Semih Şentürk

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Şentürk started his career at Özçamdibispor, a local club in İzmir in 1993. He joined Fenerbahçe in 1999. Şentürk cemented his place in the team during the 2007–08 Süper Lig season, in which he scored 17 goals and finished the season as league top scorer. His more prominent role in the team was rewarded after he was named as the vice-captain of the team in 2007 after the departure of the former captains Ümit Özat and Tuncay. His four goals against MTK Budapest on 6 August 2008 meant that Semih became only the second Turkish player after Fethi Heper to score four goals in a single European match. In 2008, he signed his first extension contract keeping him at the club until May 2010. In 2011, he signed another contract extension which will keep him at the club until 2014. On 19 June 2013 Şentürk left Fenerbahçe. On 26 January 2014, Semih scored his first goal for his new team Antalyaspor. Later on, he played for İstanbul Başakşehir and Eskişehirspor.

In Their Own Story

At Euro 2008, Şentürk was included to Turkey by Fatih Terim. On 11 June he came on as a substitute in the 46th minute and in the 57th minute of the second Group A encounter against Switzerland and scored the equalizer with a powerful header outjumping Swiss defence and beating the goalkeeper, even though he got a hand on it. In the quarter-finals match versus Croatia, Şentürk scored a last-second equalizer, leading team to beat Croatia through the penalty shootouts. In the semi-final against Germany, in the 86th minute, just 7 minutes after Miroslav Klose's goal, Şentürk took a low cross provided by teammate Sabri Sarıoğlu and steered in the crucial equalizer. However, his side went on to be defeated as Germany's winger-back Philipp Lahm managed to score a decisive goal in the 90th minute, which knocked out Turkey eventually. Upon the end of the competition, Şentürk received many plaudits for his last minute heroics, with the press labeling him as the super-sub of the tournament.

Reader's Guide

Şentürk's club career at Fenerbahçe spanned from 1999 to 2014, during which he won 5 Süper Lig titles (2000–01, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2006–07, 2010–11) and 2 Turkish Cup titles (2011–12, 2012–13). He also won the Süper Kupa in 2007 and 2009. He was the top-scorer of the Süper Lig in the 2007–08 season with 17 goals. After leaving Fenerbahçe on 19 June 2013, he scored his first goal for Antalyaspor on 26 January 2014. He later played for İstanbul Başakşehir and Eskişehirspor. Internationally, Şentürk was part of Turkey at UEFA Euro 2008, in which Turkey reached the semi-finals and earned a bronze medal. In November 2020, Fenerbahçe confirmed the return of Şentürk, who returned to the club as an academy coach. In July 2023, after several different positions in the club's academy, Şentürk was promoted to head coach of the club's U-19 team. On 18 September 2024, he announced his resignation from this position.

Did You Know?

• Şentürk was named 'Nöbetçi Golcü (Striker on Duty)' by media and fans for his super-sub status.
• He scored four goals against MTK Budapest on 6 August 2008, becoming only the second Turkish player after Fethi Heper to score four goals in a single European match.
• He was the top-scorer of the Süper Lig in the 2007–08 season with 17 goals.
• At Euro 2008, he scored a last-second equalizer against Croatia in the quarter-finals, leading Turkey to win on penalties.
• He was named vice-captain of Fenerbahçe in 2007 after the departure of Ümit Özat and Tuncay.