Sports
Turkish sports clubs commemorate July 15 with defiant patriotism
As Türkiye marked the ninth anniversary of the failed 2016 coup attempt, the country’s leading football clubs stood shoulder to shoulder with the nation, flooding social media with messages of remembrance, pride, and unity on Democracy and National Unity Day.
Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, Trabzonspor and other top-tier clubs issued statements honoring the 251 citizens killed and thousands wounded during the night of July 15, 2016, when the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) orchestrated a violent power grab.
In each message, themes of resistance, sacrifice and national identity echoed loudly.
Night etched in Turkish history
On that night, rogue elements within the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) attacked symbols of democracy – bombing Parliament, surrounding the Presidential Complex and taking to the streets.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s televised call mobilized millions, who flooded the streets to defend their democracy. The coup failed by dawn but left a deep national scar.
Since then, July 15 has been enshrined as Democracy and National Unity Day, a national holiday marked by tributes, rallies and cultural remembrances – often led by the country’s football giants.
Beşiktaş: ‘We stand firm’
Beşiktaş JK posted a solemn message across its channels: “We express gratitude to our nation, which stood firm against the treacherous coup. We pray for our martyrs and veterans.”
Accompanied by scenes from the resistance and the Turkish flag, the statement reflected Beşiktaş’s legacy as a socially conscious institution since its 1903 founding.
Fenerbahçe: Drawing parallels to club history
Fenerbahçe’s message was the most detailed, linking the 2016 events to its own brush with political scandal during the infamous 2011 match-fixing probe – what the club considers a FETÖ-led campaign.
“The traitors who failed on July 15 had already targeted Fenerbahçe on July 3, 2011. Our club, like our nation, stood tall,” the statement read.
It hailed Erdoğan’s leadership and praised the unity of the Turkish people: “Our nation will never bow. We honor our martyrs and salute our veterans.”
Galatasaray: Brevity, power, pride
Galatasaray SK chose concise solemnity: “We honor our democracy martyrs with respect and gratitude.”
Paired with visuals of the July 15 Martyrs’ Bridge and the flag, the club’s message reflected a dignified tone, befitting its stature and global following.
Trabzonspor: Loyalty from the Black Sea
Trabzonspor, recent Süper Lig champions, echoed nationalistic tones: “We remember the heroes who defended our democracy. We stand with our nation today and always.”
Their words rang deeply across Trabzon and beyond, underscoring the club’s connection to grassroots patriotism.
Başakşehir, Adana Demirspor and Bursaspor join chorus
Başakşehir FK, Adana Demirspor, and Bursaspor also issued heartfelt notes.
Başakşehir:
“Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
Adana Demirspor:
“We honor the brave citizens who protected our democracy.”
Bursaspor:
“We salute the courage of our united nation.”
Even from the lower leagues, Bursaspor’s message spoke to enduring loyalty and national pride.
Wider participation
Konyaspor praised the “unbreakable spirit” of Türkiye. Antalyaspor highlighted democracy’s fragility. Alanyaspor saluted “the heroes of July 15.”
This collective voice extended beyond sports – it was national catharsis. Stadiums, like mosques and town squares, have become vessels of remembrance.
More than clubs
In Türkiye, football clubs aren’t just sporting institutions – they are megaphones of the people. Fenerbahçe’s 25 million-strong base, Galatasaray’s 20 million fans, and Beşiktaş’s 15 million supporters carry these messages into every corner of society.
After months of uncertainty due to a blood clot in his right shoulder, San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama has been medically cleared to resume basketball activities and is expected to be fully available when training camp opens this fall.
The 7-foot-4 phenom revealed his status in an interview published Monday by French sports daily L’Equipe, telling the outlet:
“I’m officially cleared to return. I’ll finally be able to play a bit of basketball again.”
A person familiar with the situation confirmed to The Associated Press (AP) that the Spurs have received word of Wembanyama’s clearance, though the team has not publicly disclosed details.
The clearance likely indicates Wembanyama’s deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was provoked, typically a more manageable condition, caused by factors like muscle or rib compression rather than genetic clotting disorders.
The Spurs have not confirmed specifics, but Wembanyama’s case appears to be treatable, unlike more serious clotting conditions that have prematurely ended careers, including those of Chris Bosh and Tomas Vokoun.
Still, Wembanyama admitted the diagnosis shook him:
“I was afraid of not being able to play basketball anymore. Those irrational thoughts creep in when you care deeply about something.”
Wembanyama, the 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year, was on pace for a historic sophomore season when the condition was discovered in February. He was averaging 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, and 3.7 assists per game – a statistical feat only matched by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the 1975-76 season.
“My injury was an adventure, obviously, but the hardest part is over,” Wembanyama said. “I’m much better today, physically and mentally.”
The 20-year-old will need a ramp-up period before returning to full-speed five-on-five play, but he’s optimistic.
“It’s been five months since I played a 5-on-5 match. There are plenty of reflexes to find – both mental and muscle memory.”
Warrior monk mode
During his rehab, Wembanyama didn’t just rest. Last month, he traveled to Zhengzhou, China, where he spent time at a Shaolin temple, training in Kung Fu, meditation, and traditional Chinese medicine.
“We were initiated into the life of a warrior monk – Buddhism and intensive kung fu,” he said. “It was more than 1,000 kicks a day, jumps, stretches … I had some of the worst aches of my life.”
Though he doesn’t identify as Buddhist, Wembanyama embraced the mental and physical discipline.
“It changes you,” he said. “For the better.”
Over 5,000 runners gathered in Çengelköy for the fifth annual Vatan Koşusu on Monday, honoring the martyrs of Türkiye’s failed 2016 coup attempt during the 9th Democracy and National Unity Day.
Leading the symbolic race was Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak, donning bib number 251 to represent each of the 251 lives lost during the deadly uprising staged by the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ).
The route started at the poignant 15 July Martyrs’ Fountain, winding through Istanbul’s historic streets as part of a national movement of remembrance.
“July 15 is etched in world history as the day the power of the people defeated the force of tanks,” Bak said before the race, flanked by young participants and reporters. “It was a night when courage triumphed over treachery. Our youth haven’t forgotten – and won’t let the nation forget either.”
Legacy of resistance, revival
Bak paid tribute to the eight Çengelköy residents killed that night, including photojournalist Mustafa Cambaz, recalling how civilians blocked soldiers advancing from Kuleli toward the Bosporus Bridge.
“That night, a nation armed with nothing but courage said ‘no’ to tanks, betrayal, and surrender,” Bak added. “We’re here today with the youth who watched, learned, and now lead.”
He also highlighted the government’s efforts to instill historical consciousness in the next generation, referencing initiatives like transporting 110,000 students to Çanakkale to experience the legacy of past battles firsthand.
‘We will not forget’
As Türkiye faces regional tensions, Bak stressed the unwavering patriotism of Turkish youth, likening their spirit to soldiers heading into the Syria operations, chanting “Kızılelma’ya gidiyoruz” (“We’re going to the Red Apple”) – a phrase steeped in nationalist symbolism.
“They may bend, but they won’t break,” Bak said. “These youth love their country and are ready for sacrifice. That’s why we’ll never forget 15 July – and we’ll never let it be forgotten.”
TÜGVA: Carrying flame of justice
Ibrahim Beşinci, head of the organizing body TÜGVA (Türkiye Youth Foundation), echoed the themes of faith, justice, and national pride.
“15 July was the day justice defeated tyranny, truth overcame deception,” he said. “It was the spirit of Malazgirt, the resolve of Çanakkale, the fire of the War of Independence.”
He praised the youth for turning their “rage and remembrance into energy and action,” saying their presence mirrored the streets filled with millions during the night of resistance.
“Back then, we marched with flags in hand and prayers on our lips. Today, we run. It’s the same soul, the same sacrifice,” Beşinci said, concluding with a tribute to the martyrs who “chose death before dishonor.”
U.S. President Donald Trump joined Chelsea on stage Sunday night as the team celebrated a stunning 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain to win the FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
With Trump watching from the stands, Cole Palmer delivered a standout performance, scoring twice and assisting another, as the underdog Blues dismantled the Champions League holders in front of a crowd of 81,118.
After the final whistle, Trump appeared alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino for the trophy presentation, drawing some boos from sections of the crowd. He handed the trophy to Chelsea captain Reece James, then lingered on stage despite Infantino’s apparent gesture for him to step aside.
Unfazed, Trump remained in position as James hoisted the trophy and the team launched into their celebrations under a cascade of fireworks and confetti.
“They told me that he was going to present the trophy and then exit the stage, and I thought that he was going to exit the stage, but he wanted to stay,” James said afterward.
Asked what Trump said to him, James added, “To be honest it was quite loud. I couldn’t hear too much. He just congratulated me and the team for lifting the trophy and told us to enjoy the moment.”
Match-winner Palmer appeared bemused by the moment.
“I knew he was going to be here, but I didn’t know he was going to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy,” Palmer said. “I was a bit confused, yes.”
Palmer scored two first-half goals and set up Joao Pedro for the third, as Chelsea defied the odds in New Jersey to stun the reigning European champions.
Chelsea’s victory capped FIFA’s newly expanded 32-team tournament and earned the Premier League side a prize of more than 90 million pounds (about $121 million).
Trump said he enjoyed the occasion, telling broadcaster DAZN at halftime, “I am having a really great time. Tremendous sport.”
In a longer interview broadcast after the match, Trump revealed that his favorite player of all time is Pele and offered praise for the tournament.
“It’s a big thing,” he said. “Gianni is a friend of mine. He’s done such a great job with the league and with soccer – or as they would call it, ‘football,’ but I guess we call it soccer. But I’m sure that change could be made very easily.
“But it’s great to watch – and this is a little bit of an upset that we’re watching today, isn’t it? So far. It’s incredible.”
When asked if he would consider issuing an executive order to rename the sport “football,” Trump replied with a smile, “I think we could do that. I think I could do that.”
Trump was also asked whether he sees a future in which the U.S., set to co-host the men’s World Cup with Canada and Mexico next summer, could dominate in football.
“I can tell you we’re doing very well on the other stage – on the political stage, on the final stage,” he said. “We were doing very badly as a country. We had an incompetent administration, and now we have a hot country. It’s really hot, and I think the soccer is going to be very hot here too.”
The Turkish Women’s National Volleyball Team is bracing for a fierce quarterfinal clash against Japan in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Nations League, a matchup rich with both tactical nuance and emotional stakes.
Set for July 24, at the Atlas Arena in Lodz, Poland, the encounter pits the 2023 champions, known as the “Sultans of the Net,” against one of the tournament’s most technically polished teams.
While the winner advances to the semifinals to face either Brazil or Germany, the tension runs deeper than the bracket.
Japan’s head coach, Ferhat Akbaş, knows his opponents all too well.
The Turkish tactician, also the coach of Turkish club giants Eczacıbaşı Dynavit and brings a deep understanding of the very system he’s now plotting to outwit.
His inside knowledge of Türkiye’s top players and style adds a layer of intrigue few matchups can offer.
Türkiye enter the knockout stage after finishing the expanded preliminary round with eight wins and four losses, securing the sixth seed out of 18 teams.
Their journey across host cities – from Istanbul and Ottawa to Beijing and Belgrade – was marked by consistency, grit, and the leadership of seasoned veterans like captain Eda Erdem, dynamic outside hitter Hande Baladın, and the explosive Melissa Vargas.
This year’s VNL, the seventh edition of the tournament, features an expanded field with no relegation from 2024.
Newcomers Czechia and Belgium joined the fray, with the former qualifying through the 2024 Challenger Cup and the latter earning their spot based on FIVB rankings.
Japan, meanwhile, looked sharp throughout the preliminary phase, finishing third overall.
Known for their speed, tight formations, and nearly flawless defense, they rely heavily on stars like Sarina Koga and Mayu Ishikawa.
Their silver-medal finish in 2024, where they fell to Italy in the final, showed they are more than capable of going the distance.
The quarterfinal clash against Türkiye will test Japan’s system like few matches have.
While their fast-paced offense and disciplined backcourt are strengths, the physicality of Türkiye’s front line and the firepower Vargas brings at the net could stretch their limits.
The psychological edge may rest with Akbaş’s knowledge, but Türkiye’s experience in pressure situations could be the difference.
Elsewhere in the quarterfinals, Italy, the 2024 champions, face eighth-seeded U.S.
Brazil, one of the tournament’s most consistent performers, takes on Germany, while host nation Poland, who earned their spot with a fourth-place finish, goes up against China.
For Türkiye, a victory over Japan would mark a return to the semifinals and put them two wins away from reclaiming their title.
Jannik Sinner held nothing back as he avenged his Roland Garros heartbreak, rallying past Carlos Alcaraz to capture his first Wimbledon title on Sunday.
Just five weeks after Alcaraz saved three match points in a French Open thriller, the world No. 1 flipped the script on Centre Court – digging deep to outlast his Spanish rival 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in a gritty, three-hour battle.
Sinner, now the first Italian to win a Wimbledon singles crown, delivered a performance brimming with poise and purpose, finishing the job nearly 2 1/2 hours quicker than their marathon in Paris.
“I think this is the part I’m the proudest of because it really has not been easy,” said Sinner, who returned to the tour in May after serving a three-month doping ban.
“I always tried to be honest with me and had the self-talk too – what if, what if? I always tried to accept it. Things can happen.
“I believe if you lose a Grand Slam final that way, it’s much better like this than someone kills you. Then after, you keep going, keep pushing.
“I did a lot of intensity in every practice because I felt like I could play very good. That’s why I also said after Roland Garros that it’s not the time to put me down, because another Grand Slam is coming up, and I did great here.”
The victory puts their rivalry back on a knife’s edge, with the 23-year-old now trailing Alcaraz only by five Slam titles to four and snapping a five-match losing streak against the Spaniard.
It is also Sinner’s first Slam title away from his favored hard courts, while Alcaraz suffered his first major final defeat, unable to summon the same magic that had brought him back from the brink on clay.
A penny for the thoughts, meanwhile, of Grigor Dimitrov, who led Sinner by two sets to love in the fourth round – only for his body to give out.
Australian Darren Cahill, who has coached Sinner for the past three years, said: “We didn’t speak about Roland Garros within 24 hours after the match, because the way he played, the attitude that he had on court, the effort that he gave – it was faultless – and he was just beaten by a better player in the end.
“I think you could see from the first match he played that he wasn’t carrying any baggage from Roland Garros.
“That’s not easy to do. It’s easy for us to say that in words – to put it to one side – but for the player to wipe it away and be able to come here with the mentality that he had is 100 percent credit to him.”
Alcaraz said he expected Sinner to reset quickly and come at him again.
“He didn’t surprise me at all. Champions learn from the losses,” Alcaraz said. “I knew at the beginning that he was going to learn from that final, not going to make the same mistakes. The way he played today, it was really, really high.”
There was an audible buzz around Centre Court as the pair warmed up – the sound of 15,000 people who couldn’t believe their luck at having secured one of the hottest tickets in sports.
Alcaraz fought back from 4-2 down to win the opening set, finishing it with a classic point where he turned defense into attack and somehow scrambled a backhand winner.
But most of the champagne moments came from Sinner, who, at one point, was nearly struck by an errant cork.
After breaking in the opening game, Sinner closed the second set with three outstanding winners. In the third, he stunned the crowd with a tweener drop volley.
Alcaraz was left on the floor as Sinner broke through in the third to lead 5-4, and he had one hand on the trophy after moving further ahead early in the fourth.
The crowd willed Alcaraz to conjure a Paris-style recovery, and the 22-year-old had two chances at 4-3, but this time it was Sinner’s day.
“Today was important not just because it was a Grand Slam final, not just because it was Wimbledon, and not just because Carlos had won the last five matches against him,” Cahill said.
“He needed that win today. Today’s match I think was a match of moments – of just who was going to step up in the big moment and make something happen. At Roland Garros it was Carlos, and today it was Jannik. So we could not be more proud of him.”
Like Sinner five weeks ago, Alcaraz found the positives.
“It’s always a bad feeling losing matches. I think it’s a little bit even worse when you lose in a final,” he said. “Overall, I’m just really proud about everything I’ve done the last four weeks on grass here in London. I left the court with my head really, really, really high because I did everything that I could today.”
Once labeled long shots, Chelsea shrugged off the odds – and Paris Saint-Germain – to claim the FIFA Club World Cup crown in dominant fashion.
Cole Palmer starred under the global spotlight, netting twice and adding an assist in a blistering first half that powered the Blues past PSG 3-0 in Sunday’s final.
The 23-year-old winger struck in the 22nd and 30th minutes before setting up Joao Pedro’s goal just before halftime with a slick pass into the box. At the other end, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez delivered his finest performance of the tournament, stopping six shots to keep PSG at bay.
Chelsea’s road to glory included knockout wins over Benfica, Palmeiras and Fluminense. It marked their second Club World Cup title, adding to the 2021 triumph – this time against a PSG side fresh off its first UEFA Champions League title just six weeks earlier.
The European champions had allowed just one goal in their first six matches of the tournament. But on Sunday, PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved only two of five shots on goal.
The frustrated Parisians were reduced to 10 men in the 85th minute when Joao Neves pulled Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella by the hair. A video review confirmed the foul, and Neves was shown a red card.
Altercations spilled past the final whistle, and PSG coach Luis Enrique appeared to grab Pedro’s neck while he and Donnarumma confronted Chelsea players.
“This was completely avoidable at the end,” Enrique said through a translator. “My goal was always to separate footballers. There was a lot of tension and pressure, there was a whole bunch of pushing that we should all try to avoid. My intention was to prevent it from getting worse.”
The final capped a monthlong tournament with 32 teams representing six continents – a test run for the United States before it co-hosts next year’s World Cup with Canada and Mexico.
President Donald Trump attended the final as a guest of FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Trump presented Chelsea with the trophy and remained on stage to celebrate with the club.
In his first year as manager, Enzo Maresca guided the Blues to a 2025-26 Champions League berth and two trophies – the Club World Cup and the UEFA Conference League.
“I’m especially happy for the players, because just one year ago when I came to the club, I said in the first press conference … we said many times that talent is not enough,” Maresca said. “We need sacrifice, we need readiness, we need a game plan with all the players going in the same direction. The success is because of them.”
Cucurella made a crucial stop to keep the match scoreless in the 16th minute. Fabian Ruiz delivered a sharp pass across the box to Desire Doue, who could have shot but instead tried a centering pass to a teammate that Cucurella intercepted.
Six minutes later, Palmer, whose first attempt barely missed wide left in the eighth minute, opened the scoring.
Malo Gusto picked up a wayward header from PSG’s Nuno Mendes and ran into the box. After a slick dribble to create space, his shot was blocked right back to his feet. He then fed Palmer, who fired a left-footed shot into the bottom left corner.
Levi Colwill earned the assist on the second goal with a long ball downfield to Palmer. From there, Palmer calmly dribbled toward the center of the 18-yard box and delivered another low left-footer for a near-identical finish.
In the 43rd minute, Palmer threaded a pass between two defenders for Pedro, who chipped his shot over a sprawling Donnarumma’s right shoulder.
Sanchez dove to stop Neves’ stoppage-time header just before the goal line. His heroics continued in the second half, as he swatted away a close-range effort from Ousmane Dembele.
Palmer was named Player of the Tournament. His three goals and two assists – all in the knockout stage – tied for the most goal contributions of any player.
Speaking to broadcaster DAZN after the match, Palmer praised Maresca’s game plan and said he had to “repay” the manager by scoring.
“He’s building something special, something important,” Palmer said. “We’re a young team. … I feel like we’re going in the right direction.”
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