Genclerbirligi hold Palestine

I had an important meeting this evening (Wednesday) and so was unable to head off to one of the weirder fixtures of the year - namely Genclerbirligi versus Palestine.

Reports of the match are very thin on the ground, for some reason most sports sites are reporting on the UEFA Cup final, but I did find something from Klassspor.

Well, it was all love and hugs at the 19 Mayis Stadium this evening as Gencler and Palestine drew 1-1 in a friendly match.

I really do wonder what the atmosphere was like tonight. The Gencler fans are certainly very sympathetic to the Palestinian cause but, contrary to the anti-racist stand of Gencler fans, I also fear that anti-Jewish chants also got a good work out. Having said that, I don't know if that was the case or not. I'm no supporter of what Israel has done in Gaza recently but I was certainly disgusted by some of the anti-Jewish stuff that was expressed in Turkey at the time.

Anyway, on to the football and the good news is that Aussie Bruce scored in the 10th minute after a pass from someone called Emre.

This was all buggered up when Palestine scored a penalty in the second half.

Oh well, it was a friendly match and well done to the Gencler management for organising it.

Aussie Bruce isn't having the best of seasons this year but he will be able to tell his grandchildren that he put one past Palestine, a country that Turkey officially recognises as a sovereign state, and one that this blog does as well, even if most of the rest of the world doesn't. Good luck Palestine!