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Real Madrid’s Arda Güler and Borussia Dortmund’s Salih Özkan can end one of football’s great “curses” that still linger on at Wembley on June 1.
According to UEFA, 619 players from 52 different countries have played and won the Champions League/Euro Cup finals so far. However, there are no Turks among them.
Countries with the most players who have played and won the European Championship finals:
- Spain: 78
- Italy: 72
- England: 69
- Germany: 65
- Netherlands: 52
- Brazil: 43
- Portugal: 42
- France: 34
- Scotland: 26
- Argentina: 12
- Romania: 12
Greece leads
So far, four Turks have reached the final but have had bad luck. Nevertheless, Greece is still far ahead as the country with the most representatives who have participated in the final but not won (12).
Yildire Basturk
The first Turk to try was Yıldıray Bastürk. The former No. 10 of Leverkusen was worn in the final of the 2001-02 season against Real Madrid (1-2).
Hamit Altintop
It was the turn of another German-born Turk: Hamit Altintop.
He played in the final of the 2009-10 season, when Bayern Munich lost to Inter Milan at the Bernabéu (0-2). The former Real Madrid player started the first 11 games but was replaced by Klose in the 63rd minute.
Nuri Sahin
Third, there is a name who was born in Germany and also transferred from Real Madrid. Nuri Sahin, who is currently in Terzic’s team, will play against Real Madrid at Wembley. In the 2012-13 season, he came on as a substitute in the final when Dortmund lost to Bayern Munich (1-2); in the 92nd minute, he replaced Sven Bender.
Hakan Çalhanoulu
Another German-Turk who ends the list is Hakan Çalhanoğlu. The “Regista” of Inter Milan could have ended the curse in Istanbul last season. He started the first 11 games and stayed on the pitch for 84 minutes. However, he failed to prevent the loss to Manchester City (1-0) at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium.
Ada Güler vs Saleh Ozkan
The two new Turks, Salih Özcan and Arda Güler, have the chance to end the special “Turkish passion” in the Champions League.
It depends on Terzic and Ancelotti to give them time at Wembley. Ozcan has played 439 minutes in the Champions League so far. However, he did not play in the semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
On the other hand, Guler has not played in the Champions League this season. He also has a clear advantage in breaking the curse: unlike his predecessor, he is the only player born in Turkey.
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