By the end of the 1970s, the Turkish national team was improving rapidly, and their qualification campaign for the 1980 European Championships proved to be their most competitive yet. Sabri Kiraz’s side finished runners-up in their qualifying group to West Germany, with only the group winners advancing to the finals tournament in Italy.

Turkey did impressively hold the Germans to a scoreless draw in their home fixture in Istanbul, while midfielder Sedat Özden was their main goal threat as the career of long-serving and prolific striker Cemil Turan wound down this season.