Tag: Turkey

Kenan Yıldız: Should Germany Have Done More to Hold On to the Juventus Star?

October 15, 2023October 15, 2023 Charles Erb No Comments

In the 86th minute of a crucial European Championship Qualifier match, Kenan Yıldız enters the pitch. Yıldız, an 18-year-old attacker from the German city of Regensburg, earned his first call-up after a strong start to the season with Juventus. But Yıldız — formerly of Bayern Munich — isn’t making his Germany debut. He’s making his…

International Soccer, News, Profile, U21

Smurfs Up: Samsunspor’s Return to Turkey’s Top Flight

April 16, 2023April 16, 2023 Charles Erb No Comments

May 5, 2018. It’s the final day of the 1. Lig season, the second flight of Turkish soccer. Samsunspor, previously a fixture of Turkey’s top flight, the Süper Lig, needs a win to avoid relegation. They take a 2-0 lead into the half, thanks to goals from journeyman striker Göksu Türkdogan and former Fenerbahce prospect…

Club Spotlight

Ayberk Karapo: Turkey’s Young Starlet Thriving in the Second Tier

December 23, 2022December 23, 2022 Charles Erb 1 Comment

The Turkish Süper Lig has recently become a league known for developing young talent. I’ve long been a big fan of the league, and recent sales and player developments have increased the potential of Turkey’s top flight. However, while things have been improving for the first tier, the lower tiers are slightly dicier. Finances for…

Profile, Scout, Soccer, U21

Furkan Onur Akyüz: The Latest Exciting Goalkeeper From Fenerbahce

November 7, 2022November 7, 2022 Charles Erb No Comments

The Turkish Süper Lig certainly has no shortage of elite goalkeepers. Trabzonspor won the league last year largely because of the heroics of Turkish international Uğurcan Çakır, who allowed just 33 goals in 36 games. Galatasaray has long depended on Uruguay’s shot-stopper Fernando Muslera, who has played nearly 500 games for the club. Rivals Besiktas…

Profile, Scout, Soccer, U21

Euro 2020 Group Stage Results and Analysis

June 25, 2021June 25, 2021 Charles Erb No Comments

Twelve months after the Euro 2020 group stages were supposed to end, they finally have. The group stages had it all – trauma, heartbreak, relief, upsets, joy, heroics – and now it is time for the knockouts. Sixteen teams will be moving on, and eight teams have already gone home. But which sixteen, and did…

Soccer

Three Players Who Have Seen Stock Rise Following Round One of Euro Fixtures

June 15, 2021June 15, 2021 Charles Erb 1 Comment

International tournaments are, and have always been, a great opportunity for players to earn transfers. James Rodriguez is the best example of this, earning a high-profile move to Real Madrid following his performances at the 2014 World Cup. Ricardo Rodriguez is another, as he moved to AC Milan following an impressive 2016 Euro tournament with…

Soccer

Three Dark Horse Candidates at the Euros

June 10, 2021June 10, 2021 Charles Erb No Comments

The Euros have almost started, twelve months later than they were originally scheduled to take place. At the best of times, the Euros have produced surprise results (think Iceland in 2016 or Greece in 2004), and with condensed schedules for some of Europe’s biggest leagues, there could be even more surprising results. Furthermore, many star…

Soccer

Early World Cup Predictions

January 23, 2021February 14, 2021 Charles Erb No Comments

It’s hard to believe, but it has been only two years since France won the World Cup. More importantly, there are less than two years remaining until 32 teams head to Qatar to decide who are the new world champions. Because of coronavirus, these qualifiers will be unlike any others. With all of the qualifying…

Soccer