Bloody awful performance on Thursday night. To lose away from home is not too big a disgrace in Europe but to lose to FC Sion in Sitzerland is poor, very poor. At least we got two away goals which gives us some hope for the second leg but really.........
Obvious case of not being prepared and underestimating the opposition.
Anyway back to SuperLig on Sunday and a newIstanbul derby to play against Kasimpasa out at the Olympic stadium. This should be like a home game as I am guessing that there will be a few CimBom supporters there for the game. Lets hope the team forgets about Thursday and gets on with the business.
As you can guess I can hardly get a sensible word out of the Husband this week as his team play a Mourinho less Chavski on Sunday......could be bad could be good, lets see.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
Dog the bounty hunter
I will digress from football for a moment.
I am sure that most of you have read the story about some modern age enlightened Imam has set a bounty on the head of a Swedish Cartoonist for some rather insulting cartoons. I am not going to get into the whole debate about free speech and respect for other people that was discussed at length when the Danes published their cartoons.
What I do want to say and I guess I need to be careful or some bigot surfing the net thanks to technology, capital, research and development all provided from the infidel nations of the west will probably take offence and decide to come looking for me.
I undertsnad people being upset, and I understand people taking revenge in certain ways but does this kind of action help? Why do people think that others draw such cartoons or have such ideas and pictures in their heads regarding Islam. I would like to believe that the majority of educated people around the world of whatever religion or ethnicity probably consider the cartoons a step too far as is setting a bounty and inciting murder in the name of religion.
Naive? maybe.
What is truly scary to me though is the increasing intolerance of other viewpoints. With increased access to information via the internet it seems that a large number of people simply use it to peddle their own brand of bigotry. This narrow nationalism and desire to be a Croat, Welsh, Turk and rule your own country or vegetable patch etc. is a recent phenomenon and goes against 2000 years of European history. Its a shame that the polyglot, multi ethnic society that lived around the Mediterranean for 2 to 3000 years (no doubt some helenophile will try to prove this was Greek) has been swept away in wars and self determination.
For what? So that some Imam in Iraq can condemn a man to death in Sweden? Is that progress.
I am sure that most of you have read the story about some modern age enlightened Imam has set a bounty on the head of a Swedish Cartoonist for some rather insulting cartoons. I am not going to get into the whole debate about free speech and respect for other people that was discussed at length when the Danes published their cartoons.
What I do want to say and I guess I need to be careful or some bigot surfing the net thanks to technology, capital, research and development all provided from the infidel nations of the west will probably take offence and decide to come looking for me.
I undertsnad people being upset, and I understand people taking revenge in certain ways but does this kind of action help? Why do people think that others draw such cartoons or have such ideas and pictures in their heads regarding Islam. I would like to believe that the majority of educated people around the world of whatever religion or ethnicity probably consider the cartoons a step too far as is setting a bounty and inciting murder in the name of religion.
Naive? maybe.
What is truly scary to me though is the increasing intolerance of other viewpoints. With increased access to information via the internet it seems that a large number of people simply use it to peddle their own brand of bigotry. This narrow nationalism and desire to be a Croat, Welsh, Turk and rule your own country or vegetable patch etc. is a recent phenomenon and goes against 2000 years of European history. Its a shame that the polyglot, multi ethnic society that lived around the Mediterranean for 2 to 3000 years (no doubt some helenophile will try to prove this was Greek) has been swept away in wars and self determination.
For what? So that some Imam in Iraq can condemn a man to death in Sweden? Is that progress.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Top of the league
After the dissapointment of last weeks draw it was good to see Galatasaray get back in the groove with a comprehensive thrashing of Konyaspor. Granted it became easier after the Konya player was sent off but it was good to see a clinical closing of the game after that. Often a team with 10 men will play better so it was good to see a more ruthless CimBom than we have seen the last couple of seasons.
Galatasaray 6 - 0 Konyaspor.
It is also good to see that the new players are fitting in well. It was also good to see Carusca back in action and having a good game as well. Nonda looks like a good buy as well with 2 goals on his debut and Hakan Balta also seemed to fit in well even if it was ony for 10 minutes. The most impressive player for me though was Baris a virtual unknown at the start of the season but a very good find, young, hungry and cheap. Whether this form will last the whole season is a question but as long as it last then good.
This was a slightly reshaped team than recently with more foreign starters but that's also good as it shows that the squad is well balanced and not reliant on any particular player.
Orkun, Uğur Uçar, Song, Servet, Volkan Yaman, Barış Özbek, Linderoth, Carrusca, Lincoln, Hakan Şükür, Nonda
Subs:
Aykut, Ismael Bouzid, Hakan Balta, Okan Buruk, Ayhan, Hasan Şaş, Ümit Karan
Difficult to really say who was the best player as all the team played well, even Hasan Sas. What is good though is that with the Besiktas and the others drawing this means the points gao is 2 and 5 respectively. I know its early in the season but there is a difference in attitude and performance as well which makes me feel at least optimistic for the rest.
Only 2 more games and then the ridiculous stadium ban is finished and supporteres will be let back in to bring atmosphere back to the matches. Whilst I do not codone what happened at the end of last season is the best way to advertsise Turkish football for people to see 2 of the biggest teasms playing in empty stadiums??
Galatasaray 6 - 0 Konyaspor.
It is also good to see that the new players are fitting in well. It was also good to see Carusca back in action and having a good game as well. Nonda looks like a good buy as well with 2 goals on his debut and Hakan Balta also seemed to fit in well even if it was ony for 10 minutes. The most impressive player for me though was Baris a virtual unknown at the start of the season but a very good find, young, hungry and cheap. Whether this form will last the whole season is a question but as long as it last then good.
This was a slightly reshaped team than recently with more foreign starters but that's also good as it shows that the squad is well balanced and not reliant on any particular player.
Orkun, Uğur Uçar, Song, Servet, Volkan Yaman, Barış Özbek, Linderoth, Carrusca, Lincoln, Hakan Şükür, Nonda
Subs:
Aykut, Ismael Bouzid, Hakan Balta, Okan Buruk, Ayhan, Hasan Şaş, Ümit Karan
Difficult to really say who was the best player as all the team played well, even Hasan Sas. What is good though is that with the Besiktas and the others drawing this means the points gao is 2 and 5 respectively. I know its early in the season but there is a difference in attitude and performance as well which makes me feel at least optimistic for the rest.
Only 2 more games and then the ridiculous stadium ban is finished and supporteres will be let back in to bring atmosphere back to the matches. Whilst I do not codone what happened at the end of last season is the best way to advertsise Turkish football for people to see 2 of the biggest teasms playing in empty stadiums??
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Probably ok
So 4 points from 6. Not too bad and with the other results puts Turkey third in the group level on points with Norway but with a game in hand.
Whilst 4 points form 6 with an away game an a home game would normally be okay in this case it is not given that the away game was Malta. When was the last time they got a result against a team of the same standard as Turkey. O me it shows that with Terim we will not won anything as he cannot get the team motivated to face one of the weaker teams in Europe.
As for the Hungary game the 3-0 scoreline was perhaps generous but as far as I am concerned a dove is a yellow card and anyone who has watched the EPL this season should expect cards for players who simulate (cheat) so I have no sympathy whatsoever for Gera.
Back to the real business this weekend, Sumday and Galatasaray take on Konyaspor in an empty stadium.....should be a comfortable 3 points I think but lets see....
Whilst 4 points form 6 with an away game an a home game would normally be okay in this case it is not given that the away game was Malta. When was the last time they got a result against a team of the same standard as Turkey. O me it shows that with Terim we will not won anything as he cannot get the team motivated to face one of the weaker teams in Europe.
As for the Hungary game the 3-0 scoreline was perhaps generous but as far as I am concerned a dove is a yellow card and anyone who has watched the EPL this season should expect cards for players who simulate (cheat) so I have no sympathy whatsoever for Gera.
Back to the real business this weekend, Sumday and Galatasaray take on Konyaspor in an empty stadium.....should be a comfortable 3 points I think but lets see....
Saturday, September 08, 2007
National Pride
Well the Husband is having a good weekend already. With Argentina beating the French in the Rugby World Cup last night. Apparantely this was not supposed to happen but as an Ingallishman any loss the French suffer is particularly sweet for him.
Back to the round ball. This weekend sees the Euro 2008 Qualification action crank up again and whilst England take on Israel the real action will be in Valetta where Turkey takes on Malta. Did you know that the Island of Malta recieved the George Cross from the Brits after WWII for heroic defence against the Germans. Lets just hope they are not in the same mood tonight.
Fatih Terim has picked a few players though like Emre who are hardly playing or their club sides at the moment so I really hope he gets the formation correct or we could be embarrased again. Still all in all its a good squad but as I say he has to get the right team blend. Three points are a must for today and from the Hungary game. Fortutaley that game is in Turkey unfortunately its at the Olynmoic stadium so our big advantage the crowd has been neutralized. I really do wonder what planet the TFF are from. The game should be in Kadikoy, if Ali Sami Yen is out of order (probably for UEFA games) with 55,000 next to the pitch and a cauldron of noise rather than in the empty echoing wastes of the Olympic stadium.
Oh well, here's hoping
Back to the round ball. This weekend sees the Euro 2008 Qualification action crank up again and whilst England take on Israel the real action will be in Valetta where Turkey takes on Malta. Did you know that the Island of Malta recieved the George Cross from the Brits after WWII for heroic defence against the Germans. Lets just hope they are not in the same mood tonight.
Fatih Terim has picked a few players though like Emre who are hardly playing or their club sides at the moment so I really hope he gets the formation correct or we could be embarrased again. Still all in all its a good squad but as I say he has to get the right team blend. Three points are a must for today and from the Hungary game. Fortutaley that game is in Turkey unfortunately its at the Olynmoic stadium so our big advantage the crowd has been neutralized. I really do wonder what planet the TFF are from. The game should be in Kadikoy, if Ali Sami Yen is out of order (probably for UEFA games) with 55,000 next to the pitch and a cauldron of noise rather than in the empty echoing wastes of the Olympic stadium.
Oh well, here's hoping
Monday, September 03, 2007
Not quite good enough
With the opportunity to get 5 points ahead of the "Future of Turkish Soccer", Galatasaray could only manage a draw against the washing machine men of Manisa. Having said that the Manisa equalizer was a bit fortunate as it got a huge deflection on the way in or Aykut would have saved it. Oh well. Otherwise the team played and well and apart from, some eccentric referring it was a good game with just the wrong result. Although Lincoln and Linderoth and the other established [players did well it is the performance of the younger players that I am more tan happy with. Once again I think Feldkamp is doing a good job by releasing the less hungry ones and bringing in the young players and preparing GS for the future rather than buying 34 year old has beens who appears to want a retirement home!!!
Still top of the league after 4 games and only 2 points lost is not too bad.
Not quite sure where Nonda is going to fit into the team. Having said that with the release of Hasan Kabze and Necati I guess we need a spare striker and he is quite good having played for Roma and Blackburn last season.
In the UEFA Cup our next opponents are FC Sion who we should be able to get past but lets see.
Another good weekend for the second city saw three points from three matches and two of those in a derby match. The only useful result was of course the Oftas result, glad to see there is one team up there who want to afect the outcome of the Super LIg....
Still top of the league after 4 games and only 2 points lost is not too bad.
Not quite sure where Nonda is going to fit into the team. Having said that with the release of Hasan Kabze and Necati I guess we need a spare striker and he is quite good having played for Roma and Blackburn last season.
In the UEFA Cup our next opponents are FC Sion who we should be able to get past but lets see.
Another good weekend for the second city saw three points from three matches and two of those in a derby match. The only useful result was of course the Oftas result, glad to see there is one team up there who want to afect the outcome of the Super LIg....
Thursday, August 30, 2007
As predicted by Gulay
Evening all, Husband here
Finally a game with atmosphere with a relatively full Ali Sami Yen creating the correct atmosphere for playing football.
Relatively easy win with the only low spot being the penalty which gave Slaven a sniff but not much more. After tonights performance I do wonder though how long Arda will remain at the club as he showed the talent he has especially for the first goal.
Kayseri also won so thats 4 teams through, only Trabzon not making it but then who cares about Trabzon.
Besiktas must be licking their lips at the prospect of Liverpool coming to town but I am sure the Istanbul plod are having serious brown trouser mode.
Anyway, better go and gove Gulay a hand with the nipper........bath time
Finally a game with atmosphere with a relatively full Ali Sami Yen creating the correct atmosphere for playing football.
Relatively easy win with the only low spot being the penalty which gave Slaven a sniff but not much more. After tonights performance I do wonder though how long Arda will remain at the club as he showed the talent he has especially for the first goal.
Kayseri also won so thats 4 teams through, only Trabzon not making it but then who cares about Trabzon.
Besiktas must be licking their lips at the prospect of Liverpool coming to town but I am sure the Istanbul plod are having serious brown trouser mode.
Anyway, better go and gove Gulay a hand with the nipper........bath time
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Damn the torpedoes.....
So two Turkish teams in the group stages of the Chimps League and will discover their fate tomorrow.
I was predicting that Besiktas would make it as they had the away goal and were playing not a particularly strong team in FC Zurich but I was far from confident for the Kadikoy mob and was hoping they would get eliminated but it was not too be.
Having said that I am glad we have two teams in the next round and hope Besiktas make it out of the group so we get more UEFA points and more spots next year, but that is the extent of my gladness.
Tomorrow its the "most successful Turkish Team in Europe's" turn to strut their stuff and for once I think there may be a crowd at the stadium although if we are playing at the Olympic stadium they may as well stay at home for the atmosphere that place does not have....with the performance in the last couple of games plus two away goals I am moderately confident but as Sir Alex once famously said " Footbah.....bloody hell!!!"
Sad to see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer retire, from what I understand a genuinely nice guy and the sort of sub that even of he did not score scared the opposition enough to let somone else score and who can forget Barelona 1999....who put vhe ball in the Germans net........
I was predicting that Besiktas would make it as they had the away goal and were playing not a particularly strong team in FC Zurich but I was far from confident for the Kadikoy mob and was hoping they would get eliminated but it was not too be.
Having said that I am glad we have two teams in the next round and hope Besiktas make it out of the group so we get more UEFA points and more spots next year, but that is the extent of my gladness.
Tomorrow its the "most successful Turkish Team in Europe's" turn to strut their stuff and for once I think there may be a crowd at the stadium although if we are playing at the Olympic stadium they may as well stay at home for the atmosphere that place does not have....with the performance in the last couple of games plus two away goals I am moderately confident but as Sir Alex once famously said " Footbah.....bloody hell!!!"
Sad to see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer retire, from what I understand a genuinely nice guy and the sort of sub that even of he did not score scared the opposition enough to let somone else score and who can forget Barelona 1999....who put vhe ball in the Germans net........
Sunday, August 26, 2007
3 more points in the bag....
Galatasaray 1-0 Ankaragucu.
So that another three points in the bag depiste playing in fromt of an empty Ali Sami Yen, well almost empty. Fatih Terim and a couple of other self important types had been allowed ion to watch the form team of the Turkish Super Lig.
Super goal from Lincoln on 22 minutes won the game.
1-0 was kind on Ankargucu though, on another night Umit could and should have had a couple instead of being carried off following a pathetic body block by some long haired girly type named Emre.
Here is the team.
Orkun, Uğur, Servet, Song, Volkan, Ayhan, Sabri, Lincoln, Arda, Hakan, Ümit
Similar team to last week with just Lincoln coming back after injury. And again a team with only 2 foreigners in the starting 11. Even the three second half substitutes were Turkish. I tell you the youth set up and some good transfers are starting to produce a good squad of players instead of relying on foreign imports at the end of their careers. Of course this could all change through the season but right now its the story.
Even Man Yoo won today, Lincoln obvioulsy having seen the game as he scored with a similar goal to Nani.
All in all a bad weekend for the second city with none of the teams winning. Looks like it will be a long hard season with no water....
So that another three points in the bag depiste playing in fromt of an empty Ali Sami Yen, well almost empty. Fatih Terim and a couple of other self important types had been allowed ion to watch the form team of the Turkish Super Lig.
Super goal from Lincoln on 22 minutes won the game.
1-0 was kind on Ankargucu though, on another night Umit could and should have had a couple instead of being carried off following a pathetic body block by some long haired girly type named Emre.
Here is the team.
Orkun, Uğur, Servet, Song, Volkan, Ayhan, Sabri, Lincoln, Arda, Hakan, Ümit
Similar team to last week with just Lincoln coming back after injury. And again a team with only 2 foreigners in the starting 11. Even the three second half substitutes were Turkish. I tell you the youth set up and some good transfers are starting to produce a good squad of players instead of relying on foreign imports at the end of their careers. Of course this could all change through the season but right now its the story.
Even Man Yoo won today, Lincoln obvioulsy having seen the game as he scored with a similar goal to Nani.
All in all a bad weekend for the second city with none of the teams winning. Looks like it will be a long hard season with no water....
Ready for an easy evening...
Beer......check
Cigarettes....check
Matchsticks( in case of falling asleep).....check
Three points ....check
Sad Kankas......check....
Must be ready for the match then....
Cigarettes....check
Matchsticks( in case of falling asleep).....check
Three points ....check
Sad Kankas......check....
Must be ready for the match then....
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Played 2 won 2
Thats the second match out of the way and a competent performance brought a 1-0 victory away at Bursa. Injuries and rotation forced Feldkamp to field a team without Linderoth or Lincoln and with only one foreign player, Song in the lineup and one on the bench. I have to say that is encouraging as some of the younger Turkish players performed quite well. So much for the 6+1 rule........Actually the important thing is that despite playing two different line ups both managed to win with arguably the less experienced team turning out at Bursa today. Over the season that could be important but I am fairly sure that Feldkamp knows his strongest 11 and arguably may not yet have played it....
Here is the starting 11
Orkun, Uğur Uçar, Song, Servet, Volkan Yaman, Sabri, Mehmet Güven, Ayhan, Arda, Hakan Şükür, Ümit Karan
And here are the substitutes
Aykut, Okan Buruk, Ferhat, Mehmet Topal, Ismael Bouzid, Barış Özbek, Serkan Çalık
The game was fairly tight with the best chances going to Galatasaray although Bursa could and perhaps should have equalized later in the game after Umit had opened the scoring in the 60th minute. Having said that Hakan reinforced his "Barn Door" tag and Sabri was close to joining him!!!! There was one of the clearest penalties I have never seen awarded when Umit was flattened in the penalty area, I wish Rob Styles had been the referee after his award of penalty to Chavski today for Malouda tripping over air....
Whilst not totally convinced by the team I must say I am pleasantly surprised by the performances so far and at least the tendency to give away soft goals like last season appears to have been stopped at the moment, maybe because Tomas is not playing? 6 points from 6 and no goals against is a satisfactory return and should see GS top the Lig or be there or there abouts depending on the scores from other games later today.
Actually its three wins from three if you include the UEFA cup and 1 goal against.
Here is the starting 11
Orkun, Uğur Uçar, Song, Servet, Volkan Yaman, Sabri, Mehmet Güven, Ayhan, Arda, Hakan Şükür, Ümit Karan
And here are the substitutes
Aykut, Okan Buruk, Ferhat, Mehmet Topal, Ismael Bouzid, Barış Özbek, Serkan Çalık
The game was fairly tight with the best chances going to Galatasaray although Bursa could and perhaps should have equalized later in the game after Umit had opened the scoring in the 60th minute. Having said that Hakan reinforced his "Barn Door" tag and Sabri was close to joining him!!!! There was one of the clearest penalties I have never seen awarded when Umit was flattened in the penalty area, I wish Rob Styles had been the referee after his award of penalty to Chavski today for Malouda tripping over air....
Whilst not totally convinced by the team I must say I am pleasantly surprised by the performances so far and at least the tendency to give away soft goals like last season appears to have been stopped at the moment, maybe because Tomas is not playing? 6 points from 6 and no goals against is a satisfactory return and should see GS top the Lig or be there or there abouts depending on the scores from other games later today.
Actually its three wins from three if you include the UEFA cup and 1 goal against.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Away goal advantage
Here I am again, better late than never although opinions may vary on that....
Galatasaray eased to a 2-1 win, away, over the Croatian team of Slaven Koprivnica. I finally got to see the goals today because LigTV cannot show the UEFA cup games outside of Turkey......Sometimes this team make me want to swear as they do things the hard way, like going 1-0 down after 16 mins to a penalty...Anyway two away goals sets us up nicely. Basically as long as GS do not lose by more than 2 goals they are through and whilst is it is possible its not probable.
I think of all the Turkish Teams in the European competitions, FB is the one most at danger as they will only carry a 1-0 advantage to Belgium. Besiktas and Kayseri both got 1-1 draws away from home so have a precious away goal to bring home. So we could end up with no Turkish teams in the next round which would be a disaster but not surprising really. Turkish football needs a good cup run to get the juices flowing and increase the UEFA points haul so we get direct access to the later rounds and do not have to play qualifying rounds.
Cometh the weekend and GS hop across the Marmara sea to Bursa in what could be an interesting match although after last weekends performance I am expecting a victory but with the injury list already growing and including Linderoth, Lincoln, Arda and Serkan it could be a tougher game than it needs to be. Still another win would be nice.
The Husband is sweating as its the Manchester Derby this weekend and our Setanta box is not working and Fox Soccer Channel are showing the Chavski Scouse game.....could be a retreat to internet radio....
Anyway have to go and sleep, babies are wonderful but tiring.....
Galatasaray eased to a 2-1 win, away, over the Croatian team of Slaven Koprivnica. I finally got to see the goals today because LigTV cannot show the UEFA cup games outside of Turkey......Sometimes this team make me want to swear as they do things the hard way, like going 1-0 down after 16 mins to a penalty...Anyway two away goals sets us up nicely. Basically as long as GS do not lose by more than 2 goals they are through and whilst is it is possible its not probable.
I think of all the Turkish Teams in the European competitions, FB is the one most at danger as they will only carry a 1-0 advantage to Belgium. Besiktas and Kayseri both got 1-1 draws away from home so have a precious away goal to bring home. So we could end up with no Turkish teams in the next round which would be a disaster but not surprising really. Turkish football needs a good cup run to get the juices flowing and increase the UEFA points haul so we get direct access to the later rounds and do not have to play qualifying rounds.
Cometh the weekend and GS hop across the Marmara sea to Bursa in what could be an interesting match although after last weekends performance I am expecting a victory but with the injury list already growing and including Linderoth, Lincoln, Arda and Serkan it could be a tougher game than it needs to be. Still another win would be nice.
The Husband is sweating as its the Manchester Derby this weekend and our Setanta box is not working and Fox Soccer Channel are showing the Chavski Scouse game.....could be a retreat to internet radio....
Anyway have to go and sleep, babies are wonderful but tiring.....
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Not too shabby.....
Welcome back SuperLig.
Welcome back Galatasaray and
Welcome back to winning ways.
All things considered and given the rather woeful form shown in the pre-seaon friendlies today was a good day. Yes the Lions opened up with a 4-0 win over the teamen at the empty and white elephantish Olympic stadium.
I will be the first to state that I missed the game. I watched the Trabzon Sivas bunfight and then our internet connection died!!!!!!! AArgh and I still have not seen the goals as even the official site has still not posted them and neither has Lig TV although the IBB goals are already there.
Here was the team which was expected although Tomas did not even make the bench...
Orkun, Sabri, Song, Servet, Volkan, Barış, Linderoth, Lincoln, Ayhan, Hakan Şükür, Ümit Karan
And the goals were scored by:
14' Lincoln (1-0) 72' Volkan Yaman (2-0) 77' Hakan Şükür (3-0) 84' Hakan Şükür (4-0)
All in all thats a good start, a good goal difference, 3 points in the bag and even better with the success of the other Istanbul (Ayrupa) teams.
Lets hope that it carries through to Thursday and the Uefa Cup match.
I wonder how many matches Trabzon will be paying with an empty stadium.....that was an absolute disgrace.....I mean compared to the FB GS game and at least no one was kicking supporters.......
Welcome back Galatasaray and
Welcome back to winning ways.
All things considered and given the rather woeful form shown in the pre-seaon friendlies today was a good day. Yes the Lions opened up with a 4-0 win over the teamen at the empty and white elephantish Olympic stadium.
I will be the first to state that I missed the game. I watched the Trabzon Sivas bunfight and then our internet connection died!!!!!!! AArgh and I still have not seen the goals as even the official site has still not posted them and neither has Lig TV although the IBB goals are already there.
Here was the team which was expected although Tomas did not even make the bench...
Orkun, Sabri, Song, Servet, Volkan, Barış, Linderoth, Lincoln, Ayhan, Hakan Şükür, Ümit Karan
And the goals were scored by:
14' Lincoln (1-0) 72' Volkan Yaman (2-0) 77' Hakan Şükür (3-0) 84' Hakan Şükür (4-0)
All in all thats a good start, a good goal difference, 3 points in the bag and even better with the success of the other Istanbul (Ayrupa) teams.
Lets hope that it carries through to Thursday and the Uefa Cup match.
I wonder how many matches Trabzon will be paying with an empty stadium.....that was an absolute disgrace.....I mean compared to the FB GS game and at least no one was kicking supporters.......
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Sunday, August 05, 2007
A win at last
So the Lions beat the might of Karsiyaka 1-0 with Barn Door Hakan actually scoring a goal.
So after drawing with Istanbul and Bolu at least it was a won. Lets just hope that performances during the real season are somewhat better.
Man Utd disposed of Chavski in the Community Shield today in a fairly competitive match. It was good to see Fat Frank Lampard have his penalty saved, if ever there is an overrated player that is one.
As for the Turkish Super Cup, I am not bothered who wins as long as it affects both clubs for the rest of the season, not very charitable you might say but I am sure that if GS were playing supporters of the two clubs in question would feel the same.
Roll on next weekend thats all I can say.
So after drawing with Istanbul and Bolu at least it was a won. Lets just hope that performances during the real season are somewhat better.
Man Utd disposed of Chavski in the Community Shield today in a fairly competitive match. It was good to see Fat Frank Lampard have his penalty saved, if ever there is an overrated player that is one.
As for the Turkish Super Cup, I am not bothered who wins as long as it affects both clubs for the rest of the season, not very charitable you might say but I am sure that if GS were playing supporters of the two clubs in question would feel the same.
Roll on next weekend thats all I can say.
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Getting closer
So the silly season is almost over.
Transfers have been made, warm up games completed and that tingling feeling in my palms is the prospect of the first game on the 12th August against the teamen of Rize.
What a silly season it has been with some surprise departures, some solid additions and contracts getting under way for the new stadium.
The UEFA Cup draw appears kind with the Lions being drawn against Slaven Koprinicva of Croatia who I am sure will give us a game but that is a fixture I would hope we should come through. Of course Anderlecht have been handed an easy fixture and I for one am not confident of there being two or even with Besiktas poor performance one Turkish Team on the Champions League.
Its even the Charity shield in England tomorrow as well, excellent.
All that remains is to renew my webtv membership for the coming season and we are good to go.
In honor of the new season I have renamed this blog to better reflect the long standing superiority of Galatasaray over all other Turkish Clubs especially in Europe.
Transfers have been made, warm up games completed and that tingling feeling in my palms is the prospect of the first game on the 12th August against the teamen of Rize.
What a silly season it has been with some surprise departures, some solid additions and contracts getting under way for the new stadium.
The UEFA Cup draw appears kind with the Lions being drawn against Slaven Koprinicva of Croatia who I am sure will give us a game but that is a fixture I would hope we should come through. Of course Anderlecht have been handed an easy fixture and I for one am not confident of there being two or even with Besiktas poor performance one Turkish Team on the Champions League.
Its even the Charity shield in England tomorrow as well, excellent.
All that remains is to renew my webtv membership for the coming season and we are good to go.
In honor of the new season I have renamed this blog to better reflect the long standing superiority of Galatasaray over all other Turkish Clubs especially in Europe.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
New Order
Not exactly Blue Monday but what is going on at Galatasaray these days. Seems like the squad is in turmoil only a couple of weeks before the start of the season.
The recent dropping of Necati, Orhan Ak, Cihan and Hasan Kabze is on the face of it rather surprising. I would have thought there were stronger candidates for release such as Emre Asik, Okan Buruk, Hakan Sukur etc. but what do I know. I assume that GS will be looking to sell these players especially as Necati is valued at over 5m Euros and was a consistent player last season. The writing was on the wall for him though when his shirt was given to Lincoln.
Hasan Kabze never quite reached the heights expected of him and Cihan was inconsistent last season but I am surprised Orhan Ak is being released as I felt he was more consistent that Tomas and Song in the defence.
Still recruitment of new players to Turkeys most successful club should not really be a problem so I wait to see who will be brought in to supplement the strike force and who else will be leaving.
The recent dropping of Necati, Orhan Ak, Cihan and Hasan Kabze is on the face of it rather surprising. I would have thought there were stronger candidates for release such as Emre Asik, Okan Buruk, Hakan Sukur etc. but what do I know. I assume that GS will be looking to sell these players especially as Necati is valued at over 5m Euros and was a consistent player last season. The writing was on the wall for him though when his shirt was given to Lincoln.
Hasan Kabze never quite reached the heights expected of him and Cihan was inconsistent last season but I am surprised Orhan Ak is being released as I felt he was more consistent that Tomas and Song in the defence.
Still recruitment of new players to Turkeys most successful club should not really be a problem so I wait to see who will be brought in to supplement the strike force and who else will be leaving.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Confirmation of the real order
Thanks to Ahmet over at Turkishsoccer.com for reminding everyone of the reality of success in Turkish Soccer.
Galatasaray 18th in Europe.
Fenerbahce 77th.
Enough said.
Galatasaray 18th in Europe.
Fenerbahce 77th.
Enough said.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Normal service resumes
Back again.
So Galatasaray had a good tournament in Switzeralnd winning the Obi cup. I wonder if that is linked to the Star wars character Obi Wan Kenobi, probably not but its something to consider!
Having defeated Anderlecht and the might of Young Boys Berne, who the Husband tells me he has actually seen play live in Berne many years ago, we raised the first silverware of the season. Couple of the young guys scored as well as Umit so despite the fact the teams we were playing are probably trying out hew players and just getting going that was encouraging to see.
Next up is FC Koln and the chance to use Mondragon as target practice and after that Dusseldorf and the Bochum to compete the German leg of the preseason. So far no injuries or other issues to report which is good but I cannot comment on the performances as I have not seen the games.
Latest rumour is that Morientes is going to join but I am not too excited about that as we already have a number of strikers who can score regularly and as proved at Liverpool it seems he can only score in Spain.
I guess this would fill the 6+1 quota although in this case as I say I am not sure we really need him. I think Rommedahl would have been a better bet to make sure Necati, Umit and Hasan Kabze get a good supply.
Anyway I think thats about all for now.
So Galatasaray had a good tournament in Switzeralnd winning the Obi cup. I wonder if that is linked to the Star wars character Obi Wan Kenobi, probably not but its something to consider!
Having defeated Anderlecht and the might of Young Boys Berne, who the Husband tells me he has actually seen play live in Berne many years ago, we raised the first silverware of the season. Couple of the young guys scored as well as Umit so despite the fact the teams we were playing are probably trying out hew players and just getting going that was encouraging to see.
Next up is FC Koln and the chance to use Mondragon as target practice and after that Dusseldorf and the Bochum to compete the German leg of the preseason. So far no injuries or other issues to report which is good but I cannot comment on the performances as I have not seen the games.
Latest rumour is that Morientes is going to join but I am not too excited about that as we already have a number of strikers who can score regularly and as proved at Liverpool it seems he can only score in Spain.
I guess this would fill the 6+1 quota although in this case as I say I am not sure we really need him. I think Rommedahl would have been a better bet to make sure Necati, Umit and Hasan Kabze get a good supply.
Anyway I think thats about all for now.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Nostalgia
I was reading an article on ESPN Soccernet regarding Jupp Derwal the other day following his death. One thing I had not realized was that he was the coach of Germany during the 1982 World Cup.
Whilst I remember that World Cup for one of the fastest World Cup Goals, scored by Captain Marvel aka Bryan Robson, one of the abiding memories was the assault, there really is no other word for it of the Schumacher, the German Keeper on Serge Battiston who left the filed prostrate and unconscious.
I did a quick search on youtube and found the following video clip. Of interest is the next to last one of Rustu doing a pseudo "Schumacher" on an English player in the game in Kadikoy I think when Beckham missed the penalty and Alpay contributed to International diplomacy.....I give you warning though this inlcudes the tackle by Keane on Halland which ended his career and earned Keano an 8 game ban when he admitted it was premeditated, it was bad though......and I remember he started walking immediately after the tackle and did not wait for the red card....
Anyway, click, sit back and enjoy
Whilst I remember that World Cup for one of the fastest World Cup Goals, scored by Captain Marvel aka Bryan Robson, one of the abiding memories was the assault, there really is no other word for it of the Schumacher, the German Keeper on Serge Battiston who left the filed prostrate and unconscious.
I did a quick search on youtube and found the following video clip. Of interest is the next to last one of Rustu doing a pseudo "Schumacher" on an English player in the game in Kadikoy I think when Beckham missed the penalty and Alpay contributed to International diplomacy.....I give you warning though this inlcudes the tackle by Keane on Halland which ended his career and earned Keano an 8 game ban when he admitted it was premeditated, it was bad though......and I remember he started walking immediately after the tackle and did not wait for the red card....
Anyway, click, sit back and enjoy
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