Turkey Property | Sport in Turkey | Turkey Football

Football in Turkey

Turkey football is one of the nation's most popular pastimes and with its exciting play, many visitors to the nation like to check out just why this sport in Turkey is so popular.

Part of Uefa, the European football association, Turkey's national team and its squads regularly play in high-profile matches against its equals at home and abroad.

The last few decades have seen Turkey football steadily increase in skill and appeal to fans, going from 1950 when Turkey had to withdraw from the World Cup as it did not have enough money, to the thrilling third-place playoff against South Korea in the tournament in 2002. Some names may be familiar to English fans, with Turkish squad members Emre Belozoglu playing for Newcastle United and Tugay Kerimoglu at Blackburn Rovers.

Home matches for the national team are played at the Ataturk Olympic stadium, a state-of-the art modern facility that was only completed five years ago but was swiftly granted five-star status by Uefa. In its brief history it has already hosted thrilling matches, including AC Milan v Liverpool in May 2005, which saw the English side clinch the title of European champions in a short time. Events such as this also enabled fans from both nations to experience sport in Turkey and see the place as love of the sport brings people to Anatolia.

Of course, Turkey football does not need to bring in foreign teams to offer spectators a thrilling match, with Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas being some of the biggest names in Turkey football. For instance, the 102-year-old Galatasaray won the Uefa Cup and Uefa Super Cup in 2000 without being beaten, a rare event and was named the best football club in the world in 2001. It also holds the world record of winning the most home games in the world - 24 - which goes to show the high standard of play to be found in Turkish football.

Yet fun as this sport in Turkey can be to watch, allegations of match fixing have cropped up recently. Czech players were accused of offering around £85,000 for Malatyaspor to lose to Gaziantepspor to avoid relegation, though claims are rejected.

Despite these allegations, this sport in Turkey is of a high and internationally renowned standard and thrills visitors and locals alike. As standards of football improve, it means that more fans are likely to visit Turkey, thus driving up demand for Turkey property to stay in.

Whether you favour tennis, skiing or scuba diving, or if you want to follow the steps of Saint Paul or paraglide from a high mountain, there are many different types of sport in Turkey to experience. Use our website to view the activities on offer and we will find the Turkey property in the right location for you. Click here for your free investment and property guide.