Yüksel Yıldırım: The Samsunspor legend is coming back

Samsunspor defeated Dynamo Kyiv 3-0 in the second week of the UEFA Conference League. Following the match, Samsunspor President Yüksel Yıldırım spoke to the press. President Yıldırım said, "I thank the great Samsunspor fans. 13,800 fans came to the stadium today to support us. We wish there were more, but this is how it happened. They supported us for 90 minutes. In return for this support, I'm proud of my team and players, and they created an incredible atmosphere. Today, we gave Türkiye another night of pride as Samsunspor. When we got here, no one believed in us or gave us a chance. What is Samsunspor doing going to Europe? They'll be eliminated, this will happen, that will happen. I'll say, to those who think that, to bury the hatchet. Because we are truly creating a legend here. We work hard, we do things deliberately. The transfers we make are showing on the field today. We said we weren't signing star players. We're signing players who will become stars. Everyone watched today what a team Samsunspor is. I was incredibly proud of my players, my fans, my coach. I'm incredibly happy. We're in a European competition after 27 years. The first match was at home, and we finished the first leg with a clear 3-0 scoreline. This will continue. Let me tell you. If we can get through the match in Malta without incident, we'll make it three out of three and secure a spot in the next round with 9 points, but Samsunspor has a goal here. We've built the squad for this goal, both in the league and in Europe. We said our first goal in Europe was to reach the last 24 and then the last 16. Maybe if things continue like this, we're aiming for a top-eight finish now. We've set our sights high. Galatasaray's 3-1 victory yesterday, Fenerbahçe's 1-0 victory today, and Samsun's 3-0 victory. So, these three teams earned 9 points for our country," he said.

'SAMSUNSPOR LEGEND IS COMING BACK'

President Yıldırım, noting that the first match could be exciting, said, "I was hoping for a 1-0 victory. I was actually willing to accept a 1-0 victory. Then you're playing an opponent like Dynamo Kyiv. They've been eliminated by the champions and then eliminated again. They've been playing in Europe for years. These are teams that have made a name for themselves in Europe. Samsunspor's first two matches were very difficult, and today, we kept a clean sheet and scored four goals. This shows that my management and team are doing some things right. The players have become an incredible family. I spoke with them before the match and wished them all the best. They said, with hope, 'President, we'll do what's necessary.' I'd like to thank every single one of the great Samsunspor fans who came and supported us at this hour of the night. I had a meeting with TFF President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu about football. He called me about the stadiums where the Super Cup matches will be played. He said, 'I'm coming to Samsun. I want to watch the match.'" I was surprised and said, "President, then let's come together. Be my guest. Honor me." And we'd send a message to the football world, and especially to the Samsun-Trabzon friendship. He came here today with five businessmen from Trabzon. Also with me was Davos Süker, the former President of the Croatian Football Federation. Ali Ağaoğlu is my older brother. I love him. We watched the match together. President İbrahim is a president who will come running to anyone for Turkish football; he has no ego. We were incredibly happy watching the Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe match. That's who I am; I support whichever Turkish team plays in Europe. We will pursue both sides and go all the way. The Samsunspor legend is coming back." (DHA)