Unforgettable World Cup Match: Turkey vs Senegal 2002

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It was the first world cup I watched live. Turkey's finished the World Cup #3, South Korea overthrew Italy and Spain, Senegal's victory against France... Countries were showing unexpected performances that year. I was a child then, but I still remember those years very clearly. 2002 was a memorable year for everyone in Turkey whether they were adults, fans of soccer or not.

Football always takes first place on the agenda in Turkey. There is definitely a football club that everyone supports. The most famous of these are Fenerbahçe, Beşiktaş and Galatasaray. The fans of these teams are in an eternal competition. But when it comes to a national match, eternal friendships begin.

The world cup was in Korea and Japan that year. There was the time difference with Turkey. It was school time here while the matches were being played. Everyone would run away from school to watch the matches. The Turkey-Senegal match was the match that would determine who would be the semi-finals. Reaching the semifinals in the world cup is a success. Especially, it is a great success for a team that has reached these levels in the second time it joined the organization. That's why everyone in Turkey remembers those years. Big screens were set up in the streets and everyone was waiting for the match to begin. Before the match, we painted our faces completely red and white(The colors of Turkish flag) The match was completed 0-0. Golden goal would determine the result. With the goal scored by İlhan Mansız in 90+4 minutes, the whole country was up in the air. We were in the semi-finals. There was a great atmosphere. Those moments do not disappear from my sight for a moment. I can never forget that atmosphere. Maybe my passion for football is due to my moments in the world cup that year.


İlhan Mansız's Golden Goal:

In general, the 2002 world cup is one of the most memorable events for me. I am really happy to haved experience this atmosphere in 2002. I don't know if I will be able to experience another atmosphere like this for the rest of my life. We won matches with an overwhelming advantage over the Netherlands and Norway the other days. This reminded us of 2002 years. :)


In 2002, the most preferred hair style in Turkey

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Thanks to @worldoffootball , @njaywan and many others I haven't mentioned.