Back
26.07.2017Bayer 04

Our next opponents: Antalyaspor

Antalyaspor are not yet one of the big names in Turkish football. But that could soon change. The club from the Mediterranean city are on the march – thanks in part to notable names in the squad. Bayer 04 will able to experience that quality on Thursday when the Werkself take on the side that finished fifth in the Süper Lig last season at the Alois Latini Stadium in Zell am See (1830 CET). The match will be broadcast live on bayer04.de.
Livestreem_Bayer04_Antalyaspor.jpg

The Turkish team, who are currently preparing for the new campaign in nearby Leogang, will be playing their second of three friendlies against German opposition. On Sunday they drew 1-1 with second division Erzgebirge Aue and, after the game against the Werkself, Antalyaspor will finish their training camp with a match against Hamburg SV on Sunday.

Antalyaspor Kulübu, to give the club its full name, was founded in 1966 and for a long time has been up and down in the top two Turkish divisions. The last promotion to the Süper Lig was only two years ago. The club has been reorganised since then. Businessman Gültekin Gencer took over the role as president and invested a lot of money in his hometown club. That has been used to make some star signings – above all Samuel Eto'o. The Cameroonian, who won the Champions League three times with Barcelona and Inter Milan, is the marquee player and captain of Antalyaspor. The 36-year-old striker, who was voted African footballer of the year four times, still has ambitions in the holiday paradise on the Turkish Riviera in the autumn of his career.

Werder Bremen in the UEFA Cup

The fifth-place finish for Antalyaspor last term represents the best season in the club's history and they narrowly missed out on qualifying for Europe. The next opponents for the Werkself have appeared three times on the European stage in the club's history: In the 1990s the club took part twice in the now-defunct UI Cup and in 2000 – with the German players Mauricio Gaudino and Dirk Schuster in the squad and Rüdiger Abramcik as coach - they qualified for the UEFA Cup (now Europa League) by appearing in the Turkish domestic cup final. That is the biggest success for Antalyaspor to date. They were drawn against Werder Bremen in the first round but a surprising 2-0 win in the first leg was overturned in the return match at the Weser Stadium with a 6-0 mauling and an early exit from the competition.

The team, coached by the former Turkey international Riza Calimbay, are looking to return to the European stage as soon as possible. That's why the captain Eto'o has notable support up front: The Frenchman Jérémy Ménez recently left Girondins Bordeaux for Antalya. The 30-year-old has previously played in attack for Monaco, Roma, Paris St Germain and AC Milan as well as appearing for France in the 2012 European Championships. Other well-known names in the Turkish team's squad are the 18-time Brazil international Sandro, the former FC Nürnberg player Ondrej Celustka as well as central striker Deniz Kadah, who grew up in Germany and played five times in the Bundesliga for Hannover 96 in 2013.

Related News

crop_JS1_7955.jpg
Bundesliga - 14.09.2024

Matchday news #TSGB04: Kitted out to Sinsheim, plus NYC watch party

Bayer 04 are away at Hoffenheim for Bundesliga Matchday 3 on Saturday, 14 September. Here’s all you need to know ahead of today’s game at the PreZero Arena, which kicks off at 3.30pm CEST.

Show more
Selina Ostermeier im Training
Women - 13.09.2024

Women’s preview ahead of opening home match against Eintracht Frankfurt

After two away games at the start of the 2024/25 season, the Bayer 04 Women's team now have their first match of the campaign on home turf. The team led by head coach Roberto Pätzold entertain last season's third-place finishers Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday, 15 September (kick-off: 14.00 CEST).

Show more
Die Pressekonferenz vor #TSGB04 | 3. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 13.09.2024

Alonso ahead of #TSGB04: Werkself "express preparation" after international break

For the Werkself, attention now turns to the forthcoming challenge in the Bundesliga following the international break. Bayer 04 are away to TSG Hoffenheim on matchday three on Saturday, 14 September (kick-off: 1530 CEST). Ahead of the clash at the PreZero Arena, head coach Xabi Alonso talked about the short time to prepare, the opponents and his own squad.

Show more
Loreen Bender
Women - 13.09.2024

U20 Women's World Cup: Leverkusen duo through to quarter-finals

Loreen Bender and Sofie Zdebel are through to the quarter-finals of the U20 World Cup with Germany in Colombia. Both Bayer 04 players started in the 5-1 victory over Argentina with Bender scoring one goal and providing an assist.

Show more
Trauerfeier Christoph Daum
Bayer 04 - 13.09.2024

Emotional memorial service for Christoph Daum

A farewell to former Werkself head coach Christoph Daum at a big memorial service on Thursday afternoon. Bayer 04, VfB Stuttgart and FC Köln took part in a joint memorial event at the Rhein Energie Stadion in Cologne. Amongst the many guests from the world of sport and the circles of family and friends was sporting managing director Simon Rolfes. Daum, who led the Werkself to three runners-up finishes and three UEFA Champions League campaigns between 1996 and 2000, passed away at the age of 70 at the end of August.

Show more