The rivalry between the Istanbul giants stretches over a 99 year period with Galatasaray winning the first ever derby played on 17 January 1909.

Galatasaray were 2-0 winners on that day and went on to win the following 6 meetings without conceding a goal.

Fenerbahce had to wait almost five years to register their first win.  In the 8^th derby match played on 4 January 1914, the Yellow Canaries triumphed 4-2 with Hasan Kamil Sporel scoring their first ever goal against their rivals.

The Fenerbahce versus Galatasaray derby was once dubbed the second fiercest rivalry by the popular 4-4-2 Magazine.  It is the centrepiece of Turkish football and the one that attracts the most viewers both inside and outside of domestic borders.

From an attendance perspective, the registered record was at the Ataturk Olimpiyat stadium on 21 September 2003 where 70,125 fans witness the 2-2 draw.  The lowest gate receipt is documented as 17 November 1922.  Just 14 spectators turned up in the torrential rain, where the referee had to officiate the match under an umbrella!

Fenerbahce’s Zeki Riza Sporel holds the record for most goals scored in the derby.  The Fenerbahce forward found the net 27 times in 42 appearances.

Incidentally, Galatasaray goalkeeper Turgay Seren has registered the most derby appearances featuring in 55 matches.

Rivalry between the clubs is such that many fans cringe at the thought of an opponent player wearing their team’s jersey.  However, no less than 26 players have played for both sides, most recent examples being Haim Revivo, Elvir Balic, Stjpen Tomas and currently Servet Cetin.   

On Wednesday 27 February the two Istanbul giants will meet for the 2^nd leg of the Fortis Turkish Cup.  The first match ended 0-0 and Fenerbahce will be hoping for a minimum of a score draw to progress into the semi-final.