Sports
Trabzonspor aim winning start against KuPS in Conference League
Trabzonspor will look to carry their domestic momentum into Europe when they visit Finnish side KuPS Kuopio on Thursday for their opening match in the 2026-27 UEFA Conference League league phase.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. Türkiye time at Tammelan Stadion in Tampere.
Trabzonspor enter the competition after falling short in the Europa League qualifying playoffs, losing 1-0 at home and 4-0 away to Hungary’s Ferencvaros for a 5-0 aggregate defeat.
The Black Sea club will now attempt to make a fresh start in Europe’s third-tier competition, hoping to end their recent continental struggles with a victory.
The match also offers an opportunity for coach Thomas Reis to extend his team’s improving domestic form.
Trabzonspor have won their last two Turkish Süper Lig matches convincingly, beating Galatasaray 4-0 at home before securing a 3-0 victory away to Samsunspor.
Those results have given Reis’s side renewed confidence, with seven goals scored and none conceded across the two matches.
Another victory on Thursday would give Trabzonspor three consecutive competitive wins and provide a timely boost to their European campaign.
Reis’ European breakthrough
The match will mark Reis’s first European fixture in charge of Trabzonspor, adding another test for a coach who has overseen an encouraging improvement in the team’s domestic performances.
However, ending the club’s European winless run remains a priority. Trabzonspor’s last continental victory came on Aug. 1, 2024, when they defeated Slovakia’s Ruzomberok 1-0 at home in the Europa League second qualifying round.
Since then, the Turkish side have played six European matches without winning, recording four defeats and two draws.
Their heavy aggregate loss to Ferencvaros underlined the need for a stronger performance as they begin their Conference League campaign.
Trabzonspor can take some encouragement from their previous meetings with Finnish opposition, having recorded one win and one draw in two matches against teams from the country.
KuPS seek response
KuPS will also be eager to make a positive start, although the Finnish champions arrive after a difficult spell in their domestic league.
Coach Miika Nuutinen’s side have struggled for consistency during their title defense in the Veikkausliiga.
Their only victory in their last seven league matches was a 2-0 away win over VPS, followed by consecutive 1-0 defeats against AC Oulu at home and Inter Turku away.
The Finnish club nevertheless secured a place in the Conference League league phase after overcoming Shamrock Rovers in the qualifying playoffs. Following a 1-1 draw in Ireland, KuPS won the return leg 1-0 to advance on aggregate.
Their European campaign has already included setbacks in earlier qualifying rounds, with exits from the Champions League qualifiers against Sabah Baku and the Europa League qualifiers against Universitatea Craiova before they secured their place in the Conference League.
Jaime Moreno, who has scored 11 goals for KuPS across all competitions this season, will be one of the home side’s principal attacking threats.
The Finnish club have also faced the challenge of playing away from their usual home ground. Their stadium in Kuopio does not meet UEFA’s requirements for Conference League matches, forcing them to stage their European fixtures at Tammelan Stadion in Tampere, approximately 300 kilometers away.
The venue has a capacity of 8,000 and features an artificial playing surface, conditions Trabzonspor will need to adapt to quickly.
KuPS and Trabzonspor have never met before, although the Finnish side have previous experience against Turkish opposition, recording one win and one defeat in two encounters.
Suspensions and injuries affect Trabzonspor
Trabzonspor will be without several players for the opening fixture. Chibuike Nwaiwu and Sidny Lopes Cabral are suspended after receiving red cards, while goalkeeper Onuralp Çevikkan and midfielder Okay Yokuşlu have been listed among the injured.
Ruslan Malinovskyi is also unavailable because of suspension and injury concerns, while Umut Nayir is another reported absentee. Tim Jabol-Folcarelli has been an injury concern, and Arseniy Batagov has been working toward a return.
Malinovskyi’s absence has also affected the club’s European squad planning. Melih Kabasakal was added to Trabzonspor’s UEFA list as his replacement.
There will, however, be additional options for Reis in Europe. Batista Mendy and Benjamin Bouchouari, who have been unable to play in the Süper Lig because of foreign-player registration restrictions, are eligible for continental fixtures.
Eight Turkish Süper Lig clubs, Kocaelispor coach Selçuk İnan, Trabzonspor midfielder Melih Kabasakal and Eyüpspor forward Ahmed Abdullahi have been referred to the Turkish Football Federation’s (TFF) Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK) following incidents during league matches.
The TFF announced the referrals on its official website, citing alleged improper chants, crowd disturbances, a breach of stadium safety regulations and conduct by individuals during or after matches played between Oct. 9 and 12.
Galatasaray and Kasımpaşa were both referred over alleged improper chants during their match on Oct. 9. Galatasaray also faces disciplinary proceedings over crowd disturbances.
Gençlerbirliği was referred for alleged improper chants during its Oct. 10 match against Amed Sportif Faaliyetler, while Amed was referred over crowd disturbances during the same game.
Samsunspor and Trabzonspor were both referred for alleged improper chants following their Oct. 10 encounter. Trabzonspor also faces disciplinary proceedings over crowd disturbances, while midfielder Melih Kabasakal was referred separately for an alleged rule violation during the match. His referral took effect on Oct. 11 under precautionary measures.
Beşiktaş and Kocaelispor were both referred following their Oct. 11 match. Beşiktaş faces charges relating to alleged improper chants and crowd disturbances, while Kocaelispor faces additional scrutiny over spectator access routes that were not kept clear, in violation of the federation’s stadium regulations.
Kocaelispor coach Selçuk İnan was also referred to the disciplinary board without precautionary measures over comments he made during a postmatch flash interview and news conference. The TFF cited statements allegedly damaging the reputation of Turkish football.
Eyüpspor forward Ahmed Abdullahi was referred under precautionary measures for an alleged rule violation during the club’s Oct. 12 match against Göztepe, with his referral taking effect on Oct. 13.
The referrals will be assessed by the PFDK, which determines disciplinary sanctions under the federation’s regulations. The referrals themselves do not constitute final rulings.
Galatasaray’s UEFA Champions League struggles continued Tuesday as Barcelona came from behind to secure a 4-1 victory at RAMS Park, leaving the Turkish champions without a point after their first two matches in the competition.
Aleksey Batrakov gave Galatasaray the lead in the 27th minute, but Joao Cancelo equalized before halftime. Barcelona took control after the break, with Fermin Lopez, Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi scoring in a 15-minute spell to complete the comeback.
The defeat followed Galatasaray’s 3-1 loss away to Sporting CP in their opening match, leaving Okan Buruk’s side under pressure to recover in their next European fixture. Barcelona, meanwhile, maintained their perfect start to the campaign with a second consecutive victory.
Galatasaray initially struggled to cope with Barcelona’s possession and pressing, spending much of the opening period defending in their own half. The hosts looked to threaten on the counterattack, using long passes to find striker Victor Osimhen and winger Rafael Leao.
That approach paid off in the 27th minute when Galatasaray caught Barcelona out during a quick transition.
Barcelona had appealed for a penalty after Anthony Gordon went down inside the Galatasaray penalty area following a challenge from Barış Alper Yılmaz. Goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır gathered the ball and immediately restarted play, launching a move that ended with the hosts taking the lead.
Batrakov collected possession near the halfway line and released Leao down the left flank. The winger drove toward the penalty area before cutting the ball back toward the edge of the box, where Batrakov arrived to finish and put Galatasaray ahead.
The goal was the 21-year-old Russian’s first in seven competitive appearances for the club, including five in the Turkish Super Lig.
Galatasaray thought they had doubled their advantage seven minutes later when a corner from Batrakov reached Osimhen, whose header was turned into his own net by Barcelona defender Gerard Martin. Italian referee Marco Guida initially awarded the goal, but a video assistant referee review overturned the decision because Barış Alper was offside and interfering with an opponent.
Barcelona increased the pressure as halftime approached and equalized in the 43rd minute. Dani Olmo supplied Cancelo, who finished into the far corner to make it 1-1.
Uğurcan had kept Galatasaray in the contest with several important first-half saves, denying efforts from Gordon, Cancelo and Olmo. However, the goalkeeper was unable to prevent Barcelona from taking control after the break.
The visitors moved ahead in the 50th minute when Lamine Yamal crossed for Lopez to head home. Three minutes later, Yamal set up Gordon, who finished from a tight angle to double Barcelona’s lead.
Galatasaray struggled to contain the visitors’ attacking pressure, and Adeyemi made it 4-1 in the 65th minute, finishing after a move involving Yamal and Gabriel Jesus.
Barcelona’s three goals in 15 minutes transformed a competitive match into a comfortable victory and exposed Galatasaray’s defensive difficulties after halftime.
The result also extended a troubling pattern for Buruk’s side in Europe. Galatasaray opened their Champions League campaign against Sporting by taking the lead through a Gonçalo Inácio own goal in the fifth minute, only to concede three times in a 3-1 defeat.
Against Barcelona, the Turkish side again went ahead but failed to protect their advantage, conceding once before halftime and three more times after the restart.
Galatasaray have now lost seven of their last 10 Champions League matches, recording two wins and one draw during that stretch. Their victories came against Juventus, whom they beat 5-2, and Liverpool, whom they defeated 1-0. They also drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid.
Their difficulties against Spanish opposition have been just as pronounced. Galatasaray have failed to win their last 10 European matches against Spanish clubs, recording eight defeats and two draws. Their most recent victory came in the 2012-13 Champions League quarterfinals, when they beat Real Madrid 3-2 at home in the second leg.
Tuesday’s defeat was Galatasaray’s 21st in 37 European meetings with Spanish teams. They have recorded eight wins and eight draws in those encounters.
Despite the scoreline, Galatasaray’s supporters continued to back the team and Buruk as Barcelona extended their lead. Fans chanted the coach’s name during the second half and applauded the players after the final whistle. Uğurcan also received special recognition for his first-half saves.
Club captain Abdülkerim Bardakcı started on the bench, with Yunus Akgün wearing the armband from the opening whistle. When Yunus was replaced by Leroy Sane in the 58th minute, the captaincy passed to Colombian defender Davinson Sanchez.
Barcelona, meanwhile, continued their impressive start under coach Hansi Flick. The victory extended their winning run to 10 competitive matches this season, including eight in La Liga and two in the Champions League.
The Catalan side have scored 43 goals in those 10 matches, an average of 4.3 per game, while conceding nine.
Galatasaray will look to end their losing run when they travel to France to face Lille on Oct. 21. Barcelona’s next European assignment will take them to Paris Saint-Germain.
Barcelona came from behind to crush Galatasaray 4-1 at Istanbul’s RAMS Park on Tuesday, scoring three second-half goals to condemn the Turkish champions to their second consecutive UEFA Champions League defeat.
Galatasaray took the lead in the 28th minute when Aleksey Batrakov fired home a deflected effort following a move involving Rafael Leao.
The hosts thought they had doubled their advantage five minutes later when Barış Alper Yılmaz headed in from close range after Victor Osimhen’s initial header, but the goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.
Barcelona equalized in the 43rd minute through Joao Cancelo, who found the far corner after receiving a pass from Dani Olmo, sending the teams into halftime level at 1-1.
The Spanish side took control shortly after the restart, with Fermin Lopez heading home Lamine Yamal’s cross in the 50th minute.
Just three minutes later, Anthony Gordon extended Barcelona’s lead with a finish from a tight angle after another assist from Yamal.
Karim Adeyemi completed the scoring in the 65th minute, capitalizing on a loose ball following a move involving Yamal and Gabriel Jesus.
Galatasaray goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır had earlier denied Gordon in the 16th minute, but the hosts struggled to contain Barcelona’s attacking pressure after the break.
The defeat leaves Okan Buruk’s side without a point after two Champions League matches, following their opening 3-1 loss away to Sporting CP.
Barcelona, meanwhile, maintained their perfect start under Hansi Flick, moving to six points from two games.
Galatasaray will travel to France to face Lille on Oct. 21, while Barcelona will visit Paris Saint-Germain in their next European fixture.
Turkish boxer Buse Nur Yazan is targeting a gold medal at the Under-19 World Boxing Championships in Montenegro, hoping to turn her European success into a world title and take another step toward her Olympic ambitions.
The 18-year-old Fenerbahçe athlete has already won two European titles, establishing herself as one of Türkiye’s promising young boxing talents.
She claimed gold in the 57-kilogram division at the 2022 European Junior Boxing Championships in Erzurum and added another European crown in the 66-kilogram category at the 2024 European Youth Boxing Championships in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Yazan most recently won silver in the 70-kilogram division at the European Under-19 Boxing Championships in Loznica, Serbia, in August. After reaching the final, she finished second, gaining valuable experience ahead of her first appearance at the world championships.
She has been preparing for the tournament at the Mediterranean Boxing and Fencing Training Hall in Mersin under national team coach Naci Oral. The championships begin Wednesday in Montenegro and run through Oct. 27.
“My goal has always been to win gold and become a champion,” Yazan told Anadolu Agency (AA). “The previous tournaments have been valuable experiences for me. I am targeting the title at the Under-19 World Boxing Championships, and I hope to represent my country in the best possible way by becoming champion.”
Yazan, who began boxing at age 8, said the demands of competing at the highest level have required significant sacrifices, leaving her with little time for her personal life or family.
“I train a lot, and sometimes I have no social life and can barely see my family,” she said. “I have spent almost the entire year at training camps. I occasionally return home before heading back to another camp.”
Despite the demanding schedule, Yazan remains focused on a long-term ambition that extends beyond the world championships. She hopes to qualify for the 2032 Summer Olympics and eventually win an Olympic gold medal for Türkiye.
“I want to become world champion, qualify for the 2032 Summer Olympics and represent my country in the best possible way there, winning the title,” she said.
Oral said Yazan’s dedication and self-belief had strengthened the team’s confidence in her ability to compete for the world title.
“Buse works hard and believes in herself, and we have complete confidence in her,” he said. “Winning European silver was a good experience for us. Now we want to turn that experience into a gold medal at the Under-19 World Boxing Championships.”
The coach said the team would aim to reach the top of the podium and add a world championship medal to Yazan’s growing collection of achievements.
“Our goal is to reach the summit of the championship and raise the Turkish flag,” Oral said. “We hope to add the world championship medal that is still missing from our collection.”
Türkiye’s four biggest football clubs have accumulated more than TL 108 billion ($2.5 billion) in total liabilities, with Galatasaray carrying the largest debt and Beşiktaş facing the heaviest burden relative to its annual revenue.
Financial statements submitted to Türkiye’s Public Disclosure Platform (KAP), compiled by Anadolu Agency (AA), show that the publicly traded football companies of Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, Beşiktaş and Trabzonspor had combined liabilities of 108.1 billion liras as of Aug. 31, 2026.
Galatasaray topped the list with TL 34.82 billion, followed by Fenerbahçe with TL 31.1 billion, Beşiktaş with TL 27.95 billion and Trabzonspor with TL 14.23 billion.
Commercial debts, including transfer fees and agent commissions, accounted for the largest share of the combined liabilities.
The clubs also rely heavily on advance payments for future revenue from sponsorships, advertising, season tickets and VIP boxes.
Commercial debts
The four clubs’ combined commercial liabilities stood at TL 43.85 billion, making them the largest category of outstanding obligations.
Galatasaray had the highest commercial debt at TL 16.07 billion, ahead of Fenerbahçe’s TL 13.45 billion, Beşiktaş’s TL 9.77 billion and Trabzonspor’s TL 4.56 billion.
Advance collections for future periods represented another TL 29.49 billion. Galatasaray accounted for TL 8.66 billion of that total, while Fenerbahçe had TL 9.18 billion, Beşiktaş TL 8.05 billion and Trabzonspor TL 3.59 billion.
The clubs also reported TL 12.79 billion in liabilities to employees, public institutions and other parties. Beşiktaş had the largest amount in this category at TL 4.77 billion, followed by Galatasaray with TL 3.61 billion, Trabzonspor with TL 2.77 billion and Fenerbahçe with TL 1.65 billion.
Financial debt, including bank loans, totaled TL 7.68 billion. Galatasaray accounted for TL 5.03 billion and Beşiktaş for TL 2.64 billion, while the reported figures showed no financial debt in this category for Fenerbahçe or Trabzonspor.
Outstanding rental obligations added another TL 7.52 billion, led by Fenerbahçe at TL 6.35 billion. Beşiktaş reported TL 840 million, Trabzonspor TL 210 million and Galatasaray TL 120 million.
Other liabilities, including amounts owed to related parties and third parties, totaled 5.76 billion liras. Provisions accounted for a further 1.02 billion.
Beşiktaş’s highest debt-to-revenue ratio
Although Galatasaray had the largest total liabilities, Beşiktaş carried the heaviest debt burden relative to its revenue.
The black-and-whites reported TL 27.95 billion in total liabilities against TL 12.24 billion in revenue for the 2025-26 season, equivalent to 2.28 times their annual income.
Trabzonspor ranked second, with TL 14.23 billion in liabilities against revenue of TL 6.62 billion, a ratio of 2.15.
Fenerbahçe’s TL 31.1 billion in liabilities amounted to 1.8 times its annual revenue of TL 17.23 billion.
Galatasaray, despite leading the four clubs in total liabilities, had the lowest debt-to-revenue ratio at 1.6. The Istanbul club generated TL 21.75 billion in revenue during the 2025-26 season.
Combined revenue for the four clubs reached TL 57.84 billion, compared with total liabilities of TL 108.1 billion, leaving their collective liabilities at 1.87 times annual revenue.
The comparison uses the clubs’ consolidated balance sheets as of Aug. 31, 2026, and their combined revenue from sales and investment activities for the 2025-26 season. Revenue figures were adjusted for inflation to reflect purchasing power as of the same date.
Future player salaries excluded from total
The TL 108.1 billion figure does not cover all the clubs’ future financial commitments.
Guaranteed salaries owed to players and coaching staff for periods after Aug. 31, 2026, under existing contracts are not included in the reported liabilities to the extent that those payments have not yet been recognized as debts.
However, salaries and other payments already due to players and coaching staff by that date, but still unpaid, are included in the clubs’ existing liabilities.
Fenerbahçe will aim to end their winless run in the UEFA Champions League when they visit Aston Villa on Wednesday, with both teams looking to build momentum in the competition’s league phase.
The Turkish side travel to Villa Park for their second league-phase match after opening their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Roma in Istanbul. Aston Villa, meanwhile, began with a 3-2 victory over Club Brugge and will look to maintain their perfect start in Europe.
Fenerbahçe head into the contest in encouraging domestic form after beating Rizespor 3-0 in the Turkish Super Lig. The victory left Ismail Kartal’s side fourth in the standings with 13 points, while their 19 goals made them the league’s leading scorers at this stage of the season.
Villa have had a more difficult start to their Premier League campaign. Unai Emery’s team drew 2-2 with Brentford in their most recent match, leaving them 15th with five points after six games, having recorded one win, two draws and three defeats.
Despite their domestic struggles, the English side have made a strong start in Europe and will take confidence from their impressive home record in continental competition.
Eight-game jinx
Fenerbahçe have struggled to find consistency in the Champions League, going eight matches without a victory and losing five of them. They have also frequently fallen behind before halftime, losing at the interval in eight of their last 10 matches in the competition.
Their visit to Villa Park presents an opportunity to reverse that trend against an opponent who have won all three previous meetings between the clubs.
Fenerbahçe have played 307 matches in European competitions, recording 122 wins, 68 draws and 117 defeats. They have scored 418 goals and conceded 427.
Wednesday’s fixture will be their 308th European match and their 42nd in the Champions League, where they have won 11, drawn seven and lost 23 of their previous 41 games. The Istanbul club have scored 43 goals and conceded 71 in the competition.
Fenerbahçe are appearing in the Champions League for the seventh time after previously competing in the group stage in 1996-97, 2001-02, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2007-08 and 2008-09.
Their most successful campaign came in 2007-08, when Brazilian coach Arthur Zico led them to the quarterfinals. Fenerbahçe eliminated Sevilla in the round of 16 before losing to Chelsea, who advanced to the semifinals.
This season marks their first appearance in the competition’s expanded 36-team league phase, which replaced the traditional group stage.
Historical advantage
The clubs first met in the 1977-78 UEFA Cup first round, when Aston Villa won both legs to advance. They met again in the 2025-26 Europa League league phase, with Villa claiming a 1-0 victory in Istanbul.
The English club have therefore won all three previous encounters and will seek to extend that record on home soil.
Fenerbahçe have faced English opposition 23 times in European competition, recording six wins, four draws and 13 defeats. Manchester United are their most frequent English opponents, with seven meetings, followed by Arsenal with six.
Fenerbahçe have also faced Aston Villa three times, while their European history includes two meetings apiece with Manchester City, Chelsea and Nottingham Forest, and one against Newcastle United.
Villa’s home form offers another reason for optimism. They are unbeaten in their last 13 home matches in European competition and have won their last 10.
The English side also have recent continental success behind them. They won the 2025-26 Europa League, finishing second in the league phase with 21 points before eliminating Lille, Bologna and Nottingham Forest on their way to the final.
Villa defeated German club Freiburg 3-0 in the final at Beşiktaş Park in Istanbul on May 20 to lift the trophy. They subsequently lost 2-1 to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup.
Guendouzi available
Fenerbahçe have received a boost with midfielder Matteo Guendouzi cleared to play after a disciplinary decision reduced his suspension.
UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body initially imposed a four-match ban, including two matches suspended, following the club’s Champions League playoff against Olympique Lyonnais. The UEFA Appeals Body subsequently reduced the effective suspension to three matches, subject to a one-year probationary period.
Guendouzi missed Fenerbahçe’s opening league-phase match against Roma on Sept. 10 but is now eligible to feature against Villa. He is expected to partner N’Golo Kante in central midfield.
The Turkish side will be without Jayden Oosterwolde, who is recovering from an Achilles injury, and Mert Müldür, who has a knee problem.
Forwards Vedat Muriqi and Mason Greenwood have been in strong scoring form, with the pair having combined for 13 goals this season. Both are expected to play important roles as Fenerbahçe look to exploit Villa’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Villa’s injury concerns
Emery will be without several players for the European fixture, including Amadou Onana, Ian Maatsen, Modou Cisse, Leon Goretzka and Brian Madjo, who are all dealing with injuries.
George Hemmings and Matteo Ruggeri are also fitness doubts. If Ruggeri is unavailable, Aaron Wan-Bissaka could be called upon at left-back.
Nicolas Jackson is expected to lead Villa’s attack, while captain John McGinn is likely to operate in a wide position.
Villa will hope their European form can provide a lift after an inconsistent start in England’s top flight. With a home match against Viking and a Premier League trip to Manchester City also approaching, Emery’s side will be eager to collect another three points before a demanding run of fixtures.
Emery prepares for fourth meeting with Fenerbahçe
Wednesday’s match will be the fourth time Emery has faced Fenerbahçe as a coach.
His first encounters came during the 2012-13 Champions League qualifying playoffs, when he was in charge of Spartak Moscow. The Russian side won the first leg 2-1 at home before drawing 1-1 in Istanbul on Aug. 29, 2012, to secure a place in the group stage.
Emery left Spartak later that year before facing Fenerbahçe again with Aston Villa in January 2026, when the English club won the Europa League meeting between the sides.
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