[Europe - Group 5]
8 Matches 6 Wins 0 Ties 2 Losses (18 points)
| 9/1/96 | Vs. Israel | Lose | 2-1 |
| 10/8/96 | Vs. Luxembourg | Win | 1-2 |
| 12/14/96 | Vs. Cyprus | Win | 1-3 |
| 4/2/97 | Vs. Cyprus | Win | 4-1 |
| 6/8/97 | Vs. Luxembourg | Win | 4-0 |
| 8/20/97 | Vs. Israel | Win | 1-0 |
| 9/10/97 | Vs. Russia | Win | 1-0 |
| 10/11/97 | Vs. Russia | Lose | 4-2 |
| Offense |
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Defense |
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| Organization |
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Experience |
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Capacity to surprise |
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Before the start of the World Cup in the United States in 1994, Bulgaria did not enjoy much of a reputation. Up till then, Bulgaria had appeared in the World Cup 5 times, but it had not been able to post a single victory. However, at the 1994 tournament Bulgaria pulled off a major coup and advanced to the final four. The engines for that advance were the talented Stoichkov, Balakov, Ivanov, and Lechkov. Now four years have passed and these players continue to be indispensable presences and the absolute center of the Bulgarian team.
This fact tells everything about the current state of the Bulgarian soccer team. Even though the main players are reaching advanced ages, in other words the team strength is gradually falling off, they must come to this World Cup tournament with the same power as four years ago. Triggered by the crushing defeat at Euro 96, Bonev took over as coach replacing Penev{?}, but the changing of the guard on the playing field has not progressed. With new power not emerging at all, the solution to this greatest problem has been put off into the future.
However, these problems can also be seen as a powerful advantage. With the same players having played together for so long, their teamwork is solid and their experience is beyond reproach. If they are able to give the game an attacking tempo, something good may come from attack specialists such as Balakov and Stoichkov. If so, Bulgaria's opportunities will blossom.
*BULGARSKI FUTBOLEN
SOIUS
[Address]
- ul. Karnigradska 19
- BG-1000 Sofia
[Established] 1923
*7th World Cup
(1962, 1966, 1970, 1974,
1986, 1994, 1998)
No championships |
Krassimir BALAKOV
* Midfielder
One of Europe's leading game makers takes on his last challenge on the stage in France
At the 1994 World Cup, Bulgaria not only posted its first-ever victory in the World Cup, but also pulled off the feat of advancing to the Best Four. The motor for that advance was Balakov, who was selected to the All-Star team for the tournament. He is top notch not only in his left-footed passing, shooting, and free kicking, but also in his inspiration, broad field of view, and dribble work. He has a fine reputation as one of the few true remaining game makers. For Bulgaria and its lineup of individualists such as Stoychikov and Letchikov, the reign of Balakov as the midfield general is absolutely charismatic for the team.
Hristo BONEV
During his playing days, Bonev played for such teams as Lokomotiv Probidiv, AEK Athens, etc. and appeared in the 1970 and 1974 World Cups. At the 1996 national team cup, he recorded 47 points, making him one of the leaders in the history of Bulgarian soccer. As coach, after building up his experience at Lokomotiv Sofia, as well as in Greece and Cyprus, in August 1996, he succeeded Penev as the head of the national team after the crushing defeat at Euro 96. He has rebuilt the team through such moves as bringing back Stoichkov, who had left the national team because of discord with the association, and led the team successfully through the qualifiers.
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