UPDATE 1-Soccer-Galatasaray wrest title back from Fenerbahce

Sat May 10, 2008 8:12pm BST
 
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By Daren Butler

ISTANBUL, May 10 (Reuters) - Galatasaray won the Turkish league title for the 17th time on Saturday with a 2-0 win against Genclerbirligi Oftas, wresting the championship back from their Istanbul rivals Fenerbahce. The victory in the final match of the season lifted Galatasaray to 79 points, six ahead of second-placed Fenerbahce, who lost 2-0 at Trabzonspor.

Galatasaray fans poured into Istanbul's streets, singing club songs, sounding car horns and waving red-and-yellow flags after the final whistle at the club's ageing Ali Sami Yen stadium, where 20,000 supporters watched the team parade the trophy.

Galatasaray took the lead in the 36th minute when Arda Turan sped down the right wing and crossed for veteran striker Hakan Sukur to score with a simple tap-in.

Defender Hakan Balta made it 2-0 just before halftime with a powerful volley from outside the penalty area.

Galatasaray's success came as a surprise to many, with injuries depriving the club of two key foreign players this season - Tobias Linderoth and Lincoln.

The club has also been rocked by internal strife which prompted German coach Karl-Heinz Feldkamp to resign at the start of April, citing differences with the management.

Cevat Guler took over in a caretaker role but it is not clear who will take the helm next season, when both Galatasaray and Fenerbahce will represent Turkey in the Champions League.  Continued...

 

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