trabzonspor are a relatively new club in the turkish soccer scene, and have none of the glitter and fame, or the resources, of the three big istanbul clubs, fenerbahçe, galatasaray and besiktas which dominated for more than 40 years.
yet, despite his brief history, trabzonspor are now the most consistent soccer club in turket. they are the current league champions, of course, and they only just failed to clinch the double, losing to galatasaray in the cup final. but they won two other cups, accounting for both galatasaray and fenerbahce.
established in 1967, trabzonspor spent one year in the third division, won promotion to the second-then spent seven years before emerging as champions and joing the big-timers in the first divison.
they then smashes all known recors by winning the league championship the followinf year, and they have been heading the table this season.
managed by former turkish soccer star ahmet suat özyazici, trabzonspor owe their success to the loyalty of their players for their club colours (claret and blue).
the manager is from the city of trabzon, an eastern black sea town with a population of 200.000, where soccer has been main topic of conversation in cafes, clubs and barber shops for the past six years. almost every player is from the city itself or from surrounding towns and vilages, and the club's strenght lies mainly with the concept of producing star players from among local lads, rather than buying lavishly from other clubs.
trabzonspor are rated the most skilful and attractive side in the turkish first division and, despite the players lack of european soccer experience, they are a difficult team to beat, in front of their own fanatical suporters.
after their 1-0 victory in the first leg, they will come to anfield hoping to hold liverpool to a draw.
