90th minute misery

Supporting Genclerbirligi this season is a akin to going for a tandem skydive and hoping that at some stage before you hit the ground the instructor will find where the hell the cord for the parachute is. A tortured metaphor, sure, but not as torturing as it has been for us Gencler fans in the past few months.

Gaziantep 2 - 2 Genclerbirligi

With the match being in Antep I had to make do with the fun of the Lig TV radio today. Half the time I have no idea what is going on but at least you get a general idea.

Gencler went ahead early on thanks to a Mehmet Cakir goal on six minutes. From then on it seems like Gaziantep were the team with the most chances, especially towards the end of the first half with Jesus in goal having to make a few saves.

Still, after all the crap we have seen this season it was nice to go into the break one up.

At half-time Lig TV radio gave out the results of lower division games in exactly to same way as the BBC does ie nice and slow, no emotion, perfect pronunciation. Apparently it is normal, well that is what Mrs. Oz Kanka told me but then somehow I doubt I can trust her on football reporting matters.

It was all quite nostalgic for me though and I was half expecting the announcer to start giving out results of teams I'd never heard of before: "Orduspor sifir - Malatyaspor iki, Stenhousemuir dort - Forfar sifir".

Second half and Aussie Nick Carle comes on for Isaac Promise. An attacking move? Not sure really. Anyway our man managed to get into a one-on-one with the keeper, left foot shot and out... the announcer saying it was a sitter.

Then Gaziantep up the tempo, shots everywhere, including a few off the posts.

Then disaster on the 76th... Antep 1 - 1 Gencler. No idea what happened.

As seems to happen quite a bit recently, Gencler come out flying after a goal is scored against us. A few good runs and shots but nothing to show for it.

Some sort of handbags incident in the 80-something minute with a bunch of yellow cards shown.

Then a scary moment as the Gaziantep players all go up and appeal for a penalty. Ref turns it down. Phew. If it had have been given it would also have resulted in Zoric bent sent off for a second yellow card... but as the radio guy said... "we will only be able to decide whether it was the right decision after watching the TV replays"

A miracle! Mehmet Nas scores in the 86th minute. We are going to win this one aren't we? Antep 1 - 2 Gencler.

And then the stake through the heart. 90th minute and Antep score. Final result 2-2.

A point away from home isn't so bad, but boy-oh-boy, we need some wins!

Next week at home against Trabzonspor. Friday 8pm KO. Hope to see some of you lot there.

PS: I think I got most of the details right but I may have made some mistakes. Unfortunately I can't check as the Anatolian news agency have yet to get their report out.

A FIRST FOR THE TURKISH FOOTBALL FEDERATION (TFF)

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Difficult to believe, but I have to praise the TFF - this is an all time first on this blog !!!

Imagine my surprise when the fixtures for this month AND next month have been released to the press so far ahead of schedule. Absolutely amazing, and I have to say that reluctantly they have my appreciation.

So, diaries out and make a note of these upcoming fixtures.....

Sunday 25 November - KO 2pm - ANKARAGUCU v Manisa
Gaziantep v Gencler

Friday 30 November - KO 8pm - Gencler v Trabzon

Saturday 1 December - KO 2pm - Konya v ANKARAGUCU

Saturday 8 December - KO 2pm - ANKARAGUCU v Kasimpasa

Sunday 9 December - KO 2pm - Istanbul BSB v Gencler

Sunday 16 December - KO 3.30pm - Gencler v Fenerbahce
KO 7pm - Besiktas v ANKARAGUCU

Saturday 22 December - KO 2pm - ANKARAGUCU v Kayseri

Sunday 23 December - KO 3.30pm - Sivas v Gencler

Hope to see some of you on Sunday for ANKARAGUCU's victoreeeee against Manisa.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Turkish national team going great guns

The writers here at "The round ball in Ankara" steer well clear of reports about the Turkish national team. Whenever asked I say that it is because as yabancilar we would rather not get involved in arguments about the Milli Takim. The real truth is that we don't know anything about the national side and are too lazy to find out.

But I'd like to point out that the Amputee World Championships are being held in Antalya at the moment. Turkey is doing very well. They qualified second from their group after victories over the English, French and Liberians, losing only to the Russians, before defeating Iran 1-0 in the quarter-finals.

Today they take on Uzbekistan with the winner up against either Russia or Brazil in the final.

NTV had a pretty good report after the victory over England but since then I've seen bugger all news about the championships. The Turkish Football Federation have a page of results, but that's it... no photos, no reports.

So I was happy to see that today's Hurriyet had quite a large story titled "Our warriors in the semi-final dance".

It was a typical Hurriyet football piece, i.e. rubbish, but at least it was actually in there, although what the hell it was doing in the main part of the paper and not on the sports pages I have no idea.

The tournament has been very poorly promoted by the host country. Crowds numbers are terrible. Why not go to the local schools, hand out tickets, get the kiddies to bring along their Turkish flags and sing away.

After all, the football on display is bloody good, the highlights I saw on the telly were certainly better than the crap we have been served up by Genclerbirligi recently, and with Turkey playing so well there is plenty for a local crowd to enjoy.

What is the point of this post? I'm not sure. But I wish the Turkish team the very best of luck today.

EDIT: Seems as if I put the mockers on the Turkish team as they went down 2-1 this morning. Still, a good tournament performance and well done to all involved.

EDIT: Tuesday morning. Turkey defeated Brazil 1-0 in the third place play-off.

HIBERNIAN LADIES - FIRST SILVERWARE OF THE SEASON

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Hibs Ladies won their first silverware of the season last Saturday when they defeated Queen’s Park Ladies 4-0 in the Scottlsh League Cup Final.

This should prove to be some consolation to the Hibs First Team, who having won the Scottish League Cup last season, were eliminated by Motherwell this season.

Another piece of silverware for the trophy cabinet is always welcome irrespective of who wins it !

Hibs Ladies were 2-0 up at half time after a typical attacking display and two great goals from Eski Kanka’s heroine, Kim Little.

More of the same in the 2nd half with newcomers to the Premier League, Queen’s Park, unable to put the Hibs defence under any pressure.

Suzanne Grant added the 3rd and Kim Little tied it up with her hat-trick. After losing out to the ladies of Edinburgh City at the same stage last season, this was a welcome and well deserved win for the Hibs girls.

With the winter break fast approaching, the Hibs Ladies now have their eyes firmly set on retaining the Scottish Cup and League Title, and so completing the Treble !

Well done girls.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

THE BAGGIES or..... WEST BROMWICH ALBION

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

This is principally a site for ANKARAGUCU and Gencler footie, but I think it is time to say a few words about The Baggies as a tribute to Baggie Kanka Dave and his lovely wife Carol who were ANKARAGUCU fanatiks here a few years ago and regular attenders at the matches in the old Sahil days.

Having returned from school last night, my darling wife (not a dragon !!) informed me that there was a match on TV. Monday night ? Strange .... I thought. However, I had a peek and.... wow.... it was The Baggies v Coventry Shitty. So, the 1st half was at the half way stage and I settled down to watch the the remainder and the 2nd half.

I caught sight of the old Hibs Manager of one year ago (Big Tony Mowbray) with a fixed scowl on his face and I had a chuckle at that. I was wondering if he was thinking....... I shouldn't have left Hibs for The Baggies !!! Doesn't he ever smile these days Dave ? I have seen a photo of Hibbie Kanka and his hooligans with Big Tony and he was actually smiling !!!

What little a saw of the 1st half looked to be about even between the teams, however, all change in the 2nd half with The Baggies in total control and playing some delightful footie. Coventry were chasing shadows (remind you of CimBom v Gencler last Sunday ??!!).

Gotta give it to Big Tony for putting a really attack minded team together and their fitness level was impressive. Bang bang bang bang...... 4 cracking goals and the pick of them came from that guy up front with the funny name ..... Phillipe something !! Also impressive was Robinson - big strong front man. A possible recruit for ANKARAGUCU next season ???

I was looking for Baggie Kanka in the crowd but couldn't locate him ! However, I'm sure he was there ?! Well, at least his influence was apparent. After the 3rd goal, the Baggie contingent started to do an immitation of the ANKARAGUCU `Olay Olay` song and dance routine. But...... I'm sorry to say they failed miserably !!! It looked more like a conga dance at a halloween party !!!

However, in Baggie Kanka's defence, he is now the proud owner of an ANKARAGUCU Kankalar T Shirt which he will no doubt be wearing with pride to future Baggie matches. Sure to be a conversation piece me thinks !!!

In summary then, well done The Baggies and I can realistically believe that promotion is on the cards this season if they continue to play like they did last night. Look over your shoulder Waaaaaatford...... The Baggies are coming !!!

All the best from Baggie Fan, Eski Kanka Jim

At least the first few minutes were fun

Pretty much as I expected. An away loss to Galatasaray. Still down in the relegation zone and not a great deal of light ahead of us.

As the match was in Istanbul I decided to open my house to one and all to watch the match on the telly. I received an enormous response of absolutely nothing. Some grovelling at a party on Saturday night did end up with Spine and French Kanka Hande taking pity on me and so I thought it only right to whip up a curry for the only friends I have in Ankara.

Galatasaray 3 - 2 Genclerbirligi

Yumdidee Yum and the curry went down well. In fact we had hardly started when Isaac Promise got a cross in that wasn't cleared properly, the ball was sent left to Kerem Saras who I thought was about to send it on but instead had a shot. Luckily it went off a Galatasaray player and the keeper didn't have a chance. Three minutes in and 0-1 up. Cue delight from the Oz Kanka household.

It was also as good a time as any to send Little Oz Kanka to bed. At least he will be dreaming of that great goal and not the rest of the match.


So I enjoyed the first three minutes but from then on it was all pain.

Hats off to Galatasaray, they were playing a mean pressing game and out boys couldn't get the ball out of our own half.

Amateur analysis time: In the last few weeks we have been playing against teams set to defend. They weren't concerned with us having the ball in midfield and so we played it slow and boringly up to the front where we would inevitably lose it. Tonight, our lot looked in shock as Galatasaray actually tried to get the ball while we still had it in our own half. The result, after the goal we hardly got into the Galatasaray half at all. Pathetic.

So with bugger all position we managed to have two goals scored against us.

Half-time 2-1.

What with the wind and cold in Ankara this evening we relaxed our "no smoking inside" rule to one of "smoking allowed sort of near the kitchen balcony door" but still our discussions were downbeat.

Second half though and I thought we played a bit better. We played with the ball and had the best of the first five minutes and then Galatasaray, with their first attack of the second half, scored thanks to a deflection from Mr. Grape. Poor bugger, that was the second deflection off him that resulted in a goal. 3-1.

Galatasaray obviously took their foot off the accelerator at this point thus allowing us a bit more of the ball. There were a few nice combinations but quite frankly when the most talked about point amongst the crowd at the Oz Kanka household were the highlights in Genclerbirligi substitute Sedat Yesilkaya's hair, you know this was not a classic game of football.


A few highjinks towards the end as we were denied a clear penalty. And then Galatasaray's Song went in with a knee into Mehmet Cakir's back. It should have been a red, or at least a yellow. Instead he of the great streaks hair highlights got a yellow (appropriately hair-wise).

Okan Ozturk also managed to break his nose in a challenge but had to stay on as we had used our substitutions.

Then just towards the end one of our Serbian blokes, afraid I'm not sure if it was Storic or Petkovic, took a wonderful free kick. He sent it high and straight onto the head of Mr. Grape in the box who headed it toward goal and in, via a deflection. 3-2.

Final whistle a few seconds later and I hung my head in shame. We have had this blog going for a while now and yet I've yet to have the joy of heading off to Gulay's Galatasaray blog and just shouting abuse, well... I have shouted abuse there but never have I been able to gloat. One day, one day.

ANKARAGUCU - GOLDEN STRIKE (Hurriyet's Headline - Not Mine !!)

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

On a cold and crisp Saturday afternoon in Ankara .....

ANKARAGUCU 1 Gaziantepspor 0

Good turnout from the kankas yesterday with Battle Damaged Kanka Damon, Rip Off Kanka Erman, Yankee Kanka, Alpine Kanka Wolfgang with his son Chris and his buddy, Mountaineering Kanka Robbie and his `Bilkent Babes` Jennifer and Abi. Also, Andrew and Ian from Bilkent.

Maniac Kanka and I were working (as usual at this time of the year) and were conspicuous by our absence ! But...... we did turn up for post-match celebrations !!!

However, I can tell you that Murat Erdogan scored the vital (golden goal !!) in the 54th minute from a break from El Yasa and an astute pass from Jaba.

It was in ANKARAGUCU's hands (and feet) to add more, but...... according to Damon and Robbie, they retreated into a defensive formation for the last 10 minutes of the match and performed some professional time wasting tactics. Tut tut tut !!!

Well............. 3 points are 3 points and they are welcome as ANKARAGUCU keep up their pursuit of that UEFA Cup place.

The full report of the match will be added as an EDIT by Moutaineering Kanka Robbie soon. So, watch this space for more !

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim


EDIT..... Sunday night.....

Well, WELL! Mountaineering Kanka here and I am honored to be giving this week’s report. It is a testament to what perseverance can accomplish as I can now tick off one more thing on my “things to do before you’re dead!” list. To spare those who suffered from the last report, I will not be writing any Russian novels. Oh no, only the necessary information…(who came to the match, what happened at the match, and who was wearing the most ridiculous piece of clothing!)

A contingent of Bilkent Kankas headed to Chopin at around 12:30 to look for comrades but alas found none and so headed off to the match. Present were… Myself, Battle-Damaged Kanka Damon (who may be changing his name), and four as of yet unnamed Bilkent supporters. Kankas Ian and Andrew and Kankies Abby and Jennifer. All were present for the Battle of Sakarya Caddesi 2 some weeks ago and were ready for more!

Upon arrival in the stadium around 1:15, we were surprised to see a smaller crowd than normal. Because of the slight change in temperature no doubt. After some time, some familiar faces showed up and joined us for the viewing. Rip Off Kanka Erman, Alpine Kanka Wolfgang (supporting Gucu more and more every week!) along with one of his “wolf cubs” and a friend. Yankee Kanka completed the group and we were ready to go.

The game started with Gucu taking it to GAspor. In the first minute Bebbe nearly scored on a self-induced volley opportunity… just wide! The attacks continued with Kirita (captain because of an absent Emre) setting up many of them. Also notable was the stellar play of Murat Erdogan, a definite rising star! The referee clearly wanted to be involved in the match and the whistle was blowing early and often. In about the 25th minute a rare back pass violation gave Gucu a free kick a mere 5 meters from Antep’s goal. A screamer from Kirita connected with the keeper of Antep’s face and left him an uglier man! The attacking play of Gucu began to subside and they settled into the all too familiar long pass rhythm. This opened the field up a bit and gave Antep more chances to attack themselves on fast breaks. There were a few shots on our goal, one of which Serkan tipped neatly over the bar. Close! The play continued with Gucu’s offense anemic and by the time the half was called it looked like anybody’s match… 0-0.

Second half began much the same as the first with Gucu attacking hard to try and gain the advantage. A ball played down the right line to Yasin was taken nicely and crossed back into the box just a tad early for a diving Jaba. You could sense that something was coming and then in about the 52nd minute, El Yasa (who played great) took the ball down the right side and crossed it in to Jaba who saved it from going over the touch line and put it back up to the top of the box for a waiting Murat Erdogan… BANG! Keeper had no chance. 1-0 Gucu.

This left GAspor scrambling a bit and they began to up their attack but Gucu’s defense were up to the task. The referee was still very involved and prompted many arguments for his calls. Nice job from Kirita to deflate tensions quickly. In the last perhaps fifteen minutes of the match, something happened to Gucu’s defense. I haven’t seen them play such poor defense in a long time. Note Hakan Kutlu: This is an area that needs to be addressed! The absence of Emre was noticeable as there was a clear lack of communication, Defenders were waiting around and missing tackles left and right. The last five minutes were very tense and I am ashamed to say that Gucu did employ some time-wasting tactics. Finally though the whistle blew and the three points were ours! Still undefeated at home!

After that it was off to the pub where we met up with Eski Kanka Jim and Maniac Kanka Harun. Drinks and Kofte were had by all and Gucu were toasted more than once! Well, that’s two out of three, so now on to the most ridiculous piece of clothing worn. It simply must go to Ian for that Soviet Era dead animal hat he was wearing. As Jim said, it looked much better on Abby. So, pending ratification from Oz Kanka and Eski Kanka I will dub Ian “Bad Hat Kanka”, long may he continue to come to matches!

Cheers and hope to see all of you at the stadium soon!
Mountaineering Kanka Robbie

Yesssss............. great report from Mountaineering Kanka. More in the future me thinks ??!! Bad Hat Kanka for Ian ? Most definitely............ go for it !

Alpine Kanka is now a `secret` Ankaragucu fanatik, but............. for God's sake, don't tell Oz Kanka !!!

GLORY TO THE GREAT ANKARAGUCU from Eski Kanka Jim