Besiktas vs Galatasaray Football Match

After Dustin and I parted I made my way to meet up with Onur and Emilia. Together we grabbed some brunch before making our way out to Lexie's for some socializing before the football match between Besiktas and Galatasaray.  A little prelude to this game first: this is a derby match (teams from the same area), Besiktas is the home team and no visitors from the opposing team are allowed in the stadium, Besiktas' field is under construction, so the Ataturk Olympic Stadium is being used for the Besiktas home games, and people at work were surprised I was going to this game.

Anyways, fast forward here a bit, arriving in our taxis to the stadium I was blown away by the sheer size. I read the stadium holds approximately 76,000.  This game was completely sold out and many more got in.  In general I thought the teams both played poorly, but the fans made up for that in more than one way.  The chants, flags and actions done by the fans gave me goose bumps.

Besiktas fan club getting revved up near the brunch location

 Onur

 Emilia

 Go Besiktas!!

 Ataturk Olymic Stadium- WOW it's big

 Fans with flags

 Traditional Besiktas song with Eagle Claws

 Kick Off!

Besiktas Goooooooooal!

 Celebrate with flares, duh

Unfortunately, Besiktas and from the a riot broke out. Thankfully I was on the side of the stand that did not storm the pitch.  I was not pleased with the actions of the Basiktas fans but this was an experience.

I'll attend another games, just maybe not Besiktas games :)