Bent post ‘illusion’ isn’t fooling anyone

As a result of the current economic situation, it appears Turkish energy bar manufacturer Metro have had to close their special effects department.

Either that, or the Turks are happy to believe that Besiktas’ Yusuf Şimşek can bend a post with his relatively weak shots, despite being presented with absolutely no evidence of the moment of impact. It’s about as believable as a Stephen Ireland sicknote.

[Off The Post]

Officials do nothing about hi-jinks in Turkish derby

If you’ve seen anysport/ porn hybrids, send them here and earn ten shiny English pounds if we use it.

Click here to see the full Sporno gallery

Fenerbahce/ Arsenal, ITV1, 7.45pm, Free £10 bet

[Roberto Carlos - unfazed by Arsenal’s visit]

Despite coming from behind to beat Everton, Arsenal are far from  their best and in recent years trips to Turkey have proven even more daunting than playing in the San Siro or the Nou Camp for the Big Four. Here’s why the betting genii at chickendinner believe Arsenal are in danger of being the latest Premier League side to come home from Turkey empty-handed…

» English clubs have lost their last four Champions League away games against Turkish opposition. Manchester United lost 3-0 in Fenerbahce in 2004-05, Liverpool lost 3-2 to Galatasaray in 2006-07 and 2-1 to Besiktas last season while Chelsea lost 2-1 in Fenerbahce six months ago.

» Despite starting this season slowly, Fenerbahce have only lost once at home, which means that in total they have now lost just three of their last 52 league and European home games.

» Their last European home defeat came in November 2005

Central American finds fitting way to console opponent

I believe this intimate moment was captured during the 2002 World Cup match between Costa Rica and Turkey. If you believe otherwise, leave a comment below.

Click here to see the full Sporno gallery

Eastern Europeans perfect the art of hamstring stretching

This Turkish publication has grasped the concept of tongue-in-cheek Sporno with two firm hands: the underlined quote on the left hand side reads, “(Players of) Idmanyurdu are training hard,” while the right hand side reads “players seem to be ambitious during training”.

Click here to see the full Sporno gallery

Also appearing on a computer near you…

David Beckham is bland and boring an interviewer’s dream
[The Offside Rules]

Cristiano Ronaldo is buying a house in a fancy Madrid suburb
[Caught Offside]

chickendinner present ten reasons why Spain will win Euro 2008
[chickendinner]

Lewis Hamilton out and about with Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger
[Grid Crasher]

Pictures from this week’s American charity game featuring Thierry Henry, Robbie Fowler et al
[Unprofessional Foul]

Wenger’s aggressive faxing paid off: Adebayor is staying at Arsenal. Maybe.
[Football 365]

UEFA could be sued for the Germany/ Turkey TV blackout incident
[101 Great Goals]

Iraq have disbanded their national team
[SportsbyBrooks]

Unconvincing Germans make the final again

Once again, Adrien Brody’s Joachim Loew’s side managed to claw their way to their sixth European Champions final, despite being the second best team on the pitch last night.

Seeing as nature decided the worldwide audience didn’t deserve to see the Miroslav Klose goal that put Germany 2-1 up, you can check it out by clicking the box above.

Four nations battling to be the new Greece

Jens Lehmann has told the press he would ‘give his life’ to reach the final of Euro 2008: “I don’t want to go out in the semis again,” said the grumpy shot stopper. So if Die Deutschen make it through tonight and a certain Stuttgart keeper gets struck by lightning, we’ll know a deal with the devil went down.

Favourites Germany are just a few hours away from taking on Turkey in the first Euro 2008 semi, so it’s as good a time as any to ask you all who you think will win the tinny little Henri Delaunay trophy. Votes and comments below, please folks.