Turk Liga: The Top-Flight of Turkish Football
If you are a fan of football, you might have heard of Turk Liga, the Turkish professional league for association football clubs. It is one of the most competitive, exciting, and passionate leagues in Europe, with a rich history, a diverse culture, and a loyal fan base. In this article, we will give you an overview of Turk Liga, its top teams and players, its future prospects, and why you should follow it.
turk liga
Introduction
Turk Liga, officially known as Spor Toto Süper Lig for sponsorship reasons, is the highest level of the Turkish football league system. It is run by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) and consists of 18 clubs that play each other twice in a season, once at home and once away. The season runs from August to May, with a winter break in January. The champion qualifies for the UEFA Champions League group stage, while the runners-up and the third-placed team enter the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds. The fourth-placed team qualifies for the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage, while the fifth-placed team enters the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying rounds. The bottom three teams are relegated to the TFF First League, the second tier of Turkish football.
Turk Liga was founded in 1959 as the Milli Lig (National League), with 16 clubs from Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, Adana, Bursa, Eskisehir, Kayseri, Samsun, Trabzon, Malatya, Erzurum, Diyarbakir, Konya, Gaziantep, Antalya, and Denizli. The first champion was Fenerbahçe, who won 16 out of 30 matches. Since then, Turk Liga has undergone several changes in format, name, sponsorship, number of teams, qualification criteria, etc. As of 2023, Turk Liga has had 23 different champions, with Galatasaray being the most successful club with 23 titles, followed by Fenerbahçe with 19 titles, Besiktas with 16 titles, Trabzonspor with 6 titles, Bursaspor with 1 title, Istanbul Basaksehir with 1 title, Kocaelispor with 1 title.
The current season of Turk Liga (2022-23) started on August 13th 2022 and will end on June 7th 2023. As of June 21st 2023, Galatasaray are leading the table with 88 points from 36 very close and will be decided on the final matchday, when Galatasaray will face Besiktas at home, Fenerbahçe will face Trabzonspor away, and Adana Demirspor will face Istanbul Basaksehir away. The relegation battle is also intense, with four teams fighting to avoid the drop: Gaziantep FK with 38 points from 36 matches, Yeni Malatyaspor with 37 points from 36 matches, Sivasspor with 36 points from 36 matches, and Kasimpasa with 35 points from 36 matches. The league has also witnessed some remarkable performances and achievements, such as Adana Demirspor's promotion and impressive run, Istanbul Basaksehir's decline and crisis, Trabzonspor's resurgence and qualification for Europe, and Galatasaray's record-breaking streak of 23 consecutive wins.
The Top Teams and Players of Turk Liga
Turk Liga is home to some of the best and most famous teams and players in Turkish and European football. The league has produced many legends and stars, such as Hakan Sukur, Arda Turan, Emre Belozoglu, Nihat Kahveci, Rustu Recber, Tugay Kerimoglu, Hamit Altintop, Yildiray Basturk, Hasan Sas, Okan Buruk, etc. The league has also attracted many foreign talents and icons, such as Didier Drogba, Wesley Sneijder, Robin van Persie, Alex de Souza, Roberto Carlos, Nicolas Anelka, Gheorghe Hagi, Mario Jardel, etc. In this section, we will focus on the top teams and players of the current season of Turk Liga.
Galatasaray: The Reigning Champions and Leaders
Galatasaray are the most successful and popular club in Turkey, with 23 Turk Liga titles, 18 Turkish Cup titles, 16 Turkish Super Cup titles, 1 UEFA Cup title, and 1 UEFA Super Cup title. They are also the only Turkish club to have won a major European trophy. They play their home games at the Türk Telekom Stadium in Istanbul, which has a capacity of 52,223 spectators. They are known for their passionate and loyal fans, who create a fiery and intimidating atmosphere at their stadium. They are also famous for their fierce rivalry with Fenerbahçe, which is considered one of the biggest derbies in the world.
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Galatasaray are the reigning champions and leaders of Turk Liga, having won their 23rd title last season by one point ahead of Fenerbahçe. They are also on course to retain their title this season, as they are three points clear of Fenerbahçe with one game left. They have been dominant and consistent throughout the season, winning 28 out of 36 matches, scoring 86 goals and conceding 32 goals. They have also broken the record for the most consecutive wins in Turk Liga history, with 23 wins in a row between November 2022 and May 2023.
Galatasaray have a strong and balanced squad, with a mix of experienced and young players. Their star player is Radamel Falcao, the Colombian striker who has scored 28 goals in 32 matches this season. He is followed by Mesut Özil , the German playmaker who has scored 21 goals and provided 15 assists in 34 matches this season. He is followed by Ryan Babel, the Dutch winger who has scored 14 goals and provided 12 assists in 36 matches this season. Their coach is Fatih Terim, the legendary Turkish manager who has won eight Turk Liga titles with Galatasaray, as well as leading the Turkish national team to the third place in the 2002 FIFA World Cup and the semi-finals of the 2008 UEFA European Championship. He is known for his charismatic and motivational style, as well as his tactical flexibility and adaptability.
Fenerbahçe: The Arch-Rivals and Challengers
Fenerbahçe are the second most successful and popular club in Turkey, with 19 Turk Liga titles, 6 Turkish Cup titles, 9 Turkish Super Cup titles, and 1 Balkans Cup title. They are also one of the most successful Turkish clubs in Europe, having reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League in 2008 and the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League in 2013. They play their home games at the Ülker Stadium in Istanbul, which has a capacity of 50,509 spectators. They are known for their passionate and loyal fans, who create a colorful and noisy atmosphere at their stadium. They are also famous for their fierce rivalry with Galatasaray, which is considered one of the biggest derbies in the world.
Fenerbahçe are the arch-rivals and challengers of Galatasaray, having finished second behind them last season by one point and being three points behind them this season with one game left. They have been competitive and resilient throughout the season, winning 26 out of 36 matches, scoring 79 goals and conceding 36 goals. They have also been involved in some thrilling and dramatic matches, such as their 4-3 win over Besiktas in February 2023, their 3-2 win over Trabzonspor in April 2023, and their 2-2 draw with Galatasaray in May 2023.
Fenerbahçe have a strong and balanced squad, with a mix of experienced and young players. Their star player is Mesut Özil, the German playmaker who has scored 21 goals and provided 15 assists in 34 matches this season. He is followed by Enner Valencia, the Ecuadorian striker who has scored 16 goals and provided 8 assists in 32 matches this season. He is followed by Dimitrios Pelkas, the Greek midfielder who has scored 12 goals and provided 10 assists in 35 matches this season. Their coach is Erol Bulut, the former Turkish international who has been in charge of Fenerbahçe since July 2020. He is known for his pragmatic and disciplined style, as well as his emphasis on teamwork and work ethic.
Besiktas: The Dark Horses and Contenders
Besiktas are the third most successful and popular club in Turkey, with 16 Turk Liga titles, 10 Turkish Cup titles, 8 Turkish Super Cup titles, and 1 Balkans Cup title. They are also one of the most successful Turkish clubs in Europe, having reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League in 1987 and 2018, and the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League in 2017. They play their home games at the Vodafone Park in Istanbul, which has a capacity of 41,188 spectators. They are known for their passionate and loyal fans, who create a loud and festive atmosphere at their stadium. They are also famous for their historic rivalry with Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, which is known as the Big Three of Turkish football.
Besiktas are the dark horses and contenders of Turk Liga, having finished third behind Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe last season by four points and being five points behind Galatasaray this season with one game left. They have been impressive and entertaining throughout the season, winning 25 out of 36 matches, scoring 84 goals and conceding 40 goals. They have also been involved in some high-scoring and spectacular matches, such as their 4-3 loss to Fenerbahçe in February 2023, their 6-0 win over Hatayspor in March 2023, and their 7-0 win over Rizespor in May 2023.
Besiktas have a strong and balanced squad, with a mix of experienced and young players. Their star player is Cenk Tosun, the Turkish striker who has scored 19 goals and provided 9 assists in 31 matches this season. He is followed by Rachid Ghezzal, the Algerian winger who has scored 15 goals and provided 18 assists in 34 matches this season. He is followed by Vincent Aboubakar, the Cameroonian striker who has scored 15 goals and provided 5 assists in 26 matches this season. Their coach is Sergen Yalcin, the former Turkish international who has been in charge of Besiktas since January 2020. He is known for his attacking and creative style, as well as his charisma and humor.
Other Notable Teams and Players in Turk Liga
Turk Liga is not only about the Big Three of Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Besiktas. There are many other notable teams and players that deserve recognition and appreciation. In this section, we will highlight some of them.
Team
Position
Points
Player
Goals
Assists
Adana Demirspor
5th
63
Mario Balotelli
17
6
Istanbul Basaksehir
10th
46
Demba Ba
12
4
Trabzonspor
4th
72
Caleb Ekuban
18
7
Gaziantep FK
16th
38
Muhammet Demir
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Adana Demirspor are the surprise package and promoted team of Turk Liga, having finished second in the TFF First League last season and securing their first ever promotion to the top flight. They have exceeded all expectations and impressed everyone with their attractive and fearless football, scoring 65 goals and conceding 52 goals. They have also secured a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League next season, which is a remarkable achievement for a newly promoted club. Their star player is Mario Balotelli, the Italian striker who has scored 17 goals and provided 6 assists in 29 matches this season. He is followed by Benjamin Tetteh, the Ghanaian striker who has scored 13 goals and provided 7 assists in 31 matches this season. He is followed by Radoslaw Murawski, the Polish midfielder who has scored 8 goals and provided 9 assists in 34 matches this season. Their coach is Ümit Özat, the former Turkish international who has been in charge of Adana Demirspor since June 2020. He is known for his ambitious and optimistic style, as well as his loyalty and dedication.
Istanbul Basaksehir are the former champions and fallen giants of Turk Liga, having won their first and only title in the 2019-20 season, breaking the dominance of the Big Three. They have suffered a dramatic decline and crisis this season, winning only 12 out of 36 matches, scoring 49 goals and conceding 54 goals. They have also failed to qualify for any European competition next season, which is a huge disappointment for a club that reached the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League this season, beating Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain in the group stage. Their star player is Demba Ba, the Senegalese striker who has scored 12 goals and provided 4 assists in 28 matches this season. He is followed by Edin Visca, the Bosnian winger who has scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists in 32 matches this season. He is followed by Irfan Can Kahveci, the Turkish midfielder who has scored 10 goals and provided 6 assists in 29 matches this season. Their coach is Okan Buruk, the former Turkish international who has been in charge of Istanbul Basaksehir since July 2019. He is known for his defensive and pragmatic style, as well as his calm and humble personality.
Trabzonspor are the historic club and European hopefuls of Turk Liga, having won six titles in the late 1970s and early 1980s, becoming the first club outside Istanbul to win the league. They have also reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup in 1977 and the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League in 2011. They play their home games at the Senol Gunes Stadium in Trabzon, which has a capacity of 41,461 spectators. They are known for their passionate and loyal fans, who create a vibrant and energetic atmosphere at their stadium. They are also famous for their rivalry with Fenerbahçe, which is known as the Black Sea Derby. Trabzonspor are the fourth-placed team and European qualifiers of Turk Liga, having finished fourth last season by six points behind Besiktas and securing a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League this season. They have also performed well in the UEFA Europa League this season, reaching the round of 32 and being eliminated by Roma. They have been consistent and solid throughout the season, winning 21 out of 36 matches, scoring 74 goals and conceding 46 goals. They have also been involved in some close and tense matches, such as their 3-2 loss to Fenerbahçe in April 2023, their 2-2 draw with Galatasaray in May 2023, and their 4-3 win over Gaziantep FK in June 2023. Trabzonspor have a strong and balanced squad, with a mix of experienced and young players. Their star player is Caleb Ekuban, the Ghanaian striker who has scored 18 goals and provided 7 assists in 33 matches this season. He is followed by Anthony Nwakaeme, the Nigerian winger who has scored 16 goals and provided 9 assists in 34 matches this season. He is followed by Anastasios Bakasetas, the Greek midfielder who has scored 14 goals and provided 8 assists in 35 matches this season. Their coach is Abdullah Avci, the former Turkish international who has been in charge of Trabzonspor since October 2020. He is known for his offensive and dynamic style, as well as his experience and leadership.
The Future of Turk Liga and Turkish Football
Turk Liga is not only about the present, but also about the future. The league has many challenges and opportunities ahead, as well as many prospects and expectations. In this section, we will discuss some of them.
The Challenges and Opportunities for Turk Liga
Turk Liga faces many challenges and opportunities in the coming years, both internally and externally. Some of the main ones are:
The financial and political issues affecting Turk Liga clubs: Turk Liga clubs have been struggling with debt, corruption, sanctions, instability, and violence for a long time. These issues have hampered their competitiveness, sustainability, and reputation in the domestic and international scene. Turk Liga clubs need to find ways to overcome these problems and improve their governance, transparency, accountability, and social responsibility.
The competition and cooperation with other European leagues: Turk Liga is one of the top leagues in Europe, ranked seventh by UEFA based on its performance in European competitions. However, it faces stiff competition from other leagues that have more resources, exposure, prestige, and quality. Turk Liga needs to find ways to enhance its attractiveness, marketability, innovation, and diversity in order to keep up with the changing trends and demands of the global football market.
The potential for growth and development of Turk Liga: Turk Liga has a lot of potential for growth and development in the future, given its large population, fan base, talent pool, culture, history, and passion. Turk Liga needs to leverage these advantages and opportunities to expand its reach, influence, and impact in the regional and global football scene.
The Prospects and Expectations for Turkish Football
Turkish football has many prospects and expectations for the future, both at the club and national level. Some of the main ones are:
The performance and outlook of the Turkish national team: The Turkish national team is one of the most talented and promising teams in Europe, with a mix of experienced and young players. They have qualified for the 2024 UEFA European Championship, which will be hosted by Germany, and they hope to repeat or surpass their previous achievements in the tournament, such as reaching the semi-finals in 2008 and 2020. They also aim to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, and to improve their record in the competition, such as reaching the third place in 2002.
The talent and ambition of the Turkish young players: Turkish football has a lot of talent and ambition among its young players, who have been showing their potential and quality in Turk Liga and abroad. Some of the most notable ones are Yusuf Yazici, the 25-year-old midfielder who plays for Lille in France and has scored 17 goals and provided 11 assists in 41 matches this season; Ozan Kabak, the 22-year-old defender who plays for Liverpool in England and has made 13 appearances for them this season; Orkun Kokcu, the 21-year-old midfielder who plays for Feyenoord in the Netherlands and has scored 6 goals and provided 5 assists in 29 matches this season; Zeki Celik, the 24-year-old defender who plays for Lille in France and has made 40 appearances for them this season; Merih Demiral, the 23-year-old defender who plays for Juventus in Italy and has made 15 appearances for them this season.
The vision and strategy of the Turkish Football Federation: The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) is the governing body of football in Turkey, responsible for organizing and developing Turk Liga and other competitions, as well as managing and supporting the Turkish national team. The TFF has a vision and strategy to improve the quality and performance of Turkish football at all levels, by investing in infrastructure, education, technology, marketing, etc. The TFF also has a mission and goal to promote the values and benefits of football in Turkey, such as social cohesion, cultural diversity, health and wellness, etc.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Turk Liga is one of the most exciting and passionate leagues in Europe, with a rich history, a diverse culture, and a loyal fan base. It has many top teams and players that compete for glory and pride, as well as many challenges and opportunities that shape its future. It also has many prospects and expectations that inspire its fans and followers. If you are a fan of football, you should definitely follow Turk Liga.
Do you want to know more about Turk Liga? Do you have any questions or comments about this article? Please feel free to share your thoughts with us. We would love to hear from you.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Turk Liga:
Q: How can I watch Turk Liga matches?
A: You can watch Turk Liga matches on various TV channels and streaming platforms that have the rights to broadcast them in your country or region. Some of the most popular ones are beIN Sports, DAZN, ESPN+, Fanatiz, etc.
Q: How can I follow Turk Liga news and updates?
A: You can follow Turk Liga news and updates on various websites and social media platforms that cover Turk Liga in your language or preference. Some of the most popular ones are Turkish Football, Goal, Transfermarkt, etc.
Q: How can I support Turk Liga clubs and players?
A: You can support Turk Liga clubs and players by buying their official merchandise, such as jerseys, scarves, hats, etc. You can also join their fan clubs, forums, groups, etc. You can also donate to their charities, foundations, projects, etc.
Q: How can I learn more about Turk Liga history and culture?
A: You can learn more about Turk Liga history and culture by reading books, articles, blogs, podcasts, documentaries, etc. that explore the origins, evolution, achievements, legends, stories, etc. of Turk Liga. Some of the most recommended ones are The Miracle of Istanbul: The Story of Turkey's Greatest Football Club by John McManus, Turkish Soccer in the Twenty-First Century by John Freely and Ahmet Guvener, The Passion of Turkish Football by Patrick Keddie, etc.
Q: How can I participate in Turk Liga activities and events?
A: You can participate in Turk Liga activities and events by attending matches, festivals, tournaments, camps, clinics, etc. that are organized by Turk Liga clubs, associations, sponsors, partners, etc. You can also volunteer, intern, work, or collaborate with Turk Liga entities that are looking for people with skills, talents, ideas, etc. that can contribute to Turk Liga.
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