Turkish National Team star Nihat Kahveci knows Spanish football well. The striker currently makes his home at Villareal in La Liga and knows many of the players he'll face this weekend. The Milli Takım footballer knows the odds are against his team this weekend in Madrid, but he says the Turks won't be afraid of the reigning European champs.

No player is better prepared for this weekend's clash with Spain that Nihat Kahveci. The Villareal star gets a first-hand look at Spanish football each week. Türkiye will be the underdog Saturday, but Nihat thinks their "nothing to lose" attitude can help them win the match.

“It is true that it will be a very complicated match not just for us, but for any team who are in the same situation that we are in,” he told Spanish newspaper AS. “Spain is the best team in the world it will be very difficult to beat them. It is only logical thinking and we already know that in advance, but we do not have anything to lose."

With so many eyes of the world on them, Nihat believes Saturday's match could be a showcase game for his squad. “Playing in such an important ground as the Santiago Bernabeu, we have a chance to demonstrate how good a team we are and that we can make things complicated for any rival,” he said.

The Yellow Submarine star says his teammates will employ many of the same tactics that helped them make a deep run in Euro 2008. “We will stick to the same football philosophy that we showed at Euro 2008 which helped us achieve so much before going out in the semi-finals. We will play a game which will be convenient for us and we will remain true to our style.”

Nihat said the absence of Spanish star Andres Iniesta could be a huge factor in Saturday's game. “Iniesta is an important figure for Spain because of their playing style and he is an integral piece in [Vicente] del Bosque’s game plan. But I am sure that whoever replaces him will be just as good and we can’t afford to relax simply because he’s not playing."

He went on to say that while the Turks respect their European opponents, they won't be afraid this weekend in Madrid. “There will be a lot at stake in this match. It is logical to think that this will be a very decisive game against a rival who are at their peak. We have a lot of respect for Spain, but we do not fear them,” Nihat said.

(source:fenerbahceworldwide)

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Turkish National Team coach Fatih Terim knows his side has a tall task ahead of them over the next week. Türkiye will take on reigning European champs Spain twice in five days starting this weekend. Despite the lofty competition, Terim feels his side will be in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup next summer.

The next two matches will be crucial for Türkiye. A potential berth in the 2010 World Cup is on the line but the Turks must play European giants Spain twice in the next week. Nevertheless, coach Fatih Terim likes his team's chances to be in South Africa next summer.

"I think Spain will win the group, and we will be the runner up," Terim told Spanish sports daily Marca. "But we will be in the World Cup." The Turks play Spain in Madrid on Saturday, then will take on the Euro 2008 champs in Istanbul next Wednesday.

"We have the utmost respect for Spain, but we will not be afraid," Terim told the media outlet. "I am sure that we have a shot at winning. And any positive result will motivate my players to get better."

Terim told Marca that he's been scouting the Spaniards and believes he's found something his team can take advantage of. "They have their powerful sides, but I feel I found their weaknesses," said Terim. "We will try to exploit them."

(source:fenerbahceworldwide)

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Spanish National Team coach Vicente Del Bosque spoke with the press Tuesday about his team's upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The new Spain boss said his team fully respects their Turkish opponents and knows the challenge that awaits them this weekend. Del Bosque also talked about the inclusion of Fenerbahçe striker Dani Güiza and why he chose the struggling star in his current squad.

Vicente Del Bosque told Spanish TV network Veo7 Tuesday that his squad will have to battle if they are going to advance to the 2010 World Cup. Despite being the reigning European champions, the coach said his team takes nothing for granted. He also said his team respects the challenge they'll be presented by the Turks.

"Turkish football is in a constant uprise," Del Bosque said. "The footballers are like soldiers when it comes to the Milli Takım, and the nation is deeply connected to their teams. As a national team, they have a strong character and are very competitive. They are 11th in the FIFA world rankings currently and are 4th in Europe," he said.

Del Bosque stopped short of calling the Turks a threat to win the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The new Spanish boss said Portugal, Argentina, Brazil, Germany, and England are the most likely candidates to take home the trophy next summer.

The Spanish National Team coach said his side would be thrilled with a win and a draw against the Turks in their two upcoming meetings. "Of course four points is a good result," he said when asked about the scenario. Del Bosque commented that four points from the next two matches would almost certainly move them through to qualification.

Spain will be without Barcelona stars Andres Iniesta and Carles Puyol this weekend, something that concerns Del Bosque. "I hope we won't be affected by their absence. One thing is for sure, we might feel their absence when trying to get past a strong and dangerous team like Türkiye."

Del Bosque also defended his inclusion of striker Dani Güiza. The striker led La Liga in scoring last season with Mallorca, but the current Fenerbahçe star has struggled to find his form in Turkish football. "He played well against Bursaspor. His finishing touches are fine and he scored a typical goal, just on the border of an offside. Some say i picked him to help him out, but no, we picked him because of his footballing values," he said. "He completes the team, with Llorente, Torres and Villa. He helped us out against Belgium and he's an important member of the Spanish National Team."

Spain's new boss also talked about his predecessor, current Fenerbahçe coach Luis Aragones, who led the team to the Euro 2008 crown. "First of all, as a footballer and a coach he was one of my idols. He was an example for all of us. We're not in the same generation, but we've always been interacting with each other," Del Bosque said.

(fenerbahceworldwide)

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Former Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini is again being linked with a move to Fenerbahçe. Fenerbahçe Worldwide reported on February 24 that Mancini could be a possible summer replacement for Luis Aragones if the club decides to make a move after the season. Now Turkish and Italian sources are again discussing the possibility of the Italian coach taking over.

According to various Turkish and Italian sources, Mancini is on Fenerbahçe's shortlist as a potential replacement for Luis Aragones. Fans and sources close to the club are putting the heat on the Spanish general as the team continues to slide in league play.

Mancini is the second coach being discussed this week, as Fenerbahçe Worldwide reported on Monday that former coach Christoph Daum is being rumoured as a possible replacement as well. Turkish newspaper Sabah and Fenerbahçe Worldwide reported last month that Mancini is being considered for the Canaries' position.

The 44-year-old Mancini resigned from Inter Milan last season after their knockout in the UEFA Champions League. He won three Italian titles with the club. He also coached fellow Italian sides Lazio and Fiorentina before joining Inter Milan.

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Turkish National Team coach Fatih Terim spoke with the media on Tuesday and stated that his team has a number of injuries ahead of this weekend's match. He won't get much sympathy from his counterpart on the Spain sideline, however. Spanish coach Vicente Del Bosque told reporters Tuesday that his side will also be without several key players this weekend.

According to Del Bosque, Barcelona stars Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez will both likely miss this weekend's World Cup qualifier with Türkiye. Both were injured in La Liga play against Malaga recently. Iniesta is also expected to miss next weekend's match against the Turks as well with a torn muscle in his right leg. Del Bosque has gone with Juan Manuel Mata as his replacement in the squad.

Hernandez is currently in the Spanish team's camp, but he is undergoing medical test and evaluations to see if he'll be fit to play in either match against the Turks. Additionally, Barcelona defender Carles Puyol is out for this weekend's match due to injury. David Silva, Gerard Pique, and David Villa are all dealing with minor injuries of their own as well. However, all three are expected to see playing time Saturday against Türkiye.

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The Milli Takım completed their first training Tuesday to prepare for their upcoming clash against Spain. The team is in Madrid and training at the Real Madrid practice facilities this week. Coach Fatih Terim said his team is facing a number of issues that has him concerned headed into Saturday's match.

Terim spoke with reporters Tuesday following the team's first training session to prepare for Spain. He stated that the squad is facing a number of injury concerns prior to the match. Villareal star Nihat Kahveci is recovering from injury, while Gökhan Ünal and Fenerbahçe star Gökhan Gönül are both dealing with minor injury issues. Bayern Munich star Hamit Altıntop was also ruled out of this weekend's match on Tuesday.

Terim also said his team has some psychological concerns related to club teams dealing with poor results this season. The Turkish boss said he's developed two different squads for this weekend based on injury concerns and player development.

"There are two legs to be played against Spain and all the points we can add up are important," Terim told reporters on Tuesday. "We don't have fear in our dictionary. We deleted the word from our dictionaries many years ago. We will never go out on the field in fear; even if we lose we won't hold back," he said.

Terim also told reporters that while he's confident about his team's chances, their qualification hopes aren't hinging solely on the next two results. "Worst case scenario, even if we lose both matches against Spain, we won't have lost our chance to go to the finals. We will win our next four matches and take the Türk Milli Takımı to where it deserves to go," he said.

The coach is also excited about the atmosphere for this weekend's match. "It will be a historical moment. Not everyone gets to play at the Santiago Bernebau Stadium."

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Turkish National Team star Hamit Altıntop is out of this weekend's match against Spain, according to team officials. The Bayern Munich star was injured recently in Bundesliga play and could potentially miss both World Cup qualifying matches against Spain.

Altıntop suffered an injury two weeks ago in a game agaist Hannover 96. Turkish National Team medical staff originally thought he would be able to compete this weekend, but Coach Fatih Terim has ruled him out for Saturday's match.

The Bayern star underwent medical tests and evaluations after arriving in Spain, but team doctors said he would not be fully fit before Saturday. Altıntop will now return to Germany and continue his recovery with Bayern Munich medical staff.

Turkish medical staff are expected to communicate with Bayern doctors throughout the week to decide if Hamit Altıntop will be available for next week's match. A decision on his status for that match is expected to be made in the coming days.

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