No
change of status quo at all – if Fenerbahce and Besiktas competed
for the title, Galatasaray and Trabzonspor competed for the Cup, the
leading 4 clubs dominating all tournaments. And just as the
championships was tough and dramatic battle, the Cup final was as
well. The opponents were well matched, none giving up a inch. A lot
was at stake – the trophy itself, naturally, but also the last
Turkish European spot - there were only three, so one team
inevitably was out, and also a chance for both ambitious teams to win
a trophy, to save the season. Galatasaray won the first leg 2-1, but
away, prevailing in the hostile Trabzon. The second leg was scoreless
and the Cup was theirs.
Trabzonspor
was left emptyhanded this season, which was not exactly great for
this fine squad. Standing from left: Necati Özçağlayan, Şenol
Güneş, Tuncay, Şenol Ustaömer, Hasan Vezir, Güngör Şahinkaya.
First row: Turgay Semercioğlu, Kemal Serdar, Osman Denizci, Lemi
Çelik, Hasan Şengün.
Yes,
a good number of Turkish stars were playing for Trabzon, but times
were changing – having foreign talent was becoming a must. May be
that was the little difference giving the edge to Istanbul-based
rivals. May be Trabzonspor had to change its approach – competing
with the rich and mighty Istanbul clubs was not easy anyway.
A
club like Galatasaray cannot be really toothless even when having
so-so season. Winning the Cup was fine compensation for the weak
season and the heads were proudly up again. It was not an easy
victory, but a victory it was and at least for the fans the drama of
the final is enjoyable. It was also satisfying finish for Abramczik,
who was not to play for Galatasaray any more. On the other hand, it
was getting tiring to see the same clubs winning every year. Well,
just tell that to Galatasaray fans...
