The Squad-Whos playing and what I think of them

Coach Fatih Terim is still not completely decided as to who the call up to the final roster. However there are players who most likely will be called up and those who could be called up still. Note: This list is only who I feel will be called, there are players I am omitting.

Goalkeepers

Rustu Recber 8.5/10 Club: Besiktas

Rustu is without a doubt the greatest goalkeeper in the history of Turkish football. With 115 caps to his name, Rustu is still playing at the age of 34 for the national team. However after a severe injury and resulting poor performances, Rustu was dropped from the squad for the remainder of the Euro 2008 squad. However I’m sure Rustu will be called up and do his part for the team. On a good day, hes one of the best in the world.

Volkan Demirel 7.5/10 Club: Fenerbahce

Volkan is one of those players that you can tell is a complete idiot just by looking at him. He wears so much gel and takes care of hair to the point that hes afraid to jump for the ball. And yet he led Turkey through the bulk of the Euro qualifiers. I really hope he dosen’t play. Maybe it’s cuz hes a Fenerli.

Serdar Kulbilge 7/10 Club: Fenerbahce

Serdar’s an ok goalkeeper. He probably wont be called upon, but you never know.

Defenders

Servet Cetin: 8/10 Club: Galatasaray Position: Central Defender

Servet’s a great central defender for the national team. Hes strong, hes comitted, and he loves the big matches. He’s known for cutting down passes by outmuscling his opponents from the ball. His only weakness is that hes a little on the slow side but its nothing serious. Almost guaranteed to be called up.

Hamit Altintop: 9/10 Club: Bayern Munchen Position: Right back

The best players on the team will be those based in Europe. And thus our best defender is the right back Hamit. Already very succesful in Germany, Hamit has really shined in the national team as well. However he has been injured only a couple of days ago and might be in risk for the Euro’s so he might not be able to make it.

Gokhan Gonul: 8/10 Club: Fenerbahce Position:Right back

The new young starlet in Turkish football, Gokhan is only 21 yrs. old and hes already the number one choice right back for Fenerbahce. In the national team he can play on the right back as well and may also be asked to be on the right midfield. His sheer speed and technique make him a very potent force indeed.

Gokhan Zan: 6/10 Club: Besiktas Position: Central defender

Gokhan’s a well rounded central defender but has always struggled with injuries to the point that he once refused to play for Besiktas because he was “afraid of getting injured again”. Not that great a player in my opinion. Maybe Fatih Terim will call him up as sub.

Emre Asik: 6.5/10 Club: Galatasaray (on loan at Ankaraspor for the 07/08 season.) Position: Central defender

Emres a veteran of the old days and can be relied upon when brought off the bench with his past experieince. Maybe not as great as he was physically, his lack of real “muscle power” has always been a flaw with him.

Hakan Balta: 7/10 Club: Galatasaray Position: Left back

Hakan just recently joined Galatasaray and has not been anything particularly stunning in the left defense. However he tries his best as he can and has put in good performances in th enational squad. Will most likely be called up for the Euros

Volkan Yaman: 6/10 Club: Galatasaray Position: Left back

A clone copy of Hakan Balta. Everything that is listed above applies to Yolkan as well. Might be called up as a sub.

Midfielders

Emre Belezoglu: 9/10 Club: Newcastle United Position: Central Midfield

Another star of the national team. Came from the Galatasaray youth system and has always been affectionately known as “Kuchuk Emre”, “Little Emre”. However theres nothing little about Emre. Very muscular and possessive of a wicked left foot, Emre loves to take free kicks and long shots when he can. Only problem is that he hasn’t been getting much playing time at Newcastle. However Fatih Terim will most likely call him as our first choice Midfielder.

Yildiray Basturk: 8.5/10 Club: VFB Stuttgart. Position: Attacking central midfielder

Yildiray is another great player for the team. Born and raised in Germany, Yildiray possess that spirit that Turkey’s gonna need if we want to get past the big names. Great vision and passing will make Yildiray a player to watch.

Arda Turan: 8.5/10 Club: Galatasaray Position:Left Midfielder

Widely lauded as the new “golden boy” of Turkish football, the 20 year old has great technique and is able to get past two or sometimes even more opponents at a time. He can cross the ball masterfully into the penalty box with sometimes deadly results. Galatasaray might be tempted to sell him this summer if any buyers come knocking. Only flaw is his lack of strength which mide lead to him being outmuscled from the ball. But a first choice without a doubt.

Marco (Mehmet) Aurelio: 8/10 Club: Fenerbahce Position:Defensive Midfielder

Aurelio was born in Brazil and recieved Turkish citizenship and the right to play for the Turkish national team during his time at Fenerbahce. Despite all the controversy surrounding him, hes the best we’ve got so far and shows that he truly does want to get somewhere with this team.

Mehmet Topal:8/10 Club: Galatasaray Position:Defensive Midfielder

Mehmet was only just recently called up to the national team after showing great performances in the domestic league. Another young player from Galatasaray who is showing great potential. Will most likely be called up to squad for the team, and who knows, maybe he’ll get the first team pick over Aurelio.

Tuncay Sanli:8.5/10 Club: Middlesbrough Position:All rounder attacking midfielder, can be used as a forward.

Tuncay is another good player for Turkey. After leaving Fener for England, his true potential is truly shining in the national team. However his lack of consistency and problem with injuries may hamper him slightly. He knows when to shoot and when to pass. Great qualities we need.

Gokdeniz Karadeniz: 7.5/10 Club: Rubin Kazan Position:All rounder attacking midfielder

After leaving hte Russian league, Gokdeniz is still being called up to the national team despite the many shortcoming she has. Hes the posterboard for the ball hog and yet he take great shots at goal. Will be remembered for his total fluke of a goal against Greece.

Serdar Ozkan: 7.5/10 Club: Besiktas Position:Right midfield

Youngster from Besiktas. He gives his all for ninety minutes and has great vision during the game. However his lack of experience in playing top class football in both national and domestic arenas may have a negative impact on him.

Forwards

Nihat Kahveci: 9.5/10 Club: Villarreal Position:Forward

The star of the national team, Nihat has really shone in both La Liga and in the national team. A classic goal scorer who simply dosen’t miss. As Fatih Terim says, “we need players who are in great form”. Well then we need Nihat.

Hakan Sukur: 8/10 Club:Galatasaray Position: Forward

The all time leading scorer in the National team and in the National league. Hakan is the greatest football in Turkish history. There is noone on this Earth who can head the ball into the net as he can. It’s just that simple. However at the age of 37 there is debate over whether Hakan should still be called up to the team. I for one feel that he can still play. He takes care of himself and is a great brotherly figure to the rest of the boys in the squad. Especially the youngsters.

Semih Senturk: 6/10 Club: Fenerbahce Position:Forward

I still don’t understand why Fatih Terim calls Semih to the squad. He has no technique, poor physique, and has very little experience. I really hope Terim changes his mind on the subject of Semih.

Halil Altintop: 8/10 Club: Schalke 04 Position: Striker

The twin brother of Hamit, Halil’s another quality player who, for some reason, is not being called up to the national squad. i really hope Terim changes his mind on this matter as well.

Mevlut Erdinc: ?/10 Club: Sochaux Position: Striker

Mevlut is a youngster whos only recently been called up to the squad. Let’s hope he turns out well.