And in today's paper

Not quite a story about us but Sabah newspaper's Ankara pullout did mention to get a few of the Kankas onto its sports page, including Maniac Kanka Harun's efforts at getting the German ambassador to put on an Ankaragucu top.

In the paper today

In a small corner in the Ankara section of today's Hurriyet newspaper. Thanks go out to Two-match Kanka Suzan for the translation. My question is how did they find out about it. My suspicion is that Maniac Kanka Harun had something to do with it.

The Ankara Football Lovers

Foreign Ankara football-lovers living in the capital held a get-together. The Football addicts, who work for various establishments, have been watching Ankaragucu and Genclerbirligi games continuously for the past two years.

The Football Lovers, who got together at the Red Lion Club, on the grounds of the British Embassy, had the opportunity to relax after a busy season. Fifteen Turkish Ankaragucu and Genclerbirlig fans joined a group of 50 English, Scottish, Dutch and German fans at the end-of-season barbecue party.

A large flag symbolizing the friendship between the two clubs was displayed in the hall. Prizes _ which included Ankaragucu and Genclerbirligi goods _ were distributed at a raffle at the joyous party. Scottish Ankaragucu fan, Sir Eski Kanka, and Australian Genclerbirligi fan, Oz Kanka, who organized the party promised to turn it into a regular event.

TUNCAY GOES TO HIBERNIAN

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

How about that for a headline ???

It is not another one of Eski Kanka's `wind-ups` - it is true !

On 28 July, Tuncay will be going to Edinburgh to play Hibernian in a `friendly` for his new club, Middlesbrough.

I have posted this information on Nathan's Fener Blog, so that any Turkish exiles in Scotland can go to Easter Road and see Fener's lost hero figure strut his stuff on the famous turf.

I have also asked Hibbie Kanka Athole to make a match post on this Blog with special emphasis on the performance of Tuncay. So, watch this space from 29 July onwards.

Playing at Easter Road Stadium will no doubt be the pinacle of Tuncay's career so far. What an honour !

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Alpine Kanka jumps in

A few more photos from Saturday's football tournament party. Thanks Alpine Kanka Wolfgang for sending these in.


Photo 1 (above): A couple of Austrian girls with Alpine Kanka Christoph and his mum Andrea holding the 2nd place trophy.
EDIT: Sir Eski has pointed out that the girls are actually Turkish and go by the names of Merve and Gokce.


Photo 2: Alpine Kanka Wolfgang, Christoph and Lanky Kanka Jorg.


Photo 3: Christian and Christoph.


Photo 4: The Germans celebrate yet another win.


Photo 5: Spine, Little Oz Kanka, Oz Kanka and Flying Dutchman Kanka celebrate yet another beer.


Photo 6: Christoph, Genclerbirligi Oftaş Vice President Suphi and Wolfgang.

German social democratic values shine

This is apparently the hottest weekend in this part of the world in 30 years. While certain so-called professionals complain about early starting dates to football league seasons citing the heat as a danger to their health, diplomats in Ankara are out there doing their stuff.

And so we had the "Fifth Football tournament of the German Embassy in Ankara". The teams featured were Team Switzerland/Austria - Euro 08, Team USA, Team UK, Team Italy, Team Latinos, Team Germany - FC Stiefel, Team Japan/Korea/China and Team "Nordic".

As there was no Team Socceroos and as I'm not a diplomat I didn't take part myself but I was told that after a series of grueling matches Team Germany - FC Stiefel, featuring our very own Lanky Kanka Jorg, took out the tournament.

Afterwards we had an example of why the German social democratic system is so superior to that of, for example, Britain, ie they gave us free beer.

They put on a huge party at the embassy where the beer was on tap and the food fantastic.

Maniac Kanka Harun set up his stall and we flew our flag and lo and behold Maniac Kanka even managed to get the German ambassador to put on an Ankaragucu top (4th picture below). At this stage he was interviewed by someone from the Turkish press about the EU constitution.

I didn't get to do all that much socialising as I had to keep an eye out for Little Oz Kanka (3) who managed to find himself a new girlfriend. He then dumpe her when he found a mate of his from school who was clearly much better at playing tag.

Below are a bunch of photos sent to me by Maniac Kanka. And by the way, in the first picture Maniac Kanka is not pointing at Legal Kanka Saadet's breasts but in fact pointing out that he somehow managed to get a Genclerbirligi supporter to put on an Ankaragucu shirt. Shame on you Legal Kanka!

HIBERNIAN - A WISE APPOINTMENT

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

With Hibbie Kanka posted absent without leave, I thought I would inform you about another astute appointment made by Hibernian.

Gareth Evans has been appointed as Reserve Team Coach.

Who is he some of you may ask ? Well, first off he is an Englishman (Yorkshireman) who played for Coventry City, and he joined Hibs from Rotherham in 1988 until moving on in 1996.

He was a member of the Hibs team which won the Scottish League Cup back in 1991 when they beat Dunfermline by 2-0. I would liken his style to that of Umut Bulut (ex ANKARAGUCU and now with Trabzon). He was predatory striker who didn't stop running for 90 minutes and he never knew the meaning of defeat !

He is also a friend of mine, having moved to my home town, North Berwick, while he was playing for Hibs. I met him last summer at the North Berwick School Sports Day and he and his family are settled in the town and intend to stay there. In fact, I mentioned to him in conversation that he might move back to Hibs in a coaching capacity one day and he just smiled !!

He has recently been coaching lower league teams, Alloa and Brechin, so he has been on a learning curve for the past few years and is now ready to move up into a higher profile position.

I am very happy with this appointment and wish Gareth success back at Hibernian FC.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

A EUROPEAN ADVENTURE FROM THE 1970s

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Not many footie fans could answer this question. Let’s see if YOU can !

Which team in Turkey was the first Turkish Team to play a Scottish Team in a competative UEFA football competition ? Clue – The European Cup-Winners Cup.

And the answer is……………………. ?

Have a guess before you scroll down to read the answer.

Were you right ?

If so, you can claim a free EFES from Eski Kanka in the Red Lion Club …………… if you can catch him in a generous mood !!

Answer……………

……………………………

…………………………………….

……………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………..

ANKARAGUCU !!!!

It was back in 1973 when ANKARAGUCU were drawn against the 1971 European Cup-Winners Cup winners, Glasgow Rangers, in the 1st Round of this competition, but they were blown away by a Scottish Storm 0-2 in Ankara, and 0-4 at Ibrox.

No shame in those days when Rangers boasted household names such as John Greig, Sandy Jardine, Alfie Conn, Cutty Young and Tommy McLean (all Scottish Internationals).

However, in the previous year’s competition (1972), ANKARAGUCU put up a better performance against Leeds United (the team we all love to hate !) going down in the 1st Round by the odd goal. It was 1-1 in Ankara and 0-1 at Elland Road.

Playing in European footie is every player’s ultimate ambition, and with those historic forays into Europe in mind, we can start dreaming about another assault on European qualification next season. Not an impossible dream with a proven winner in Hans Peter Briegal at the helm. He’s been there before and no doubt he wants to return !

So………… let’s get the show on the road !!!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

The inaugural Kanka BBQ

We have certainly come a long way since the then unknighted Eski Kanka started up the Kanka group and kept a couple of people in touch via e-mail. With numbers getting bigger and bigger Sir Eski decided we should hold an end of season BBQ where we could all cry into our beers with relief that neither Genclerbirligi nor Ankaragucu were relegated this season... and boy it was it close there for a while.

So yesterday we set up shop at the Red Lion Club. Maniac Kanka Harun stitched up the flag you can see in the photos below and we all got stuck into the Efes.

A great turnout with a few winning Ankaragucu or Genclerbirligi-themed prizes from Harun's sports shop.

All up a great afternoon. Thanks to all those who came along and well done Sir Eski Kanka, you did a great job.

No names for the photos. There are too many! If you click on the group shot you can see a much larger version.

Nick Carle signs for Genclerbirligi

There has been a lot of speculation concerning the Newcastle (north of Sydney) Jets midfielder Nick Carle who arrived in Turkey this week to sign for God only knows who.

First up reports said he was going to Fenerbahce, then Galatasaray and then Trabzonspor. But then today I saw news that he is in Ankara today and has come to an agreement to sign for Genclerbirligi.

Great news. the Australian League may not be up there with the very best but it has some good players and everyone has to start somewhere. We at Gencler all remember how well Josip Skoko played for us.

During all the controversy over who he was going to sign for I googled Mr. Carle and in addition to seeing that he was voted the players' player of the year award for the last season I also saw that he went to Patrician Brothers College, Fairfield in Sydney.

That was what blew me away because I went to Patrician Brothers Holy Cross College. Our schools were huge rivals, I still remember Benny Elias kicking a conversion from the side-line in our 1981 Commonwealth Bank Cup final victory over Fairfield back in. I also remember the next year when Greg Alexander put us to the sword. Both players went on play for Australia.

While we were rivals we were also "brother" schools thanks to the Patrician Brothers connection. So it looks like the number Patrician Brothers educated boys in Ankara has just doubled.

For you Turks reading this these schools are sort of like Imam Hatip schools which produce many more great rugby league or football players than they do priests.



EDIT: He signed this afternoon. A three-year deal. Good news indeed. The following is what a fellow called Tommo put on Natahn's blog when the rumour was that he was going to Fener.

Though he's never really been tested outside the confines of Australian domestic football, I think you'll find that, if you do sign Carle, you won't be disappointed. An extremely entertaining, intelligent footballer - capable of controlling the game from midfield, scoring goals, as well as pulling off any number of crowd-pleasing dribbles and party tricks. Classic Number 10 stuff. A little selfish at times, sure, but it comes with the territory I guess. Anyway, most Australians think he has a big future with our national team, so if he does sign for Fenerbache, hopefully it will only mean good things for both parties.

EDIT 2: You can see the reaction from the Newcastle Jets in this Australian associated press article.

And by the way, hello to all the Australians who seem to be checking out the blog at the moment. If any of you have anything you would like to tell us about Carle, ie. is he any good, please do so in the comments section.


EDIT 3: The Aussie fourfourtwo magazine has an interview with Carle where he admits he cannot pronounce Genclerbirligi

Come on Yanks, up your game and bugger the Poms

There is an excellent article today in Sir Eski Kanka's favourite newspaper The Guardian concerning why British people look down on U.S. football.

Steven Wells, whose articles are always brilliant and from whom I've quoted a few times, argues that it is in some ways because it is the last way that Brits can feel superior over the Yanks.

We - a substantial chunk of us, anyway - are desperately scared that association football will succeed in America. That the USA will become a footballing power. That the yanks will develop a version of the beautiful game as irresistible as jazz, rock'n'roll or the amazing American language (and unless you've checked the English/American phrase books handed out to GIs in 1942, you probably have no idea how much American you speak, limey).

Why are we scared? Because as a nation we have a desperate need to feel superior to the vibrant barbarian culture that's replaced us as top global ass-kicker.

I strongly recommend you check out the full article here.

The thing that struck me is that I doubt very much that many Australians hold a similar point of view. I can always remember thinking I wished the yanks would play a sport which we played also, whether that be rugby or cricket or whatever.

That way we would get the opportunity to take 'em out. The way Wells puts it, it seems as if the British are scared of themselves being taken out.

I remember when I was about 12 years-old and we beat the Americans in the America's Cup. Hard to believe today but all of Australia went crazy over a series of yachting races. My younger brother and I got up at 5 a.m. to watch the end of the last race in the series and when our yacht got over the line we both cheered loud enough to wake up my Old Man. Not knowing what the hell was going on, he told us off, but when we got home from school he did something I don't think he had ever done to us before or since - he apologised.

My point is that the nation went crazy not because we love yacht races, but because we beat the Yanks. As the prime minister at the time told morning television on the day. "Any boss who sacks a worker for being late today is a bum."

So come on Yanks, start playing football, or soccer, or whatever you want to call it. The Brits might be scared but us Aussies want to take you on.

A new Genclerbirligi coach

Just read an Anatolian news agency report that Ilhan Cavcav has found ourselves a coach. A Turkish-Belgian fellow by the name of Fuat Çapa.

According to the report Çapa signed a four-day, sorry, four-year contract while he was visiting Cavcav's flour factory in Ankara on Friday.

I've never heard of the bloke so went to my old friend Wikipedia to find out how many league titles Çapa has collected in Belgium were he has been coaching lately. I was so impressed that I've decided to reprint the entire Wikipedia article here.

Fuat Capa is a Turkish football manager currently coaching Vigor Wuitens Hamme in the Belgian Second Division.

Yep, that's it. There is a link to Vigo Wuitens Hamme in the Wikipedia piece but the club is obviously so big that there is no need to have any information on them in Wikipedia at all.

So I can't actually say much about this guy. I can say though that Genclerbirligi has had a long tradition of signing Belgian players and perhaps Çapa has been our scout over there. Who knows?

Anyway, I wish him all the best of luck, cause for God's sake he will need it.

ANKARAGUCU - A NEW ERA UNDER HANS PETER BRIEGEL

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Hans Peter Briegel has signed up to be the new ANKARAGUCU coach, with long serving Club Captain, Hakan Kutlu, as his assistant.

There can be no doubting his credentials and Cemal Aydin should receive praise for making this appointment.

Hans Peter Briegel is a household name in Germany and is well know around the world by footie fanatiks. The now 51 year old started his playing career at home town club Kaiserslautern and was also a regular member of the German national team during his career. He also playing in Serie A for Verona and Sampdoria.

He began his managerial career with German 2nd Division clubs before returning to Kaiserslautern as Sporting Director. He then moved on to coaching the national teams of Albania and Bahrain.

Those of you with long memories will remember that he was assistant coach at Besiktas and coach at Trabzon for short periods.

So, The Round Ball in Ankara welcomes Mr Briegel to Ankara and we hope that his stay at ANKARAGUCU will be long and successful !

We also hope that Mr Briegel will be able to attend the Kankas Bar-B-Q tomorrow.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

HAS THE EXODUS STARTED ??

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

There I was, walking along Hosdere Caddesi in Cankaya today and what did I see ??...........

Shock Horror........... a boy wearing a Melih Gokcekspor top !!

What is happening ? In Cankaya of all places !! Sincan..... OK, but not Cankaya please !!

OK, there has been a big advertising campaign for A*****spor's summer footie school, but this is positively the first (and hopefully the last time) I want to see this in Cankaya. No need to tell you that Melih Gokcek is not top of the pops in Cankaya !!!

On the other hand, could it be the beginning of the exodus of Gencler boys to A*****spor ?

If it is, then Mr Cavcav will be responsible for a lost generation of boys from Gencler to that other lot.

Are you reading this Blog Mr Cavcav ???

All the best from `Anti A*****spor` Eski Kanka Jim

For sale

An advertisement in today's Ankara section of Hurriyet:

Fan for sale

- Award received from TFF
- Does not want free ticket
- Doesn't depend on success for loyalty
- Doesn't create incidents
- Doesn't swear

We condemn the management approach which, by rejecting the principles of democratic institutional management and which has been separated from the sporting values of Genclerbirligi, humiliates our football community in full view of the public.

Alkaralar
www.alkaralar.com

Lets hope he lasts more than two days

I really do find these things amazing. We lose a coach on Saturday and then we sort out a foreign coach by Tuesday. Amazingly fast.

But, the news is that Genclerbirligi have signed Trond Sollied, a Norwegian who is out of a job at the moment but who has tasted success with some of the teams he has coached.

As usual I had to go searching the internets for information on the bloke as I had never heard of him. Wikipedia has a pretty good summary of his career

Seems as if he has won a variety of trophies as manager of (in order) Bodø/Glimt, Rosenborg, Club Brugge and Olympiacos.

Now we all know how wily Ilhan Cavcav is but in Sollied we seem to have found a similiarly tricky fellow. The following is taken straight from the Wikipedia article:

In 2005, one year before the end of his contract with Club Brugge, a video message was leaked to the Belgian press, in which Sollied stated that he had left Club Brugge for Olympiacos. Sollied disputed (and said) that this video was released without his permission. It was only meant to be published after he had signed a contract, which was not yet the case according to him. In Belgium, this affair was seen as a trick to force Club Brugge to suspend his contract, so Olympiacos would not have to pay a large sum to Club Brugge. In a press release, Club Brugge stated that they had taken note of Sollied's decision to suspend his contract. The affair will probably be brought to a Belgian labor court, which will have to judge whether it was Sollied who suspended the contract by the message, or it was Club Brugge who fired him.

Well, well, well.

We can only wish the guy the best of luck. The appointment might also mean Nordic Kanka Stian will get himself down to a few more matches this season.

EDIT: Check the comments section for the latest updates on our exciting new coach.

Now Hasan Cetinkaya goes

Some of you may know Hasan Cetinkaya, he was the general manager at Genclerbirligi and was shafted a while ago by Ilhan Cavcav. Cavcav was forced to re-employ him when it was learnt that without him we would have failed various Uefa regulations... this was all very confusing and I'm not sure I understand the exact legal position.

Anyway, Hasan is a great bloke who has stuck by Gencler for a number of years but then today I learnt from the Anatolian news agency that he is leaving, off to be the general manager at Gaziantepspor.

Another loss for Gencler. And of course this may mean we shall never hear from Zagreb Kanka again.

In the photo above you can see Hasan handing over a jersey to our very own Lanky Kanka Jorg.

Some publicity for us and "The Curse"

Got a text on my mobile this morning from Spine asking me whether I had seen today's edition of the Turkish Daily News. Amazing stuff. The TDN did an entire article concerning just Genclerbirligi. No mention of any of those Istanbul buggers, just Gencler.

Ozgur Korkmaz, a silent but regular reader of the blog wrote a very nice piece concerning the latest tragedy that is the seemingly normal life nowadays at Genclerbirligi.

"Coach departure induces fan protest at Genclerbirligi" was the title of Ozgur's piece where he interviews Bulent Atlas on the reaction of the fans to the latest fiasco. Ozgur sums up my feelings exactly in the following paragraph:

Over the last 30 years, (Cavcav) has made a well-deserved name in the business side of football, especially in finding young, talented players, mostly from Africa, and selling them to bigger clubs. But with lots money in the bank, and excellent training facilities, Gençlerbirliği fans think it is time to take a further step and they want to have a team that aims for the top.

Then, just near the end, was the following paragraph:

Gençlerbirliği has never had a great number of supporters, but it seems that the next season will even be tougher for the club. As a blogger, dubbed “Oz Kanka”, wrote in the blog for foreign football enthusiasts in Ankara, “The round ball in Ankara” (http://ankarafootball.blogspot.com/); “‘Cavcav paranın turşusunu kur' (Cavcav pickle your money), will no doubt ring loud throughout next season's matches. That's if we have any fans left.”

Cool stuff. Got a bit of a bump in traffic today to the blog thanks to the article. Sure, Nathan over at Fenerbahce Worldwide got a couple of articles about his site into Hurriyet but that was a lifestyle-type story, still cool though Nathan :). We however are being quoted on the news, as it happens... a fair and balanced view may I add.

The Curse of "The round ball in Ankara"

This is becoming scary. This blog is now responsible for the departure from Ankara teams of three coaches.

Victim 1: Vlado Bozinoski
Bozinoski was appointed coach of Ankaragucu at the beginning of the season. Being an Aussie we thought we should get an interview. After numerous attempts I finally managed to get his mobile number and was about to ring him when he was sacked.

Victim 2: Mesut Bakkal
Lanky Kanka Jorg organised a football match between the German/Austrian Embassy football team FC Stiefel and the Genclerbirligi management. Gencler coach Bakkal was going to be there so we could interview him for the blog. Within minutes of Lanky Kanka confirming that the interview was on, Bakkal resigned as coach.

Victim 3: Ersun Yanal
Yanal appointed coach and what with the Kanka BBQ on this Saturday we thought this would be a great opportunity to invite him along and interview him for the blog. Yanal resigned two days ago. Today I received confirmation from Lanky Kanka that Yanal had actually said "yes" and was going to come to the BBQ.

Victim 4: ???????

Yanal resigns

This is not a joke. Just two days after officially signing for the club Ersun Yanal resigned as coach of Genclerbirligi today, and I for one am bloody pissed off.

Yanal signed on the dotted line on Thursday. Today, Saturday, he resigned. When he signed the other day Yanal said that Chairman Ilhan Cavcav had promised him that he would not sell anyone. Seems as if he didn't take long to break that promise as we have now sold the Ghana international Draman Haminu to Lokomotiv Moscow for 3 million euros.

"The promises the chairman made before and after the contract was signed were not matched. We were a team with a target but then we sold Draman," Yanal told the Anatolian news agency this afternoon.

"Ersun Yanal," said Yanal in the third person, "has a way of working and principles. Under these conditions even if he (Cavcav) wants to work with me I won't work with him. This is not the way a team with ambition should act."

To say that I'm pissed off is an understatement. What the bloody hell is Cavcav doing to our club?

The prospect that Draman might be going has been around for a few weeks. Lokomotiv first made it public that they were after him before the last match of the season. They offered 2.5 million euros and Gencler replied that they wanted 3 million. This isn't small money and I was pretty sure that we were going to lose him.

Unlike other transfers we have made this year, ie Risp and Ayman to Trabzonspor, I wasn't totally against the move. Risp and Ayman were sold mid-season for not a lot of money to one of our big rivals. We never really recovered and in the end were almost relegated. The Draman move was different. First up it was to a team outside of Turkey and secondly was the money - 2.5 or 3 million euros can buy a lot.

The point here though is that Cavcav clearly promised Yanal that he would not sell Draman. A promise he has not kept. So Yanal, clearly within his rights, has called Cavcav's bluff and proven to the world that Cavcav is a man that cannot be trusted and who clearly only has one thing in mind... making money. As Yanal says. "This is not the way a team with ambition should act".

Just a few days ago we were so over the moon at having signed Yanal. This was a man who brought great glory to the club just a few years ago. Now, thanks to Cavcav, we are back to the normal state we have been in for the past two years... depressed and angry.

"Cavcav paranın turşusunu kur", will no doubt ring loud throughout next season's matches. That's if we have any fans left.

ANKARAGUCU AND THE PRESIDENT'S CUP

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

With all the league footie now closed down for the summer, I thought you might be interested in another of Eski Kanka’s `Blasts from the Past`.

The President’s Cup in Turkey is a prestigious competition along the same lines as the English Charity Shield.

It was first contested in 1965/66 season and is played between the Turkish League Champions and Turkish Cup winners each season. There was a name change in 1997/98 season when it became known as the Super Cup and it is still being contested each year under that name.

Looking at ANKARAGUCU’s involvement, they first played in this competition in 1972 and lost to Galatasaray. However, they did eventually win the President’s Cup in 1981 when they defeated Trabzon by
1-0. This was a significant achievement at the time because Trabzon had made this Cup their own, having won it for the past 5 years ! So, to break Trabzon’s stranglehold of the President’s Cup was an impressive coup.

Maniac Kanka Harun remembers the final well, having watched it in 19 Mayis Stadium sitting on top of his father’s shoulders as a 10 year old Mini-Maniac Kanka ! Unfortunately for him, when ANKARAGUCU scored the winning goal half way through the 2nd half, his father forgot his son was up-top and leaped around in excitement with all the surrounding supporters. Mini Maniac Kanka was therefore propelled forward into the celebrating crowd and landed head first into a sea of bodies.

Whether brain damage was caused to Maniac Kanka is a matter for debate……….. suffice to say that he is well named as Maniac Kanka !!!

Before closing, it would be churlish of me not to mention that Genclerbirligi has only contested the President’s Cup on one occasion in 1987. Needless to say they lost to….. yes, you guessed it……… Galatasaray (the team we all love to hate !!!).

Acknowledgement is made to Cem Pekin for some of the above facts.

All the best from The Stats Man, Eski Kanka Jim

NOT WELCOME IN ANKARA

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Reading a post in Nathan's Fenerbahce Blog yesterday about welcoming Kasimpasa into the Super League has spurred me into print.

I for one do NOT welcome them into the Super League, and if that sounds like sour grapes then so be it !

For those of you who are unaware of the promoted clubs, let me explain. As reported in our Blog recently, OFTAS Genclerbirligi of Ankara were crowned champions of the 2nd League. Joining them will be Istanbul BBS and the afore-mentioned Kasimpasa, also from Istanbul.

So, having had to suffer the visits of 3 unwelcome teams from Istanbul last season, we now have a further 2 to add to the growing list of `unwelcomes` !

Oz Kanka and I have already mentioned in Oz Kanka's Antalya visit post that we are disappointed that Antalyaspor was relegated. Firstly, for the fact that they are a popular footie club in Turkey, and secondly, because we won't be able to vistit Antalya next season to see ANKARAGUCU or Gencler.

So, I was hoping that Altay of Izmir would beat Kasimpasa in the play-offs so that at least we could make Izmir a substitute visit location next season. Alas, it was not to be.

So, if any of you Istanbul BBS or Kasimpasa supporters out there read this Blog............ do NOT expect a welcome when you come to Ankara next season !!!

All the best from `Anti-X` Eski Kanka Jim

Turkey v England amputee matches update

An update on the Turkey v England international friendlies a week or so ago. The English FA have put up their report on the two matches, won 0-4 and 0-1 by England.

Take a close look at the small photo of the team, it appears the offspring of Kankas are popping up everywhere.

The matches were a warm-up for both teams ahead of the Amputee World Championships in Antalya in November. With any luck we might be able to get down there.

GENCLERBIRLIGI CREATE A NEW WORLD RECORD

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Stop press news…… breaking news…………

As always, The Round Ball in Ankara leads where others follow….. and we always like to be at the forefront of footie news…………

So…….. tomorrow’s headlines will likely be……..

`Genclerbirligi Create a World Record of the Shortest Serving Coach in World Football` - Ersun Yanal recalled to coach the Turkish National Football Team after only 5 Days at his new club` !!

Well……….. not quite as I write this (11.30pm 2 June), but a likely scenario after tonight’s abomination in Bosnia !

What the hell is Fatih Terim doing ? Rustu makes a schoolboy error to `gift` Bosnia their winner. Also, what the hell did Olde Man Hakan do for 90 minutes ? There was also a `gift` from Servet for Bosnia’s 2nd goal. Admittedly, the ‘effin Linesman was sleeping and should have raised his flag for Bosnia’s 1st goal, but the point is……. Bloody hell….. who are they playing ? Brazil, Scotland,….. OK….. world class teams, but….. Bosnia ???

Pressure full on now as Greece, Norway and Bosnia move into challenging positions when all looked plain sailing for Turkey.

So………… will Ersun Yanal be back in the `hot seat` tomorrow with Fatih Terim offered the Gencler job ??? Mmmmmmmmm….. possibly, and you read it in The Round Ball in Ankara first !!!

All the best from The Oracle…….. Eski Kanka Jim

Were you searching Google for Okan Udo Bassey?

Google is a wonderful tool but quite frankly I'm amazed that for more than a year this site is still number one in Google search results for the term "Okan Udo Bassey" (without the quotation marks).

The thing is we seem to get a lot of hits on the blog from people typing in this search. Therefore, instead of sending you to some weird page on our blog lets hope that Google instead sends you here.

First of all, let me just say that Okan Udo Bassey is better known to a few of us as Udo Steven Bassey. A few years ago he changed his name after taking out Turkish citizenship.

I'm now going to cut and paste a few of the former comments I and others have made about the man.

"He is a Nigerian who came to Turkey some 30 years ago and has been at the Turkish Daily News for many many years. He was my boss for a while so I'm pretty sure he isn't a figment of my imagination.

Also, Udo is a maniac Galatasaray supporter."

I wrote that back in April last year. Spine added the following:

"(Udo is) a charming and wonderful man who has done more than most to publicise Turkish football to the English-speaking world.

"In fact, all readers of this blog should be aware that our beloved Oz Kanka was once Udo's "flunkey" on the sports desk. Udo called, Oz Kanka jumped. Of course this wanton lizardry was only a cunning tactic so (Oz Kanka) could increase the TDN's cricket coverage.

Some of Udo Bassey's contributions to Turkish football vocabulary: "minnows" "whipping boys" "the Rize Tea Men" "Galatasaray's Istanbul den" and the much beloved "vicissitudes"."

Sir Eski Kanka even knew the bloke:

"I know Udo too. He used to work at my school many moons ago (1999) and I agree with you all. He is one 'elluva guy"

So now you all know that Udo does indeed exist.

Below is a very small photo that I found of him on the Today's Zaman website where today Udo spends his time writing pro-Galatasaray articles and managing all the sports and foreign news pages.

So if you are one of the very many people who come to our blog by searching for Mr. Bassey, I hope we have helped out a little. Or perhaps it is just that Udo searches his own name on a regular basis?

As Udo used to greet us every day: "Good morning my former colonial masters", or if not that "OJ is innocent!"

You can check out Udo's latest work at the Today's Zaman website (in English). The website even has his e-mail u.bassey@todayszaman.com So go ahead and send the legend a message. May I suggest a campaign. Simply cut and paste:

Subject line: Okan (Udo) Bassey objective?

Message text: Why the hell don't you write more articles about Genclerbirligi and Ankaragucu?

Yanal back at Genclerbirligi

After a couple of weeks of speculation and false reporting, including one strange report that Bulent Korkmaz had signed up - who could have written that one??? - Ersun Yanal has signed a two-year contract to coach Genclerbirligi.

The contract was signed on Friday not at Genclerbirligi's headquarters but at a factory owned by Chairman Ilhan Cavcav.

Yanal was the man who brought great success to the club a few years ago including a great run in the UEFA Cup that saw us defeat Blackburn Rovers, AS Roma, and Sporting Lisbon before going down to eventual winners Valencia.

Having nicked Yanal from Ankaragucu, and thus starting up a couple of years of animosity between the fans of the two clubs which has recently calmed down, Yanal was then nicked from us by the TFF who installed him as national coach before sacking him not long later.

But now we have him back. Quite frankly I'm happy. Fingers crossed we can get him to the end of season bbq.

PHOTO CAPTION: Ersun Yanal with our very own Sir Eski Kanka and One-match Kanka Suzan at a World Cup party at the German Embassy last year.