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| The 1959 National League Champion, the first ever professional league . |
Turkey
Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe SK, Beşiktaş
German Turks
Fenerbahçe SKwas founded as a football club in 1907 in Istanbul. The club's name comes from Fenerbahçe of Istanbul. Fenerbahçe is a major multi-sports club and competes in football, basketball, volleyball, athletics, swimming, sailing, rowing, boxing and table tennis with many major honours won in each. Fenerbahçe is one of the most successful and best supported football teams in Turkey, having never been relegated to lower divisions. It is nicknamed Sarı Kanaryalar (Turkish for "Yellow Canaries") and plays its home games at Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium in Kadıköy, Istanbul.
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| 2014 Super Liga Champion |
Team
GK: Rustu Recber (Turkey)
Rüştü had got a key role in the success of the Turkish national squad, and it was at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where Turkey finished third, that his performances saw him selected for the tournament's all-star team. He is Turkey's record appearance holder, having earned 120 caps. During his professional career, he played as a goalkeeper for Antalyaspor, Fenerbahçe, Barcelona and Beşiktaş.
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| Rustu Recber |
Özcan Arkoç began his football career at Vefa in 1955. He later played for Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş. He also played for Austria Wien between 1964 and 1967. He joined Hamburger SV in 1967 and played for nine seasons. He played in the European Cup Winners' Cup final in 1968 losing 2–0 to AC Milan. From 1959 to 1062, he was capped 9 times for Turkey.
GK: Volkan Demirel (Turkey)
Volkan Demirel He joined Kartalspor as an 18-year-old in 1999 and became the starting goalkeeper the following year. He joined Fenerbahçe in 2002. He was the starting goalkeeper of the side that reached the quarter-finals of the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League. He had over 60 caps between 2004 and 2014. He was also the starting goalkeeper of the Turkey side that reached the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2008.
RB: Gökhan Gönül (Turkey)
Gönül started with the youth team of Gençlerbirliği, but he was loaned to Hacettepe, where he played until 2007. Fenerbahçe bought him before the start of the 2007–08 season, where he flourished under then-coach Zico. After putting in performances during the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League, he earned the nickname "Turkish Cafu". The club reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in club history. At time of writing, he has over 60 caps.
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| Gökhan Gönül |
Okechukwu started his career playing for Flash Flamingoes and Iwuanyanwu Nationale in Nigeria. He then played for Brøndby IF, before he moved to play for Fenerbahçe in 1993. He played 13 seasons and was the longest serving foreign players in Turkish history. He played 47 times for Nigeria. He went to two World Cup Finals (1994 and 1998) as well as winning the Gold Medal at the 1996 Olympics.
CB: Diego Lugano (Uruguay)
Diego Lugano started with Libertad, Club Nacional de Football and Plaza Colonia at home before making a name with Sao Paulo in Brazil, where he won Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup in 2005. He later played for Fenerbahçe, PSG, Malaga, West Bromwich Albion and BK Häcken. For Uruguay, he earned nearly a 100 caps. He captained the team for eight years, beginning in May 2006. He captained Uruguay to Copa America's victory in 2011 and went to two World Cup Finals: 2010 and 2014.
SW: Alpaslan Eratli (Turkey)
Between 1973-1983, Alpaslan Eratli played for Fenerbahçe, and was the captain of the team between 1980-83. He played 414 matches for Fenerbahçe SK and scored 38 goals. He started his career in amateur level with İstanbul based club Cerreahpaşa Spor Kulubü and then started in professional career with İstanbulspor then transferred to Fenerbahçe. He also played 26 times for Turkey.
CB: Basri Dirimlili (Turkey)
Basri Dirimlili played 23 times for Turkey. He was a member of Turkey's World Cup team in 1954, the first ever World Cup Finals for Turkey. He also went to the 1952 Olympic Games. He was regarded among the greatest Turkish defender. Dirimlili began playing football for Eskişehir Demirspor. He transferred to Fenerbahçe in 1951, where he played until 1953. He joined Karşıyaka S.K. at the end of his career, but did not play much.
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| Basri Dirimlili |
Ziya Şengul was born in 1944. He started in Ankara PTT in 1962. He joined Fenerbahçe at the age of 20 in 1964. He played for them until 1975. He was a member of the great Fenerbahce's team in 1974 coached by Dida. At the international level, he earned 21 caps for Turkey, in which he captained it 17 times and scored two goals.
LB/LW: Abdullah Ercan (Turkey)
Abdullah Ercan was remembered for his career with Trabzonspor and Fenerbahçe.
With Trabzonspor, he played 9 seasons and won 5 titles. He also played
briefly with Galatasaray. He earned 68 caps between 1993 and 2003, the
most glorious perid of Turkish football. He went to the Euro 1996, Euro 2000 and the 2002 World Cup.
LB: Cem Pamiroğlu (Turkey)
Cem Pamiroğlu started his career with Fenerbahçe in 1975. He played 508 times for Fenerbahçe. He is 4th in all-time appearance for the club. He won 3 Turkish League titles and 2 Turkish Cup with Fenerbahçe. He also played 23 times for Turkey. He joined Sarıyer in 1986 and payed two seasons before his retirement.
DM: Emre Belozoglu (Turkey)
In Turkey, Emre Belozoglu spent most of his career with Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray. His past clubs also included Inter Milan, Newcastle United and Atlético Madrid. He won the UEFA Cup in 2000 with Galatasaray. With Inter Milan, he was their player of the year for 2002-2003 season, but his later career with them was affected by injuries. He played with Turkey that went to the semi-finals at the 2002 World Cup and at Euro 2008.LB: Cem Pamiroğlu (Turkey)
Cem Pamiroğlu started his career with Fenerbahçe in 1975. He played 508 times for Fenerbahçe. He is 4th in all-time appearance for the club. He won 3 Turkish League titles and 2 Turkish Cup with Fenerbahçe. He also played 23 times for Turkey. He joined Sarıyer in 1986 and payed two seasons before his retirement.
DM: Emre Belozoglu (Turkey)
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| Emre Belozoglu |
Cetin is known as "emperor" by Turkish soccer fans. He led Fenerbahçe to championship in 1995-96 season but Fenerbahçe chairman Ali Sen released him immediately. Çetin played for Istanbulspor and Adanaspor after he was released by Fenerbahçe in 1996. He was capped 70 times for Turkey. He represented his country at the 1996 European Championship in England.
CM: Naci Erdem (Turkey)
Erdem started his career with Karagümrükspor. He played 605 games for Fenerbahçe between 1953–63. He won 4 times Turkish League. He also won another league title with Galatasaray after transferred there in 1964. He was capped 34 times for Turke and he started as captain 3 times. He played for Turkey at the 1954 FIFA World Cup.
DF/DM/CM/FW: Müjdat Yetkiner (Turkey)
Müjdat Yetkiner played for Fenerbahçe between 1980 and 1995. He was the club's appearance record holder and won the Turkish League title three times (1982–83, 1983–84 and 1988–89 season). He played the positions of sweeper, defender, fullback, defensive midfielder, midfielder, winger and attacking midfielder. He also played as a forward several times. He was also capped by Turkey 26 times between 1986 and 1994.
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| Müjdat Yetkiner |
Alaattin Baydar played 18 years for Fenerbahçe between 1916-34. He is third highest goalscorer in Fenerbahçe history with 362 goals in 324 matches and he also scored 24 goals in 39 matches against Galatasaray. He was a member of first Turkish national team squad who played against Romania in 1923. He played 16 times for Turkey. He attended the 1924 and 1928 Summer Olympics. His brother is Nasuhi Baydar who is one of Fenerbahçe founder.
AM/CM: Fikret Kırcan (Turkey)
Fikret Kırcan played for Fenerbahçe S.K. from 1934 to 1956. He served as Fenerbahçe team captain from 1951 through 1956. He was capped 12 times with the Turkish national team, thrice as captain, and attended the football tournament at the 1948 Summer Olympics, where his nation made it to the quarter-finals before being eliminated by eventual silver medalists Yugoslavia. He was born in 1919 in Istanbul.
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| Fikret Kırcan |
AM: Alex de Souz (Brazil)
Alex has played for Coritiba, Palmeiras, Flamengo and Cruzeiro in Brazil, Parma in Serie A and Fenerbahçe in Turkey. He made a name at Palmeiras winning the Copa Libertadores in 1999. At Cruzeiro, Alex won the Brazilian triple crown (the State Championship, the Brasileirão and the Brazilian Cup). He was capped 47 times. He never went to the WC Finals, due to playing at the same time as Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Juninho Pernambucano, Juninho Paulista and Kaka. However, he captained Brazil as they won the Copa America in 2007.
Alex has played for Coritiba, Palmeiras, Flamengo and Cruzeiro in Brazil, Parma in Serie A and Fenerbahçe in Turkey. He made a name at Palmeiras winning the Copa Libertadores in 1999. At Cruzeiro, Alex won the Brazilian triple crown (the State Championship, the Brasileirão and the Brazilian Cup). He was capped 47 times. He never went to the WC Finals, due to playing at the same time as Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Juninho Pernambucano, Juninho Paulista and Kaka. However, he captained Brazil as they won the Copa America in 2007.
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| Alex |
He is regarded as one of the greatest footballers to play for Fenerbahçe and Turkey. He was one of the first Turkish footballers to play abroad, playing during 1951–1953 for Fiorentina in Italy and OGC Nice in France. He scored 22 goals for the national team and was the top scorer for Turkey until overtaken by Hakan Şükür. He was the first Turkish football player to receive the "Golden Honor medal", from the Turkish Football Federation, for having played for the National Selection in 50 international matches.
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| Lefter Küçükandonyadis |
FW/ST: Şeref Has (Turkey)
Şeref Has transferred from Beyoğluspor to Fenerbahçe in 1955. He was the third most appearance record for with 605 appearances between 1955–69,. He played as a forward and midfielder and was especially known for his headed goals. At his career end he also played as defender. He also played 37 times for Turkey, starting as captain 10 times.
ST: Cemil Turan (Turkey)
Cemil Turan started with Sarıyer G.K. when he was 14. He transferred first to Istanbulspor and then to Fenerbahçe, where he won 3 league championship titles (1974, 1975, 1978). He was three times league topscorer in 1974, 1976 and 1978. He is an all-time great the club. With the national team, Turan scored 19 goals and earned 44 caps.
ST: Aykut Kocaman (Turkey)
Aykut Kocaman is one of only 5 players who to score 200 goals in Süper Lig history. He is Fenerbahçe all-time leading scorer in the league, where he played from 1988 to 1996. He was famous for a special move, where fans named this move "Aykut" after him. He also played for Sakaryaspor and Istanbulspor. From 1992 to 1995, he was capped 15 times.
ST: Zeki Rıza Sporel (Turkey)
Zeki Rıza Sporel played and scored in the country's first international match against Romania in 1923. He spent his entire career at Fenerbahçe scoring over 470 goals for them. He began with the club in the 1915-1916 season as a 18 years old. In 1931, he scored 8 goals in a single match that remained the record for most goals in a single match. His brother was at point the President of the club.
Zeki Rıza Sporel played and scored in the country's first international match against Romania in 1923. He spent his entire career at Fenerbahçe scoring over 470 goals for them. He began with the club in the 1915-1916 season as a 18 years old. In 1931, he scored 8 goals in a single match that remained the record for most goals in a single match. His brother was at point the President of the club.
During his career, Rıdvan Dilmen was given the nickname "Şeytan Rıdvan" ("Rıdvan the Devil") and was one of the most talented of his generation. He played for Muğlaspor, Boluspor and Sarıyer before signing for Fenerbahçe. Dilmen made 24 appearances for the Turkey national football team from 1984 to 1992. His career was limited by constant injuries and the lack of exposure outside Turkey. He could have been among the greatest Turkish players.
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| Rıdvan Dilmen |
Cihat Arman (Turkey), Toni Schumacher (Germany), Şükrü Ersoy (Turkey), Sergen Yalçın (Turkey), Hasan Kâmil Sporel (Turkey), Jes Høgh (Denmark), Ercan Aktuna (Turkey), Ogün Temizkanoğlu (Turkey), Yenal Kaçıra (Turkey), İsmail Kartal (Turkey), Roberto Carlos (Brazil), Dirk Kuyt (Netherlands), Elvir Bolić (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Elvir Bolic (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Esat Kaner (Turkey), Aykut Kocaman (Turkey), Tuncay Şanlı (Turkey), Jay Jay Okocha Nigeria), Pierre van Hooijdonk (Netherlands), Mehmet Aurélio (Brazil/Turkey), Fabio Luciano (Brazil), Galip Kulaksızoğlu (Turkey).
Squad Explanation
-- Lefter Küçükandonyadis is considered the greatest Turkish ever player. He scored over 450 goals for Fenerbahçe over two spells.
-- Most lists considered Cihat Arman as one of the club's greatest keepers, but fans outside of Turkey probably would easily recognise Rustu Recber from Turkey's historical run at the 2002 World Cup Finals. Toni Schumacher was named Turkish Footballer of the Year twice(1988 and 1989), but I took Volkan Demirel who played for the club from 2002 to 2019 over him as my third keeper. He also took the club to the quarterfinal of the Champions' League.
-- The club has too many good centerbacks. I dropped a rightback Ismail Kartel and selected 5 centerbacks.
-- Basri Dirimlili was a legend with Fenerbahçe. In 1955, in an Atatürk Cup against Galatasaray, he received a head injury with three stitches on his head, but he continued to play so that Fenerbahçe would not be left with 10 players. He then scored a goal with his head in the following minutes, started bleeding again and fainted. But he completed the match earning the nickname "Mehmetçik".
-- Galip Kulaksızoğlu was a member of their first ever team. They spent 17 years as a player with club. I put him on honourable mention. I also put Bekir Refet on honourable mention. He was the first ever Turkish footballer to play aboard. He played here between 1915 to 1916.
-- Roberto Carlos is probably the most well-known player ever played for the club, but he spent a short time at the club. He only played two seasons here. The same applied to Dirk Kuyt and Toni Schumacher. Jay Jay Okocha also played two seasons for the club. I only selected three foreigners to this all-time team, namely Uche Okechukwu (Nigeria), Diego Lugano (Uruguay) and Alex (Brazil).
-- Alex is among the greatest ever player for the club. In 2002, their fans even funded to build a statue of the player in Kadıköy Yoğurtçu park.
-- Diego Lugano played for them between 2006 and 2011. He was a fan favourite, especially after he received a 5 match ban for a red card he received during a derby match against Galatasaray.
-- Uche Okechukwu is the longest serving foreign player in Turkey. In 1997, he was the co-winner of the Turkish Player of the Year alongside Hakan Şükür.
-- Can Bartu was one of the first Turkish players to play overseas. he was able to maintain a place in a top flight team. He played in Italy for Fiorentina, Lazio and Venezia.
-- Emre Belozoglu won the Süper Lig player of the year for the 2009–10 season while playing for the club.
-- I have too many strikers. So I have to drop Aykut Kocaman and Fikret Arıcan.
-- Rıdvan Dilmen was relatively unknown outside Turkey due playing in the wrong period of Turkish football. His injuries also limited his career.
-- Aykut Kocaman scored 140 goals in the Super Lig, and he was famous for a special move, where fans named this move "Aykut" after him.
-- Zeki Rıza Sporel is their all-time leading scorer. He scored 470 goals for the club.
-- Müjdat Yetkiner played over 700 matches for them. He is their appearance record holder.
Formation
-- Galip Kulaksızoğlu was a member of their first ever team. They spent 17 years as a player with club. I put him on honourable mention. I also put Bekir Refet on honourable mention. He was the first ever Turkish footballer to play aboard. He played here between 1915 to 1916.
-- Roberto Carlos is probably the most well-known player ever played for the club, but he spent a short time at the club. He only played two seasons here. The same applied to Dirk Kuyt and Toni Schumacher. Jay Jay Okocha also played two seasons for the club. I only selected three foreigners to this all-time team, namely Uche Okechukwu (Nigeria), Diego Lugano (Uruguay) and Alex (Brazil).
-- Alex is among the greatest ever player for the club. In 2002, their fans even funded to build a statue of the player in Kadıköy Yoğurtçu park.
-- Diego Lugano played for them between 2006 and 2011. He was a fan favourite, especially after he received a 5 match ban for a red card he received during a derby match against Galatasaray.
-- Uche Okechukwu is the longest serving foreign player in Turkey. In 1997, he was the co-winner of the Turkish Player of the Year alongside Hakan Şükür.
-- Can Bartu was one of the first Turkish players to play overseas. he was able to maintain a place in a top flight team. He played in Italy for Fiorentina, Lazio and Venezia.
-- Emre Belozoglu won the Süper Lig player of the year for the 2009–10 season while playing for the club.
-- I have too many strikers. So I have to drop Aykut Kocaman and Fikret Arıcan.
-- Rıdvan Dilmen was relatively unknown outside Turkey due playing in the wrong period of Turkish football. His injuries also limited his career.
-- Aykut Kocaman scored 140 goals in the Super Lig, and he was famous for a special move, where fans named this move "Aykut" after him.
-- Zeki Rıza Sporel is their all-time leading scorer. He scored 470 goals for the club.
-- Müjdat Yetkiner played over 700 matches for them. He is their appearance record holder.
Formation
Hi Lincoln.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I admire your efforts on building such a great soccer blog.
As a Turkish soccer and sports history lover, I would like to give you some suggestions on Turkish all time teams if you mind.
After Galatasaray, I intend to go on giving suggestions with main rivals Fenerbahçe in this page.
*** Your goalkeeper choice is certainly right with “Rüştü Reçber” without any doubt. Alternatives should be ‘flying-goalkeeper’ ‘Cihat Arman’(the man who is the inspiration of Fenerbahçe’s canary logo) and ‘Volkan Demirel’.
Deutsch Toni Schumacher, Romanian İlie Datcu and Engin İpekoğlu would better set for honorable mentions.
*** For right back spot “Gökhan Gönül” is an obvious choice who is able to play the whole right flank effectively. ‘Şükrü Birant’ is a strong choice as an alternative.
İsmail Kartal, İlker Yağcıoğlu and Serkan Balcı is to be set for honorable mentions.
*** Left back should be devoting defender “Basri Dirimlili”, who once continued to play in a match despite his jawbone was broken. Long-time serving captain ‘Ümit Özat’ is a good choice as an alternative.
Honorable mentions should include Cem Pamiroğlu, Danish Brain Steen Nielsen, Şenol Ustaömer, Caner Erkin, left wing-back Brazilian Andre Clarindo dos Santos and Roberto Carlos despite his short career with the club.
*** Central defenders ought to be “Uche Okechuwku” and ‘Turkish Backenbeuer’ “Alpaslan Eratlı”. This couple would build up a strong fortress in front of the goal. ‘Müjdat Yetkiner’ and ‘Diego Lugano’ are great alternatives for your 25-men squad.
Nezihi Tosuncuk, Jes Högh, Fabio Luciano, Josep Yobo, Ziya Şengül, Ercan Aktuna, Mustafa Doğan, Egemen Korkmaz and though being a Trabzonspor legend, Ogün Temizkanoğlu would be good choices for honorable mentions.
*** Fenerbahçe had great footballers at the center of the park throughout their history. “Emre Belözoğlu” and “Oğuz Çetin” are the best choices for that region. Both are talented, technical box to box midfielders. ‘Jay Jay Okocha’ is a close choice but he should slightly be set for alternatives behind this couple. ‘Marco Aurelio’ should be the last pick for central midfield in your 25-men squad.
Honorable mentions should contain fans’ favourite Stephen Appiah, Mehmet Topal, Cristian Baroni, Kemalettin Şentürk, Turhan Sofuoğlu and Ghanaian Samuel Johnson.
*** Central/attacking midfield position owns an obvious choice: big talent “Alex de Souza.” He is most probably the best foreign player ever to play for the club. Forward/offensive midfielder ‘Fikret Kırcan’ should take place as alternative.
Şeref Has and Naci Erdem is to be set for honorable mentions.
*** For winger and side midfield spots, “Rıdvan Dilmen” and “Lefter Küçükandonyadis” should certainly take place in Fenerbahçe’s All time team, respectively right to left flanks. Dilmen is among the most talented Turkish footballers ever. If it was not for his injury pronenes, he would probably make his name as a world star. Küçükandonyadis is indeed a wing-forwarder and he has a big name in Fenerbahçe history. ‘Can Bartu’ and ‘Tuncay Şanlı’ would make strong alternatives.
Hard-working Dutchmen Dirk Kuyt, Bosnian Elvir Baljic, Alaattin Baytar, Serhat Akın should set for honorable mentions. Ariel Ortega had a short career with Fenerbahçe, and despite high expectations he was unsuccessful.
*** Fenerbahçe had so many great strikers such as rivals Galatasaray throughout their history. Your choice already is definitely right, as “Zeki Rıza Sporel” had a very high goal per rate with the club. Talented dribbler forward ‘Cemil Turan’, ‘Aykut Kocaman’ and ‘Ogün Altıparmak’ should set for the last 3 spots for your 25-men squad.
DeleteSelçuk Yula, Osman Arpacıoğlu, Naci Bastoncu, Tanju Çolak, Melih Kotanca, forward/defender Galip Kulaksızoğlu, set pieces specialist Pierre Van Hooijdonk, ‘sentinel scorer’ Semih Şentürk, Elvir Bolic, wing-forwarder Deivid de Souza, Moussa Sow, Marcio Nobre and Bülent Uygun should take place in honorable mentions. Nicolas Anelka and Robin Van Persie was not that successful despite high expectations such as Ortega.
>>> To sum up, Fenerbahçe All Time team should play as a 4-2-3-1 formation, right winger Rıdvan Dilmen playing wide, while Küçükandonyadis dribbling inside searching for goal. Presence of Emre Belözoğlu and Oğuz Çetin would make up a balanced team. Captaincy can conveniently fit with Emre Belözoğlu, Alex de Souza, Galip Kulaksızoğlu or Ümit Özat. Manager should be record-breaking(103 goals in a season) Todor Veselinovic; while Arthur Zico, Christoph Daum, Aykut Kocaman, Carlos Alberto Perreira and Mustafa Denizli are alternative choices.
>> Thanks for reading, and you may readily take these suggestions in consideration if you mind.
Keep up the great work.
Thank you. I will look into this.
DeleteEnke
ReplyDeleteÖzgürÇek Reyes Falette OrhanŞam
Simao Maldonado Josico
Slimani Bestchastnyk Preko
Schumacher
ReplyDeleteGönül Lugano Okechukwu Dirimlili
Yetkiner
Dilmen Alex Küçükandonyadis Bartu
Rıza Sporel
Credits 2 C&C. He seems to know the full history of this team.
I pick Schumacher because he was of even better quality than Rüştü. This is also shown in the POTY awards. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milliyet_Sports_Awards
Yetkiner is the 5th defensive heavy weight, necessary to balance the attacking midfield. He also holds the record for appearances. Küçükandonyadis was an inside left, not an outside or out&out. He and Alex could not be ommited. Bartu completes the midfield.
Zeki Rıza Sporel is the quick solution for having to decide between Kocaman and Cemil Turan.