Maria Sharapova has expressed her disappointment at not being able to play in the season-ending WTA Championships.
The 26-year-old had already qualified for the eight-woman event in Istanbul but has been forced to withdraw as she has yet to regain fitness from a right shoulder problem.
The four-time Grand Slam winner was forced to withdraw from the US Open back in August due to the injury and she has not played competitively since.
Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka, Agnieszka Radwanska and Li Na had already booked their spot in Turkey, with Petra Kvitova, Sara Errani and Jelena Jankovic now joining the quartet.
There is still one place up for grabs and it seems likely that German ace Angelique Kerber will fill it, with a disappointed Sharapova vowing to return to the Turksh capital in the coming years.
“I am very disappointed that I will not be able to play in the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships this year,” she said.
“The fans in Istanbul have welcomed us each year with such intense passion and warmth, I will sincerely miss the energy and excitement they brought to the year-end tournament.
“I want to thank Istanbul for being a tremendous host and hope to play in Turkey sometime in the future.”
via Sharapova pulls out of Istanbul finale | Tennis – EatSleepSport.
THE MAN WHO SWAM ACROSS FROM TURKEY TO CYPRUS IS NOW READY FOR ENGLISH CHANNEL!
Alper Sunacoglu is a sportsman who will make a big splash and will be talked about alot in the sports community around the world soon. He is a legend of his country.
Erdal Acet, who is one of the trainers of Alper, was the man who broke the world record by swimming across English Channel with a record of 9 hours 2 minutes. Since his childhood, Alper who is a committed follower of Erdal Acet, now going to England to show his respect to his trainer and he is also determined to break the world record of Mr. Trent Grimsey, who also broke the record world record as well as Alper’s trainer Erdal’s record .
Now let’s have a look at what Alper has got to share with us 🙂
Who is Alper ? Alper is one of the most famous national swimmers of Turkey who swam the distance of 78 km from Anamur, from Turkey to Cyprus in smashing 26 hours 15 minutes and moreover he did not use the safety cage. He broke this world record by swimming in a perfect high speed on 4th of September 2010. On 23th of April, 2011 He also swam across Istanbul Bosporus top to buttom from Sarıyer to Üsküdar, a distance of 30 km in 2 hours 25 minutes. After all that he swam perpendicular Dardanel Bosporus from one end to another in 7 hours 12 minutes by ignoring the south wind storm blowing at 8 force. Related with above mentioned successes, he had many interviews, commentated on news both nationally and internationally. His records were also confirmed and announced by Wikipedia to all over the world. The record holder swimmer, Alper now has a target to break a world record by swimming English Channel in 6 hours 45 minutes. If he achieves this, he will gain the title of fastest marathon swimmer in the world, then again this will enable him to secure the world record on behalf of Turkey and Turks.
Here is the Exclusive interview with world famous swimmer, Alper Sunacoglu.
EDITOR: Could you please tell us little bit about yourself?
ALPER: Thank you. I was born in Istanbul and originally I’m an Albanian. When I was about five years old when we immigrated to Adana because of my father’s business. My father and my mother is from Istanbul, I’m from Adana due to the simple fact that I lived all my childhood there. J Currently I’m working in a corporate logistics company as a project manager/ coordinator, A degree certified customs broker and work as a consultant.
EDITOR:You undersigned records which requires significant performance and courage. To swim from Mersin to Cyprus in 26 hours, to swim the straits from the whole length even in the winter season, I mean all of these successes and records do not seem logically possible to many people around the world. I would like you to share with us your journey, your adventure starting from your childhood. How was Alper’s childhood? How was his youth? Why and how come you broke all this world records and accomplishments years after years ? We kindly appreciate If you could tell us all these processes.
ALPER: I had a very naughty childhood and youth with full of troubles which caused lots of complaints from our neighbors. One day I was at top of a roof with a cap, toy pistol and slingshot in my hands, another day I was on top of trees and sometimes even had a fight with gangs. Once upon a time, as far as I can remember I climbed on a pine tree and could not get down and had to wait for the fire brigade to come and rescue me. As you can clearly see, I had a childhood full of adventures. I learned and started to swim when I was five year old. I tried variety of sports such as karate, taekwondo, judo, handball, basketball. However due to my fickleness I did not continue all of these sports. Now as it stands, only pentathlon and swimming is an indispensable part of my sport life. I will still perform these two sports until my health, breath and my power enables me to do so. My grandfather had a major effect in my life and he always said that ‘ Your blood and soul is coming from Ottoman Empire and you are a core grandchild of the daughter of Magnificent Suleyman and Sokullu Mehmed Pasha and your forefathers are the people of that you should really feel full proud of ‘I think that those words were so powerful words which effected my unconscious mind’. I have also listened many of these narratives with a big pleasure J . My grades at school were not very good however I was more interested with history lessons. I thought that our forefathers ride on horses to many distant places, conquered so many countries and came back again by travelling over hundreds even thousands of kilometers. This meant to me that, humankind can walk, run and can even swim these distances if they really wish. Thus, this is how my idea of marathon swimming started. My courage comes from my genetic code and my success comes from the faith of the following sentence. ‘If mankind really and honestly wants to walk, run and swim those distances then this can be achieved.’ I’m also a little bit lucky because most of the famous marathon swimmers are from Adana and I had the chance to be inspired by those swimmers. I listened, watched them and prepared myself to do the best. Sanrı Kardesler who is the famous for the contribution to Adana swimming sports and the deceased swimmer Ayhan Karatas had a big efforts on me . In this regard, once more I want to express my gratitude to them.
EDITOR : Don’t you get bored and get hungry at sea over many hours of swimming and are you not really afraid of sharks? Did you ever face any dangerous circumstances at sea?
ALPER: Of course I did, while I was swimming long distances, I got bored , it is hard sometimes, I had a terrible headaches, sometimes toothache and sometimes I became semi conscious. So, you have different stages, the sportsmen who swim marathon know that after you swim three hours, you face up different stages both in your body and in your mind. If you have decayed tooth , first this starts to ache then headache starts and after that semi conscious and insobriety takes place. If you can not concentrate well enough then you will be defeated to the water and give up the marathon. However, I visit the place of where I will dive into the water and prepare my unconscious mind to the marathon by saying myself that ‘ I will enter to the water from this place and will rise across the seaside’ Unless any unexpected weather conditions occur or totally unexpected accident occurs, I never think to return back or dismiss the trial of record. You asked me whether if I get hungry at sea, and of course, I get hungry, there is a boat and team members that escorts me and my trainers calculate at what time I need to eat, they throw me liquid food bottle to the sea accordingly. When it comes to sharks they are the ruler of sea, so I am afraid of them and they are also stronger than me in the sea. But I never come up against such a life threatening danger up to now except some minor incidents.
EDITOR: Have you got any sponsorship?
ALPER: I had a lots of sponsorship up until now. Adana City Council, IHH Charitable Foundation of Humankind aid, Sisli Council and Mayor of Sisli – Mr. Mustafa Sarı Gul , Ünsped Gümrük Müşavirliği A.S – customs broker company and precious businessman Yusuf Bulut ÖZTÜRK are my sponsors from time to time.
EDITOR: So, what are your new projects that are coming soon?
ALPER: The first project is to swim across the English Channel in less than 7 hours and break the world record. Now the last world record on this belongs to Mr. Trent Grimsey.
Secondly, swimming Naples -Capri Marathon in Italy and swimming across from Izmir to Athens are my latest upcoming projects.
EDITOR: You were on headline news on many occasions but why are you not as famous as you could imagine expected from a person at your caliber?
ALPER: I have only tried to keep everything to myself, all trial of records, projects and I did not intend to become famous up to this date. I have never had focus on and an aim or dream to be famously recognized. Actually to become famous in Turkey is very simple fact if you are on news related to your private life with a model or with a girl who is famous, then you are on, now you’re famous. But this does not suit me, my style and I do not prefer this kind of life. On any given day, if people of my country would know me, I prefer to be remembered by what I have done, with my achievements, successes and my records. And as such all news about myself has been done by valuable media members like yourselves by investigating the real truth of the news in the world by providing access me with an interview. To summarize it all, I have the opinion that if a decent media group supports me that is more than enough for me.
EDİTÖR: A personal question comes to you. Is there a time for love in this busy life. You are a healthy person and why are you not married ?
ALPER: As you say I’m really busy. I always live in a rush between business life and sports life. I can not spare a time to my private life as much as I want. So the relationship is really difficult for me and even more difficult for the other side. In addition to that, I also got married and got divorced when I was very young. At least unless I fulfill my upcoming projects, I do not consider about marriage as for now. But still it is all about destiny in the end.
EDITOR : Why don’t you have a support from government authorities although you have a good relationship with them and sincere photos with a lot of political leaders? Is this related with the social messages that you give?
ALPER: Yes, actually your question has got the answer in it. Unfortunately, I could not get any support of government administration. If they have supported me, I would like to swim from Egypt to Gaza and protest the embargo. If they support me, I can represent my country at open water races hold in different countries. Maybe Turkey is the only country which do not participate in these races. Myself and Swimming Federation delivered our messages about this issue on several occasions to the related ministry but we could not get any reply at all.
EDITOR:You wanted to swim to Imrali Island by jumping from Istanbul Bosphorus Bridge and wanted to give a message that Single State, Single Flag and Single Nation aiming to curse of the terrorism. Even Ayşe Arman – journalist had mentioned about you and many discussions have taken place in the public. Is this project on stand still? Are you really going to jump from the Istanbul Bosporus Bridge?
ALPER: Let me ask you. Do you think, is it really necessary to give this message and make this attempt when you think about the position of Turkey now. As of now, there is no terror so I do not need to curse it 🙂 anymore. In the end, to swim to Imrali is cancelled, I won’t swim. But in coming days may be I can jump from the Bosporus Bridge to give a different message. You will also hear from me for sure 🙂
EDITOR: You’re recognized by your support to disabled children and children with down syndrome. Do you have a plan or dream for them ?
ALPER : I like children and especially girls. Disabled children or children with a down syndrome is very special for me. My biggest dream is to build an Olympic pool and activity rooms for them if I have the suitable support and financial back up accordingly.
EDITOR: Let’s say “Insallah”. I hope that someone sensitive could hear your message so that they could support you to enable yourselves to break the world records and help you to realize your dreams. I hereby wish you a real success and may I also take this opportunity thank you for your sincere answers to the questions which included your personal life.
by Ben Atkins at 9:47 AM EST
Categories: Pro Cycling, Race Reports and Results, Presidential Tour of Turkey
Eritrean sprints away from a four man group to take the stage and turquoise jersey
Natnael Berhane (Europcar) took a sensational first victory of 2013 in the third stage of the Presidential Tour of Turkey, between Antalya and the super-steep climb to the top of the Göğübeli Pass, above the town of Elmali. The Eritrean neo-pro was the best of a four man group that formed in the final uphill kilometres of the stage, managing to tear himself clear at the third time of asking, with just 200 metres to go.
Having freed himself of his three companions, the African champion sprinted up the steep straight to cross the 1850-metre-high finish line alone.
Kevin Seeldraeyers (Astana) won the slow-motion sprint for second place, ahead of mountains jersey wearer Mustafa Sayar (Torku Seker Spor), six seconds behind Berhane, with the fourth member of the group, Maxime Mederel (Sojasun) crossing the line after 16 seconds.
“It’s huge!” exclaimed Berhane afterwards. “It was a hard stage. I didn’t expect to win for I didn’t really know what my capacities were in a climb such as this. It was a dream and that’s why I cried when I crossed the line. It was the best stage to win and I did it!
“We did some great teamwork with Björn Thurau in the break. Later the team helped me a lot in the climb until I caught the rider in front [Serge Pauwels (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) – ed]. I gave everything to win in the last meters of the climb.”
The time gap, along with the time bonus on the line, saw Berhane move into the race leader’s turquoise jersey, taking it from the back of sprinter André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) who had been left behind on the climb.
“To win race at such level was better than I could hope for in my first year as a pro” he said. “It’s my first participation in the Tour of Turkey. It’s great. Just before, I rode the Tour of Trentino in which we had mountain already. I came here hoping to finish in the top 5 but first is even better. Now we have a jersey to defend.”
The 153.5km stage featured a break from Clément Koretzky (Bretagne-Séché), Jaroslav Marycz (CCC Polsat Polkowice), Björn Thurau (Europcar), Mauro Finetto (Vini Fantini-Selle Italia) and Sergiy Gretchyn (Torku Seker Spor), who escaped on the first big climb of the day. The six-man group was only able get a maximum of 4’45” clear of the peloton, before being steadily pulled back.
One by one the group’s numbers dropped on the approach to the final climb until only Thurau, Finetto and Gretchyn remained; successive accelerations from Thurau dropped Finetto and then Gretchyn, however, and saw the German go alone with ten kilometres to go.
The German son of the former World champion was only a few seconds clear by now though, and attack from Serge Pauwels (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) burst past him in the final seven kilometres. The Belgian managed to get away, but was in turn overtaken by compatriot Seeldraeyers and Berhane; those two were joined in the final two kilometres by Sayar, Mederel, Darwin Atapuma (Colombia) and Angelo Pagani (Bardiani-CSF)
The pace set by Sayar was too much for Bardiani and Atapuma, but the others managed to hold on to him on the super-steep gradient. The final kilometre saw attacks, first from Sayar, then three times from Berhane, with the third one – with 200 metres to go – finally seeing the Eritrean break free to take victory.
Six riders go but they don’t get far as the climbers gear up for the final climb
The stage began without Mark Renshaw and Theo Bos (both Blanco), and Jonas Van Genechten (Lotto-Belisol), who had been the worst injured in the massive final kilometre pile up the previous day.
The peloton was all together as it passed over the top of the 2nd category climb after just 9.3km, with numerous attacks failing to stick in the opening half hour of the stage. Finally, however, following the Turkish Beaty sprint at 22.5km Koretzky, Marycz, Thurau, Finetto and Gretchyn escaped on the way to the 1st category Tahtalibeli climb. After a short, solo chase, Duggan brought the group’s number up to six and they began to move further clear of the peloton.
Thurau led the group over the summit after 35.5km and, at the 52km point on the plateau that followed, the gap to the peloton reached its maximum of 4’45”. This then began to fall steadily and, as Duggan led over the 1st category Saksaganlibeli at 76.5km – at just over halfway through the stage – it was down to 2’10”.
The pace in the lead group was proving too much for Duggan and Koretzky, who found themselves dropped and, as Thurau began to wind up the pace, Marycz too was left behind.
Team Colombia was controlling the chase, but as the final climb approached it was Orica-GreenEdge that took over the head of the peloton. With 30km to go the Australian team was 2’39” behind Thurau, Finetto and Gretchyn, but then Bretagne-Séché took over the pace and closed it down further.
With 22km to go the gap dropped below two minutes and, as the climb began with 14km to go Omega Pharma-Quick Step, Europcar and Bardiani-CSF began to compete for the lead. The three fugitives were just 22 seconds ahead by now and, as Lotto-Belisol also joined the chase, this was surely only going to last for a few more moments.
With 11km to go, the gap was just 14 seconds and Thurau accelerated, which saw Finetto dropped, then the German jumped again and set off alone. Behind him the Sojasun team had put its entire team to work on the front of the peloton, and was beginning to string it out, but Thurau had increased his lead to 20 seconds.
Pauwels tries to take it early but can’t hold off the eventual winner
With eight kilometres to go Thurau was still ten seconds ahead, but a kilometre later Serge Pauwels attacked from the peloton and passed the German rider to take the lead himself.
Turquoise jersey Greipel was still in the peloton until this point, having been working for his teammates, but this was the point that saw the big sprinter dropped.
Andrey Kashechkin (Astana) accelerated fiercely on the front of the remains of the peloton, but with six kilometres to go Pauwels was 17 seconds ahead. Torku Seker Spor then took over the chase, but with five kilometres left Seeldraeyers attacked, and was quickly joined by Berhane.
The two riders caught Pauwels just as the climb steepened with three kilometres to go, and the Belgian was soon dropped by their pace. Attacks from the peloton saw several riders trying to break clear, until finally Sayar, Mederel, Atapuma and Pagani managed to bridge to the leaders.
Having joined the leaders, however, Pagani was quickly dropped, with Atapuma soon following him out of the back of the group.
Into the final kilometre Berhane tried to attack, which was followed by a move from Sayar, but all four were sticking together. Behind them Cameron Meyer (Orica-GreenEdge) attacked from the chasing group, and the Australian was gaining, but seemed to have left his move just a little too late.
Berhane attacked again, but once again was pulled back; with 200 metres to go the Eritrean went again though, and this time he managed to get away. Once he had torn himself clear, the Europcar rider sprinted up the steep finishing straight, and raised one triumphant hand as he crossed the line.
Seeldraeyers just managed to outsprint Sayer six seconds later, with Mederel holding the chasing pack off to take fourth.
Result stage 3 1. Natnael Berhane (Eri) Team Europcar
2. Kevin Seeldraeyers (Bel) Team Astana @ 6s
3. Mustafa Sayar (Tur) Torku Seker Spor
4. Maxime Mederel (Fra) Sojasun @ 16s
5. Yoann Bagot (Fra) Cofidis @ 24s
6. Rory Sutherland (Aus) Team Saxo-Tinkoff
7. Cameron Meyer (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
8. Florian Guillou (Fra) Bretagne-Séché Environment @ 28s
9. John Darwin Atapuma (Col) Colombia @ 30s
10. Nicolas Edet (Fra) Cofidis @ 33s
Standings after stage 3 1. Natnael Berhane (Eri) Team Europcar
2. Kevin Seeldraeyers (Bel) Team Astana @ 10s
3. Mustafa Sayar (Tur) Torku Seker Spor @ 12s
4. Maxime Mederel (Fra) Sojasun @ 26s
5. Rory Sutherland (Aus) Team Saxo-Tinkoff @ 34s
6. Yoann Bagot (Fra) Cofidis
7. Cameron Meyer (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
8. Florian Guillou (Fra) Bretagne-Séché Environment @ 38s
9. John Darwin Atapuma (Col) Colombia @ 40s
10. Nicolas Edet (Fra) Cofidis @ 43s
Earlier this April, Opel has officially announced a partnership with Turkish soccer club Galatasaray Istanbul. The club has 18 national championships, 14 cup victories, and calls itself “the most popular and successful soccer club in Turkey”, and Opel says that the partnership is the next building block in the brand’s strategy.
According to Opel, the partnership will allow the European General Motors subsidiary to capitalize on advertising opportunities with and surrounding the club. The Galatasaray Istanbul deal, whose amount hasn’t been disclosed, follows an agreement with Feyenoord Rotterdam as one of the leading Dutch teams.
“Opel and soccer – a perfect fit”, said Dr. Thomas Sedran, Opel Vice President Operations, Business Development and Strategies. “The connection stands for brand values like dynamics, performance and passion. Galatasaray Istanbul is an important part of this, particularly in light of the growing markets in Eastern Europe. This won’t be the last step we take to further reinforce the connection between Opel and soccer.” Club president Ünal Aysal adds that “Galatasaray and Opel share many common values and both have a rich heritage. We are happy to be part of this professional collaboration and look forward to many shared successes.”
On April 9th, Galatasaray was defeated by Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final, preventing the Instanbul team from reaching the last four of the UEFA Cup Champions League.
Preceding the deal with Galatasaray, Opel’s British sister brand Vauxhall signed partnerships with the national teams of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In the German National League, Opel is partnered with Borussia Dortmund, Fortuna Düsseldorf, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, SC Freiburg and FSV Mainz 05. Meanwhile, Chevrolet is a sponsor to Manchester United and Liverpool F.C.
The GM Authority Take
The General and its brands seem to be on a major push to make all kinds of advertising and marketing partnerships with European soccer teams, all in an effort to build the brands and sell more cars. Let’s hope the efforts will pay off.
Turkey’s bid should be about promoting sports culture, not proving itself to the world
ANATOLIAN DISPATCHES blog: Posts from across the Bosporus. The Republic of Turkey is turning its attention eastwards and proving itself a heavyweight in the Middle East arena. ‘Anatolian Dispatches’ sets the compass to the new Turkish orientation.
Imagine yourself catching a taxi in Paris or London. On discovering you are a tourist the driver may, (or likely will not) inquire after your opinion of the city. This is small talk and the driver invests little in your response.
The experience is rather different in Turkey. The taxi driver will undoubtedly ask after your thoughts on the city, in hopeful expectation that you will be full of praise.
This comparison was drawn by a foreign colleague living in Turkey, and is clearly indicative of Turks’ desire to be liked. Turks want to be appreciated and are anxious to prove to the world that they are as good as others.
Turkey has recently gained a new opportunity to prove its credentials to the world. Istanbul is one of the three candidates contending to host the 2020 Olympics Games. This will be Turkey’s fifth attempt at hosting the Games. If Istanbul does succeed this time, ahead of the two other candidate cities Madrid and Tokyo, it will be the first time that Olympiads are hosted in a country with a majority Muslim population.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently visited Turkey to assess Istanbul’s 2020 bid. Although the official motto for Istanbul 2020 is “Bridge Together,” the main line of persuasion appears to be “we deserve it!”
What lies behind this conviction is the belief that Turkey, in view of the huge strides it has made in the last two decades, can successfully organize the Olympic Games. But according to experts this is not the right strategy.
Bağış Erten, a Turkish sports journalist feels that “it is not right to enter this type of competition with Madrid and Tokyo about who deserves it most. If we enter that kind of race, Madrid for instance will get ahead since it has a much better sports culture and much better sport infrastructure.”
The Olympic Games are not just about constructing sports facilities but about creating a sports culture and in this respect Turkey does not have the “Olympic spirit,” Erten told me.
But this absence of Olympic spirit can be turned into an opportunity. “Precisely if the Olympic Games are about creating that spirit, then granting them to Turkey will then provide it with the opportunity to create that spirit. Different types of sports find it hard in Turkey to strive; but the Olympic Games might open the way for other sports to develop,” Erten appealed.
Banu Yelkovan, another sports journalist recalled the advice given by Terrence Burns, one of the IOC consultants who visited Turkey last year.
“He told us openly: ‘The right question is not how; everybody knows how to do it, but you should ask yourself why we are going to do this.’” The answer according to Erten should be “because we need it.”
Erten is concerned that in Turkey the Olympic Games are being perceived purely as a construction matter, he says that he has yet to see any proof of how the Olympic Games will create a much needed sports culture in the country.
Turkey has to make a choice between whether it will become like Athens, where the wasted investment is counted among the reasons for their current economic turmoil, or Barcelona, which thrived in sports after hosting the Olympics, insists Erten, before reminding me of the poor state of sport in Turkey at present:
Officials said the facilities will be open to the people; they will not become parking lots. But in Istanbul there are already sports facilities that are underused. The issue is about creating that awareness, that conscience. This needs to have a pedagogical dimension, media dimension, but in a country where there are efforts to make sports an elective course in schools, you can’t talk about a sports culture.
Istanbul’s projected infrastructure budget of USD 19.2 billion is by far the highest of the three bid cities, compared with the USD 1.9 billion for Madrid and USD 4.9 billion for Tokyo. Public support among Turks is equally high as polls show that Istanbul’s bid has the support of 83 percent of the city’s residents and 76 percent of Turkey’s population.
Why is public support so high? Is it because Turks want to show the world that they are capable of successfully hosting the world’s biggest sporting event? Have they really considered the economic sacrifices that will have to be made, and are they motivated by a desire to promote sport or is it all for show? I for one am not convinced these questions are being asked by the public, which is instead driven by the sense of achievement that the Olympic Games will bring.
Barçin Yinanç
Barçın Yinanç started her career in journalism in 1990 at Milliyet Daily, one of Turkey’s major newspapers. She worked as a diplomatic reporter covering Turkish foreign policy issues, Turkey–EU relations, transatlantic ties and regional developments from the Middle East to the Caucasus. In 2001, she became a television reporter for CNN Türk, later becoming a program editor for the same channel. She is currently a columnist for the English-language newspaper Hürriyet Daily News. She lives in Istanbul.
The Real Madrid star opted to represent Germany over the country of his descent but still enjoys a good standing within the nation, ahead of his trip to Turkey on Tuesday night
By Yasin Madyb Ilgun
With a clash between Turkey and Germany in Berlin finely poised at 1-0 with just over 10 minutes remaining, Mesut Ozil raced onto a through-ball and calmly slotted the ball home, prompting a chorus of boos from the away fans.
It would be easy to assume that Ozil was despised by the nation of his descent due to his decision to represent the Nationalelf but the Real Madrid star has a dedicated group of admirers within Turkey who have tracked his career since his early days.
After leaving Westfalia 04 as a child amid fears of his ability to compete physically, he eventually made his debut with Schalke. Three good seasons with the Gelsenkirchen outfit won him a move to Werder Bremen and the question of his nationality began to rear its head.
FIVE OF THE BEST
‘Turks’ who never played for Turkey
MEHMET SCHOLL | GERMANY
Scholl (born Yuksel) was a brilliantly gifted midfielder, winning Euro ’96 for Germany and a host of trophies with Bayern.
HAKAN YAKIN | SWITZERLAND
A Swiss hero, Yakin made 87 appearances for his country, representing them at four tournaments.
ILKAY GUNDOGAN | GERMANY
A move from Nurnberg to BVB saw him called up for Germany, the “hardest decision of his life”.
MESUT OZIL | GERMANY
Ozil can count himself among the finest players Germany have produced. A star for club and country.
GOKHAN INLER | SWITZERLAND
The combative midfielder made his name in Switzerland before moving to Serie A. Now captain of his country.
Unfortunately for the Turkish public, though, he elected to represent the country of his birth, Germany, at full international level having enjoyed a glittering career with the Nationalelf’s youth ranks.
Naturally, his decision was met with disappointment but his reasons seemed justified. “I was born and raised in this country. I was successful with their Under-21s and I feel good here. I chose Germany for that reason. There’s no reason why I wouldn’t be successful with them.”
Despite his ambitions with the three-time World Cup winners, he remains respectful to Turkey: “My family and I will always be Turkish but I was born and I live in Germany. I feel more comfortable in a Germany shirt.”
When the two countries were pitted against one another in qualifying for Euro 2012, he openly admitted that it was something of a nightmare scenario for him. He said: “I didn’t want a match in Euro 2012 qualification with Turkey. My will is for both teams to feature in the finals.”
Indeed, when he scored against the Milli Takim in Berlin, he didn’t even break into a smile. He accepted Thomas Muller’s celebrations but ambled begrudgingly back to the halfway line, almost disheartened that he had scored.
When the time came for the reverse fixture, coach Joachim Low left him out of the first team, citing injury, and as Germany cruised to a 3-1 victory, the camera repeatedly panned to Ozil, who remained ashen-faced throughout, despite claims among the Turkish media that he was feigning injury to avoid playing them.
While those rumours could have soured his relationship with Turkey, he remains a frequent visitor to the country, fondly recalling childhood memories of visiting family, talking of his relationship with “compatriots” Hamit Altintop and Arda Turan, even meeting Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who made a state visit to Madrid in November.
And the respect he has shown has won him many fans in the nation. Children idolise him due to his heritage and people are proud to have one of their own as a regular at a club the size of Madrid, something which Ozil himself appreciates.
“I think that the Turks are proud of me,” he said in 2011. “I have experienced the respect that they have shown for me, and many people accept and respect my decision to play for Germany.”
With los Blancos in Istanbul on Tuesday to face Galatasaray in the Champions League, he has another chance to impress in front of a Turkish audience. With the tie effectively over after the first leg, not many would begrudge him a goal.
via ‘I will always be Turkish’ – Why Mesut Ozil is worshipped in Turkey – Goal.com.
The 26-year-old had already qualified for the eight-woman event in Istanbul but has been forced to withdraw as she has yet to regain fitness from a right shoulder problem.
