Punishments for the handbags at 10 paces that occurred between Turkey and Switzerland after Turkey narrowly failed to qualify for the World Cup have been handed out, and they are pretty harsh. Six matches to be played at a neutral venue with no fans. BAM. 200,000 Swiss Francs fine. POW. Six match bans for Emre and Alpay. SOCK. Two match ban for Serkan Balci. OUCH. 12-month ban from footballing activities for trainer Mehmet Ozdilek. whimper.
Of course, the six match bans fit nicely as Turkey has six home qualifiers for the European Championship. It is certainly going to hurt the Turkish Football Federation, the fine plus no revenue for what would have been six full houses.
The punishments all seem a bit over the top to me but then again Turkey has been warned a number of times. A pretty good round-up of the punishments can be found in the Daily Telegraph here.
I've also found a blog where it is asked whether the whole thing was fair. It is an interesting read. The blog was written before the punishments were handed out but the points made still stand. In particular this line:
Blatter said this: "Something is going wrong in football. I've never seen anything like it..." Never seen anything like it ?!? You can't have watched much football, then, Sepp, me ol' mate.
As for Turkey's chances of qualifing for the Euro 2008, I'd still put money on Turkey. According to William Hill Turkey are now at 3 to 1, behind Greece and Norway. A lazy tenner might be on its way.
EDIT: I found another interesting take on the whole business here
The Round Ball in Ankara! Dedicated to football lovers in Ankara (Except for those who follow Osmanlispor)
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Monday, February 06, 2006
All the goals
Dear Kankas,
For your enjoyment I've added a link on the right-hand side of the page where you can see videos of all the goals scored in the last week. The ligTV site seems to work fine with Internet Explorer but I couldn't get it to work with Firefox.
Considering that Eski Kanka didn't actually see the Ankaragucu match I can now say that Niyazi Guney's goal for Ankaragucu was indeed a very nice one (even if the editing of the video clip was very strange indeed).
For your enjoyment I've added a link on the right-hand side of the page where you can see videos of all the goals scored in the last week. The ligTV site seems to work fine with Internet Explorer but I couldn't get it to work with Firefox.
Considering that Eski Kanka didn't actually see the Ankaragucu match I can now say that Niyazi Guney's goal for Ankaragucu was indeed a very nice one (even if the editing of the video clip was very strange indeed).
Sunday, February 05, 2006
ANKARAGUCU - LATEST
Greetings Kankas. Just a short message to let you know that Ankaragucu lost against Trabzon 1-2 tonight ........... surprise surprise.
Couldn't go to the match and have no details, but Gokhan saw it on TV and phoned me to let me know we were 1-0 up and then lost 2 late goals. This really does put us down there into the `soapy bubble` area, or to put it more crudely......... the brown stuff !!!
Well............ at least there was good news from Hibbie Kanka to cheer us !!
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
Couldn't go to the match and have no details, but Gokhan saw it on TV and phoned me to let me know we were 1-0 up and then lost 2 late goals. This really does put us down there into the `soapy bubble` area, or to put it more crudely......... the brown stuff !!!
Well............ at least there was good news from Hibbie Kanka to cheer us !!
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
C'mon the Hibs
Something weird happened it reagrds to the blog yesterday which meant that this message from Hibbee Kanka Athole failed to show up. So I'm re-posting it.
Rangers 0 - 3 Hibernian
For the second time this season Hibs have travelled through to Ibrox Park and won 3-0. Three second half goals from O'Conner (50), Sproule (59) and Killen (78) sent the 5800 Hibs fans wild with delight not to mention those of us who watched the game on TV.
Rangers probably had the best of the first half and missed a couple of good chances before Simon Brown kept the Hibs goal in tact with a tremendous save. The game was played at a good pace and both midfields were putting in some heavy tackles but nothing too nasty. The most disapointing aspect of the first half for Hibs was Kevin Thomson being streatchered off after just five minutes. It looked a serious knee injury, hopefully not the same knee that had ligament surgery a couple of years ago.
The second half started much the same with both teams going for it but from the moment Hibs took the lead Rangers looked second best. Hibs moved the ball about well and as Rangers pushed forward Hibs picked them off and could on another day have scored four or five goals. One of the best performances of the day was from referee Stuart Dougal, it is easy for referees to be swayed by the crowds in Glasgow but he stood firm and called most of the decisions correctly. There was a hint of offside against O'Conner for the first goal but I think we can forgive Stuart Dougal for getting that one wrong.
Hibee Kanka Athole
Rangers 0 - 3 Hibernian
For the second time this season Hibs have travelled through to Ibrox Park and won 3-0. Three second half goals from O'Conner (50), Sproule (59) and Killen (78) sent the 5800 Hibs fans wild with delight not to mention those of us who watched the game on TV.
Rangers probably had the best of the first half and missed a couple of good chances before Simon Brown kept the Hibs goal in tact with a tremendous save. The game was played at a good pace and both midfields were putting in some heavy tackles but nothing too nasty. The most disapointing aspect of the first half for Hibs was Kevin Thomson being streatchered off after just five minutes. It looked a serious knee injury, hopefully not the same knee that had ligament surgery a couple of years ago.
The second half started much the same with both teams going for it but from the moment Hibs took the lead Rangers looked second best. Hibs moved the ball about well and as Rangers pushed forward Hibs picked them off and could on another day have scored four or five goals. One of the best performances of the day was from referee Stuart Dougal, it is easy for referees to be swayed by the crowds in Glasgow but he stood firm and called most of the decisions correctly. There was a hint of offside against O'Conner for the first goal but I think we can forgive Stuart Dougal for getting that one wrong.
Hibee Kanka Athole
Referee 1- Gencler 0
Tonight was no fun. I have to admit to being more interested in re-runs of "Prisoner" (Cell Block H to our British readers) than the rubbish that was Besiktas versus Genclerbirlgi tonight.
All started nice and interestingly when Besiktas went close with all of 20 seconds on the clock.
Genclerbirligi could hardly get the ball but it didn't matter as Besiktas were crap as well but then in the 13th minute there was a piece of brilliance that I hoped would change the match.
Tumer, from Besiktas, sent in a hopeful cross which was beautifully headed by Mr. Lentil (who obviously forgot that he was actually on our side) to Ali Cansun who chested the ball and then hit it sort of on the volley over Omer's head and into the goal. Besiktas 1-0 but I have to admit it was a very nice goal. 1-0 down after just 13 minutes was depressing but by God more depressiveness was to come.
Two weeks ago against Fenerbahce, Gencler fought back and could arguably have been described as the better team (well, at least I argued that sought of way) but tonight Gencler were just crap. Nothing was working, everyone was slow, even the normally over-the-top commentators couldn't get going. This was the sort of football that makes international chess look interesting.
It was therefore with great glee that at about this point I responded to the door bell to find Eski and Mrs. Eski Kanka, bearing eight cans of Efes.
It was all very civilised as Eski Kanka and myself proceeded to watch the dross on the television while Mrs Eski Kanka and Mrs Oz Kanka talked to each other about knitting or whatever it is wives talk about when they are forbidden to touch the remote control... when Genclerbirligi scored!
It was a lovely-worked-out goal. A nice send in to the box by someone or other which was chested down by someone or other who sent the ball on to Mehmet Cakır who sent it into the back of the net. 1-1 and Genclerbirligi weren't looking too bad.
After that however it was more dross and to Eski Kanka's relief dinner was served, ahh, I'm getting ahead of myself. Before the soup was served some Besiktas player was adjudged to have been brought down in the box. What a load of bollocks.
Now I have a personal message for tonight's referee.
Dear Ismet Arzuman,
I hope you know English and I hope you Google your name and accidently come to this site because mate you are an A-grade goose. Eski Kanka and myself had no hassles with how you officiated the game until the point you gave the penalty. All those yellow cards (and there were quite a few) given to Genclerbirligi players were most probably warranted but are you really going to sleep soundly knowing you gave such a wrong penalty? There are only two possibilities here, either you are stupid or you or you are a good friend of Sedat Peker.
Yours,
Oz Kanka
You can all probabaly guess that Besiktas scored from the penalty and went on to win the match. I may have spoken in recent weeks about Genclerbirligi having a good chance at getting into the UEFA Cup.... I take it all back...
In the mean time the Eski Kankas and the Oz Kankas had a wonderful dinner and afterwards Eski Kanka beat me up in the darts. I hadn't been drinking enough obviously.
All started nice and interestingly when Besiktas went close with all of 20 seconds on the clock.
Genclerbirligi could hardly get the ball but it didn't matter as Besiktas were crap as well but then in the 13th minute there was a piece of brilliance that I hoped would change the match.
Tumer, from Besiktas, sent in a hopeful cross which was beautifully headed by Mr. Lentil (who obviously forgot that he was actually on our side) to Ali Cansun who chested the ball and then hit it sort of on the volley over Omer's head and into the goal. Besiktas 1-0 but I have to admit it was a very nice goal. 1-0 down after just 13 minutes was depressing but by God more depressiveness was to come.
Two weeks ago against Fenerbahce, Gencler fought back and could arguably have been described as the better team (well, at least I argued that sought of way) but tonight Gencler were just crap. Nothing was working, everyone was slow, even the normally over-the-top commentators couldn't get going. This was the sort of football that makes international chess look interesting.
It was therefore with great glee that at about this point I responded to the door bell to find Eski and Mrs. Eski Kanka, bearing eight cans of Efes.
It was all very civilised as Eski Kanka and myself proceeded to watch the dross on the television while Mrs Eski Kanka and Mrs Oz Kanka talked to each other about knitting or whatever it is wives talk about when they are forbidden to touch the remote control... when Genclerbirligi scored!
It was a lovely-worked-out goal. A nice send in to the box by someone or other which was chested down by someone or other who sent the ball on to Mehmet Cakır who sent it into the back of the net. 1-1 and Genclerbirligi weren't looking too bad.
After that however it was more dross and to Eski Kanka's relief dinner was served, ahh, I'm getting ahead of myself. Before the soup was served some Besiktas player was adjudged to have been brought down in the box. What a load of bollocks.
Now I have a personal message for tonight's referee.
Dear Ismet Arzuman,
I hope you know English and I hope you Google your name and accidently come to this site because mate you are an A-grade goose. Eski Kanka and myself had no hassles with how you officiated the game until the point you gave the penalty. All those yellow cards (and there were quite a few) given to Genclerbirligi players were most probably warranted but are you really going to sleep soundly knowing you gave such a wrong penalty? There are only two possibilities here, either you are stupid or you or you are a good friend of Sedat Peker.
Yours,
Oz Kanka
You can all probabaly guess that Besiktas scored from the penalty and went on to win the match. I may have spoken in recent weeks about Genclerbirligi having a good chance at getting into the UEFA Cup.... I take it all back...
In the mean time the Eski Kankas and the Oz Kankas had a wonderful dinner and afterwards Eski Kanka beat me up in the darts. I hadn't been drinking enough obviously.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
TURKISH CUP - ANKARAGUCU
Greetings Kankas. Latest situation in Ankaragucu's section is ........ all to play for. The standings are as follows-
Played Points
Gaziantep 3 9
Fenerbahce 3 4
Ankaragucu 2 3
Erciyes 2 1
Tarsus 2 0
Ankaragucu play Gaziantep at home on Wednesday 15 February KO 5pm and
Ankaragucu play Erciyes away on 22 February
So, it all rests in the players hands. We most definitely MUST beat Gaziantep and then take it from there. I'll be going to the match. Pre-match refreshments in The Chopin. Please let me know if you are coming and I'll give you meeting times nearer the time.
In the meantime, we have a home league match against Trabzon this Sunday. Don't know the KO time yet, but watch this space for further news.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
Played Points
Gaziantep 3 9
Fenerbahce 3 4
Ankaragucu 2 3
Erciyes 2 1
Tarsus 2 0
Ankaragucu play Gaziantep at home on Wednesday 15 February KO 5pm and
Ankaragucu play Erciyes away on 22 February
So, it all rests in the players hands. We most definitely MUST beat Gaziantep and then take it from there. I'll be going to the match. Pre-match refreshments in The Chopin. Please let me know if you are coming and I'll give you meeting times nearer the time.
In the meantime, we have a home league match against Trabzon this Sunday. Don't know the KO time yet, but watch this space for further news.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Let Galatasaray go bankrupt
Mehmet Ali Birand usually sticks to politics in his columns for the Turkish daily news and Posta but on Wednesday he devoted his whole article to a lament about the financial crisis at Galatasaray in an article entitled "What a shame, Galatasaray should not fall to this level"
"The Galatasaray football club is facing one of its most serious economic crises in recent years. They have no money and debtors are knocking on their doors every day. Had the club not been the famed Galatasaray, it would have long ago been in claims court, and loan officers would have long ago invaded the building," Birand writes.
The latest hassle, a few weeks ago it was unable to pay its foreign stars, appears to be outstanding debts to an old player.
"Galatasaray has a $1,300,000 debt to Croatian Robert Spehar. Unable to pay it back due to lack of funds, it postpones it for two months so as not cause shame within FIFA. And if the debt is not paid within 15 days, six points will be removed from Galatasaray's league standings."
The article goes on with all sorts of ways in which the club is trying to find the money and how it is so sad for the Galatasaray fans. weep weep.
But I think Birand has missed an important point. Galatasaray has been living above its means and, as Birand said, if it was any other club it would have already been liquadated. This should be seen as an opportunity! Let Galatasaray fall a few rungs. Let's see just how loyal their supporters are when it is threatened with relegation. This is a great chance for every other club in the country. It's about time to shake up the cosy Istanbul Three who run the league.
In other words, all true Turkish football lovers should be hoping that Galatasaray goes bankrupt! Football is bigger than just one club.
"The Galatasaray football club is facing one of its most serious economic crises in recent years. They have no money and debtors are knocking on their doors every day. Had the club not been the famed Galatasaray, it would have long ago been in claims court, and loan officers would have long ago invaded the building," Birand writes.
The latest hassle, a few weeks ago it was unable to pay its foreign stars, appears to be outstanding debts to an old player.
"Galatasaray has a $1,300,000 debt to Croatian Robert Spehar. Unable to pay it back due to lack of funds, it postpones it for two months so as not cause shame within FIFA. And if the debt is not paid within 15 days, six points will be removed from Galatasaray's league standings."
The article goes on with all sorts of ways in which the club is trying to find the money and how it is so sad for the Galatasaray fans. weep weep.
But I think Birand has missed an important point. Galatasaray has been living above its means and, as Birand said, if it was any other club it would have already been liquadated. This should be seen as an opportunity! Let Galatasaray fall a few rungs. Let's see just how loyal their supporters are when it is threatened with relegation. This is a great chance for every other club in the country. It's about time to shake up the cosy Istanbul Three who run the league.
In other words, all true Turkish football lovers should be hoping that Galatasaray goes bankrupt! Football is bigger than just one club.
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