Greetings Kankas and Kankies.
After Turkey’s unfortunate and sad exit from the Yooro Nations Cup it is time to take a short `breather` before Club action resumes.
History has shown that Germany must never be under-estimated on a footie field, but Turkey surely gave them the fright of their lives in the Semi Final.
I say ….. well done Turkey. The players can return with their heads held high and be proud of their endeavours.
Turning to Club footie. I have some dates for your diaries.
The Ankara TSYD (Sports Writers) Cup will take place at Ankara’s 19 Mayis Stadium from 15th to 17th August.
I am not sure of the exact line-up yet, but I can confirm that ANKARAGUCU has been invited this year. Presumably Gencler, OFTAS and Ankaraspor will also take part.
League action commences the following weekend 22nd August.
More news on this when I have it.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
The Round Ball in Ankara! Dedicated to football lovers in Ankara (Except for those who follow Osmanlispor)
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
ANKARAGUCU - OUT WITH THE `OLDE` AND IN WITH THE NEW !
Greetings Kankas and Kankies.
Some recent ANKARAGUCU comings and goings to report. A little sad news, but mostly good news.
The sad news is that our captain, Kirita, could be on his way to Kocaelispor which will be a sad loss to the team and supporters. He has served the Club well and his inspirational leadership will be missed, particularly in defence. No doubt Murat Erdogan will now assume the captaincy ?
I also lament the transfer of Bebbe to Istanbul BBS. He is my type of player, in the mould of Umut Bulut, and a player who never stops trying. In my opinion, we never really saw the best of Bebbe due to the lack of support coming from midfield and the absence of a regular strike partner. Bebbe was a much more lethal striker when Ceyhun was in the team pulling the strings !
As you may have noticed from recent comments made by our Mexican friend to the Blog, our (on loan) Uruguayan, Lamas, is leaving for (we understand) Mexico. I wish him well.
`Olde` Diawara is also on his way. He has been a disappointment since his arrival from Antep and will not be missed.
The most intriguing of the new arrivals is a Brazilian by the name of Betinho who comes from a Club in Brazil’s 2nd league. He has been signed to take on Bebbe’s role up front and we will have to wait and see how he shapes up.
Other newcomers are …..
Burak Ozsarac (stopper) from Konyaspor
Yusuf Soysal (goalkeeper) from Erciyes
Barbaros (midfield) from Kasimpasa
Ozan (left wing) from Maras
Metin (midfield) from Istanbulspor
Edin (forward) from Iskenderun
Finally, it is pleasing to report that `Old Boy` and `Fans Favourite`, Hakan Keles, has joined the Club as Hakan Kutlu’s assistant. Hopefully his previous successful attacking play will rub off on the team this season !!!
ANKARAGUCU will begin pre-season training on 7 July and will then go to their Summer Camp in Augsburg in Germany from 26 July to 6 August.
Watch out for news of their matches there in future posts.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
Some recent ANKARAGUCU comings and goings to report. A little sad news, but mostly good news.
The sad news is that our captain, Kirita, could be on his way to Kocaelispor which will be a sad loss to the team and supporters. He has served the Club well and his inspirational leadership will be missed, particularly in defence. No doubt Murat Erdogan will now assume the captaincy ?
I also lament the transfer of Bebbe to Istanbul BBS. He is my type of player, in the mould of Umut Bulut, and a player who never stops trying. In my opinion, we never really saw the best of Bebbe due to the lack of support coming from midfield and the absence of a regular strike partner. Bebbe was a much more lethal striker when Ceyhun was in the team pulling the strings !
As you may have noticed from recent comments made by our Mexican friend to the Blog, our (on loan) Uruguayan, Lamas, is leaving for (we understand) Mexico. I wish him well.
`Olde` Diawara is also on his way. He has been a disappointment since his arrival from Antep and will not be missed.
The most intriguing of the new arrivals is a Brazilian by the name of Betinho who comes from a Club in Brazil’s 2nd league. He has been signed to take on Bebbe’s role up front and we will have to wait and see how he shapes up.
Other newcomers are …..
Burak Ozsarac (stopper) from Konyaspor
Yusuf Soysal (goalkeeper) from Erciyes
Barbaros (midfield) from Kasimpasa
Ozan (left wing) from Maras
Metin (midfield) from Istanbulspor
Edin (forward) from Iskenderun
Finally, it is pleasing to report that `Old Boy` and `Fans Favourite`, Hakan Keles, has joined the Club as Hakan Kutlu’s assistant. Hopefully his previous successful attacking play will rub off on the team this season !!!
ANKARAGUCU will begin pre-season training on 7 July and will then go to their Summer Camp in Augsburg in Germany from 26 July to 6 August.
Watch out for news of their matches there in future posts.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
A CHALLENGE TO THE GENCLERBIRLIGI KANKAS !
Greetings Kankas and Kankies.
First we had Mountaineering Kankas Robbie and Judy's impressive feats of taking the ANKARAGUCU flag to the top of Mount Kilimenjaro, followed by some of the great mountains of Turkey and Algeria. Guinness Book of Records please note !!
Now we have another impressive feat to report with Sir Eski Kanka scaling the highest point in Kapadokya - namely Uchisar.
This momentous climb occurred on 14 June 2008 and may also qualify for inclusion in the Guinness Book of Records ?! I forgot to take my ANKARAGUCU flag, but if you look closely you can see my ANKARAGUCU track suit and hat !!
On the last stage of the assault on the summit I was offered oxygen, but ....... remembering Robbie's great achievements, I courageously refused and pressed on to the top without aid. Every step of the last 50 metres was a victoreeeee !!
I lost count of how many metres I was above sea level, but if you look closely in the photo you will see Mount Erciyes in the background. On of the highest mountains in Turkey at about 5,000 metres.
So, the gauntlet is down to all you Gencler Kankas. When will we ever see you flying the Gencler flag on the roof of the world ??!!
In the meantime, I will begin planning my next project. Elmadag Mountain in Ankara and The Law in North Berwick !!
All the best from (a wannabee Mountaineering Kanka) Eski Kanka Jim
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Terim is one lucky manager
Turkey continues on its run. Bloody amazing. Yet again Terim staves off execution with a lucky last minute goal.
As soon as the match went to penalties it was clear that Turkey was going to win. One side had fear in their hearts, the other side had belief.
Many of the Kankas were down at the Red lion Club to watch the match and Zagreb Kanka you will be pleased to know that Spine was wearing a Croatia shirt which he bought from a trip to your wonderful country last year.
After the match I quickly went home, grabbed my camera, and then sought out some of the scenes near my house.
As soon as the match went to penalties it was clear that Turkey was going to win. One side had fear in their hearts, the other side had belief.
Many of the Kankas were down at the Red lion Club to watch the match and Zagreb Kanka you will be pleased to know that Spine was wearing a Croatia shirt which he bought from a trip to your wonderful country last year.
After the match I quickly went home, grabbed my camera, and then sought out some of the scenes near my house.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Turkey through to the quarters
Well, I would never have put money on it but Turkey tonight came back from 2-0 down against the Czechs to win 3-2. A bloody amazing result which saw the few Turks at the Red Lion Club bouncing off the walls, including Little Miss Eski Kanka. It was some result.
After getting home I grabbed my camera and went onto the main street near my house. Here are a few of the photos.
After getting home I grabbed my camera and went onto the main street near my house. Here are a few of the photos.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Euro 2008 kicks off
Afraid you aren't going to get much commentary out of me concerning the first two matches of Euro 2008 as I really wasn't in a good state to remember what the hell happened.
Two years ago the Germans put on a great show for the start of the World Cup and this year it was the turn of Swiss.
Flying Dutchman Kanka (all photos by Spine by the way)
A huge gathering of Kankas showed up at the Swiss ambassador's residence (some of us were even invited!) and it was especially great to see Lanky Kanka again.
Proceedings started with a couple of speeches about goodwill and stuff and then the Turkish Foreign Ministry was presented with a trophy for having won the Diplomatic Cup earlier in the day. They beat Germany which pleased the crowd as the Germans always win this damn Cup.
Speeches over and it was time for the first match. Big screens had been erected in the ambassador's garden and luckily the rain held off. Unfortunately the sun was still out and so we couldn't see a thing for the first half but the commentary was on and Turkish TV commentary is much the same as radio... ie it was easy to understand what was going on. Not sure about the non-Turkish speakers though.
Alpine Kanka Wolfgang
Anyway this gave me the chance to talk to a few of the footballing types who had shown up. Had a lovely chat with Ender Yurtguven, general manager at the evil Ankaraspor who told me how Gokcek is actually a pretty good boss. Aparently he just lets the management of the club get on with it and doesn't interfere all the time like Cavcav does.
Oz Kanka and Ender Yurtguven
Bumped into Ankaraspor's sporting director Hasan Cetinkaya, who had just flown in from Algeria where he had been scouting around. He says hello Zagreb Kanka!
Also had a nice chat with Genclerbirligi Oftas vice president Suphi Yalcinkaya, the bloke who helps us out from time to time in getting stuff sorted.
Oz Kanka and Yalcinkaya share a joke, probably about ... censored
As I said, I can't comment on the football (although Turkey did look pretty bad).
A great night and thank you very much to the Swiss Embassy for putting on such an event. Great food, drinks friends. Top night.
Only one question. Where was Sir eski Kanka?
Maniac Kanka Harun and Romantic Kanka Gokhan
The man with the money ... Davide
Two years ago the Germans put on a great show for the start of the World Cup and this year it was the turn of Swiss.
Flying Dutchman Kanka (all photos by Spine by the way)
A huge gathering of Kankas showed up at the Swiss ambassador's residence (some of us were even invited!) and it was especially great to see Lanky Kanka again.
Proceedings started with a couple of speeches about goodwill and stuff and then the Turkish Foreign Ministry was presented with a trophy for having won the Diplomatic Cup earlier in the day. They beat Germany which pleased the crowd as the Germans always win this damn Cup.
Speeches over and it was time for the first match. Big screens had been erected in the ambassador's garden and luckily the rain held off. Unfortunately the sun was still out and so we couldn't see a thing for the first half but the commentary was on and Turkish TV commentary is much the same as radio... ie it was easy to understand what was going on. Not sure about the non-Turkish speakers though.
Alpine Kanka Wolfgang
Anyway this gave me the chance to talk to a few of the footballing types who had shown up. Had a lovely chat with Ender Yurtguven, general manager at the evil Ankaraspor who told me how Gokcek is actually a pretty good boss. Aparently he just lets the management of the club get on with it and doesn't interfere all the time like Cavcav does.
Oz Kanka and Ender Yurtguven
Bumped into Ankaraspor's sporting director Hasan Cetinkaya, who had just flown in from Algeria where he had been scouting around. He says hello Zagreb Kanka!
Also had a nice chat with Genclerbirligi Oftas vice president Suphi Yalcinkaya, the bloke who helps us out from time to time in getting stuff sorted.
Oz Kanka and Yalcinkaya share a joke, probably about ... censored
As I said, I can't comment on the football (although Turkey did look pretty bad).
A great night and thank you very much to the Swiss Embassy for putting on such an event. Great food, drinks friends. Top night.
Only one question. Where was Sir eski Kanka?
Maniac Kanka Harun and Romantic Kanka Gokhan
The man with the money ... Davide
Friday, June 06, 2008
Buy shares in Efes
The Aussie population of Ankara looks likely to increase by quite a big percentage this year. Bruce Djite has already signed on the dotted line for Genclerbirligi and another Aussie, Nathan Burns of Adelaide United looks set to sign.
Burns is a 20 year-old striker who has played for the "Olyroos" (stop laughing!!!), Australia Under 23 team, and is set for a long career.
If he does sign I'm sure he will only be around for a year and will then move on to somewhere bigger. In the meantime we have to make sure we use him well.
While we are waiting for the European Championships to kick off tomorrow check out this profile of Burns from Australia's SBS television.
Burns is a 20 year-old striker who has played for the "Olyroos" (stop laughing!!!), Australia Under 23 team, and is set for a long career.
If he does sign I'm sure he will only be around for a year and will then move on to somewhere bigger. In the meantime we have to make sure we use him well.
While we are waiting for the European Championships to kick off tomorrow check out this profile of Burns from Australia's SBS television.
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