Türkiye’s weekly sports roundup: Football, Basketball, and Tennis shine on the global stage

Türkiye’s sporting calendar was packed this week, with football, basketball, and tennis delivering excitement for fans nationwide. From Süper Lig derbies to international basketball qualifiers and tennis tournaments in Antalya, the country’s athletes showcased resilience and talent across multiple disciplines.

In football, the national team continued its World Cup qualifying campaign with mixed results. On Nov. 15, Türkiye secured a convincing 2-0 victory over Bulgaria in Bursa, thanks to goals from Enes Ünal and Cengiz Ünder. Just three days later, the squad traveled to Seville, where they held Spain to a dramatic 2-2 draw. Analysts praised the team’s defensive organization and counter-attacking play, noting that Türkiye’s younger players are stepping up in crucial moments.

The Süper Lig also delivered drama. The Istanbul derby between Beşiktaş and Fenerbahçe ended in a thrilling 3-2 win for Fenerbahçe, with Marco Asensio scoring a decisive stoppage-time goal. Galatasaray, meanwhile, was held to a goalless draw against Trabzonspor, keeping the title race tight. With only a few points separating the top three clubs, pundits predict one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory.

Basketball fans turned their attention to Türkiye’s national team, which faced Bosnia and Herzegovina in a crucial FIBA World Cup qualifier. Alperen Şengün continued his breakout performances, averaging 21.6 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. Supported by Cedi Osman’s perimeter shooting and Shane Larkin’s playmaking, the team demonstrated depth and versatility. Victories earlier in the month against Poland, Sweden, and Serbia highlighted Türkiye’s ability to balance inside scoring with perimeter threats, making them strong contenders in the group stage.

Domestic basketball also saw action, with Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahçe Beko battling in the Turkish Basketball Super League. Anadolu Efes secured a narrow 89-85 win, led by Vasilije Micić’s 24 points. The victory keeps Efes at the top of the standings, while Fenerbahçe remains close behind, setting up a fierce rivalry for the remainder of the season.

On the tennis front, Antalya hosted the European Masters Club Championships earlier this month, drawing a record 573 players from 116 clubs across 16 nations. The event, held at Megasaray Club Belek, underscored Türkiye’s growing role in international tennis. In addition, the ITFFS Antalya Wheelchair Tennis Tournament took place from Nov. 20–23, emphasizing inclusivity and Türkiye’s commitment to diverse sporting events. Rising Turkish players such as İpek Öz and Cem İlkel also competed in Challenger and ITF events, gaining valuable international experience.

Sports analysts noted that Türkiye’s investment in tennis infrastructure is paying off, with Antalya and Istanbul becoming regular hosts for ATP and WTA events. The growing popularity of tennis among young athletes is expected to strengthen the country’s presence on the global stage in the coming years.

Looking ahead, football fans anticipate Türkiye’s upcoming qualifiers in December, where the team will face Romania and Croatia. Basketball supporters are eager for the continuation of the FIBA group stage, while tennis enthusiasts await the winter indoor tournaments scheduled in Istanbul. With momentum building across all three sports, Türkiye’s athletes are poised to close the year on a high note.

Overall, the week highlighted Türkiye’s sporting diversity: football victories boosting national morale, basketball stars preparing for global competition, and tennis events strengthening the country’s international profile. Analysts agree that the combination of domestic league excitement and international success is reinforcing Türkiye’s reputation as a rising sports powerhouse.

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The initiative is overseen by a parliamentary commission chaired by Kurtulmuş. The panel is set to convene on Dec. 4 to review findings from a delegation that visited jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan on the İmralı prison island earlier this week.

"We are consigning the issue of terrorism, which imperial projects use as pawns and see as a proxy for policies of division and fragmentation, to history, never to be revived again.”

The ceremony at Çukurova University was attended by Adana Governor Yavuz Selim Köşger, deputies from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), as well as academics and students.

"We are now leaving behind the scourge of terrorism, which has shackled the 50 years of our republic, preventing this country from moving forward and preventing its people from forming the world’s strongest nation in unity,” he said.

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