What happened in Turkish football today? 31/12/2017

Turkish National Team has failed to improve after poor 2016 year.

One of the main dissapointments of 2017 at the Turkish football has been certainly poor performance of Turkish National Team who has carried on its crises performance and situation which has been come out from Euro 2016.

One of the main reasons of this crises has been relations of Turkish National Team head coach Fatih Terim among number of players including Arda Turan and Burak Yilmaz and with situation to take place chances of Turkey getting to World Cup 2018 has been reduced. This on-going crises and also incident at restaurant in Alacati has led Turkish Football Federation to sack him and appoint Mircea Lucescu following some unsuccessful talks with Senol Gunes and Abdullah Avci. Mircea Lucescu when joining team still had some possible chances but with losses to Ukraine and Iceland their didnt manage to get in with one of the memorable events of year have been Lucescu openning talks about Turkish players limit. This qualifying process has reminded once again that Turkey needs lot of improvement at national team level.

World Cup 2018 promises to be with full of exciting and high level performance but sadly it would be taken place without Turkey and right now aim Turkish National Team aim should be to show its best performance at Nations League taking place at the 2nd half of 2018.

Konyaspor had one of the most memorable years during this season

One of the most successful teams of 2017 has been Konyaspor as it has ended year with Turkish Cup beating Basaksehirspor and Super Cup beating Besiktas and despite of poor results at Super League still would see this year as one of the best in its history.

Konyaspor winning of Turkish Cup without doubt was memorable success as it was first Turkish Cup for them as it has managed to beat Basaksehirspor in nerve cracking way as Aykut Kocaman has left to Fenerbahce with providing an important trophy to the team. Konyaspor in fact has shown some good messages for this season as it has performed pretty well and has deservedly win Besiktas during Super Cup and this blog mistakenly has seen this achievement as positive sign for Konyaspor in upcoming season. Konyaspor during this Europa League even through didnt get to knockout stages has also won its first Europa League in 2nd year trying against Viitoria, and in overall did have a pretty good year for them.

Yes, in domestic wise Konyaspor are suffering but year-round its fans would remember it as successful season for them and would be aiming to win Turkish Cup possibly again in 2018.

Goztepe are among main surprises of 2017. 

Another team which has had pretty good calendar year has been Goztepe who among getting promoted to Super League from 1st league has also started season in very good manner and are right now at the middle of title race with 6 points behind leaders Basaksehirspor.

One of the main reasons for such a great performance at Super League has been factor that it has appointed Tamer Tuna who was assistant coach to Besiktas coach Senol Gunes who has brought 2 league titles back-to-back to Istanbul giants. Another important role has been Adis Jahovic who shows a very good performance and is fighting to end this season as most goal-scorer in Super League. Goztepe without doubt has been biggest surprise of this season so far and time would show if it would be able to carry on this performance in 2018. What is key here is that Goztepe are in right track mentally and aim to continue this performance.

Without doubt Goztepe has start setting high aims for upcoming year and would now be fighting at least for Europa League spot during 2nd half of the season.

In other news:

- Basaksehirspor has made principal agreement Legia Warsaw player Armando Sadiku for 900,000 euro.

- Altinordu are interested to transfer Goztepe player Emre Can Cosku.

- New York Red Bulls player Kemal Lawrence manager Damani Ralph has admitted that Fenerbahce and Trabzonspor are interested to transfer his player.

- Celta Vigo player Emre Mor wants to be loaned to Galatasaray.

- Number of clubs at 1st league are interested to loan Trabzonspor player Batuhan Artarslan.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Hebei Fortune player Ezequil Lavezzi.

- Alanyaspor are interested to exchange its player Emre Akbaba in return of Fenerbahce player Ozan Tufan

- Osmanlispor are interested to loan Fenerbahce player Fernandao

- Goztepe are interested to transfer Chicago Fire player David Accam and Lorient player Waris Majeed.

What happened in Turkish football today? 30/12/2017

Besiktas has become ambassador of Turkish football around football with its 2017 performance.

Without doubt the best team for 2017 in Turkey has been Besiktas as their had very good season all-round starting from winning 2nd league title back-to-back in last season, getting into quarter-final at the Europa League losing to Olympique Lyon at penalties and also becoming most successful Turkish club at Champions League group stage.

Besiktas without doubt has also been treated as best team of 2016 as it has won its first league title and also been successful at the Europa League, but without doubt team went into next level during this season. It could been argued that during on-going season its not able to provide same level performance compare to previous season but it is hard to compete at high level both at Champions League and domestic league. Besiktas high level performance has also managed to people around Europe to treat team as high level side and when in turn of millenium, Galatasaray could be seen as ambasador to Turkish football, Besiktas is taking this role right now. Players like Cenk Tosun, Anderson Talisca, Oguzhan Ozyakup and head coach Senol Gunes are among most recognised names of 2017.

Besiktas would now enter to 2018 having pretty high aims as it aims to take 3rd league title, set high aims for tough last 16 games against Bayern Munich and also fight for Turkish Cup. It might come to May 2018 without any single cup but one thing is certain that it would show high level football again.

2017 for Galatasaray in overall has not been such a great year.

When summarising Galatasaray it needs to be noted that we do have two different teams, one before new seasons and another one before that including period when it had made with Ostersunds.

In fact, even through it has shown very good performance so far during this on-going season, in overall this calendar year has been one of the worst ones in recent history for the team. During Super League second half of past season it wasnt able to show good performance even through it has dominated game but things has changed during this season it has started pretty well with Bafetembi Gomis becoming goal scorer at the league while other transfers during summer such as Maicon, Mariano are among leaders of the team. During summer transfer window Galatasaray was also remembered as it has sold its two key players Wesley Snejder to Nice and Sabri Sarioglu to Goztepe, as it was seen big surprise from Igor Tudor decision. Galatasaray without doubt has dissapointed a lot its fans during this season but it did make them happy occassionally, even through it did end year without winning any big 4 teams +Basaksehirspor.

To some extend when talking about aims of 2018 of Galatasaray it needs to be stated that team would be openning also new chapter as 2017 Igor Tudor was main person for Galatasaray version 2017 while next year successes (or failures) would be written by Fatih Terim.

Fenerbahce didnt have great 2017 but has ended at high spot. 

Fenerbahce to some extend is at similar position as Galatasaray as even through when looking at the current standings at the Super League we see that its 3 points behind of leaders Basaksehirspor, but when looking at whole calendar year we do see dissapointing performance.

Of course, prior to this season, it also been different story from this team due of head coach and players, as scenario for last season has been written by Dick Advocaat. In fact, Fenerbahce did show an interesting performance as it has started season in pretty bad manner, but then improved and to some extend even was getting into league title race but then started using important games back-to-back after New Year. Fenerbahce appointment of Aykut Kocaman in early months of season has continued this low performance as could be seen from losing to Vardar at Europa League and also winning one game and losing other game, and more importantly conceding at each game. Turning point in sense of Fenerbahce in fact came out pretty late, in October when Aykut Kocaman has hinted about his resignation but has changed his decision. From that period Fenerbahce didnt lose any single game and has improved game and hence found itself right into title race. Meanwhile, Aykut Kocaman has made observation of the year stating that point difference (at the time it was 8 points) from Galatasaray is artificial and would be reduced and he ended up being correct as right now Fenerbahce are 2 points behind Galatasaray.

Fenerbahce has only one aim for next season and its too fight for league title it wont be easy as there is 6 teams right now fighting for that spot but as long as it is in the pot it would show how much it has imporved as team.

In other news:

- Besiktas administration has declined transfer offer of Everton for Cenk Tosun for 25 million pounds. Negotiations are expected to continue.

- Alanyaspor has made deal with coach Hikmet Karaman to appoint him as club's head coach.

- Besiktas, Basaksehirspor, Antalyaspor are interested to transfer Aaron Hunt.

- Bursaspor considers to sell 6-7 players during mid-season transfer window and transfer 3 players.

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Feyenoord player Bilal Basakcioglu

- Number of Galatasaray members plan to protest CEO election taking place on 13/20th January.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Celta Vigo player Emre Mor.

- Goztepe are interested to transfer Al Ahli player Moussa Sow.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Bursaspor player Aziz Behich.

- Palmeiras are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Giuliano.

- Galatasaray plans to sell its player Tarik Camdal during mid-season transfer window.

- Konyaspor are interested to transfer Trabzonspor player Volkan Sen.

- Fenerbahce player Ozan Tufan will not be taken to mid-season training camp and plans to be loaned to foreign team.

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Napoli player Lorenzo Tonelli.

- Trabzonspor plans to raise salary of its players Yusuf Yazici and Abdulkadir Omur by 400%.

- Domagoj Vida is expected to arrive to Istanbul on 2nd January and sign contract on 3rd January with Besiktas.

- Galatasaray would have talks with its player Cedric Carasso regarding about terminating his contract.

What happened in Turkish football today? 29/12/2017

Besiktas has ended 2017 in high form as it has performed whole season

Besiktas has ended its calendar year with top performance against Osmanlispor during Turkish Cup last 16 1st leg game with 4:1 scoreline and has more or less shown its performance of the game during whole 2017 year both the way team has played and focus it has given.

It is true that Besiktas did recieve number of criticism during this calendar year however it was very successful for them both in domestic front and also at European competitions. With game which everyone was used with Besiktas during this year it has shown also fast-paced game against Osmanlispor with only negative aspect for them could be of conceding goal from their opponents.
Meanwhile, even through for now its not 100% certain if Cenk Tosun would be leaving to Everton or not, Cenk Tosun has managed to send farewell to his fans, teammates and technical staff with his performance and farewell actions but as been stated he might still stay at the team. As been mentioned, Besiktas has provided a good game where Cenk Tosun has found also a goal which could be his last at his current team.

Coming to the tie, Besiktas has very likely got its quarter-final ticket at the Turkish Cup as it is hard for Osmanlispor to turn around tie even through it does have an away goal.

Basaksehirspor has had great calendar year without doubt.

With two days left until New Year, its time to go through performances of number of the clubs during 2017 with starting of Basaksehispor who have shown great performance in domestic front and has started pretty well at Champions League qualifiers but showed below expected performance at Europa League.

Basaksehirspor without doubt has marked an important mark during previous season as it was only opponent for league title towards Besiktas until one week left until of the season and has shown great performance. With carrying on similar performance and making nice transfers in summer period has managed to show everyone that this performance during this season has not being one-off. It has shown great performance on summer during Club Brugge at the Champions League 3rd qualifying round and also showed that its not much far behind of Sevilla during play-off stage. Even through it didnt start its Super League in great manner its still has managed to get points from their main opponents including beating Galatasaray with 5:1 scoreline. It would be entering to 2018 as league leaders right now with 1 point advantage. Only negative issue could be given to Europa League performance where inexperience in that front played an important role to team.

Basaksehirspor without doubt would be aiming to improve with its performance next year and would be aiming for league title which will not be seen as huge surprise at this tough season.

For Trabzonspor 2017 was unstable year with performance. 

Trabzonspor it needs to be stated that in overall 2017 could be seen as unstable as it has shown period of time of poor results and good results in both seasons and did lose lots of important points at crucial moments but it has all reasons to look at 2018 with high optimism.

Trabzonspor without doubt is keep looking for those periods which it has shown during scandalous 2011-12 season and with celebrating 50th birthday it was aiming for high aims for 2017-18 season and aimed to build up its momentum which it has got with Ersun Yanal during previous season. Even through it started calendar year reasonably well it didnt manage to continue with high level performance towards end of season getting surprising results in negative meaning. Ersun Yanal didnt manage to show great performance during this season which led for a team to end contract with him and appoint Riza Calimbay who in return has provided great results and only lost 2 games since October and does provide lots of hope for Trabzonspor in upcoming season as it is 6 points behind league leaders Basaksehispor and have big aims for this season and whole year.

One of the key players of this season for Trabzonspor has been Burak Yilmaz who has been transferred during summer transfer window and has arleady become one of the main goalscorers at team until now.

In other news:

- PFDK referalls:
- Bursaspor has been referred for behaviour of fans.
- Kayserispor administrator Oguzhan Erdogmus for anti-sportmanship action
- Antalyaspor for 5 red card + 2 yellow cards and actions as teamwise
- Antalyaspor player Maicon for breaking rules
- Konyaspor for behaviour of fans
- Osmanlispor player Anil Karaer for breaking rules
- Besiktas administrator Ahmet Nur Cebi for anti-sportmanship statements.

- Rizespor has transferred Sivasspor player Garip Guzel for 2.5 years.

- Orgryte CEO Joacim Nordh has stated that their didnt recieve an offer for Johan Elmander to be assistant coach of Galatasaray and for now he is staying at team.

- Everton administrators has arrived to Istanbul to have one-on-one transfer negotiations with Besiktas player Cenk Tosun.

- Besiktas player Denys Boyko manager Vadim Shabliy: We have recieved 3 offers for player. I cant name leagues but those league are better than Ukrainian league.

- Bursaspor will have its mid-season training camp between 4th-12th January in Antalya.

- Bursaspor CEO Ali Ay: Our aim is to sell as much players as we can during mid-season transfer window. We did send our offers to Moussa Sow and Patrick Twumasi, now we waiting for reply.

- Konyaspor considers to sell 4 players and transfer 4 players during mid-season transfer window.

- Galatasaray has offered 1.5 million euro offer to Dusseldorf player Kaan Ayhan.

- Goztepe has offered salary rise to its player Adis Jahovic to 750,000 euro.

- Galatasaray considers to sell its player Emrah Bassan during mid-season transfer window.

- Fenerbahce has set transfer fee of its player Ozan Tufan as 10 million euro.

- CardiffCity has offered 7 million euro for Besiktas player Oguzhan Ozyakup while Dusko Tosic has recieved 4 million euro from Stoke City.

- Basaksehirspor interested to transfer Antalyaspor player Samir Nasri.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Inter Milan player Davide Santon.

- Genclerbirligi and Karabukspor are interested to transfer Eskisehirspor player Erkan Zengin.

- Tottenham Hotspur and Everton are interested to transfer Besiktas player Dusko Tosic while some Croatian clubs are interested with Matej Mitrovic.

- Sparta Rotterdam are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Ryan Donk.

- Kayserispor player Asamoah Gyan considers to end his footballing career in upcoming games.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Roma player Cengiz Under.

- Trabzonspor player Theo Bongonda considers to leave team during mid-season transfer window.

What happened in Turkish football today? 28/12/2017

Besiktas has played last game on 2017 with high performance as it did during whole year. 

Besiktas has showed once again top class performance during Turkish Cup last 16 1st leg game with a win of 4:1 scoreline against Osmanlispor and has got very comfortable win at its home at the game which expected to be very tough.

Besiktas from start of game was visible has been aiming to show top level performance as it has dominated game and was aiming to win game. To some extend, 15th minute own goal by Osmanlispor with Vrsjaevic own goal which has allowed them to provide much more an attacking game with. Meanwhile, Cenk Tosun which is rumoured to be leaving to Everton as soon as transfer window opens in January has provided also great game and has scored a goal and in overall has been showing great game. Another matter of the game was that Besiktas did come out with almost perfect squad which has shown how important was Senol Gunes taking the game. Hence, Besiktas has ended calendar year of 2017 in great way and has more described the whole performance of this calendar year in one game.

Osmanlispor which was providing poor performance at the Super League was expected to show better performance at Turkish Cup but couldnt get into the game at all. Still, one goal which was scored by Doukara could provide some hope for a team during 2nd leg.

Besiktas has ended its calendar year of 2017 at great way and now would be surely looking forward for 2018 with aims at 3rd league title back-to-back and also having high aims at Champions League aims.

Konyaspor has managed to win game with single goal in pretty dull game.

Without doubt among big 4 teams at the Turkish Cup last 16, Trabzonspor has recieved its strongest opponent as it was playing against cup holders Konyaspor regardless in how their are performing at the Super League.

Stating that Trabzonspor with its recent performance both at Super League and Turkish Cup as their didnt lose a single game since October did come out as strong favourites but couldnt recieve same results against Konyaspor. In fact, for both sides the game has been played with low tempo without much dangerous attacks which has led for game to be played in such low tempo. Konyaspor did get very good chance at 31st minute with Ali Camdali and has managed to convert its chance. Even through in overall Trabzonspor head coach Riza Calimbay reign at the team did get a great results for the team, its still unclear if its strong enough to fight for league title with its results against both Konyaspor and Trabzonspor and it needs to improve in mid-season break to create team which can become champions.

This tie is still pretty open as it has ended with 1:0 and Trabzonspor would be playing 2nd leg at home ground but Konyaspor would be aiming to use its advantage from 1st leg win.

Roberto Soldado has very likely brought quarter-final ticket to team. 

The task of beating Istanbulspor during Turkish Cup last 16 1st leg game has been ended up being much harder from what was expected from Fenerbahce as it took them 79th minute to find goal with Roberto Soldado who also found at end of the game 2nd goal.

It needs to be stated that Istanbulspor has ended up being harder opponent than was expected from start as it has shown pretty well and organised football from a start. Taking account that with this being last calendar game of 2017 and players of Fenerbahce likely to be focussed into mid-season break did led them not to get into the game for long time as it has provided pretty low performance and didnt create much chances. Once again Roberto Soldado has managed to become hero for
Fenerbahce with his 2 goals as he has entered to game 10 minutes prior to his first goal and start showing himself as key player to the team as it took him time to become an important part of team but his recent performance does show his importance right now to the side. The team started playing football which Aykut Kocaman and right now their are aiming to get closer to this game as their are 3 points behind league leaders.

Coming to this tie and it can be almost confidently state that Fenerbahce are at the quarter-final as its hard for Istanbulspor to turn around 2:0 deficit from their opponents.

Results:

Turkish Cup, Last 16, 1st leg:

Boluspor 2:1 Akhisarspor

Besiktas 4:1 Osmanlispor

In other news:

- PFDK decisions:

- Konyaspor, Alanyaspor, Sivasspor, Besiktas and Trabzonspor have recieved 15,000 TL fine for events at field.
- Fenerbahce has recieved 140,000 TL fine for behaviour of fans and it happening 6th time this season. + 1 game ban
- Karabukspor has recieved 30,000 TL fine for events at field and one game ban + 9,000 TL for teamwise anti-sportmanship action.
- Karabukspor player Olafi Skulason has recieved 13,000 TL fine and 3 game ban for his antisportmanship behaviour.
- Trabzonspor has recieved 110,000 TL fine for 5th time behaviour of fans and blockage of field.

- YeniMalatyaspor would play mid-season friendly game against Basaksehirspor on 10th January.

- Bursaspor: Our club has terminated contract with Furkan Ozcal. Meanwhile, our player Ozan Can Kokcu has been loaned to RKC Waalwijk until end of the season.

- Alanyaspor sports director Taner Savut has resigned from his post.

- Besiktas player Cenk Tosun is reported to go through medical checkup for Everton.

- Kayserispor CEO Erol Bedir: As club we need to be organised as big 3 clubs in Istanbul. We couldnt run with debt of 150 million TL. We aim to sell 2 players in mid-season and transfer 2-3.

- Atletico Mineiro player Fabio Santos manager Alvaro Seldeira has stated that their didnt recieve transfer offer from Fenerbahce.

- Konyaspor would start their mid-season training camp on 3rd January.

- Milan player Hakan Calhanoglu has stated that he is happy at his club.

- Goztepe are interested to transfer Utrecht player Yassin Ayoub.

- Sivasspor considers to end contract with its players Ridvan Simsek, Elderson, Learinho, Ergin Keles, Cem Ozdemir and Galip Guzel.

- Besiktas CEO Fikret Orman: Our player Cenk Tosun is one of the most quality players in Europe. If he played in Real Madrid his value would be higher. We dont plan to sell him. We dont aim to make transfers this winter, but we see how it develops.

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer New York Red Bull player Kemar Lawrence.

- Konyaspor are interested to transfer Eskisehirspor player Erkan Zengin

- Galatasaray player Mariano is expected to join mid-season training camp from start.

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Eren Derdiyok.

- Galatasaray considers to sell its player Cedric Carrasso during mid-season transfer window.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Arsenal player Oliver Giroud.

- Galatasaray would need to play 120,000,000 TL debt to UEFA until 31st January.

- QNB is willing to provide sponsorship assistance to Fenerbahce transfer of PSG player Hatem Ben Arfa.

- Trainer Ali Yavas expects to be appointed as Galatasaray academy coach, His assistants will be Ahmet Keskinkilic, Recep Yazici, Nedim Yigit and Halim Ficici.

- Malaga considers to sell its player Cenk Gonen during mid-season transfer window.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Atletico Mineiro player Fabio Santos.

- Konyaspor are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Volkan Sen.

- Antalyaspor player Jeremy Menez wants to leave team during mid-season transfer window.

- Genclerbirligi, Karabukspor and Kasimpasa are interested to transfer Besiktas player Mustafa Pektemek.

What happened in Turkish football today? 27/12/2017

Cup holders did get a win against Trabzonspor at home.

Turkish Cup holders Konyaspor player Ali Camdali goal against Trabzonspor has brought team to one step closer to defence their title as their played one of the toughest last 16 ties at this competition and has used its home ground advantage in effective manner.

Trabzonspor which didnt lose game since October has experienced its 1st loss against Konyaspor as both teams are very likely to be coming out with an aim to win or at least get an advantage scoreline with a tie. Trabzonspor did have an issue to get concentrated towards game as it was played in pretty low tempo with both sides had trouble to create high number of chances with most dangerous chance has been 66th minute by Hugo Rodallega. With Trabzonspor also drawing at the league against Karabukspor, Trabzonspor which was at the great form didnt end calendar year in good way but would certainly focus into showing high level performance during 2nd half of the season and also 2nd leg of the tie of this still open tie.

Konyaspor even through didnt show yet great performance at the Super League it did come out to the game in the mind of being Turkish Cup holders and without doubt are seeing this season tournament as an attempt to defends its title.

This tie as expected hasnt been solved after 1st leg and everything is open for 2nd leg game at Trabzon, as both sides would show performance for quarter-final ticket.

Roberto Soldado is likely to bring Fenerbahce quarter-final ticked at Turkish Cup.

Fenerbahce player Roberto Soldado with two goals towards end of the game with 2 goals has very likely brought quarter-final ticket to his team as Fenerbahce has won with 2:0 scoreline against Istanbulspor.

It needs to be stated that Fenerbahce has failed to get into concentration of the game until Roberto Soldado has ended the game and couldnt raise needed tempo as many players very likely has been in their minds into mid-season break. Fenerbahce couldnt get into the higher concentration towards game with controlling game but couldnt provide a very attacking football and has been lacked number of the chances. Istanbulspor did provide an organised game especially defence but without doubt Fenerbahce did help until 79th minute with slow tempo football. In fact, with Soldado getting into game and raising tempo with his performance has proven that with faster tempo Istanbulspor could be beat without hope. Those two goals certainly would allow Fenerbahce to play 2nd leg in more calmer manner compare to 0:0 and 1:0 scoreline.

Istanbulspor meanwhile despite of factor that Fenerbahce with low tempo did help to them to not getting into high tempo, Istanbul still did provide an organised game and has provided good defence and would aim to provide similar performance with possibly creating some chances in 2nd half.

Despite of all this negative sides, Fenerbahce still very likely to get into quarter-final as Istanbulspor is not strong enough to turn around 2:0 deficit with their level of performances.

Fatih Terim has checked his team at two games and now its time to work with team to improve it.

Galatasaray has carried on its top performance with Fatih Terim during Turkish Cup last 16 1st leg game against Bucaspor as it has won game with 3:0 scoreline and during game especially has shown game which is Fatih Terim would be seeking for during this season.

The way Fatih Terim wants for his team as he has stated himself following appointment several times is for team to provide an attacking football and control the game rather than allow opponents to do so. Even through as been mentioned beforehand its hard to judge how successfull Fatih Terim as he would be recieving similar results with Igor Tudor as team does provide similar performance at home and especially during this cup game, to all respect to Bucaspor, Galatasaray was coming out as strong favourite in all of the conditions. Right now the main focus at Fatih Terim is to focus into how to improve his team with current squad and also with transfers during this midseason period to create team which would be able to become title winners and also provide good performance at Champions League when it gets there.

Galatasaray is expected to become totally different team following mid-season break both at the field and outside of it, would it be for better would become clear in short time.

Results:
Turkish Cup, Last 16, 1st leg:
Giresunspor 3:1 Basaksehirspor
Kayserispor 3:1 Antalyaspor
Konyaspor 1:0 Trabzonspor
Fenerbahce 2:0 Istanbulspor

Schedule:
Turkish Cup, Last 16, 1st leg:
16:30 Boluspor - Akhisarspor
20:30 Besiktas - Osmanlispor

In other news:

- Everton: News that our club has offered 20 million euro for Besiktas player Cenk Tosun is an opinion of newspapers and doesnt represent our view.

- Galatasaray considers to keep its player Ryan Donk at the team at least until end of season.

- Besiktas administrator Ahmet Nur Cebi: Demba Ba is still player in Chinese team. He would like to join us but we need to have talks with clubs. Its not simple.I want for Talisca to stay at the team.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Guagzhou Evergrande player Jackson Martinez.

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Antalyaspor player Sakib Aytac.

- Yeni Malatyaspor are interested to transfer Karabukspor player Ceyhun Gulselam and Boluspor player Umut Meras.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Al Ahli player Moussa Sow.

- Galatasaray CEO Dursun Ozbek tries to convince Abdurrahman Albayrak to his administrative board for CEO election.

- Antalyaspor player Samir Nasri wants to terminated contract with his team.

- Everton has offered 4-year contract to Besiktas player Cenk Tosun with 4 million euro yeary salary.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Antalyaspor player Samuel Eto'o.

- Besiktas head coach Senol Gunes has stated that he would for Barcelona player Arda Turan to join them.

- Galatasaray is not considering to keep Manchester City loaned player Jason Denayer at the team.

What happened in Turkish football today? 26/12/2017

Fatih Terim has won confidently two weeks within a week since being appointed. 

Galatasaray head coach Fatih Terim without doubt would be very satisfied with his team performance as with less a week being appointed as club head coach his team has made 2 out of 2 as it has managed to win Turkish Cup last 16 1st leg game against Bucaspor with 3:0 scoreline.

Galatasaray which has been focussed into getting also good performance with substitutes at Turkish Cup has managed to get scoreline which it was seeking to with 3:0 scoreline. With Fatih Terim joining team and team's aims has been raised it does look like team has secured its quarter-final spot with this scoreline and some fans might even start focussing into making double in this season. One of the stars of today's performance has been mainly Sinan Gumus as he has scored 2 great goals and also Selcuk Inan finding his 1st goal in this season as he is expected to provide even more better performance with Fatih Terim compare to period of Igor Tudor. Galatasaray in 2 games period with Terim started with 6 goals and only conceding 1 providing some bright future for Galatasaray supporters.What was mainly observed that team has been focussed into winning spirit once again.

With Galatasaray starting in pretty fast manner and providing high tempo did surely raise some problems for Bucaspor to get into game and hence had led them to lack their best football as their have aimed during this game. Right now their would aim at least to show better performance during 2nd leg.

Certainly, Fatih Terim would feel very satisfied with those results and would have now chance to do his own revisions at the team during mid-season as his joining to team has been aimed to develop team for 2nd half of season.

Trabzonspor is expected to play a tough game against cup holders Konyaspor.

Without doubt at the paper among Turkish Cup last 16 1st leg games one of the most toughest games at this stage in Turkish Cup does look to be in-form right now Trabzonspor and also Turkish Cup holders Konyaspor which promises to be very exciting game even through not all of the key players would be playing at game tomorrow.

With having very good performance both at the Super League and Turkish Cup with Riza Calimbay during last few months, Trabzonspor would be aiming to end calendar year with a high note with a win against Konyaspor even through it might be tough game for them. It needs to be stated that Konyaspor season so far is not going into the way their have wished too as their are in lower side of the table and would also to provide much better performance at the Turkish Cup and defend its title. It is true that Konyaspor doesnt have coach like Aykut Kocaman this season but still with taking account that Trabzonspor is likely to take league even more serious with finding itself at the league title pot might not give entire attention to the game which could turn into advantage for Konyaspor.

The game promises to be with full of the excitement with both sides aiming to get an advantage scoreline prior to 2nd leg and it is to some extend too close to call who would be favourite.

Aykut Kocaman would play against team which has played an important role at his career. 

In other side, Fenerbahce would be playing its last game of this calendar year against Istanbulspor during Turkish Cup last 16 1st leg and would have to some extend have Istanbul derby at cup with 1st league side.

What makes this game interesting that Fenerbahce head coach Aykut Kocaman would be playing against team at which he has ended his footballing career and started coaching career during period when team was at top division and this game is expected to provide some emotional moments. Apart of this factor and even through Istanbulspor so far has shown decent performance at their own league and also Turkish Cup it would be fair to refer Fenerbahce much more favourite even through it is not expected to be as easy as Adana Demirspor it still expected for them to provide top level performance probably at game where youth and reserve players would be able to show themselves to Aykut Kocaman. It needs to be stated that Fenerbahce would be aiming still to get a comfortable win and enter to mid-season break at high motivation for 2nd half of season.

Fenerbahce are expected to dominate game at home ground but Istanbulspor would come out with strong self-belief and aim to stop them to do so.

Results:
Turkish Cup, Last 16, 1st leg:
Genclerbirligi 1:0 Bursaspor
Galatasaray 3:0 Bucaspor

Schedule:
Turkish Cup, Last 16, 1st leg:
15:00 Giresunspor - Basaksehirspor
16:30 Kayserispor - Antalyaspor
18:30 Konyaspor - Trabzonspor
20:30 Fenerbahce - Istanbulspor

In other news:

- PFDK referrals:
-Alanyaspor, Sivasspor, Besiktas has been referred for events at field.
- Konyaspor has been referred for events at field and accepting unallowed fans
- Fenerbahce and Goztepe has been referred for behaivour of fans
- Karabukspor has been referredfor 6 players recieving yellow cards as teamwise
- Karabukspor player Olafur Skulason has been referred for an anti-sportmanship action.
- Trabzonspor has been referre for behaviour of fans and events at field.

- TFF has announced referees for Turkish Cup last 16 1st leg games to be played on 27th December:
- Giresunspor - Basaksehirspor: Umit Ozturk
- Kayserispor - Antalyaspor: Huseyin Gocek
- Konyaspor - Trabzonspor: Bulent Yildirim
- Fenerbahce - Istanbulspor: Arda Kardesler

- Besiktas: Our club has started transfer negotiations with Domagoj Vida.

- Villarreal player Enes Unal will return to his team on 29th December mid-season training camp from Levente loan.

- Osmanlispor are interested to transfer Yeni Malatyaspor player Yalcin Ayhan.

- Akhisarspor has made principal agreement with Bursaspor player Bilal Kisa.

- Giresunspor has made principal agreement with Karabukspor player Ahmet Sahin.

- Karabukspor consider to sell its players Yatabare, Ceyhun Gulselam and Ilhan Depe.

- Trabzonspor head coach Riza Calimbay has stated that team would make at most 3 transfers in mid-season transfers.

- Karabukspor CEO Ziya Unsal: It does look like referees have decided in their minds that we are relegated. Some decisions are against and it makes us really surprised. We have good players who want to stay at Super League. I believe their will improve.

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

- Galatasaray head coach Fatih Terim assistant coach Hasan Sas has attended his 1st training session at his new team.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Zenit player Domenico Criscito.

- Fenerbahce player Josef de Souza has declined 15 million euro offer from West Bromwich Albion.

- Fenerbahce considers to loan its player Eljif Elmas during mid-season transfer window.

- Duygun Yarsuvat considers to run for CEO election of Galatasaray on 13/20th January.

- Genclerbirligi and Goztepe are interested to transfer Besiktas player Orkan Cinar.

- Montreal Impact are interested to transfer Besiktas player Atiba Hutchinson.

- Galatasaray head coach Fatih Terim would be moving back to his apartment in Florya which he left in 2011 to work on his plans to team.

What happened in Turkish football today? 25/12/2017

Fatih Terim didnt win yesterday as he didnt provide changes to the team but he plans to do them in mid-season period.

Galatasaray has provided a very good and organised football during Super League 17th week game against Goztepe as it has won with 3:1 game at the game which has marked return of Fatih Terim but it needs to be stated that team has provided similar performance with Igor Tudor at home games.

Without doubt with Fatih Terim returning to the team has affected to motivation and concentration towards fans and players which led them possibly provide an extra effort during game against Goztepe but with only training 2 days it needs to be admitted that this win has come with help of Igor Tudor. Galatasaray would play its Turkish Cup at home ground also once again so it will not be possible to see how Fatih Terim would perform at away game during this calendar year. Without doubt Fatih Terim is aware of some issues which team has and/or areas which are not suitable for his style of play and its clear that upcoming changes would be done to solve those issue both during training sessions and also with transfer politics at the team. One of the most talked areas is being transfer of left-back to the team. Galatasaray is not at mess but still Fatih Terim has lots of changes to do at the team.

Therefore, this mid-season period is expected to be most active for Galatasaray among Super League and time would show what kind of changes team will be going through.

Trabzonspor wanted to win Karabukspor badly but it didnt manage to do that.

Trabzonspor draw of 1:1 against Karabukspor prior to mid-season break without doubt has been seen by many as huge surprise as their had dominated in last 5 games and has brought an important win but it is clear that all teams apart Galatasaray has struggled in this week.

It does need to be stated that stating that Trabzonspor has performed badly and didnt deserve win would be slightly understatement as team did come out fully concentrated and willing to win game but it is Karabukspor had strong intentions to use this game as opportunity to enter to mid-season period with some positivism from gloomy position and also see it as good comeback to the league. Trabzonspor especially towards end of the game has done everything to find goals but without converting those chances into goal including golden opportunity by Jose Sosa it has failed to get an important win which would put them towards 5 point margin to the league leaders. Trabzonspor still are going into improvement and main aim for Riza Calimbay without doubt would be to get into more winning spirit to the team.

Trabzonspor would end its calendar year with Turkish Cup last 16 1st leg game with title-holders Konyaspor as where it would be aiming to get an important win and get to mid-season break with raised motivation.

Fatih Terim has great chance to test his reserve and academy players against Bucaspor.

With 1-day break from games and due of interesting scheduling by Turkish Football Federation, Galatasaray would come out to the Turkish Cup last 16 1st leg game against Bucaspor at which it would play its last game of 2017 calendar year.

Without doubt Galatasaray as a team is still going through fury of Fatih Terim joining team on 22nd December and this motivation from fans and players would be carried on during that Turkish Cup, bad news for certain for Bucaspor. Meanwhile, it is known that some players especially foreigners main players will not be playing due of festive period as their had called for break and also likely Fatih Terim will not even start with them in either case. It is known that Terim one of the aims at his return is to move forward and use as much as he can youth players for future, and this is great opportunity to test them at the game at Bucaspor as those players would be aiming to show their best performance to Emperor. Therefore, this high motivation which were seen against Goztepe would be carried on at game against Bucaspor.

The main aim will be to get advantage score after that game and also help Fatih Terim to be aware of what kind of things he has at hand in sense of reserves at academy using Bucaspor as test game.

Results:
Turkish Super League,17th week:
Osmanlispor 3:2 Akhisarspor

Schedule:
Turkish Cup, Last 16, 1st leg:
18:30 Genclerbirligi - Bursaspor
20:30 Galatasaray - Bucaspor

In other news:

- TFF has announced referees for Turkish Cup last 16 1st leg games played on 26th December, which are:
- Genclerbirligi-Bursaspor: Baris Simsek
- Galatasaray- Bucaspor: Ali Sansalan

- Galatasaray: Our CEO election which would take place on 13/20th January is taking for period for next 3 years.

- Alanyaspor has terminated contract with its head coach Safet Susic.

- Galatasaray has signed professional contract with its academy player Ahmet Sivri.

- Bursaspor has terminated contract with its player Furkan Ozcal.

- Sivasspor will starts its mid-season training camp in Antalya from 3rd January.

- Galatasaray player Fernando Muslera, Mariano, Maicon, Bafetembi Gomis, N'diaye and Fernando are not included at Turkish Cup last 16 1st leg game against Bucaspor.

- Galatasaray doctor Yener Ince has stated that its player Fernando recovery process will take place 3 weeks and Garry Rodrigues would be recovered for mid-season training camp.

- Besiktas CEO Fikret Orman: We have many players at position which Arda Turan even through we would like to have him. But we are not interested. We dont have intention to sell Cenk Tosun even if we achieve good offers.

- Deportivo La Coruna are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Ozan Tufan.

- Galatasaray head coach Fatih Terim will include at his technical staff: Hande Sumertas, Sukru Hanedar, Fahri Yilmaz and Fatih Ibradi.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Bologna player Saphir Taider.

- Besiktas considers to transfer Manchester United player Marouane Fellaini in upcoming summer without transfer fee.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Gremio player Arthur Henrique, Fluminense player Marcus Wendel and Carleto.

- Chinese club has offered 14 million euro for Besiktas player Ryan Babel.

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