Semih Şentürk was a prolific Turkish association football striker who spent the majority of his career at Fenerbahçe. He became widely known as the Striker on Duty for his ability to score crucial goals as a substitute. He earned international recognition for his pivotal, late-match contributions during the UEFA Euro 2008 tournament.
Seventeen goals in the 2007–08 Süper Lig season secured Semih Şentürk the league top-scorer title, cementing his reputation as a prolific striker. Throughout his career, he became known as the "Striker on Duty" due to his consistent ability to impact matches as a substitute for both his club, Fenerbahçe, and the Turkish national team.
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Take the IQ test →Early Career and Rise at Fenerbahçe
Born on 29 April 1983 in İzmir, Turkey, Şentürk began his association football career at the local club Özçamdibispor in 1993. By 1999, he transitioned to the Fenerbahçe youth section, progressing through the ranks to join the senior team. His commitment to the club spanned until 2013, highlighted by five Süper Lig titles and two Turkish Cup victories. During his tenure, he served as vice-captain following the departures of Tuncay and Ümit Özat in 2007. A notable milestone occurred on 6 August 2008, when he scored four goals against MTK Budapest in a European match, joining Fethi Heper as one of the few Turkish players to achieve this feat.
International Performance at Euro 2008
Şentürk played a pivotal role for Turkey during the UEFA Euro 2008 tournament under manager Fatih Terim. He earned the moniker of super-sub for his late-match contributions, most notably against Switzerland, where he scored an equalizer with a header. In the quarter-finals against Croatia, he netted another last-second equalizer, facilitating a Turkish victory in the ensuing penalty shootouts. During the semi-final against Germany, he scored a crucial equalizer in the 86th minute, although Turkey was eventually eliminated after a 90th-minute goal by Philipp Lahm.
Post-Fenerbahçe Clubs and Coaching Tenure
After departing Fenerbahçe on 19 June 2013, Şentürk played for several other Turkish clubs, including Antalyaspor, where he recorded his first goal for the side on 26 January 2014. His career path also led him to İstanbul Başakşehir and Eskişehirspor. In November 2020, he returned to Fenerbahçe to serve as an academy coach. By July 2023, he assumed the role of head coach for the club’s U-19 team, a position he held until his resignation on 18 September 2024.
Fast facts
- Born: 29 April 1983, İzmir, Turkey
- Primary Position: Striker
- Süper Lig Top Scorer: 2007–08 season
- Fenerbahçe Tenure: 1999–2014
- Major Tournament: UEFA Euro 2008
- Nickname: Nöbetçi Golcü (Striker on Duty)
- Coaching Resignation Date: 18 September 2024
Questions readers ask
Why was Semih Şentürk called the Striker on Duty?
The media and fans gave him this nickname due to his consistent ability to enter matches as a substitute and score crucial goals.
Which trophies did he win with Fenerbahçe?
He won 5 Süper Lig titles, 2 Turkish Cup titles, and 2 Süper Kupa titles.
