Moussa Sow

Three Turkish teams progress to Europa League knockout stage

Turkey will have three teams in the Europa League when the European football's second-tier competition resumes with the round of 32 in February.  

Fenerbahçe pipped Manchester United to top spot in its Europa League group on Dec. 8 after beating Feyenoord 1-0, while Osmanlıspor beat FC Zurich 2-0 at home to finish atop its group.

Fenerbahçe challenges undefeated Beşiktaş

A rising Fenerbahçe, which has won its last eight games, will host historic rival Beşiktaş on Dec. 3 looking to maintain an 11-year undefeated record in derby games.

Beşiktaş, meanwhile, is out to extend its unbeaten run in three competitions - the Spor Toto Super League, Champions League and the Ziraat Turkey Cup. 

Fenerbahçe claims historic victory against Man United

İstanbul club Fenerbahçe managed to beat all expectations and beat Manchester United 2-1 at home in a Europa League Group A game late on Nov. 3. Having lost 4-1 two weeks ago in Manchester, Fenerbahçe produced a stunning performance capped by a brilliant Moussa Sow bicycle-kick goal and a Jeremain Lens free-kick.

Fenerbahçe clings to top of league with Sivasspor win

Fenerbahçe narrowly beat Medicana Sivasspor 3-2 in an away match May 9 to sit in second place in the Turkish Spor Toto Super League, keeping pace with league-leading Galatasaray.  

Sivasspor took the lead in the eighth minute when Mehdi Taouil scored the opening goal of the game to put the home side up 1-0. Just a minute later, Fenerbahçe playmaker Diego replied to make it 1-1.

Turkish clerics debate Demba Ba’s ‘Islamic’ goal celebration

The goal celebration of Beşiktaş’s Senegalese national Demba Ba, who kneels down to prostrate before God after goal, has stirred a religious debate in Turkey, with a popular televangelist declaring it a sin to perform the action in a random direction instead of toward the Kaaba.