Sir Eski Kanka got himself a mention this week in The Turkish Football Weekly podcast, at around 20 minutes in. Unfortunately they didn't mention that we had two fans who came all the way from Scotland for the Ankaragucu - Fener match.
You can check out the podcast here.
Sir Eski and myself are booked in to take part in the podcast next week. My plan is to share a dozen beers with Eski before we take part.
The Round Ball in Ankara! Dedicated to football lovers in Ankara (Except for those who follow Osmanlispor)
Friday, May 14, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
There's only one Billy Mehmet
You have to admit that Billy Mehmet is an excellent cross-cultural name and it seems as if Gencler have signed him. Billy's background: Turkish-Cypriot father, Irish mother, born in London, played for Ireland Under 21s and until yesterday played for Scottish side St. Mirren.
According to a BBC report, the striker will be joining us in June on a Bosman free transfer. Me thinks it is time for us to grab an interview with the fellow (although I may need some help in understanding his accent).
In other news Gencler are also after another Scottish player. This time Michael Stewart from Hearts.
And here is Billy Mehmet showboating. Love the statement from the cameraguy. "That's just quality... in a glass"
According to a BBC report, the striker will be joining us in June on a Bosman free transfer. Me thinks it is time for us to grab an interview with the fellow (although I may need some help in understanding his accent).
In other news Gencler are also after another Scottish player. This time Michael Stewart from Hearts.
And here is Billy Mehmet showboating. Love the statement from the cameraguy. "That's just quality... in a glass"
Monday, May 10, 2010
ANKARAGUCU ARE THE PARTY POOPERS !
Greetings Kankas and Kankies.
I thought the Ankaragucu players read our Blog ? Obviously not, and .... nobody informed them that Friday night's party to welcome Bellshill Kanka Nadeem and Weegie Kankie Rebecca to Ankara was supposed to continue into Sunday and beyond !
ANKARAGUCU 0 Fenerbahce 3
Three lapses of concentration from the Ankaragucu defence did the damage last night. The fact that Fener gave a disciplined and uncompromising display also added to Ankaragucu's woes. More on that subject in a moment, but first .....
A belated welcome to Nadeem on his first visit to Ankara and Rebecca's first visit to the Asian Continent.
They were given a Kanka Welcome in the Beyzade Restaurant on Friday night in typical Turkish Style, ie, mezze, pide and kebabs, all washed down with gusto by copious amounts of Raki and Efes - not forgetting the Ouzo supplied by Phillie Kanka Jamie ! Oh yes, and not forgetting the entertainment by the Fasil Group and the luvllie delectable lady singer with the blonde hair and the luvvlie ..... hmmmmmm ..... voice !!!
No doubt Nadeem will have something further to say about it in the comments section later ?!
Fast forward to Sunday and we all met up in the Beer Bus Bar for pre-match refreshments. Nadeem, Rebecca and I were first in, followed by Oz Kanka Chris and Mini Oz Kanka Mathew who couldn't come to the match.
Next up was Jamie, Battle Damaged Kanka Damon and then Maniac Kanka Harun and his luvvlie daughter Hazal.
At this stage we had to split into two groups due to a problem acquiring match tickets, but all credit to Jamie for achieving what could be described as the impossible task of finding tickets in the mayhem of the ticket box.
Nadeem, Rebecca, Jamie and Damon went to Gecikondu, while Harun, Hazal and I went to our normal place in Maraton where we were joined later by Rip Off Kanka Erman and Kaleci Kanka Tansu.
Two of Tansu's friends who were supposed to join him were 'detained' by the Police outside the Stadium for some minor misdemeanour which left Tansu with two extra tickets (they were expensive !). Oh dear. Nadeem now has two virgin match tickets as souvenirs !!
So, it was all razzmatazz in the Stadium before the KO with Maraton, in particular, leading the way. Gecekondu finally woke up and joined in the carnival atmosphere.
With Vittek injured and Vassell just returning from injury, the starting line-up in attack looked a little 'powder-puff' ... and so it proved.
Serkan
Geremi, Muhammed, Koray and Broggi
Sapara, Hurriyet, Rajnoch and Rothen
Ilhan and Mehmet Cakir
2nd Half Substitutes used - Vassell, Murat and Kagan
Fener looked 'up for it' from the KO and Ankaragucu was defending in depth and sometimes in desperation. High balls out from goalkicks and free kicks to Ilhan Parlak were being swallowed up by the Fener defence, so Volkan had an easy night.
At times, Ankaragucu didn't seem 'in the mood' as much as last week when the played Trabzon off the park, but in all fairness, it was probably down to a greater desire to win from Fener.
On the 25th minute mark I was hoping to play it out till half-time and let Lemerre try new tactis in the 2nd half, but the first on many blunders in the Ankaragucu defence put paid to that notion.
From a Fener corner swung over by Alex it was too easy for an unmarked Mehmet to fire in a header to open the scoring.
Not content to learn a lesson from that basic defensive error, Ankaragucu compounded the mistake by allowing Fener to do a reprise just after the 2nd half got underway.
I don't want to point the finger at any particular player, but Serkan totally mis-read the flight of the ball from the corner and Guisa, lurking at the back post - unmarked grrrrrrr - had the simplest of tasks to make it 2.
Worse was to follow in the 70th minute when Christian latched on to a loose ball in midfield and with the Ankaragucu defence backing off, and nobody anywhere near Christian, he decided to have a pot-shot from outside the penalty box. i suppose he muttered something to himself like .... 'wow, this is my lucky day, nobody wants to tackle me' !!
He sent in a swerver which totally deceived Serkan, and was it any wonder that Serkan was left helpless with a defence which was posted absent ??!!
There is no doubt that Fener deserved to win the match. With 7 goal positions during the match to Ankaragucu's 2, the statistics speak for themselves !
Time to head back to the Beer Bus and drown our sorrows we thought.
So, not the party that we were hoping for to give to our visitors from Glasgow, but I'm sure they will take back some happy memories from their brief visit to Ankara.
Next Saturday KO 7pm will be Ankaragucu's last match of the season away to Sivas and with relegation issues already resolved, the only thing for both teams to play for is .... pride.
Gencler will play their last match at home against Galatasaray on Sunday KO 8pm.
I hope to have some photos soon from the weekend's various activities and they will be added when they are received.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
I thought the Ankaragucu players read our Blog ? Obviously not, and .... nobody informed them that Friday night's party to welcome Bellshill Kanka Nadeem and Weegie Kankie Rebecca to Ankara was supposed to continue into Sunday and beyond !
ANKARAGUCU 0 Fenerbahce 3
Three lapses of concentration from the Ankaragucu defence did the damage last night. The fact that Fener gave a disciplined and uncompromising display also added to Ankaragucu's woes. More on that subject in a moment, but first .....
A belated welcome to Nadeem on his first visit to Ankara and Rebecca's first visit to the Asian Continent.
They were given a Kanka Welcome in the Beyzade Restaurant on Friday night in typical Turkish Style, ie, mezze, pide and kebabs, all washed down with gusto by copious amounts of Raki and Efes - not forgetting the Ouzo supplied by Phillie Kanka Jamie ! Oh yes, and not forgetting the entertainment by the Fasil Group and the luvllie delectable lady singer with the blonde hair and the luvvlie ..... hmmmmmm ..... voice !!!
No doubt Nadeem will have something further to say about it in the comments section later ?!
Fast forward to Sunday and we all met up in the Beer Bus Bar for pre-match refreshments. Nadeem, Rebecca and I were first in, followed by Oz Kanka Chris and Mini Oz Kanka Mathew who couldn't come to the match.
Next up was Jamie, Battle Damaged Kanka Damon and then Maniac Kanka Harun and his luvvlie daughter Hazal.
At this stage we had to split into two groups due to a problem acquiring match tickets, but all credit to Jamie for achieving what could be described as the impossible task of finding tickets in the mayhem of the ticket box.
Nadeem, Rebecca, Jamie and Damon went to Gecikondu, while Harun, Hazal and I went to our normal place in Maraton where we were joined later by Rip Off Kanka Erman and Kaleci Kanka Tansu.
Two of Tansu's friends who were supposed to join him were 'detained' by the Police outside the Stadium for some minor misdemeanour which left Tansu with two extra tickets (they were expensive !). Oh dear. Nadeem now has two virgin match tickets as souvenirs !!
So, it was all razzmatazz in the Stadium before the KO with Maraton, in particular, leading the way. Gecekondu finally woke up and joined in the carnival atmosphere.
With Vittek injured and Vassell just returning from injury, the starting line-up in attack looked a little 'powder-puff' ... and so it proved.
Serkan
Geremi, Muhammed, Koray and Broggi
Sapara, Hurriyet, Rajnoch and Rothen
Ilhan and Mehmet Cakir
2nd Half Substitutes used - Vassell, Murat and Kagan
Fener looked 'up for it' from the KO and Ankaragucu was defending in depth and sometimes in desperation. High balls out from goalkicks and free kicks to Ilhan Parlak were being swallowed up by the Fener defence, so Volkan had an easy night.
At times, Ankaragucu didn't seem 'in the mood' as much as last week when the played Trabzon off the park, but in all fairness, it was probably down to a greater desire to win from Fener.
On the 25th minute mark I was hoping to play it out till half-time and let Lemerre try new tactis in the 2nd half, but the first on many blunders in the Ankaragucu defence put paid to that notion.
From a Fener corner swung over by Alex it was too easy for an unmarked Mehmet to fire in a header to open the scoring.
Not content to learn a lesson from that basic defensive error, Ankaragucu compounded the mistake by allowing Fener to do a reprise just after the 2nd half got underway.
I don't want to point the finger at any particular player, but Serkan totally mis-read the flight of the ball from the corner and Guisa, lurking at the back post - unmarked grrrrrrr - had the simplest of tasks to make it 2.
Worse was to follow in the 70th minute when Christian latched on to a loose ball in midfield and with the Ankaragucu defence backing off, and nobody anywhere near Christian, he decided to have a pot-shot from outside the penalty box. i suppose he muttered something to himself like .... 'wow, this is my lucky day, nobody wants to tackle me' !!
He sent in a swerver which totally deceived Serkan, and was it any wonder that Serkan was left helpless with a defence which was posted absent ??!!
There is no doubt that Fener deserved to win the match. With 7 goal positions during the match to Ankaragucu's 2, the statistics speak for themselves !
Time to head back to the Beer Bus and drown our sorrows we thought.
So, not the party that we were hoping for to give to our visitors from Glasgow, but I'm sure they will take back some happy memories from their brief visit to Ankara.
Next Saturday KO 7pm will be Ankaragucu's last match of the season away to Sivas and with relegation issues already resolved, the only thing for both teams to play for is .... pride.
Gencler will play their last match at home against Galatasaray on Sunday KO 8pm.
I hope to have some photos soon from the weekend's various activities and they will be added when they are received.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Gencler grab an away draw
As my enthusiasm falls lower than the value of the Euro, Gencler grabbed a draw away today agaınst Gaziantep. Mustafa scored in the 25th and then Murat scored an own goal in the 46th. I listened to the second half on the radio and even the commentator seemed bored.
Tomorrow night though... C'MON GUCU!
Tomorrow night though... C'MON GUCU!
Friday, May 07, 2010
Six and Half a Dozen
The Hibees have been struggling over the last few months, the good times of pushing Rangers and Celtic for top spot have gone to be replaced with a dog fight for the last Europa League place.
Two wins in sixteen games have seen Hibs loose out on third place to Dundee Utd and currently sit one point behind forth placed Motherwell. There is one game to go so there is still hope for the forth place if we can better Motherwells result on Sunday.
If fifth place is what Hibs end up with we can still sneak into the Europa League if Dundee Utd win the Scottish Cup against Ross County next weekend.
Now for the really painfull news, Hibs could have been sitting in fourth place now had it not been for one of the most remarkable comebacks ever seen in the SPL. On Wednesday night Hibs were playing Motherwell in a league match, at half time Hibs were 4-2 ahead thanks to a Colin Nish hat-trick.
Motherwell started the second half as you would expect trying to get back into the game however they soon lost another 2 goals to go 6-2 down. Game over you would expect but no one told Motherwell.
Motherwell then scored 3 goals in 9 minutes to bring the score to 6-5. Motherwell then won a penalty with three minutes remaining but the Hibs keeper pulled off a great save. Surely job done now! Nope, Motherwell scored the equaliser in the 93rd minute with the goal of the season, it has been compared to Van Baston at the European championshipa few years ago but in reality it was better!
The pain for us Hibs fans is still too much and I will have to back to bed.
Two wins in sixteen games have seen Hibs loose out on third place to Dundee Utd and currently sit one point behind forth placed Motherwell. There is one game to go so there is still hope for the forth place if we can better Motherwells result on Sunday.
If fifth place is what Hibs end up with we can still sneak into the Europa League if Dundee Utd win the Scottish Cup against Ross County next weekend.
Now for the really painfull news, Hibs could have been sitting in fourth place now had it not been for one of the most remarkable comebacks ever seen in the SPL. On Wednesday night Hibs were playing Motherwell in a league match, at half time Hibs were 4-2 ahead thanks to a Colin Nish hat-trick.
Motherwell started the second half as you would expect trying to get back into the game however they soon lost another 2 goals to go 6-2 down. Game over you would expect but no one told Motherwell.
Motherwell then scored 3 goals in 9 minutes to bring the score to 6-5. Motherwell then won a penalty with three minutes remaining but the Hibs keeper pulled off a great save. Surely job done now! Nope, Motherwell scored the equaliser in the 93rd minute with the goal of the season, it has been compared to Van Baston at the European championshipa few years ago but in reality it was better!
The pain for us Hibs fans is still too much and I will have to back to bed.
Monday, May 03, 2010
Almost forgot to post
Denizlispor 2 - 0 Genclerbirligi
Gencler coach Thomas Doll said after the match that some of the Gencler players appear to have already gone on holidays. Much like me really.
Gencler coach Thomas Doll said after the match that some of the Gencler players appear to have already gone on holidays. Much like me really.
Sunday, May 02, 2010
ANKARAGUCU AND THE BLACK SEA 'BREEZE' !
Greetings Kankas and Kankies.
There was no Black Sea 'Storm' in Ankara yesterday !!
ANKARAGUCU 1 Trabzonspor 0
Trabzon was sent packing back to the Black Sea with a whimper and were it not for some woeful finishing from Ankaragucu, especially in the first half, were lucky not to have been on the end of an Anatolian Storm !
It might be assumed in some quarters that Trabzon had one eye on Wednesday's Turkish Cup Final, but I'd like to think that it was a culmination of the new style of Ankaragucu's footie and the nullifying of Trabzon's midfield which was responsible for a well deserved Ankaragucu victoreeeee.
I'm not saying that Trabzon came to 'make up the numbers'. They were their usual fast flowing selves and always dangerous on the break. However, as I said last week, without Umut Bulut up front they were always struggling to conjure up an equaliser.
The day started sedately with Battle Damaged Kanka Damon and I meeting in the Beer Bus and enjoying the repartee and then it was off to the Stadium. It was just the two of us, but there were lots of familiar faces around us.
No surprises in the Ankaragucu line-up......
Serkan
Geremi, Koray, Muhammed and Broggi
Hurriyet, Rajnoch, Rothen and Sapara
Vittek and Mehmet
Substitutes - Kagan, Adem and Ilhan
Ankaragucu went straight into the attack in a similar mode to that used against Eskisehir two weeks ago, and it was that man again who did the damage.
After 5 minutes play, a great move down the right wing involving Geremi and Mehmet, the ball swung over into the goalmouth and Vittek was first to it to slide it home for a great opening goal.
I have to confess that I thought Trabzon would crumble and they almost did but for some poor finishing and good goalkeeping from Onur. Ankaragucu dominated the first half and again showed the value of good coaching with lots of possession footie and making Trabzon chase the ball.
Things slowed down a bit when Vittek was surprisingly withdrawn with 10 minutes of the first half remaining. He didn't appear to be injured and the general concensus of opinion was that he was being rested for the big match against Fener next week !!
Ilhan replaced him, but with all due respect to Ilhan, notwithstanding all his running and effort, he didn't cause too much danger to the Trabzon rearguard !
Into the 2nd half then and Trabzon stepped up a gear to put the Ankaragucu defence under pressure. Serkan made a few brilliant saves and the back four held firm.
It appeared that Ankaragucu was 'running out of steam', or were they just pacing themselves ? Whatever. The fact remains that Serkan saved the blushes !
However, Ankaragucu seemed to catch their 'second wind' in the last ten minutes of the match and might have made it two with a little luck.
Man of the Match was a difficult one with Serkan, the midfield and Geremi all contenders, but I nominate Rothen for his 100% effort even when he was obviously knackered in the last 10 minutes.
A wee bit of comedy to report ! Near the end, Rothen was calling to the bench to be substituted, but the bench was signalling that all 3 subs had been used. A shrug of the shoulders from Rothen and he got stuck in again ! Great stuff.
Another positive report then and let it continue next weekend when hopefully we can give Nadeem a victory and at the same time help Bursa to realise a dream end to their season.
The date and KO time hasn't been announced yet, but I'll add it in the comments section when it is announced.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
There was no Black Sea 'Storm' in Ankara yesterday !!
ANKARAGUCU 1 Trabzonspor 0
Trabzon was sent packing back to the Black Sea with a whimper and were it not for some woeful finishing from Ankaragucu, especially in the first half, were lucky not to have been on the end of an Anatolian Storm !
It might be assumed in some quarters that Trabzon had one eye on Wednesday's Turkish Cup Final, but I'd like to think that it was a culmination of the new style of Ankaragucu's footie and the nullifying of Trabzon's midfield which was responsible for a well deserved Ankaragucu victoreeeee.
I'm not saying that Trabzon came to 'make up the numbers'. They were their usual fast flowing selves and always dangerous on the break. However, as I said last week, without Umut Bulut up front they were always struggling to conjure up an equaliser.
The day started sedately with Battle Damaged Kanka Damon and I meeting in the Beer Bus and enjoying the repartee and then it was off to the Stadium. It was just the two of us, but there were lots of familiar faces around us.
No surprises in the Ankaragucu line-up......
Serkan
Geremi, Koray, Muhammed and Broggi
Hurriyet, Rajnoch, Rothen and Sapara
Vittek and Mehmet
Substitutes - Kagan, Adem and Ilhan
Ankaragucu went straight into the attack in a similar mode to that used against Eskisehir two weeks ago, and it was that man again who did the damage.
After 5 minutes play, a great move down the right wing involving Geremi and Mehmet, the ball swung over into the goalmouth and Vittek was first to it to slide it home for a great opening goal.
I have to confess that I thought Trabzon would crumble and they almost did but for some poor finishing and good goalkeeping from Onur. Ankaragucu dominated the first half and again showed the value of good coaching with lots of possession footie and making Trabzon chase the ball.
Things slowed down a bit when Vittek was surprisingly withdrawn with 10 minutes of the first half remaining. He didn't appear to be injured and the general concensus of opinion was that he was being rested for the big match against Fener next week !!
Ilhan replaced him, but with all due respect to Ilhan, notwithstanding all his running and effort, he didn't cause too much danger to the Trabzon rearguard !
Into the 2nd half then and Trabzon stepped up a gear to put the Ankaragucu defence under pressure. Serkan made a few brilliant saves and the back four held firm.
It appeared that Ankaragucu was 'running out of steam', or were they just pacing themselves ? Whatever. The fact remains that Serkan saved the blushes !
However, Ankaragucu seemed to catch their 'second wind' in the last ten minutes of the match and might have made it two with a little luck.
Man of the Match was a difficult one with Serkan, the midfield and Geremi all contenders, but I nominate Rothen for his 100% effort even when he was obviously knackered in the last 10 minutes.
A wee bit of comedy to report ! Near the end, Rothen was calling to the bench to be substituted, but the bench was signalling that all 3 subs had been used. A shrug of the shoulders from Rothen and he got stuck in again ! Great stuff.
Another positive report then and let it continue next weekend when hopefully we can give Nadeem a victory and at the same time help Bursa to realise a dream end to their season.
The date and KO time hasn't been announced yet, but I'll add it in the comments section when it is announced.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
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