Fans in North Macedonia eagerly await Fenerbahce vs Galatasaray match

Fenerbahce and Galatasaray fans in North Macedonia are looking forward to the much-anticipated derby on December 1. The Fenerbahçe Fan Group in the city of Kırçova in the western part of the country and the Ultraslan Fan Association in the city of Gostivar in the northwestern part of the country have already completed their preparations for the derby. In these cities, which are also home to a large number of North Macedonian Turks, the Turkish Super League competitions, especially Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray, are followed with interest.

Fenerbahce and Galatasaray fans in North Macedonia shared their derby preparations and excitement with AA reporter.

- "Fenerbahce is second only to my mother for me."

Muammer Kocacık, leader of the Fenerbahçe Fan Group in North Macedonia and Fenerbahçe fan Muammer Kocacık, who runs a place called "Fenerbahçe Fan Club" in Kırçova, emphasized that he opened this place, which he had dreamed of for a long time, on July 19, 2016 at 19:07.

Kocacık said that most of the football fans in Kırçova support Fenerbahce and that both Fenerbahce fans from Turkey and Fenerbahce fans in the country feel at home in the cafe.

Kocacık told his story of becoming a Fenerbahçe fan, noting that the Fenerbahçe Kırçova team, which turned into mini football and then into indoor football in the 70s and 80s, instilled in him the love of Fenerbahçe.

Kocacık said, "Fenerbahçe is second only to my mother for me. There is no other. I would give my life for Fenerbahce. One life, one love. Fenerbahçe will remain my favorite thing after my mother for the rest of my life."

Kocacık said that he goes to Kadıköy especially for derbies and European matches, and that they watch Fenerbahçe's away matches together with Fenerbahçe fans from Kırçova.

- "If you haven't watched the Fenerbahçe-Galatasaray derby in your life, you haven't seen anything"

Kocacık said that he is looking forward to his trip to Istanbul for the match on December 1, adding, "If you haven't seen the Fenerbahçe-Galatasaray derby in your life, you haven't seen anything."

Kocacık invited Fenerbahçe President Sadettin Saran and members of the management to Fenerbahçe Fan Club and said that he wants to enable Fenerbahçe fans from North Macedonia, who do not have the means, to experience the atmosphere of the match in Kadıköy.

Kocacık shared his belief that Fenerbahçe will be the champion this year and predicted that Fenerbahçe will defeat Galatasaray 2-0 or 3-0 and that Talisca, Asensio and Kerem Aktürkoğlu will score the goals.

Armen Sulkoski, a Fenerbahce fan from Kirchova, also predicted that Fenerbahce will win the derby and Talisca and Kerem Akturkoglu will score the goals, saying: "There is a great atmosphere (at Fenerbahce Fan Club). They also come from Gostivar to watch the match here. Sometimes about 400 people gather, there is no room left."

- "Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe derby is a great football culture followed with excitement"

Sezer Purde, President of North Macedonia Ultraslan Fan Association, stated that the association was opened on April 7, 2014 with the participation of then Galatasaray President Ünal Aysal, and pointed out that they have 6,780 members across the country.

Purde said, "Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe derby is not only a derby closely watched by Turkey, it is a great football culture that is followed closely and excitedly all over the region."

Stating that they believe they will leave this match with a win, Purde said that he believes the score will be 3-1 and that Victor Osimhen and Barış Alper Yılmaz will score the goals.

Purde said, "(In the association while the matches are being played) Everything is within the framework of friendship. We are watching the Fenerbahçe-Galatasaray derby here, both Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe fans side by side, without breaking anyone's heart."

- "We are very excited and we hope we will win"

Albin Derala, a Galatasaray fan from Gostovo, said that he has been a Galatasaray fan since his childhood and even his room has a Galatasaray theme.

Reminding that he had the opportunity to watch Galatasaray live in Turkey a few times, Derala said, "We watch Galatasaray matches here with many of our friends. On December 1, there is a derby match between Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray. We are very excited and hope that we will win."

Derala said he believes that Galatasaray will win the match 2-1 and Mauro Icardi will score the goals.

Reminding that Ali Sami Yen, the founder of Galatasaray, was Albanian, Derala said, "That's why we feel closer to Galatasaray."