 in last two league games. Yesterday game, against Rizespor was dominated by penalties where Fenerbahce did manage to end at the top of this duel.

There was big arguments about the first penalty with the comments going in the Turkish media that it was wrong decision while others two were correct decisions. Looking at the positions in more detailed manner, it could be realised that Ozan Tufan has been fallen by touching his own feets without any involvement of Rizespor player. However, even through all goals has come for penalties it needs to be stated that Fenerbahce, without its best football, has controlled the game with only mistake of  goalkeeper Volkan Demirel bringing needless penalty which brough lots of stress at the 2nd half. Fenerbahce to some extend was lucky that Rizespor was also not in its day and didnt use opportunity to go oven more forward at the second half.

Despite of all this, Fenerbahce is carrying on its race to title of what become 2-team competition with Galatasaray losing points at the Saturday. Right now, Fenerbahce will focus at its last game at the Turkish Cup and last 16 game at the Turkish Cup before focussing once again at the title race.

Galatasaray would more focus into Turkish Cup from now on.

With league title getting into almost impossible stage for Galatasaray, it is certain that team would provide all its focus towards Turkish Cup and Europa League with schedule aspects Turkish Cup being higher priority right now. It will conclude its group stage at the game tomorrow against Kastamonuspor 1966 and then play last 16 game at the weekend.

With high numbers of teams this year having different priorities and Turkish Cup going down in priority list, Galatasaray could have high chances of getting good result tomorrow and win at the last 16 game at the weekend. It is expected for Galatasaray head coach Mustafa Denizli to play Martin Linnes, who was not presently surprisingly in league game against Osmanlispor. Right now, Galatasaray as a team should decide which competition is more important for them, Turkish Cup or Europa League, with in additional taking realistic aspect of which one it can actually win.

Meanwhile, with Galatasaray quareenteed as top spot at the group, Kastamonuspor1966 has chance of making surprise result tomorrow as long it would believe itself and provide positive football.

Week dominated by Turkish Cup games. 

With completion of Basaksehirspor and Kasimpasa at the league today, this week would be dominated with Turkish Cup last group stage games and also last 16 games taking place this weekend. As usual, with all big 4 teams qualifying to last 16 for sure the main focus in those days would be given to them, especially to Galatasaray whose priorities changed after loss to Osmanlispor and Besiktas who didnt play two games at the league this year due of snow conditions. This games, especially on weekends, would also make it clear which teams are will be close to win the competition not only because it would fall down to 8 teams, but also with the attitude and performance at those games.

The role of the first league teams at the tier of the Turkish league will also fight for the spot of last 16 during next three days in concluding games at the Turkish Cup. Taking account that clubs like 1461 Trabzon, Amed Sportif and Inegolspor has chances to qualify to next stage of the Turkish Cup, we could have games where their meet against Super League teams, which could bring some surprising results which brings beauty cup excitement and beauty around the globe. To some extend, Turkish Cup real excitement will start with last 16 games.

One thing is certain all focus would be given to Turkish Cup and for a week we would forget about Super League.

Results
Turkish Super League, 19th week
Basaksehirspor 1:1 Kasimpasa

Turkish Cup, Group Stage, Group E, 6th week
20:45 Galatasaray- Kastamonuspor1966

Turkish Cup, Group Stage, Group F, 6th week
12:00 Nazilli Belediyespor - Adanaspor

Turkish Cup, Group Stage, Group G, 6th week
14:00 Inegolspor - Kayserispor
17:00 Konyaspor - Etismesgut Belediyespor

In other news: 

- Besiktas spokesman Metin Albayrak: We will request to TFF to play postponed games on 3rd and 17th February.It looks like we going to stay in Trabzon today also as it looks hard that planes can take-off. Both games could be played earlier to avoid snow.

- Akhisar Belediyespor has signed Balikesirspor player Mugdat Celik.

- Gaziantepspor has terminated contract with its player Ognjen Vranjes.

- Karsiyaka has signed Genclerbirligi player Ozkan Karabulut.

- Barcelona Turkish player Arda Turan didnt attend today's training session due of high temperature.

- Turkish National Team coach Fatih Terim and Fenerbahce coach Vitor Pereira are watching Basaksehirspor - Kasimpasa game at stadium

- West Ham United vice-CEO Karren Brady would come to Istanbul to have direct negotiations with Galatasaray player Burak Yilmaz.

- Antalyaspor CEO Gultekin Gencer:We had paid all of the wages to our players but I didnt recognise our players in game against Genclerbirligi:We are thinking to give fines to our players for loss against Basaksehirspor and Genclerbirligi.

- Besiktas player Mario Gomez and Galatasaray player Lukas Podolski are included at 31-man Germany national team squad for Euro 2016.

- Besiktas CEO Fikret Orman: We had finished transfers for mid-season and now focus into becoming champions.

- Antalyaspor are interested to transfer Amkar player Fegor Ogude, Coritiba player Luccas Claro and Hajduk Split player Tino Sven Susic.

- Juventus are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Wesley Snejder.

- Galatasaray has offered 9 million euro to Milan player Luiz Adriano.

What happened in Turkish football today? 24.01.2016

Fenerbahce has got an important win with penalty duel against Rizespor.

Game between Fenerbahce and Rizespor has ended with 2:1 scoreline with all of the goals has been scored by penalty kicks. As the game progressed both clubs didnt play very good football and with those penalty shots has brought an important win for Fenerbahce and managed to make point difference as 5 points with Besiktas having two games in a hand.

The game itself was very dull especially during second half as both clubs had difficulty at obtaining positions and controlling the ball during the game. At first half, Fenerbahce has controlled the game with creating chances but having trouble at converting them during the game. With two penalties of Fenerbahce has brought the leadership which was surely difficult for Rizespor to catch with its poor performance at the game. Undoubtedly, the early penalty goal by Rizespor at the start of 2nd half has affected negatively to the Fenerbahce. With conceding goal Fenerbahce start controlling ball but didnt manage to hold affectively and going forward.

Regardless of poor performance, Fenerbahce has continued its winning streak at the Super League and has managed to get leadership with 5 points with Besiktas having two games at the hand. There are many areas where Fenerbahce could be criticised at today's game, however it got must needed win and carries on the league with heads high and surely has made big difference in the standings against main rivals Galatasaray, and hence kicking them out from title race.

Coming to Rizespor, it didnt manage to control game at all and allowing to some extend for Fenerbahce to keep the ball at its control. Rizespor surely needs to learn lots of lessons from today's game and find areas for its improvement.

Galatasaray situation is very difficult to manage within team.

Galatasaray chances of getting league title is getting into almost to none after losing to Osmanlispor with 3:2 scoreline at the game yesterday. With being behind both Fenerbahce and Besiktas with a point difference makes tasks of the team to very hard and needs really some miracle to take place for Galatasaray to become champions this season.

Galatasaray performance yesterday did not show that players wanted to win the game as been mentioned at the blog yesterday. It does seem that despite of words of players and head coach Mustafa Denizli that their fight until the end doesnt coincide with how players are performing at the games. It seems that the players had lost belief of achieving this difficult task which has become almost to impossible with a loss yesterday evening. With also UEFA FFP risk of not competing at European championship in next season and also Burak Yilmaz possibility of leaving to West Ham United raises questions, of the morale of the team and number of difficult tasks which administrators are have in hand.

Right now, Galatasaray will fight for obtaining 3rd place as other teams who are competing for European competitions are catching up with them and has higher motivation as their not fighting for league title while for Galatasaray its unwanted territory which affects negatively to the team performance and morale.

Besiktas has been mostly damaged by heavy snow. 

The snow which took place across Turkey during last 7 days has provided most damage in football wise to the Besiktas whose two games were cancelled due of snow and field conditions. Last week Mersin Idman Yurdu game in Istanbul has been cancelled due of sudden snow making referee not to see lines at the field, while Trabzonspor game was cancelled due of whole stadium being white with snow keep going heavily.

With the both games to be cancelled, it made Fenerbahce to raise point difference and hence provides problem of really analysing situation of the league and fight for the title as Besiktas did not play its game and other problem is uncertainty to which dates to put those games at the schedule. This uncertainty would surely provide stress to head coach Senol Gunes and its players, and to some extend for Fenerbahce not realising its situation at the table. Coming to cancelled games, this decision could not be really criticised as conditions were hard to be played and would provide low lack of football, as was observed at five minutes played last week against Mersin IdmanYurdu.

Currently, there is possible expectation that those games will be put when European games will be played as it is allowed by UEFA to put those games on dates as long as its not played at the same time. There are dates when games could be played but it is hard to find them due of busy schedule of Super League and Turkish Cup games.

Results
Turkish Super League, 19th week 
Genclerbirligi 1:0 Antalyaspor
Sivasspor 1:2 Eskisehirspor
Fenerbahce 2:1 Rizespor
Gaziantepspor 2:3 Bursaspor

Schedule
Turkish Super League, 19th week
20:00 Basaksehirspor - Kasimpasa

In other news:
-Trabzonspor vice-CEO Ahmet Cubukcu: This was heaviest snow in Trabzon for past year. TFF workers were present in stadium. We cleaned field but in 10 minutes it all become covered with snow again. Hence we cancelled game.

- Besiktas spokesman Metin Albayrak: We came here yesterday, weather was good but it had snowed heavily today.Everything was made for game to be played. We need to think everything positively.We will write letter to Turkish Football Federation tomorrow and wait for those games to be played.

-Besiktas newly-signed player Alexis Delgado has arrived to Istanbul.

- Salernitana are interested to transfer Trabzonspor player Luis Cavanda.

- Schalke04 are interested to transfer Spartak Moscow player Serdar Tasci.

- West Ham United has offered 6.6 million euro for Galatasaray player Burak Yilmaz.

- Besiktas stadium responsible Turgut Akhan:Due of weather conditions we cant currently fly to Istanbul.Our plane didnt arrive yet to Trabzon

- Fenerbahce head coach Vitor Pereira said that he might consider to bring back Emmanuel Emenike to team.

- Jiangsu has offered 10 million euro for Besiktas player Mario Gomez.

- Galatasaray plans to start direct negotiations with Cracowia Krakow player Bartosz Kapustka.

- Besiktas player Ersan Gulum wants to be transferred to Shanghai Shenhua due of high salary offer.

- Fenerbahce player Robin Van Persie wont start at starting 11 in game against Rizespor.

- Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Emre Colak.

- Atletico Madrid has offered 17 million euro to Besiktas player Gokhan Tore.

- It became clear that Galatasaray needs to pay 25% to Trabzonspor in case if Burak Yilmaz is transferred to other club.