Northern Cyprus national football team
Encyclopedia
The Northern Cyprus national football team represents Northern Cyprus, a de facto
country, in association football. They are a member of the New Federations Board for non-FIFA-affiliated nations. Northern Cyprus' home stadium is 20 Temmuz Stadı in Kyrenia
and their head coach is İlker Ertemel. They are the current FIFI Wild Cup
champions, having won the event in Germany
in June 2006. They are also the current ELF Cup
champions, having won the event
at home in November 2006.
was formed as early as 1955 - a consequence of Turkish Cypriot clubs withdrawing from playing in Cypriot
sport competitions - the national team did not play its first match until 1962, against Turkey
. This was a result of former-FIFA
General Secretary Dr. Helmut Käser's decision to allow TRNC to play against teams from other national associations, to the exception of official matches. Though this agreement is still in place, FIFA President Sepp Blatter
is still resistant to calls to grant TRNC full membership.
Turkish Federative State of North Cyprus played in the Islamic Games of 1980 in İzmir
, their first tournament. They suffered a 5-0 defeat against Turkey
, their worst to date. Other results were a 2-0 loss against Saudi Arabia
, 2-1 victory against Malaysia
, and a 1-1 tie with Libya
.
, the KTFF hosted Sport Games Football Federation in 1999, winning the event.
in 2005, winning the event. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus won the first NF-Board tournament, the FIFI Wild Cup
, in Hamburg
, Germany
in June 2006 after defeating Zanzibar
4-1 on penalties after a goalless draw. KTFF was set to host the VIVA World Cup
during November 2006, however due to issues between the sides the KTFF chose to host its own tournament, the ELF Cup
at that time. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus opened the tournament against Crimea, winning 5-0, beating their previous 'largest win' record of 6-2 against Sápmi
. Soon after the opener, they beat the new record with a 10-0 victory against Tibet
.
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus defeated Crimea 3-1 in the ELF Cup
finals to lift their second NF-Board cup in the same year.
, organised to celebrate 50 years of the KTFF, involved national teams from Kosovo
and the Sápmi
region of northern Scandinavia, and was won by the hosts with maximum points. NF-Board invited Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to take part in the first FIFI Wild Cup, held in Hamburg
, Germany
. This also featured teams from Greenland
, Tibet
, Gibraltar
, Zanzibar
, and a team representing "The Republic of St. Pauli", amateur players drawn from the St Pauli
district of Hamburg. TRNC defeated Zanzibar on penalties in the final after a goalless draw to lift the trophy. KTFF hosted and won the ELF Cup
beating in the final Crimea, in 2006. In 1999 hosted and won the Sport Games Football Association. The only one tournament lost is the 1980 Islamic Games in Turkey, where they lost 2 matches on 4.
Cyprus dispute
The Cyprus dispute is the result of the ongoing conflict between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey, over the Turkish occupied northern part of Cyprus....
country, in association football. They are a member of the New Federations Board for non-FIFA-affiliated nations. Northern Cyprus' home stadium is 20 Temmuz Stadı in Kyrenia
Kyrenia
Kyrenia is a town on the northern coast of Cyprus, noted for its historic harbour and castle. Internationally recognised as part of the Republic of Cyprus, Kyrenia has been under Turkish control since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974...
and their head coach is İlker Ertemel. They are the current FIFI Wild Cup
FIFI Wild Cup
The FIFI Wild Cup was an alternative football World Cup run by FIFI . FIFI was a body made up of countries not recognized by FIFA and those whose logistics preclude them from playing representative football...
champions, having won the event in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in June 2006. They are also the current ELF Cup
ELF Cup
The ELF Cup is an international football tournament organised by the KTFF, a member of the NF-Board. Among the participants are fellow NF-Board teams, and - in the inaugural 2006 tournament - FIFA member teams from the Asian Football Confederation.-The Inaugural Tournament:The 2006 ELF Cup took...
champions, having won the event
ELF Cup
The ELF Cup is an international football tournament organised by the KTFF, a member of the NF-Board. Among the participants are fellow NF-Board teams, and - in the inaugural 2006 tournament - FIFA member teams from the Asian Football Confederation.-The Inaugural Tournament:The 2006 ELF Cup took...
at home in November 2006.
Origins (1955-1984)
Though the Cyprus Turkish Football FederationCyprus Turkish Football Federation
The Cyprus Turkish Football Federation is the top division of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Football Federation, which is not recognised by other federations]...
was formed as early as 1955 - a consequence of Turkish Cypriot clubs withdrawing from playing in Cypriot
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
sport competitions - the national team did not play its first match until 1962, against Turkey
Turkey national football team
The Turkey national football team represents Turkey in association football and is controlled by the Turkish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Turkey. They are affiliated with UEFA...
. This was a result of former-FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
General Secretary Dr. Helmut Käser's decision to allow TRNC to play against teams from other national associations, to the exception of official matches. Though this agreement is still in place, FIFA President Sepp Blatter
Sepp Blatter
Joseph S. Blatter , commonly known as Sepp Blatter, is a Swiss football administrator, who serves as the 8th and current President of FIFA . He was elected on 8 June 1998, succeeding João Havelange. He was re-elected as President in 2002, 2007, and 2011...
is still resistant to calls to grant TRNC full membership.
Turkish Federative State of North Cyprus played in the Islamic Games of 1980 in İzmir
Izmir
Izmir is a large metropolis in the western extremity of Anatolia. The metropolitan area in the entire Izmir Province had a population of 3.35 million as of 2010, making the city third most populous in Turkey...
, their first tournament. They suffered a 5-0 defeat against Turkey
Turkey national football team
The Turkey national football team represents Turkey in association football and is controlled by the Turkish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Turkey. They are affiliated with UEFA...
, their worst to date. Other results were a 2-0 loss against Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia national football team
Saudi Arabia national football team is the national team of Saudi Arabia and is controlled by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation...
, 2-1 victory against Malaysia
Malaysia national football team
The Malaysian national football team nicknamed Harimau Malaya, as the Malayan Tiger, is the national team of Malaysia and is controlled by the Football Association of Malaysia...
, and a 1-1 tie with Libya
Libya national football team
The Libya national football team is the national association football team of Libya and is controlled by the Libyan Football Federation. The team has never qualified for the senior FIFA World Cup. They have qualified for three Africa Cup of Nations, one in 1982 where they finished runners-up and...
.
After the foundation of TRNC (1984-2004)
After the foundation of the Turkish Republic of Northern CyprusTurkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Northern Cyprus or North Cyprus , officially the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus , is a self-declared state that comprises the northeastern part of the island of Cyprus...
, the KTFF hosted Sport Games Football Federation in 1999, winning the event.
NF-Board (2004-Present)
KTFF joined the NF-Board in 2004, expanding the horizons of the national team. KTFF hosted the KTFF 50th Anniversary CupKTFF 50th Anniversary Cup
Held under the auspices of the NF-Board, this tournament celebrated 50 years of the football association of Northern Cyprus, the KTFF, and featured representative sides from the host nation, the Sápmi, and Kosovo...
in 2005, winning the event. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus won the first NF-Board tournament, the FIFI Wild Cup
FIFI Wild Cup
The FIFI Wild Cup was an alternative football World Cup run by FIFI . FIFI was a body made up of countries not recognized by FIFA and those whose logistics preclude them from playing representative football...
, in Hamburg
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in June 2006 after defeating Zanzibar
Zanzibar national football team
The Zanzibar national football team is the national team of Zanzibar, and is controlled by the Zanzibar Football Association.- History :Zanzibar is not a member of FIFA and is therefore not eligible to enter either the World Cup, But she is a member of the CAF so she can take a part in the Africa...
4-1 on penalties after a goalless draw. KTFF was set to host the VIVA World Cup
Viva World Cup
The VIVA World Cup is an international football tournament organized by the New Federation Board, an umbrella association for nations unaffiliated with FIFA, planned to be held every two years.-Inauguration:...
during November 2006, however due to issues between the sides the KTFF chose to host its own tournament, the ELF Cup
ELF Cup
The ELF Cup is an international football tournament organised by the KTFF, a member of the NF-Board. Among the participants are fellow NF-Board teams, and - in the inaugural 2006 tournament - FIFA member teams from the Asian Football Confederation.-The Inaugural Tournament:The 2006 ELF Cup took...
at that time. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus opened the tournament against Crimea, winning 5-0, beating their previous 'largest win' record of 6-2 against Sápmi
Sápmi national football team
The Sápmi national football team is a national football team representing the Sámi people, who inhabit northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. The team is not a member of UEFA or FIFA, and therefore do not participate in their competitions.The goal of the Sámi Football Association,...
. Soon after the opener, they beat the new record with a 10-0 victory against Tibet
Tibet national football team
The Tibet national football team is an association football controlled by the Tibetan National Football Association, an organizations of exiled Tibetans. The current manager is Kelsang Dhondup....
.
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus defeated Crimea 3-1 in the ELF Cup
ELF Cup
The ELF Cup is an international football tournament organised by the KTFF, a member of the NF-Board. Among the participants are fellow NF-Board teams, and - in the inaugural 2006 tournament - FIFA member teams from the Asian Football Confederation.-The Inaugural Tournament:The 2006 ELF Cup took...
finals to lift their second NF-Board cup in the same year.
Tournament history
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus have taken part in five international tournaments and won four. KTFF 50th Anniversary CupKTFF 50th Anniversary Cup
Held under the auspices of the NF-Board, this tournament celebrated 50 years of the football association of Northern Cyprus, the KTFF, and featured representative sides from the host nation, the Sápmi, and Kosovo...
, organised to celebrate 50 years of the KTFF, involved national teams from Kosovo
Kosovo national football team
The Kosovo national football team represents Republic of Kosovo in international men's football. Controlled by the Football Federation of Kosovo, the governing body for football in Kosovo, they are not a member of FIFA or UEFA....
and the Sápmi
Sápmi national football team
The Sápmi national football team is a national football team representing the Sámi people, who inhabit northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. The team is not a member of UEFA or FIFA, and therefore do not participate in their competitions.The goal of the Sámi Football Association,...
region of northern Scandinavia, and was won by the hosts with maximum points. NF-Board invited Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to take part in the first FIFI Wild Cup, held in Hamburg
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. This also featured teams from Greenland
Greenland national football team
The Greenland national football team is the national team of Greenland and is controlled by the Football Association of Greenland. Although it has the same status as the Faroe Islands within the Kingdom of Denmark, Greenland is not a member of FIFA nor of any continental confederation and therefore...
, Tibet
Tibet national football team
The Tibet national football team is an association football controlled by the Tibetan National Football Association, an organizations of exiled Tibetans. The current manager is Kelsang Dhondup....
, Gibraltar
Gibraltar national football team
The Gibraltar official football team represents Gibraltar in football competitions and is controlled by the Gibraltar Football Association. It is not yet a member of FIFA or UEFA and is therefore not eligible to enter the World Cup or the European Championship. Gibraltar applied for UEFA...
, Zanzibar
Zanzibar national football team
The Zanzibar national football team is the national team of Zanzibar, and is controlled by the Zanzibar Football Association.- History :Zanzibar is not a member of FIFA and is therefore not eligible to enter either the World Cup, But she is a member of the CAF so she can take a part in the Africa...
, and a team representing "The Republic of St. Pauli", amateur players drawn from the St Pauli
St. Pauli
St. Pauli , located in the Hamburg-Mitte borough, is one of the 105 quarters of the city of Hamburg, Germany. Situated on the right bank of the Elbe river, the Landungsbrücken are a northern part of the port of Hamburg. St. Pauli contains a world famous red light district around the street Reeperbahn...
district of Hamburg. TRNC defeated Zanzibar on penalties in the final after a goalless draw to lift the trophy. KTFF hosted and won the ELF Cup
ELF Cup
The ELF Cup is an international football tournament organised by the KTFF, a member of the NF-Board. Among the participants are fellow NF-Board teams, and - in the inaugural 2006 tournament - FIFA member teams from the Asian Football Confederation.-The Inaugural Tournament:The 2006 ELF Cup took...
beating in the final Crimea, in 2006. In 1999 hosted and won the Sport Games Football Association. The only one tournament lost is the 1980 Islamic Games in Turkey, where they lost 2 matches on 4.
FIFI Wild Cup record
| Year | Round | Position | Matches | Wins | Draws* | Losses | Goals Scored | Goals Against | Scorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Champions | 1st | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | Oraloğlu (2), Kolcu, Çerkez, Dylan (og), Morris (og) |
| Total | 1/1 | 1st | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | Top scorer: Oraloğlu (2) |
- Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kickPenalty kickA penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
s.
ELF Cup record
| Year | Round | Position | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals Scored | Goals Against | Scorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 ELF Cup The ELF Cup is an international football tournament organised by the KTFF, a member of the NF-Board. Among the participants are fellow NF-Board teams, and - in the inaugural 2006 tournament - FIFA member teams from the Asian Football Confederation.-The Inaugural Tournament:The 2006 ELF Cup took... |
Champions | 1st | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 2 | Ertaç Taşkıran (6), Hamis Çakır (5), Kemal Uçaner (3), Ediz Çukurovalı (3), Derviş Kolcu (2), Sabri Selden (2), Coşkun Ulusoy (2), Atkun Arıkbuka, Yasin Kansu, Ekrem Keleşzade, Hasan Sapsızoğlu, Rizvan Abıltarov (og) |
| Total | 1/1 | 1st | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 2 | Top scorer: Ertaç Taşkıran (6) |