Semih Şentürk is a former Turkish international footballer known for his role as a striker.
He became the top scorer in the Süper Lig during the 2007–08 season, netting 17 goals.
He scored a crucial equalizer against Croatia in the Euro 2008 quarter-finals, leading Turkey to victory in a penalty shootout.
Biography
Early Life
Semih Şentürk was born in 1983 and began his football journey at a young age, starting his career at Özçamdibispor, a local club in İzmir, in 1993. His talent quickly became evident, leading him to join the youth ranks of Fenerbahçe S.K. in 1999, where he developed his skills and made a name for himself.
Club Career
Şentürk made his professional debut with Fenerbahçe in 2001 and became a key player for the team over the next decade. He solidified his position during the 2007–08 Süper Lig season, finishing as the league's top scorer with 17 goals. His impressive performances earned him the vice-captaincy in 2007. Notably, he scored four goals in a single European match against MTK Budapest in 2008, becoming only the second Turkish player to achieve this feat. After leaving Fenerbahçe in 2013, he played for several clubs, including Antalyaspor, İstanbul Başakşehir, and Eskişehirspor, before retiring from professional football in 2018.
International Career
On the international stage, Şentürk represented Turkey at various youth levels before making his senior debut in 2007. He gained fame during Euro 2008, where he scored crucial goals, including a last-minute equalizer against Croatia in the quarter-finals, helping Turkey advance to the semi-finals. His performance earned him the title of 'super-sub' of the tournament, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.
Coaching Career
After retiring, Şentürk returned to Fenerbahçe in November 2020 as an academy coach. His dedication and expertise led to his promotion as head coach of the U-19 team in July 2023, where he continued to influence the next generation of footballers until his resignation in September 2024.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
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.
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 Euro 2008 semi-final against Germany turned out to have a thriller ending in which Şentürk played a key role. 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.
In November 2020 Fenerbahçe confirmed the return of Şentürk, who returned to the club as a 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.
Club
International
Scores and results list Turkey's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Şentürk goal.
- Club
- İzmirspor (2001–2002)
- Club
- Fenerbahçe Istanbul (2001–2013)
- Club
- Fenerbahçe S.K. U21 (1999–2002)
- Club
- Antalyaspor (2014–2014)
- Club
- İstanbul Başakşehir F.K. (2014–2016)
- Club
- Turkey national under-21 football team (1999–2004)
- Club
- Turkey men's national football team (2007–2011)
- Club
- Turkey national under-17 football team (2000–2001)
- Club
- Turkey national under-20 football team (2002–2003)
- Club
- Eskişehirspor (2016–2018)
- National team
- Turkey
Clubs
- Fenerbahçe S.K. U211999–2002
- Turkey national under-21 football team1999–2004
- Turkey national under-17 football team2000–2001
- Fenerbahçe Istanbul2001–2013
- İzmirspor2001–2002
- Turkey national under-20 football team2002–2003
- Turkey men's national football team2007–2011
- Antalyaspor2014–2014
- İstanbul Başakşehir F.K.2014–2016
- Eskişehirspor2016–2018
Played together with
Abbosbek Fayzullaevİstanbul Başakşehir F.K. · 2025
Abdoulaye BaFenerbahçe Istanbul · 2015–2016
Abdullah ErcanFenerbahçe Istanbul · 1999–2003
Abdülkadir ÖmürAntalyaspor · 2025–2026
Adam BuksaAntalyaspor · 2023–2024
Adil RamiFenerbahçe Istanbul · 2019–2020
Admir MehmediAntalyaspor · 2022–2023Adnan Januzajİstanbul Başakşehir F.K. · 2023–2023
Agim IbraimiEskişehirspor · 2010–2011
Akgün KaçmazFenerbahçe Istanbul · 1951–1961
Alex de SouzaFenerbahçe Istanbul · 2004–2012
Alexander DjikuFenerbahçe Istanbul · 2023–2025
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Semih Şentürk is a Turkish former international footballer who played as a striker.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
…



