Idman.biz
The rivalry between the two giants of Turkish sports - "Galatasaray" and "Fenerbahçe" - is now in its 117th year. On the eve of today's 406th match, the pages of this long history are full of interesting and sometimes incredible facts.
İdman.Biz presents a historical overview of Turkey's biggest football rivalry:
The first goal in the history of this great rivalry was scored by "Galatasaray" player Emin Bülent Serdaroğlu on January 17, 1909. "Sarı-kırmızılılar" (Yellow-Reds), who won that match with a score of 2:0, established a serious advantage over their opponents and did not concede a goal in their first seven games. "Fenerbahçe" had to wait almost five years to defeat their opponent for the first time and score their first goal in history. This longing ended on January 4, 1914, with a goal by Hasan Kamil Sporel.
Individual records in the history of the teams that have competed against each other many times are also noteworthy. "Fenerbahçe" player Zeki Riza Sporel still holds the title of the most productive player in the rivalry with 27 goals in 42 matches. He is followed by Alaattin Baydar with 24 goals and Lefter Küçükayandonyadis with 20 goals. In "Galatasaray", Metin Oktay is in the lead with 19 goals. The footballer who has played the most matches on the field is Turgay Şeren, the legendary goalkeeper of "Galatasaray". He has experienced the excitement of the derby 55 times.
One of the most interesting events in the history of the derby dates back to 1922. That game, which was played under heavy rain and managed by the referee with an umbrella, ended with a 3:0 victory for "Fenerbahçe". Only 14 ticketed spectators watched the match. In the modern era, however, the picture is completely different; the match held at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in 2003 was watched by 70,125 people, setting a record.
Not only goals, but also fights and friendships have left their mark in history. After the match that was interrupted in 1934 as a result of a mass fight between footballers, 17 players from the teams were severely punished. On the other hand, the fact that the players of both teams rented the same house and spent time together in the early years of the rivalry showed the unifying power of football. At one time, it was even planned to establish a joint team called "FenerSaray" and fight together against foreign clubs.
The biggest difference victory in the history of the rivalry was won by "Galatasaray" in 1911 - 7:0. "Fenerbahçe"'s closest response to this score dates back almost a century later - November 6, 2002. On that day, the "Sarı-lacivertliler" (Yellow-Navy Blues) achieved the most different derby victory (6:0) in the history of the Turkish Super League. In this match, the then president of "Galatasaray", Özhan Canaydın, applauding the opponent's goals, went down in world sports history as an unforgettable example of gentlemanliness.
