Fenerbahce clinches 15th Turkish title in style

ISTANBUL (Reuters) -- Fenerbahce were crowned Turkish champions for the 15th time after thrashing Denizlispor 4-0 on Sunday to complete a remarkable transformation from finishing a lowly sixth last season.

Their only challengers Trabzonspor lost 4-2 at home to Fenerbahce's Istanbul rivals Galatasaray, leaving them five points behind the new champions with one match remaining.

Both teams have qualified for next season's Champions League qualifying rounds, while third-placed Besiktas and Cup finalists Genclerbirligi will play in the UEFA Cup.

Jubilant Fenerbahce fans, dressed in the team's blue and yellow colours, celebrated at the Denizli stadium in western Turkey. Fireworks resounded in the sky of the club's home city of Istanbul, where flag-waving supporters ran into the streets.

The triumph was particularly painful for last season's champions Besiktas, who had been nine points clear at the top before the winter break in December.

In 17 games since, Fenerbahce have lost only once and drawn twice on the way to reclaiming the title they last won in 2001 when Turkey was in the depths of a financial crisis.

The architect of Fenerbahce's success was German coach Christoph Daum, who took over last year after quitting Austria Vienna. Newspaper reports say Daum, who had two previous stints in Turkey with Besiktas, aims to stay at the club until 2007.

Dutch striker Pierre van Hooijdonk provided much of the inspiration on the pitch, winning the hearts of the club's passionate supporters and scoring 23 goals in his first season after signing from Feyenoord.

The club's prolific goal scoring record was also fuelled by young Turkey striker Tuncay Sanli, who scored 19 times and recently signed a new three-year contract. Brazilian forward Marcio Nobre also notched up 12 goals.

Both van Hooijdonk and Tuncay scored on Sunday, along with midfielder Umit Ozat.

Despite failing to achieve the European glory enjoyed by 2000 UEFA Cup winners Galatasaray, Fenerbahce have the biggest fan base in Turkey. The club, founded in 1907, are also regarded as the country's strongest financially.

Their fortunes were boosted by a successful flotation on the Istanbul Stock Exchange this year and they plan to increase the capacity of their Sukru Saracoglu stadium on the Asian shores of the city to 65,000 next year.

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