With the disappointment of both Turkish teams getting knocked out in the Europa League, it was back to business as usual. Week 23 of the Turkcell Super League season was another one of those weeks where things seemed to be business as usual. Some teams would be disappointed, some teams would feel elated.

Week 22 of the Turkcell Super League can also be considered a pivotal point in the season. An important Istanbul derby was going to determine bragging rights, but perhaps if the leaders would be in the driver's seat to the title. An important top of the table clash was in the cards in an important for position for European competition.

The national team schedule for the qualifiers for the Euro 2012 tournament has been determined. The schedule is as follows:

• September 3, 2010: Kazakhstan – Turkey
  
• September 7, 2010: Turkey – Belgium
  
• October 8, 2010: Germany – Turkey
  
• October 12, 2010: Azerbaijan – Turkey
  
• March 29, 2011: Turkey – Austria
  
• June 3, 2011: Belgium – Turkey
  
• September 6, 2011: Austria – Turkey
  
• October 7, 2011: Turkey – Germany
  
• October 11, 2011: Turkey – Azerbaijan
  

Perhaps the hardest team to get the wins from will be Germany.

It has been reported from various sources that Galatasaray players Caner Erkin and Elano have injuries that will prevent them from playing in the Beşiktaş-Galatasaray derby on Sunday. If true, then it would be a huge blow for Galatasaray. Elano has been the playmaker on this club and Caner Erkin has been a capable winger for Galatasaray.

The Turkish national team will be playing a couple of exhibition games in the United States coming up in May. On May 22nd, Turkey will be playing the Czech Republic in a rematch from the heralded Euro 2008 group stage match at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. On May 29th, Turkey will be playing the United States at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

It has been confirmed, through various sources, that the Turkish Football Federation has agreed in principle to hire Guus Hiddink as the head coach of the Turkish national team. Hiddink, who is still under contract with the Russian Football Federation until June, will sign a contract that will have him begin his duties as head coach on August 1, 2010.

Week 21 of the Turkcell Super League might be considered an important week in the big picture of who wins the league title. Galatasaray had the bye week because they would have played the disqualified Ankaraspor, so they got the free three points. There was the possibility that Galatasaray could take the lead in the standing without even having to take the field.

The draw for the qualification phase of the Euro 2012 tournament took place on Sunday. Turkey found out who they would be playing in order to get into Euro 2012, which will be co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine. Turkey was drawn into group A with the following nations:

• Germany
  
• Austria
  
• Belgium
  
• Kazakhstan
  
• Azerbaijan
  

What's interesting about this draw is that Germany, Austria, and Belgium are countries with a sizable Turkish expatriate population.

Week 20 of the Turkcell Super League could be the week where the standings could be shaken up. It featured a top of the table matchup that could vault one team to the top of the table, or the other team into serious contenders for the league championship. Kayserispor hosted Galatasaray in the match of the week on Saturday.

The draw for Euro 2012 qualification is set to take place on Feburary 7th. With the excitement leading up to qualifications, along with who will be the head coach of the Turkish National Team, the draw is highly anticipated. Turkey is in pot 2 of the draw as seen below.

Pot 1: Spain (holders), Germany, Netherlands, Italy, England, Croatia, Portugal, France, and Russia

Pot 2: Greece, Czech Republic, Sweden, Switzerland, Serbia, Turkey, Denmark, Slovakia, and Romania

Pot 3: Israel, Bulgaria, Finland, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Austria, and Bosnia-Herzegovina

Pot 4: Slovenia, Latvia, Hungary, Lithuania, Belarus, Belgium, Wales, FYR Macedonia, and Cyprus

Pot 5: Montenegro, Albania, Estonia, Georgia, Moldova, Iceland, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Liechtenstein

Pot 6: Azerbaijan, Luxembourg, Malta, Faroe Islands, Andorra, and San Marino

The march to the Turkcell Super League championship continues onward this week. A total of three games were featured on Friday and Saturday. After their match last week was postponed, Beşiktaş got their second half of the season started with a trip down to Antalya to play Antalyaspor. Trabzonspor looked to improve their chances in clinching a Europa League spot, as they headed down to Diyarbakir to face Diyarbakirspor.

It has now been reported by Fanatik and Sky Sports in England that Mexican international player Giovani dos Santos will now head to Galatasaray on a loan. The player had been playing for Tottenham Hotspur. Dos Santos played for Barcelona when current Galatasaray head coach Frank Rijkaard was at the helm there.

The opening weekend of the second half of the season for the Turkcell Super League came to a close Sunday. With Fenerbahçe consolidating their lead at the top, Galatasaray needed to win to keep pace with their cross-town Istanbul rivals. Kayserispor looked to keep within striking distance of the top spot that they held for two weeks in the first half of the season.

After nearly a month off because of a winter break, the Turkcell Super League got back into action with a set of matches on Friday and Saturday. The top four in the league are only separated by a point each, so now every game is crucial in the march toward the league title. The second half of the season will feature new faces, such as Gokhan Unal now being transferred to Fenerbahçe from Trabzonspor, and Lucas Neill and Jo who have been transferred to Galatasaray from Everton and Manchester City respectively (Jo is on a six month loan).

Digiturk, the satellite service hosting LigTV, has renewed their contract to broadcast the Turkcell Super League for the next four seasons, from the 2010 to 2014. Digiturk will play $321 million each season for the broadcast rights. Compare that with the current deal that Digiturk has, which is $140 million dollars per year, starting from 2005.