Lukas Podolski

Inevitably, last week, the agenda, especially for Turkish people in Berlin was completely occupied by football and döner kebab. Those two topics are strangely intertwined. While the excitement of the European Football Championship is at its peak, the döner closely follows football in Germany. Not a day goes by without a news item about döner appearing in German newspapers.

Spor Toto Turkish Super League defending champion Beşiktaş defeated archrival Galatasaray 1-0 in a tight derby game late on Feb. 27 to give it a giant step toward a second consecutive championship.

Germany's former star striker Lukas Podolski has agreed a move from Turkish giant Galatasaray to Vissel Kobe of Japan, according to media reports.

Hürriyet daily said on Feb. 15 that Podolski had agreed a three year deal with the J1 side worth 15 million euros ($15.8 million) and Istanbul side Galatasaray would receive a transfer fee of 2.7 million euros ($2.85 million).

Galatasaray captured the Ziraat Turkish Cup late May 26, defeating city archrival Fenerbahçe 1-0 in the southern province of Antalya.

German forward Lukas Podolski provided the Lions with the game winner, scoring the only goal of the final in the 30th minute. The German international was also voted Man of the Match.        

Galatasaray's German forward, Lukas Podolski, is considering leaving Turkey following March 13's terrorist attack in Ankara, which left at least 37 dead.

Podolski, who moved to the Istanbul-based club from Arsenal on a three-year contract last summer, told German daily Bild that he is now considering leaving Turkey given the political situation in the country.

Norwegian international footballer Martin Linnes arrived in Istanbul on Jan. 12 to sign a contract with Galatasaray.

"I know Galatasaray is a big club," right-back Linnes told the Istanbul side's official broadcaster on arrival at the airport. 

Galatasaray rebounded after conceding an early goal to beat Benfica with two first-half strikes on Oct. 21, reviving its Champions League hopes in Group C after a disappointing start to the campaign. 

The victory ended Galatasaray's 10-game winless streak in the Champions League.

Spor Toto Super League title hopefuls Be?ikta? and Fenerbahçe have had winning starts to the season, while defending champion Galatasaray was forced to settle for a draw.

The Turkish Super League kicks off with last year's runner-up, Fenerbahçe, taking on Eski?ehirspor in Istanbul, the first game of a season which will be marked by tens of millions of dollars in summer signings by both title contenders and weaker teams alike. 

Galatasaray, which enjoyed winning the Turkish Super Cup on Aug. 8, will play a friendly match against Real Madrid on Aug. 18, according to a statement from the Turkish club.

"As part of the 36th edition of the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy, Real Madrid and Galatasaray will play at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium at 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 18," the statement said.