I'm a bit late with this news but I've been busy registering French Kanka's dual sim phone and doing a stock take at the Red Lion Club. Better late than never though.
The other day Yildirim Demiroren was elected chairman of the Turkish Football federation and he has apparently already come up with two "çilgin" projects that would make Tayyip Bey proud.
The first thing he did as chairman was to send to UEFA a letter saying that he wanted any penalties for the match fixing scandal to be postponed until the courts have given their verdicts. Well, seems sort of like justice, but then he came up with the interesting bit that individuals should be punished, not clubs. So, if a club chairman organised for his club to win the league then the chairman would go to gaol, if such a decision was made, but the club would still be allowed to play on. Hmmm.
The second was reported in the papers - there has not been an official statement on the matter.
Demiroren wants the top flight to be expanded next year to 22 teams, up from the current 18. To do this, no teams will be relegated this year and three teams from the Bank Big Continent League would be promoted. The last spot would go to Ankaraspor who seem to have won their case against the Federation over their being kicked out a few years ago.
The other bit about this is that that the league would be split into two groups, with the winners of the groups playing a grand final to decide the overall league winners.
As I said, no official statement from the TFF on this one but it certainly sounds like a mess to me.
The Round Ball in Ankara! Dedicated to football lovers in Ankara (Except for those who follow Osmanlispor)
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
A call to UEFA
Turkish football blogs and whatnot have today been sending around a letter that they are calling on readers to send on to UEFA. Just for your info, here it is. I offer no comment.
Subject: A Quest for Fairplay!
Dear Sir/Madam,
I’m a football fan living in Turkey. It is not a secret that football in Turkey has been full of match-fixing. Everyone has either heard or read or watched the match-fixing stories. Unfortunately, none of the competent authorities has taken these claims serious and cracked down on them. All of the actors in the competent authorities have pretended as if everything is fine and by the book of the universal football norms, intentionally or willy-nilly. As a result of this “collective” neglect, so many football fans have turned their back to the games, even started to hate the game. You cannot even find a single football fan who thinks that the games are won deservingly in Turkey.
The match-fixing scandal erupted in July 2011 and the following investigation and case gave hope to millions of football-lovers including me as two of the three “untouchables” of football in Turkey were also in the investigation file. Moreover, Fenerbahçe president on the one hand, and Beşiktaş coach and member of board on the other, were taken into custody. We started to follow up the investigation with curiosity and hope.
Although the investigation only covered the last 4 months, the picture was so calamitous that it was proved that we were so right in having second thoughts about the football in Turkey. With a slice of hope, we just started to think that our “self-governing” and “autonomous” football federation will not dare to protect “them” once more, while all the mess was so overt.
But the hopes were destroyed again! Football Federation preferred to throw the ball out of bounds. They chose to play for the time and to sidestep instead of taking necessary actions. Federation did not even make a statement about the mentioned clubs, either positively or negatively. The leagues started perfunctorily despite the chaos.
In the last general assembly of Football Federation, the former president defended himself through rising that no one should have a suspicion on his fanship for Fenerbahçe, and then resigned. Following his resignation, the media was full of primary witnesses who were talking about how the former president spent effort to prevent Fenerbahçe from relegation.
Today, Football Federation has elected the new head of the federation: The former Beşiktaş president, whose coach and an important member of board were judged within the investigation. He was also the one who declared that “We will have an agreement with UEFA. If not, Turkish teams will not participate to the UEFA competitions. It’s not a big deal!”
Our belief in a possible cleanup in football in Turkey is diminishing each day. The recent investigation has shown that “no one can touch the three bigs” is still a valid and right statement in Turkey. There is a mess around that nobody can suppress, but the competent authorities cannot even dare to name it!
The dramatic period of match-fixing investigation has proven that the competent authorities and competent people in Turkey lack the capacity and courage to provide a fair play environment. This is why we, as fairplay seekers, want UEFA to take an active role in this chaos. We believe that UEFA will do its best to bring fairplay to Turkey.
We also declare that we will be attentive followers of the process, both in national and international level.
Sincerely yours,
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Gencler throw it away
Two-nil up after 25-odd minutes. In the bag surely. But no, Gencler managed to give away a goal in stoppage time and it all ended up equal. Total silence from the fans and the Sivas supporters went wild. Extremely disappointing. Oh well, that's football.
Genclerbirligi 3 - 3 Sivasspor
Just me at the Beer Bus but met up with Oguz and Ertank outside the stadium. It was about this moment that I realised I left my season ticket at home. Luckily Orcan got onto the phone and found me one, thus saving me 10 lira. As we waited for the ticket to show up a roar came from inside the stadium. Gencler had scored in the first minute.
I was later told it was Yasin who cut in from the left and took a shot. One or two minutes in and 1-0 up. Still outside the stadium and apparently we had another good chance which Azo managed to miss.
Finally inside and all the play was Gencler and it was no surprise when we scored another in the 25th-something minute. Azofeifa had a freekick from a fair distance and sent it onto Herve Tum, for yet another headed goal for Tum.
It was a beautiful day, the sun was out and the Gencler fans turned out in force and with two goals in the bag everything was looking good.
A few minutes later though and a Sivas player was fouled in the box. The penalty was given, probably correctly, and Sivas converted it. Still, plenty of time left and we were looking much better than Sivas when the half-time whistle went.
Second half and we again were playing the better football but mistakes started to creep in. A few from us and quite a few from the referee. Sivas had started to attack and at times our players were falling asleep. The equaliser for Sivas came in the 56th. Silly defence.
Then the referee started to have his shocker. Sivas were hitting out and whilst he would occasionally give a foul it was pretty clear which side his bread was buttered on.
Despite the ref we managed to go ahead once more after a bit of a goal mouth scramble. We were playing so much better than Sivas and most of the crowd were looking for another, especially after the referee had no choice in giving a Sivas player a second yellow for a vicious tackle on Hursut.
The referee started to really annoy us fans but still Gencler attacked. Then Yasin was sent through by our goalkeeper Ramazan only to be clearly fouled one out from the keeper just THIS much outside the box. A clear red card and Sivas were down to nine men and a goal behind.
Then disaster as Gencler turned off. Into injury time and our defence went to sleep. We just couldn't clear the ball from outside our half. Sivas had shot after shot and then after a goalmouth scramble the ball went in. Of course, the referee had completely missed a foul on us just 30 seconds before the goal.
Just a point. Gencler threw the other two away. This was a match we should have won. Now for two extremely difficult weeks; against Fener and then Galatasaray - both away.
Genclerbirligi 3 - 3 Sivasspor
Just me at the Beer Bus but met up with Oguz and Ertank outside the stadium. It was about this moment that I realised I left my season ticket at home. Luckily Orcan got onto the phone and found me one, thus saving me 10 lira. As we waited for the ticket to show up a roar came from inside the stadium. Gencler had scored in the first minute.
I was later told it was Yasin who cut in from the left and took a shot. One or two minutes in and 1-0 up. Still outside the stadium and apparently we had another good chance which Azo managed to miss.
Finally inside and all the play was Gencler and it was no surprise when we scored another in the 25th-something minute. Azofeifa had a freekick from a fair distance and sent it onto Herve Tum, for yet another headed goal for Tum.
It was a beautiful day, the sun was out and the Gencler fans turned out in force and with two goals in the bag everything was looking good.
A few minutes later though and a Sivas player was fouled in the box. The penalty was given, probably correctly, and Sivas converted it. Still, plenty of time left and we were looking much better than Sivas when the half-time whistle went.
Second half and we again were playing the better football but mistakes started to creep in. A few from us and quite a few from the referee. Sivas had started to attack and at times our players were falling asleep. The equaliser for Sivas came in the 56th. Silly defence.
Then the referee started to have his shocker. Sivas were hitting out and whilst he would occasionally give a foul it was pretty clear which side his bread was buttered on.
Despite the ref we managed to go ahead once more after a bit of a goal mouth scramble. We were playing so much better than Sivas and most of the crowd were looking for another, especially after the referee had no choice in giving a Sivas player a second yellow for a vicious tackle on Hursut.
The referee started to really annoy us fans but still Gencler attacked. Then Yasin was sent through by our goalkeeper Ramazan only to be clearly fouled one out from the keeper just THIS much outside the box. A clear red card and Sivas were down to nine men and a goal behind.
Then disaster as Gencler turned off. Into injury time and our defence went to sleep. We just couldn't clear the ball from outside our half. Sivas had shot after shot and then after a goalmouth scramble the ball went in. Of course, the referee had completely missed a foul on us just 30 seconds before the goal.
Just a point. Gencler threw the other two away. This was a match we should have won. Now for two extremely difficult weeks; against Fener and then Galatasaray - both away.
ANKARAGUCU RELEGATED, BUT ..... WITH PRIDE INTACT
Greetings Kankas and Kankies.
The post I dreaded making, but ...............
the Ankaragucu players can hold their heads up after giving their all since the 'leaves fell off the tree'. It is not their fault that Ankaragucu is relegated after 32 years in the top flight. We all know the individuals who must shoulder the blame and responsibility !
Ankaragucu almsot snatched an unlikely victory yesterday, and but for a questionable penalty decision that went against them at a crucial stage of the match, may well have done. I'm sure that when the referee, Huseyin Sabanci, watches a replay of the incident he will agree with me. However, referees make mistakes the same as anyone else and it is now 'water under the bridge'.
Karabukspor 3 Ankaragucu 2
Team -
Bayram, Mehmet, Gurkan, Umit, Ishak, Orhan, Mert, Bilal, Veli, Kaan and Atilla
Substitutes - Serol, Gokhan and Sinan
We met up in The Chopin to watch the match - Battle Damaged Kanka Damon, Kaleci Kanka Tansu, No Name Kanka Simon and yours truly. Oh yes, and not forgetting our '5th Man', a bottle of The Macallan (courtesy of Damon) which was consumed with relish after the match to 'drown our sorrows' !
It was pretty much end-to-end footie with both teams playing all out attack. Having said that, Karabuk was looking the more dangerous for the first 20 minutes with Shelton, in particular, and Mehmet Yildiz combining well up front. However, the Ankaragucu defence for once looked well organised yesterday and was coping admirably with all that Karabuk could fire at them.
Then in the 20th minute, Serol took the ball on a run along the left touchline to almost the goal line, looked up, and sent in a high ball over Tomic in goal. The ball hit the post and took a deflection 'the right way' to cross the line with Tomic spinning around in a circle trying to locate the ball ! At first I thought it was a cross, but having seen the replay, there were no Ankaragucu players in the box and I believe Serol scored what can only be described as an opportunist goal.
Karabuk stepped up the pressure and it was Man of the Match Bayram who kept Ankaragucu in front with some excellent and timely saves.
We were 2 minutes into time added on when from a Karabuk free kick into the box the equaliser arrived. It was a lucky goal in a goal mouth melee with about four players all trying to kick the ball, but Jahic managed to get a foot to the ball and toe poked it in for a real sickener of a goal.
Into the 2nd half and Bayram again made some great saves until 'that incident' arrived on 65 minutes. Can't remember who the defender was, but for me he made a clean tackle in the box and won the ball, but the Karabuk attacker fell over his leg and Mr Sabanci pointed to the spot. Sometimes decisions go against you and this was one such case.
The penalty was well taken by Cernat who hesitated briefly on his run up as he was about to strike the ball and Bayram was wrong-footed.
One minute later the Ankaragucu equaliser arrived thanks to a great run by Atilla who took a great pass in his stride and fired the ball into the corner with Tomic well beaten. Simon said ...... 'Ankaragucu was spurred on by injustice' ! Great comment !
At 2-2 I suppose we could accept that it was a fair reflection of play even if Karabuk had the lion's share of the possession (59 to 41). However, the next crucial event in the match, which probably was significant, arrived in the 70th minute when Veli was given a red card (two yellows) for pulling a player back by his shirt.
6 minutes later and the extra man paid off for Karabuk when Jahic was allowed acres of space in the box to head in unmarked for the winner. What a sickener, but having said that, terrible defending by an otherwise good defensive display by Ankaragucu.
Ankaragucu didn't give up and kept up the pressure, but it was not to be.
As I said, a really great team performance from the Youth Team and they can at least be proud that they gave their all. Don't be surprised if this team pull out a victory or two before the end of the season now that the pressure is off.
Next Saturday Ankaragucu will be at home to Eskisehir and probably at 1pm KO. I'll confirm this in the comments section as usual later.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
The post I dreaded making, but ...............
the Ankaragucu players can hold their heads up after giving their all since the 'leaves fell off the tree'. It is not their fault that Ankaragucu is relegated after 32 years in the top flight. We all know the individuals who must shoulder the blame and responsibility !
Ankaragucu almsot snatched an unlikely victory yesterday, and but for a questionable penalty decision that went against them at a crucial stage of the match, may well have done. I'm sure that when the referee, Huseyin Sabanci, watches a replay of the incident he will agree with me. However, referees make mistakes the same as anyone else and it is now 'water under the bridge'.
Karabukspor 3 Ankaragucu 2
Team -
Bayram, Mehmet, Gurkan, Umit, Ishak, Orhan, Mert, Bilal, Veli, Kaan and Atilla
Substitutes - Serol, Gokhan and Sinan
We met up in The Chopin to watch the match - Battle Damaged Kanka Damon, Kaleci Kanka Tansu, No Name Kanka Simon and yours truly. Oh yes, and not forgetting our '5th Man', a bottle of The Macallan (courtesy of Damon) which was consumed with relish after the match to 'drown our sorrows' !
It was pretty much end-to-end footie with both teams playing all out attack. Having said that, Karabuk was looking the more dangerous for the first 20 minutes with Shelton, in particular, and Mehmet Yildiz combining well up front. However, the Ankaragucu defence for once looked well organised yesterday and was coping admirably with all that Karabuk could fire at them.
Then in the 20th minute, Serol took the ball on a run along the left touchline to almost the goal line, looked up, and sent in a high ball over Tomic in goal. The ball hit the post and took a deflection 'the right way' to cross the line with Tomic spinning around in a circle trying to locate the ball ! At first I thought it was a cross, but having seen the replay, there were no Ankaragucu players in the box and I believe Serol scored what can only be described as an opportunist goal.
Karabuk stepped up the pressure and it was Man of the Match Bayram who kept Ankaragucu in front with some excellent and timely saves.
We were 2 minutes into time added on when from a Karabuk free kick into the box the equaliser arrived. It was a lucky goal in a goal mouth melee with about four players all trying to kick the ball, but Jahic managed to get a foot to the ball and toe poked it in for a real sickener of a goal.
Into the 2nd half and Bayram again made some great saves until 'that incident' arrived on 65 minutes. Can't remember who the defender was, but for me he made a clean tackle in the box and won the ball, but the Karabuk attacker fell over his leg and Mr Sabanci pointed to the spot. Sometimes decisions go against you and this was one such case.
The penalty was well taken by Cernat who hesitated briefly on his run up as he was about to strike the ball and Bayram was wrong-footed.
One minute later the Ankaragucu equaliser arrived thanks to a great run by Atilla who took a great pass in his stride and fired the ball into the corner with Tomic well beaten. Simon said ...... 'Ankaragucu was spurred on by injustice' ! Great comment !
At 2-2 I suppose we could accept that it was a fair reflection of play even if Karabuk had the lion's share of the possession (59 to 41). However, the next crucial event in the match, which probably was significant, arrived in the 70th minute when Veli was given a red card (two yellows) for pulling a player back by his shirt.
6 minutes later and the extra man paid off for Karabuk when Jahic was allowed acres of space in the box to head in unmarked for the winner. What a sickener, but having said that, terrible defending by an otherwise good defensive display by Ankaragucu.
Ankaragucu didn't give up and kept up the pressure, but it was not to be.
As I said, a really great team performance from the Youth Team and they can at least be proud that they gave their all. Don't be surprised if this team pull out a victory or two before the end of the season now that the pressure is off.
Next Saturday Ankaragucu will be at home to Eskisehir and probably at 1pm KO. I'll confirm this in the comments section as usual later.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
Friday, February 24, 2012
Ankaragucu vs Karabukspor Match Preview !
Ankaragucu travel to Karabukspor tomorrow knowing defeat and other results not going there way could see Ankaragucu officially relegated.
Ankaragucu fans have accepted that they will be playing in Bank Aysa next season at very best. Karabukspor are in a relegation fight themselves but have shown some good form in recent weeks to take them just outside the drop zone.
The last time the two sides met Ankaragucu won 2-1 in Ankara thanks to goals from Atilla Garhan and Tonia Tisdell. Since then Ankaragucu have lost most of there players and havent scored in there last 9 games. Karabukspor took advantage of the financial crisis at Ankaragucu and signed Ugur Ucar, Guven Varol, Kagan Soylemezgiller and Ergin Keles on free transfers, they join Ilhan Parlak who signed at the start of the season from Ankaragucu.
The home side have won 4 and drawn 1 in there last five games including impressive wins against Eskisehirspor and Fenerbahce. There key player Floran Cernat the Romanian playmaker has had a big hand in the recent revival of Karabukspor a long with new signing Mehmet Yildiz who signed from Eskisehirspor.
Ankaragucu lost again last week 3-0 at home to Samsunspor, Hakan Kutlu can only hope his young side can find the net and stop this poor run of games without a goal. Ankaragucu gave debuts to two 17 year olds last week as the club continue to go through this tough time in there 102 year history.
Another tough game, lets hope the youngsters do us proud once again as they take to the park without been paid.
Ankaragucu fans have accepted that they will be playing in Bank Aysa next season at very best. Karabukspor are in a relegation fight themselves but have shown some good form in recent weeks to take them just outside the drop zone.
The last time the two sides met Ankaragucu won 2-1 in Ankara thanks to goals from Atilla Garhan and Tonia Tisdell. Since then Ankaragucu have lost most of there players and havent scored in there last 9 games. Karabukspor took advantage of the financial crisis at Ankaragucu and signed Ugur Ucar, Guven Varol, Kagan Soylemezgiller and Ergin Keles on free transfers, they join Ilhan Parlak who signed at the start of the season from Ankaragucu.
The home side have won 4 and drawn 1 in there last five games including impressive wins against Eskisehirspor and Fenerbahce. There key player Floran Cernat the Romanian playmaker has had a big hand in the recent revival of Karabukspor a long with new signing Mehmet Yildiz who signed from Eskisehirspor.
Ankaragucu lost again last week 3-0 at home to Samsunspor, Hakan Kutlu can only hope his young side can find the net and stop this poor run of games without a goal. Ankaragucu gave debuts to two 17 year olds last week as the club continue to go through this tough time in there 102 year history.
Another tough game, lets hope the youngsters do us proud once again as they take to the park without been paid.
Monday, February 20, 2012
GENCLERBIRLIGI UNDONE BY LATE WINNER
Greetings Kankas and Kankies.
With Oz Kanka and Spine out of town at the moment, it falls to me to break the sad news that Gencler had another 'stutter' in their quest to qualify for Yooro Footie next season.
Besiktas 3 Genclerbirligi 2
I wasn't able to watch the match last night so this will be a summary, but if anyone did watch it then please feel free to comment on this brief report.
Team -
Ramazan
Cem, Aykut, Kulusic and Mehmet
Ozgur, Soner, Azofeifa and Zec
Hursut and Tum
Substitutes used - Yasin, Murat and Onur
Gencler opened the scoring in the first half through Tum and that's how it stayed until just after half time when Quaresma equalised.
Almeida put Besiktas (I'm not saying Beshiktrash, well ..... at least for this report !!!) ahead in the 70th minute, but 3 minutes later came the equaliser for Gencler from Azofeifa.
Into the last 15 minutes and I'm sure Gencler fans would have been happy with a point at that stage ?! However, it was not to be.
The man who usually unlocks the door for Besiktas took the opportunity to open it and he duly scored the winner. I'm referring of course to Fernandes who does the same job for Besiktas as Sapara did for Ankaragucu last season. I'm sure we will hear a lot more about him this season and in the future - a class act if ever there was one.
Anyway, all is not lost for Gencler. They have a great opportunity to put the 'ship back on course' next Sunday in the '6 Pointer' at home to Sivas. I'll give the KO time in the comments section of this post when known.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
With Oz Kanka and Spine out of town at the moment, it falls to me to break the sad news that Gencler had another 'stutter' in their quest to qualify for Yooro Footie next season.
Besiktas 3 Genclerbirligi 2
I wasn't able to watch the match last night so this will be a summary, but if anyone did watch it then please feel free to comment on this brief report.
Team -
Ramazan
Cem, Aykut, Kulusic and Mehmet
Ozgur, Soner, Azofeifa and Zec
Hursut and Tum
Substitutes used - Yasin, Murat and Onur
Gencler opened the scoring in the first half through Tum and that's how it stayed until just after half time when Quaresma equalised.
Almeida put Besiktas (I'm not saying Beshiktrash, well ..... at least for this report !!!) ahead in the 70th minute, but 3 minutes later came the equaliser for Gencler from Azofeifa.
Into the last 15 minutes and I'm sure Gencler fans would have been happy with a point at that stage ?! However, it was not to be.
The man who usually unlocks the door for Besiktas took the opportunity to open it and he duly scored the winner. I'm referring of course to Fernandes who does the same job for Besiktas as Sapara did for Ankaragucu last season. I'm sure we will hear a lot more about him this season and in the future - a class act if ever there was one.
Anyway, all is not lost for Gencler. They have a great opportunity to put the 'ship back on course' next Sunday in the '6 Pointer' at home to Sivas. I'll give the KO time in the comments section of this post when known.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
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