Zeki Rıza Sporel

Infobox Football biography
playername = Zeki Rıza Sporel


fullname = Zeki Rıza Sporel
dateofbirth = 1898
cityofbirth = Istanbul
countryofbirth = Turkey
dateofdeath = 1969
cityofdeath =
countryofdeath = Turkey
height =
position = Striker
youthyears = 1912–1915
youthclubs = Fenerbahçe S.K.
years = 1915–1934
clubs = Fenerbahçe S.K.
caps(goals) = 702 (591)
nationalyears = 1923–1934
nationalteam = Turkey
nationalcaps(goals) = 0150(15)

Zeki Rıza Sporel (1898-1969) was a famous Turkish football player. He plied his trade at the striker position for Fenerbahçe S.K. and the Turkey national football team. His career started in the Fenerbahçe youth teams until he was promoted to the senior team. Zeki spent his entire career with the club, setting numerous records. He was also a forerunner for Turkey, becoming the first player to score for the team.

He is also younger brother of Hasan Kamil Sporel who played and been president of Fenerbahçe S.K. [ [http://www.fenerbahce.org/kurumsaldetay.asp?ContentID=18 Fenerbahçe past presidents] ]

Early life & club career

Born in Istanbul in 1898, Zeki's career began in the Fenerbahçe youth system, where he spent three years. He was promoted to the senior squad during the 1915-16 season at the age of eighteen. His left foot was dominant, as he scarcely used his right foot and his head. Zeki set many scoring records at Fenerbahçe, including most goals, most goals in a single match, and fastest goal. On February 12, 1931, Zeki scored a record eight goals in a match as Fenerbahçe won 16-0. His prolific goal-scoring ability led him to be affectionately named "Üstad" (The Master). The entirety of his career was spent at Fenerbahçe, retiring in 1934 after eighteen years of service. Zeki's final goal record was 470 goals in 332 matches.cite web| url=http://www.fenerbahcecumhuriyeti.org/Efsane_Zeki_Riza_Sporel.asp | title=Zeki Rıza Sporel | work=FenerbahceCumhuriyeti.org | accessdate=2007-06-18 tr icon]

International career

A member of the first Turkish national football team, Zeki played and scored in the country's first international match against Romania. He rounded off the performance with a second goal in the other half.cite web| url=http://www.angelfire.com/nj/sivritepe/2324/znta.html | title=1923-1924 | work=Walter Verani, Erdinç Sivritepe and Turkish Soccer | date=1999-09-12 | accessdate=2007-06-18] Winning sixteen caps, Zeki led the team ten times while scoring 15 goals. ]

Honours

*Istanbul Football League (4): 1920–21, 1922–23, 1929–30, 1932–33
*Istanbul Friday League (2): 1920–21, 1922–23
*Istanbul Shield (1): 1930
*General Harrington Cup (1): 1923

References