Semih Şentürk


Semih Şentürk is a Turkish retired professional footballer who played as a striker. He has spent most of his club career at Fenerbahçe having risen through the ranks of the Fenerbahçe youth team. He scored 63 goals in 56 games for the youth team and was subsequently called up to the first team. His goalscoring exploits increased hopes among the supporters that Semih could be the future of the Fenerbahçe attacking line. Indeed, he managed to become something of a regular fixture in the team during the 2007–08 campaign, in which he scored 17 goals and finished the season as Süper Lig's top scorer. His more prominent role in the team was rewarded after he was named as the vice-captain of the team in 2007 after the departure of the former captains Ümit Özat and Tuncay.
He secured an away victory in the 2nd round of the Champions League qualifiers, guaranteeing a place for his team in the third knockout phase of the Champions League. His four goals against MTK Budapest on 6 August 2008 meant that Semih became only the second Turkish player after Fethi Heper to score four goals in a single European match. Also he is a member of the leader fan group Genç Fenerbahçeliler. In 2008, he signed his first extension contract keeping him at the club until May 2010. In 2011, he signed another contract extension which will keep him at the club until 2014.
Şentürk was called up the Turkey team following his successful performances in the 2007–08 season. He wears the number 9 shirt, which was previously worn by the Turkish football legend Hakan Şükür. Şentürk was selected as part of the squad for the finals of the European Championships in 2008. On 11 June he came on as a substitute in the 46th minute and in the 57th minute of Turkey's second Group A match against Switzerland, he scored the equaliser with a powerful header outjumping the Swiss defence and beating the goalkeeper, even though he got a hand on it. In the quarter-finals match versus Croatia, Şentürk saved the Turkish squad from a late 1–0 defeat to Croatia, scoring a last-second equalizer in the 120+1-minute, now holding the record for scoring the latest goal in a European Championship tournament.

Club career

Semih has spent his entire club career at Fenerbahçe having risen through the ranks of the Fenerbahçe youth team. He scored 63 goals in 56 games for the youth team and was subsequently called up to the first team. His goalscoring exploits increased hopes among the supporters that Semih could be the future of the Fenerbahçe attacking line. Indeed, he managed to become something of a regular fixture in the team during the 2007–08 campaign, in which he scored 17 goals and finished the season as Süper Lig's top scorer. His more prominent role in the team was rewarded after he was named as the Vice-captain of the team in 2007 after the departure of the former captains Ümit Özat and Tuncay. He secured an away victory in the 2nd round of the Champions League qualifiers, guaranteeing a place for his team in the third knockout phase of the Champions League. His four goals against MTK Budapest on 6 August 2008 meant that Semih became only the second Turkish player after Fethi Heper to score four goals in a single European match. Also he is a member of the leader fan group Genç Fenerbahçeliler. On 19 June 2013 Semih leaves the Fenerbahçe. On 26 January 2014, Semih scored his first goal for his new team Antalyaspor. Later on, he played for İstanbul Başakşehir and Eskişehirspor.

International career

Şentürk was called up the Turkey team following his successful performances in the 2007–08 season. He wears the number 9 shirt, which was previously worn by Turkish football legend Hakan Şükür. Şentürk was selected as part of the squad for the finals of the European Championships in 2008. On 11 June he came on as a substitute in the 46th minute and in the 57th minute of Turkey's second Group A match against Switzerland, he scored the equaliser with a powerful header outjumping the Swiss defence and beating the goalkeeper, even though he got a hand on it. In the quarter-finals match versus Croatia, Şentürk saved the Turkish squad from a late 1–0 defeat to Croatia, scoring a last-second equalizer in the 120+1-minute, now holding the record for scoring the latest goal in a European Championship tournament. Just three minutes after Croatia's goal, Turkish goalkeeper Rüştü Reçber cleared an offside free-kick long into Pletikosa's area, giving Şentürk the opportunity to score with a powerful left-foot shot. Turkey went on to win the subsequent penalty shoot-out 3–1 and advance to semi-finals. Semih successfully converted the second spotkick. The semi-finals match against Germany turned out to have a thriller ending in which Şentürk played a key role. In the 86th minute, just 7 minutes after of Klose's goal , Şentürk took a low cross provided by teammate Sabri Sarıoğlu and steered in the crucial equalizer. However, his side went on to be defeated as Germany's left-back Philipp Lahm managed to score a decisive goal in the 90th minute, which knocked out Turkey from the competition. Upon the end of the competition, Şentürk received many plaudits for his last minute heroics, with the press labeling him as the super-sub of the tournament.

Career statistics

Player

International

International goals

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.
29 May 2008
MSV-Arena, Duisburg, Germany2 – 02–0Friendly
2.
11 June 2008
St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland1 – 12–1UEFA Euro 2008
3.
20 June 2008
Ernst Happel Stadion, Wien, Austria1 – 11–1UEFA Euro 2008
4.
25 June 2008
St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland2 – 22–3UEFA Euro 2008
5.
6 September 2008
Hrazdan Stadium, Yerevan, Armenia0 – 20–22010 FIFA World Cup qualification
6.
1 April 2009
Ali Sami Yen Stadium, İstanbul, Turkey1 – 01–22010 FIFA World Cup qualification
7.
26 May 2010
Veterans Stadium, New Britain, Connecticut2 – 02–0Friendly
8.
7 September 2010
Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, İstanbul, Turkey2 – 13–2UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying

Honours

Fenerbahçe