Month: February 2018

Wales. The Cup final pretty much the best Welsh football had to offer – no English club reached the final, Wrexham vs Swansea City. Wrexham in good shape and Swansea struggling in First Division. Still class got the upper hand – the Swans won both final legs: 2-1 and 2-0.

Like their opponents, Wrexham had to compensate for a rather weak season – but they were 3rd division team playing against 1st division one. Still, they played bravely.

Swansea really had to win the Cup – objectively, they were much stronger than Wrexham and subjectively needed to compensate for their troubles in the championship. The squad was transitional – John Toshack started rebuilding and although notable veterans were recruited (Ray Kennedy and Jimmy Rimmer), mostly youngsters played. Naturally, the new team suffered in the championship, but it was strong enough to win the Welsh Cup for third consecutive year. Alas, this was the end of the arguably greatest period in the club’s history – but ended in style.

The Cup final opposed Fenerbahce to lowly Mersin Idmanyurdu. Galatasaray and Besiktas – empty-handed and Fenerbahce with good chance for a double. Or not? The rise of the underdog in the Europe affected Turkey as well. To a point… Fenerbahce won both legs of the final – 2-0 and 2-1.

Mersin did what they could, but it was unequal battle even before the start: lowly, just promoted from Second Division team against one of the mightiest clubs, which was also in perfect form. Mersin lost, but there was no shame or blame. And because Fenerbahce was also the league champion, Mersin was going to play in the Cup Winners Cup – great! Relegated and going to play in Europe – weird fate.

Standing from left: Selçuk Yula, Hasan, Nurettin, Müjdat,Cem, Alpaslan.

Crouching: Erdoğan Arıca, Arif, Bulgar Mehmet, Önder, Osman.

Double winners – what a great season. And a good blow to the arch-rivals! Hardly the strongest team or season, but overall winners nevertheless. One rather curious player, listed here as Bulgar Mehmet – the young talent was born in 1959 in Bulgaria, hence the nickname. In reality he is Mehmet Hacioglu.