Trabzonspor had not won a European match since August 1, 2024. The club endured an 805‑day losing streak that stretched across multiple seasons and competitions. The weight of that wait was palpable as the team prepared for its UEFA Conference League clash with KuPS Kuopio on a chilly October night. Every pass, every tackle carried the hope of finally snapping the drought.
Dju’s performance marked a milestone for Trabzonspor. He became the first foreign player in the club’s history to score two goals in a European away match. No previous overseas recruit had managed such a feat on the continent for the Black Sea club. The achievement added a personal layer of pride to the collective relief of ending the losing run.
The victory did more than lift spirits; it contributed 0.400 points to Turkey’s coefficient. That increment raised the total to 50.675, keeping Turkey firmly in ninth place in the rankings. The gain was valuable because it prevented any slip while other Turkish clubs faltered.
The contrast highlighted how crucial Trabzonspor’s win was for the country’s standing.
Conference League on Thursday, 13 of 18 went the way we had as most likely. Hajduk beat Ajax 2-1, the market gave Hajduk 20%, we had them at 48%. And one we got wrong, Trabzonspor won 4-2 at KuPS when we had KuPS at 46%. https://t.co/Oc7hDpAqvU
While Trabzonspor celebrated, Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe recorded no points in their European fixtures that week, leaving their contributions at zero. The contrast highlighted how crucial Trabzonspor’s win was for the country’s standing. Turkey’s coefficient now sits close to eighth place, held by the Netherlands, with only a small gap separating the two. A potential gain could arise if Beşiktaş wins its upcoming match, which would further narrow the distance.
In the aftermath, Franculino Dju expressed the feeling shared by his teammates and supporters. Translated from his Turkish remarks, he said, “Today we feel we have done something great. Three points were very important for us, we are very happy.” The victory offers a platform to build momentum, both for the club’s European campaign and for Turkey’s pursuit of a higher ranking in the weeks to come.