The Tigers are coming towards the end of their two-week trip away
Mo Belloumi during Hull City’s training session in Istanbul
Hull City’s players embarked on their latest training session on Thursday, but this time, it was in Istanbul.
After making their way from Slovenia to Turkey on Wednesday morning, the Tigers have settled at their plush hotel overlooking the iconic Bosphorus Strait.
Sergej Jakirovic’s men are on the final leg of their long trip away from home and are preparing for Saturday’s game against Kasimpasa.
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City reporter Barry Cooper is travelling with the team throughout the summer, and offered his latest update from inside the camp
A first full day in Istanbul
City’s players and staff arrived on Wednesday night, and shed their training gear for their going-out clobber, because they were treated to a stunning three-hour cruise up and down the iconic Bosphorus on Halas 71, the steaming super yacht built in Glasgow in 1914.
The squad relaxed with canapes and a DJ, as they enjoyed a balmy evening on the river before heading off for their first training session on Thursday morning at Kasimpasa’s HQ.
Owner Acun Ilicali then hosted a press conference for the Turkish media at the team’s hotel, and it certainly saw the biggest numbers yet for one of these events. Must be the Premier League factor…
The Big Greek is here
Acun Ilicali confirmed on Thursday that the deal to bring Konstantinos Tzolakis to the club had been completed, and that he was expected in Istanbul later in the day.
As it was, the Greek goalkeeper was pictured arriving in Turkey and then arrived at the team’s hotel on the banks of the Bosphorus as we edge ever closer to the official announcement of his arrival from Olympiacos.
Magic Mo
Much to the delight of everyone, aside from City’s defenders, the Algerian was back in training on Thursday, albeit with some taping on the back of his leg after missing the opening two friendlies of the summer. And he showed some moments of quality.
In arguably the highlight moment, Mo sidestepped Matt Crooks, slotting the ball between his legs and leaving ‘Tree’ face down on the deck. Sadly, Millar and McBurnie couldn’t provide the finish. Crooks gradually got himself up off the deck with a wry smile, knowing he’d been had.
The winger is a real delight to watch in training; some of the things he does is a sight to behold. You just have to hope that he can stay fit.
Injury latest
Belloumi, along with Darko Gyabi and Lewie Coyle, were both back in full training, although Coyle had to leave the session earlier than planned after appearing to jar his ankle on what was a pretty awful training pitch. Apparently, a new surface, it resembled a cross between a beach and a field strewn with cow pats.
Speaking to Hull Live at the Tigers’ media conference, Coyle confirmed his ankle was OK and that he expected to be involved against Kasimpasa on Saturday. John Egan did sit the session out, while there was still no Charlie Hughes, Hidemasa Morita or Matty Jacob.
City’s Turkish popularity
Naturally, since Acun Ilicali bought the club in January 2022, the interest in City has gradually increased. Given the focus on Ilicali’s life in Turkey, the Tigers are never too far away from the headlines.
Since promotion to the Premier League, though, that interest has risen significantly, and that was evident on Thursday.
The club held a press conference at the team’s hotel for the Turkish media, and around 60 journalists were there, more than twice as many as had previously attended such events here.
City’s team coach, emblazoned with ‘We are Premier League’ across is attracting plenty of interest from bystanders, keen to catch a glimpse of the players they’ll be seeing on television in the new season. Ideally, that long-distance support translates into more interest, more Tigers fans, more shirts being sold and ultimately, more income for the club and greater exposure.
Hull Live are the only English media with City during every step of their pre-season tour, and you can follow all our updates in print and online.
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