Besiktas, the Black Eagles of Istanbul
Our Besiktas page traces the history of Istanbul's black and white club: its founding in 1903 in a neighbourhood on the European side, the nickname Black Eagles born from a shout in the stands, the title won undefeated in 1992, the stadium rebuilt by the Bosphorus, and the passion of the Çarşı group against Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe.
The black and white of the Black Eagles.
1903: a gymnastics club near Dolmabahçe Palace
It all started in 1903 in the Beşiktaş district, on the European side of Istanbul, not far from Dolmabahçe Palace: young locals founded a gymnastics club under the name of Bereket. Football took root there a few years later and became the main activity of the oldest of the three major Istanbul teams. The black and white adopted by the club signifies, according to tradition, the mourning for the territories lost during the Balkan wars, a story that supporters pass down through generations.
Turkish football
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A supporter’s shout in 1941 and the unbeaten season
The nickname Kara Kartallar was born during the 1940-1941 season at Şeref Stadium: while Besiktas dominated Süleymaniye, a supporter shouted, “Haydi Kara Kartallar”, forward the Black Eagles, and the stand echoed his cry. The final score, six-nil, sealed the adoption of the eagle as the emblem. Half a century later, the team led by English coach Gordon Milne finished the 1991-1992 season unbeaten, with twenty-three wins and seven draws, becoming the first unbeaten champion in the history of the Turkish league.
From İnönü Stadium to the Bosphorus arena
Opened in 1947, İnönü Stadium offered one of the most famous views in football, with the Bosphorus as a backdrop. Demolished in 2013, it was replaced by a modern arena of about forty thousand seats, opened in 2016 at the same location. Supporters of the Çarşı group, established in the early 1980s and named after the local market, have a reputation for noise, with sound levels among the highest ever recorded in a stadium. The derbies against Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, located on the Asian side, take on a special intensity there.
Good deals
Good deals can also be found in good deals, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and items shipped in 24h are prepared and dispatched within 24 hours. The highlights of the year follow a stable order: Black Friday in late autumn, the end-of-year holidays, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, then the summer sales and back-to-school.
Frequently asked questions
In which country and city does Besiktas play?
Besiktas is a Turkish club based in Istanbul, located in the district it is named after, on the European side of the Bosphorus. It competes in the Süper Lig, the top division of Turkey.
What does Çarşı, the name of the supporters’ group, mean?
Çarşı means market in Turkish: the group took its name from the market in the Beşiktaş district, where its founders used to gather. Its motto, Çarşı her şeye karşı, translates to Çarşı is against everything.
Which great players have worn the Besiktas shirt?
The playmaker Sergen Yalçın, trained at the club, remains a major figure. More recently, the Portuguese Ricardo Quaresma, loved for his outside-of-the-foot shots, and the defender Pepe have also left their mark on the Black Eagles’ supporters.
Has Besiktas shone in the Champions League?
In the 2017-2018 season, Besiktas finished unbeaten at the top of its group, ahead of Porto, Leipzig, and Monaco, qualifying for the knockout stage for the first time. Their journey ended against Bayern Munich.
Is Besiktas a multi-sport club?
Yes, beyond football, Besiktas fields teams in basketball, volleyball, handball, and other sports. This tradition reflects its origins as a gymnastics club, founded in 1903.
