Things to know about Gaziantepsor
Last season: 4th in the Süper Lig
Qualified through: League position, 2nd round
Coach: Tolunay Kafkas
Star: Ivelin Popov
Links to Örebro: Örebro was supposed to play Antalyaspor (together with Gaziantepspor the southernmost team in the Turkish league) in a friendly that never happened earlier this year. Far-fetched. Both teams have lost in the first round of the UEFA cup to a prospective finalist (Örebro lost to winner Ajax in 1991/1992, Gaziantepspor to finalist Alaves nine year later). Still far-fetched.
Comment: Gaziantep is situated in southeast Turkey, very close to the Syrian border. Not exactly the place to by for the moment. For that reason, Gaziantepspor is something of a nightmare opponent for Örebro. On the other hand, Örebro knows Turkey well after two (!) preseason trips to the country this year.
This is how we beat them: Gaziantepspor has become a top team in a Turkish league that has lost a bit of its status. The team had a fantastic spell during the second half of the season and challenged the Champions League team Bursaspor for third spot. The squad is full of talent: Goalkeeper Žydrūnas Karčemarskas from Lithuania has 54 caps under the belt, Bulgarian striker Ivelin Popov 24. Olcan Adin is another sharp forward, as is young starlet Cenk Tosun, 20 years and called up for Turkey’s last qualifier against Belgium. On that squad was also defender Emre Güngör and midfielder Orhan Gülle was also recently called by his country. Add to that a few Brazilians and Argentineans and you realize that not only the geographic location of the team is tricky. Last season was one of the team’s best (they ended third in 2000 and 2001). Internationally, their latest spell in the UEFA Cup was their most successful, knocking out Hapoel Tel Aviv and Lens before losing to Roma despite winning 1-0 at home. So beating them will not be easy.
Chance of Örebro winning: 35%
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