Article by Alexandru Tomuțiu – published on Saturday, May 17, 2025, 11:47 / Updated on Saturday, May 17, 2025 11:48
Gică Hagi (60 years old) remembered one of the most beautiful moments in his footballer's career. It is about winning the successful UEFA Cup in 2000, when he wore the Turkish shirt at Galatasaray.
On May 17, 2000, Galatasaray conquered the UEFA Cup, a competition known today as the Europa League. It was the first European trophy won by the Turkish club.
Then, Galatasaray draws with Arsenal, score 0-0, and the Turks prevailed at the distance blows by 4-1. Gică Hagi was eliminated in the extensions, in the 94th minute, and did not catch the penalties. A few months later, Hagi's team also defeated Real Madrid, score 2-1, and won the European Super Cup.
“5 years from a magical moment with Galatasaray, as there have been many others with” Cim Bom Bom “. The UEFA Cup, a trophy won and with the heart for the incredible Turkish supporters!”, Wrote Gică Hagi, on the Instagram social network.
In the Turkish's defense he was a holder and Gică Popescu, a colleague at national and good friend with Gică Hagi. The former captain in Barcelona would turn the decisive penalty.
Galatasaray: Taffarel – Capone, Popescu, Bullet, Penbe – Okan, Davala, Kaya, Hagi – Edem, Șukur
Coach: Fatih Terim
Arsenal: Seaman – Dixon, Adams, Keown, Sylvino – Parlor, Petit, Viera, Overmars – Henry, Bergkamp
Coach: Arsene Wenger
A magnificent player (no Hagi). Someone who really deserves to be placed among the greatest players in history. I have never seen a player to shoot like him – precision and power. His vision and dribbling were at another level. He really wrote a beautiful story in Galatasaray, as he did in other clubs. He meant a lot to us, the players, was fundamental to our success and believe that supporters consider him one of the best players in the club's history.
– Claudio Taffarel, former colleague with Hagi at Galatasaray
