The Ziraat Turkish Cup Final will witness a struggle between two of Turkey's biggest powerhouses today as both sides look to find consolation after disappointing seasons. Galatasaray, who had one of the worst seasons in their history, will find relief in their Ziraat Cup challenge. And the same goes for Fenerbahçe. Since losing the league title to Beşiktaş two weeks' ago, there is one hope for a trophy left: the Ziraat Cup. Victory in the Ziraat Cup has taken on renewed importance this season for Galatasaray. The Yellow-Reds failed to qualify for European competition after they finished the season in sixth. They couldn't have played in Europe anyway next year due to European football's governing body UEFA having imposed a one-year ban on Galatasaray for not complying with financial fair play terms.
The UEFA Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) adjudicatory chamber made the ruling on the Turkish club. So the Galatasaray administration is aiming to serve the ban this year by gaining the right to participate in the UEFA Europa League. UEFA said Galatasaray will be excluded from the Champions League and Europa League if they qualify either this season or next. Galatasaray are sitting outside the qualifying places for next season's Champions League and Europa League. So the Ziraat Cup will ensure Galatasaray serves the ban during the next Europa League.
Galatasaray coach Jan Riekerink said, "The match against Fenerbahçe is a good opportunity for us. We must win this match both for European tournaments and for our fans. The derby will be a hard game. So our players must be more aggressive but avoid unnecessary reactions and being shown cards.
"I'm very excited because I will be a part of this historic experience. We did not have a good season. So we must at least give a cup to our fans."
Fenerbahçe coach Vitor Pereira said, "The Ziraat Cup is important for both team considering their disappointments. "Galatasaray had a bad season and we lost the title. Now the cup is very important for us. Because we don't want to close the season without a cup. The final will be very difficult for both teams."
Meanwhile, UEFA has suspended Fenerbahçe player Volkan Şen from club competition until the end of December for pushing a referee after he was sent off in a Europa League match against Braga. Şen's ban starts when Fenerbahçe enters the third qualifying round of the Champions League in July.
Şen pushed Croatian referee Ivan Bebek on the right arm after being shown a second yellow card in stoppage time of Fenerbahçe's 4-1 loss in March. Braga advanced 4-2 on aggregate. Three Fenerbahçe players were sent off at Braga, and UEFA has banned midfielder Alper Potuk for three matches. UEFA fined the Turkish club 15,000 euros for improper conduct.
