Bursaspor signs off on winning note |
 Bursaspor, which won the Super League championship last season, failed to get exactly what it wanted in 2010-11. Nonetheless, the Green Crocodiles -- the nickname of Bursaspor -- beat “visiting” Ankara’s Gençlerbirliği 1-0 to end a bad season, by the club’s new standards, on a winning note.
A goal in the 32nd minute by Turkey international winger Volkan Şen was the only thing that separated the two teams, but it was more than enough to give Bursaspor the much-needed maximum points to consolidate its number three position in the 18-strong league.
The match was played without spectators because the Professional Football Disciplinary Committee (PFDK) had ordered the Bursa Crocs to play five home matches behind closed doors as punishment for the misbehavior of their fans before the week 32 match on May 7, which was called off before kickoff. In addition, Bursaspor was declared a 3-0 loser by default.
Even though the Bursa club, as well as many football pundits in this country, including Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç, considered the punishments too harsh, the PFDK wouldn’t take a step back.
Sağlam grateful
Young Bursaspor coach Ertuğrul Sağlam was nonetheless happy with the result. “We played as if our fans were in the stands and I congratulate my players,” he said. “Next season we will again be playing for the championship,” he added.
Going into this match, Bursaspor and Gaziantepspor were equal on points (58 each) but the Crocs were third by virtue of a better head-to-head record and so Antep was fourth. And with Gaziantepspor drawing 0-0 with Ziraat Turkish Cup holder Beşiktaş in İstanbul the suspense was resolved: Bursaspor with 61 points ended the season in third place and Antep with 59 was fourth.
Both Bursaspor and Gaziantepspor will be playing in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers and Beşiktaş as cup winner, will start in the playoff stage. As we mentioned in the preview to these matches, finishing third in the league is important because it means playing fewer qualifying matches and starting the season a little bit later. Sağlam’s Bursaspor was not successful in its maiden UEFA Champions League last season. Sağlam and his men are more experienced now and so are expected to make their mark in the Europa League, which is less competitive, next season. All they need do is use the summer holiday to right the wrongs.
Gaziantepspor cannot afford to stand aloof. Tolunay Kafkas and his southeastern side therefore must also start preparations soon because it is one thing to finish fourth in the Spor Toto Super League and another thing to succeed in Europe.
More success expected from Eagles
The Beşiktaş Black Eagles spent a lot on players this season, especially on the Portuguese. A team consisting of Portugal internationals Ricardo Quaresma, Simao Sabrosa, Hugo Almeida and Manuel Fernandes, among others, should be able to win a European championship. But the Eagles faltered badly in the domestic league and enjoyed only scant success in Europe.
We have said it before and are reiterating once again that Beşiktaş is a team where finishing second in the league is tantamount to finishing second from last. In other words, anything short of the league title is not regarded a success.
This puts more pressure on young new coach Tayfur Havutçu because the Eagles not only have to chase the domestic league title next season, they must also make headway in Europe.
Also on Saturday, İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyespor and Manisaspor drew 0-0; relegated Bucaspor held visiting Kayserispor 3-3; and Medical Park Antalyaspor beat Ankaragücü 3-2 away in the capital in their final games of the season
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