I scored a golden goal at the World Cup… but after I was hit by a car I quit the game and became an ICE SKATER

ILHAN MANSIZ made history 20 years ago by firing Turkey to the World Cup semi-finals – but now he’s a full-time figure skater.

The former FC Koln winger fired his nation into the semis of the Japan and Korea 2002 World Cup with a golden goal against fellow surprise package Senegal.

Turkey, however, were denied a place in the final by eventual winners Brazil – although Mansiz, then 27, produced an unforgettable rainbow flick over Samba star Roberto Carlos.

Mansiz’s career was cut short in 2007 when he was knocked down by a car in Munich and suffered multiple injuries.

He was invited to take part in Buzda Dans – Turkey’s Dancing on Ice – after undergoing an extensive rehab and hasn’t looked back since.

In 2023, he told The Guardian: “I had never even watched skating before I stepped on the ice for the first time when I was 32.”

Maniz was partnered with Olga Bestandigova on Buzda Dans and eventually fell for the Slovakian, who would later become his girlfriend.

He revealed: “It was Oli during the show who saw my potential.

“I always wanted to start a second sporting career after football but I never thought in my dreams it would be pairs skating.”

Maniz had aspirations of reaching the 2014 Winter Olympics but failed to qualify for the Sochi games.

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He said ahead of the Games: “We are not expecting to get a medal but to be a part of the Olympics will mean much more than winning.

“It is also about encouraging people that no matter what, at any age, you can reach your dreams by believing and working hard.”

Mansiz has fond memories of Turkey’s incredible 2002 World Cup campaign, in which he also scored a brace as they won the third-place play-off 3-2 against co-hosts Korea.

The 47-year-old said: “It was my breakthrough at the World Cup.

“I was always on the bench even though I was in better shape then Hakan Sukur, and we were always trying to explain to the coach [Senol Gunes] to play with two forwards but he was afraid of it.

“When I scored the goal I didn’t know it would be the most important of my career.

“But it was the most remarkable goal in Turkish history.”

He added: “The flick was a move I did a lot during practise but because it was the World Cup and Roberto Carlos, people keep it in their minds.

“Almost anybody that recognises me asks about that flick.

“Most of the players got mad but we shook hands on the pitch afterwards and Roberto Carlos told me it was a nice move – such a sportsman.”

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk