Emile Mpenza’s double earned Belgium three points against Turkey in their World Cup Group Five qualifier in Brussels. The result moved fourth-placed Belgium to within two points of the third-spotted Turks ahead of Wednesday’s final round of matches. It was a lively and exciting match in the Belgian capital, with action switching from end to end rapidly although Belgium looked the more likely going forward. (more…)

There are some pretty crazy videos of Turkish fans singing, jumping, lighting things on fire and basically going nuts. With Manchester United about to kick off against Turkish club Besiktas in the Champions League, I figured now was a good time to put up this video of the Besiktas fans. These cats are no joke, and they definitely get behind their club. They even have their own hypeman which is kind of fresh. I wonder if this dude is a local celebrity?

It was a football game that could set the ball rolling to resolve one of history’s most bitter enmities. In an unprecedented visit for two countries divided by the legacy of the 20th century’s first genocide, the presidents of Turkey and Armenia sat together in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, to watch their national teams play a World Cup qualifying match amidst some pretty heavy security (shown above)….

Turkey won 2-0, but the smiles and handshakes between the presidents showed that they believed “football diplomacy” had achieved the most important result.

Image via Flickr

With 70 year old Luis Aragones stepping down as Spanish head coach after winning the 2008 European Championship and signing a two year deal to coach Turkish side Fenerbache, his first order of business was to put his stamp on the team.

That stamp would be dropping 15 Million Euros on one of his most trusted, RCD Mallorca’s Dani Guiza who signed a four year deal.

The 27 year old Guiza was the Primera’s top scorer last season, dropping 27 goals which was even more impressive because none of them were penalties.

Fenerbache’s first round Champions League Qualifier match up will be against MTK Budapest July 29/30 and August 5/6.  The squad already boasts the likes of Roberto Carlos, Alex, Kazim Richards, Mateja Kezman and Emre.

Fernerbache ended last season in second place, falling to Galatasaray in the Super Lig Title Race.

image via LaVerdad

UPDATE - Villareal and Turkey striker Nihat Kahveci has been ruled out up to four months after having to undergo surgery to repair the tendon injured during Turkey’s win over Croatia in the 2008 Euro Quater-Finals.

Remember the 28 year old Nihat was the goal scorer, dropping two near injury time during Turkey’s dramatic 3-2 come from behind victory over the Czech Republic.

Maybe this injury will allow Jozy Altidore to work his way into a highly talented Villareal squad that finished in 2nd place during last season’s La Liga campaign.

And how bright is Turkey’s future after once again proving themselves on the International Stage, especially after fighting so valiantly through injuries and suspensions that almost saw them through to the Finals.

Turkey head coach Fatih Terim is pretty much screwed when looking forward to Wednesday’s Semi-Final match against Germany after his squad has been decimated by injuries and suspensions following their dramatic penalty kick victory over Croatia.

Tuncay Sanli, Arda Turan and Emre Asik all picked up that dreaded yellow card that meant an automatic one game suspension while striker Nihat Kahveci (thigh), Servet Cetin (hip and knee), Tumer Metin (groin) and Emre Belozoglu (hamstring) face a race to be fit in time. Emre Gungor has already been ruled out of the tournament due to a calf injury.

Defensive midfielder Mehmet Aurelio returns from a one-match ban, but goalkeeper Volkan Demirel still has to serve another game after being handed a two match ban following his refusal to leave the bench area after being red carded for knocking down Jan Koller in the dying moments of the Czech Republic game.

With only nine players healthy as of right now, Terim’s focus must be on getting his players not only physically fit, but mentally fit knowing full well the difficulties of facing a Germany squad that is firing on all cylinders.

image via Bursaspor