Skinny
, 04:47 PM
http://footiethreads.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=807&stc=1 Country Info
AREA: 110,910 sq km
POPULATION: 7,537,929
NEIGHBOURS: Greece, F.Y.R. Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Turkey
LANGUAGES: Bulgarian
CAPITAL CITY: Sofia
The success of Plamen Markov's youthful national team in qualifying for the finals of UEFA EURO 2004™ was a sign of hope for Bulgaria, a nation that is emerging from a turbulent past with hope and a real passion to be involved in Europe.
Ancient empires
In the fourth century BC the territory of modern-day Bulgaria was part of the Macedonian Hellenic Empire of Philip II and his son Alexander the Great, until the Romans intervened. As the old empires waned in the early part of the first millennium, the Slavs had already colonised almost the whole Balkan peninsula, when the Proto-Bulgarians arrived in the seventh century, giving their name to the modern nation."
Ottoman occupation
The nation rose and fell in the subsequent centuries, battling for territory with neighbouring Byzantium and subsequently Turkey until the whole country fell to the Ottoman empire in the 14th century.
Emergent nation
Ottoman power was to survive until the late 19th century when, with help from other European countries and Russia in particular, Bulgaria was able to emerge as a nation in its own right once more. However, the first and second world wars destabilised the country, and Bulgaria overthrew its monarchy to emerge as a communist nation after 1945.
Footballing boost
Following the collapse of communism in 1989, Bulgaria has begun to recover from its troubled past, and the nation received a massive morale boost in 1994 as a team of hard workers enlivened by the mercurial genius of Hristo Stoitchkov took the national side to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup in the United States, knocking out holders Germany in the quarter-finals.
Young pioneers
Football has come to represent much of the vitality of the modern Bulgaria, with promising young players like Celtic FC's Stilian Petrov and Bayer 04 Leverkusen's Dimitar Berbatov showing what the nation can offer at the highest level of European club football.
Preview
Bulgaria's greatest ever achievement was finishing third at the 1994 FIFA World Cup finals, with a team which revolved around the brilliance of Hristo Stoitchkov.
New hope
The golden boys of USA '94 are all but gone now, but with a bright young side who cruised to Portugal as winners of qualifying Group 8, edging out Croatia, Belgium and Estonia in the process, Plamen Markov's men are hoping they have the skills necessary to challenge again.
Petrov presence
Just as the 1994 side were held together by the brilliance of Stoitchkov, the modern Bulgarian side owes much to their young captain, Celtic FC midfield player Stilian Petrov. A crafty playmaker who leads by example, his work-rate and eye for a telling ball drive Bulgaria through the middle of the field.
Renewed composure
The retirement of two of the last veterans of the 1994 campaign during the qualification for UEFA EURO 2004™, defender Radostin Kishishev and inspirational captain Krassimir Balakov, left Bulgaria reeling for a while, but under Petrov's guidance, they have recovered their composure.
Able winger
The captain is ably supported by winger Martin Petrov - not a blood relation of Stilian Petrov but sufficiently in tune with his team-mate's thoughts to pass for one. A tireless worker, the VfL Wolfsburg player has also proved to be a consistent goalscorer.
Strong striker
Forward Dimitar Berbatov is another player who caught the eye in the Bulgarian qualifying campaign. Tall and strong, he may not have the slick touches that mark out the world's greatest strikers, but he has long since proved that he has the power and finishing ability to intimidate any defence.
Supporting cast
Those three players mark out Bulgaria's biggest hopes for the future, but an able supporting cast of players, most notably Portsmouth FC youngster Svetoslav Todorov and Serbo-Montenegrin striker Zoran Jankovic, who took Bulgarian citizenship to join Markov's side, give them a tangible threat going forward.
Experienced defenders
In defence, solidity is the key, with plenty of experience from the likes of Predrag Pazin and Ivailo Petkov, but overall, Markov's Bulgaria are far more than just the sum of their parts. They play together and have discipline and maturity that belies the youth of so many of their players.
Past glories
Stoitchkov himself saw echoes of past glories in the current crop. "They have a good side with much promise, and, most importantly, good spirit," he told uefa.com. "It's great news for Bulgaria, because they are all still quite young and will play together for many years to come. These really are exciting times for the fans."
Unpleasant memories
It is all a far cry from the final game of their 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign - a humiliating 6-0 mauling at the hands of the Czech Republic which spelled the end for Markov's predecessor Stoytcho Mladenov. However, having made a break with their glorious past, the new side have much to offer.
Bright future
Some in Bulgaria think that the finals of EURO 2004™ may have come a little too early for Markov's side, and that they will be an even more impressive outfit in a few years' time. That may be the case, but their opponents in Portugal would be very unwise indeed to underestimate what Bulgaria can do.
Squad List (subject to change)
Zdravko Zdravkov
Dimitar Ivankov
-----------------
Zlatomir Zagorcic
Ilian Stoianov
Ivailo Petkov
Rosen Kirilov
Nikolai Krastev
Predrag Pazin
-----------------
Georgi Peev
Milen Petkov
Daniel Borimirov
Marian Hristov
Stilian Petrov
Todor Yanchev
-----------------
Svetoslav Todorov
Zoran Jankovic
Vladimir Manchev
Dimitar Berbatov
Martin Petrov
Velizar Dimitrov
Fixtures
v Sweden 19:45
v Denmark 17:00
v Italy 19:45
(Match kick-offs are listed in local time)
In charge
Plamen Markov
http://www.smh.com.au/ffxImage/urlpicture_id__2003/06/06/spt_bulgaria030607.jpg
Eyebrows were raised when Plamen Markov left his post as coach of FC Vidima-Rakovski in the Bulgarian second division to take charge of the national team in December 2001.
Doubters silenced
Dimitar Penev, who took Bulgaria to the semi-finals of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, suggested that "appointing a second-division coach is a risk". Yet Markov has since silenced those who doubted him, developing a young side who, having qualified in style as UEFA EURO 2004™ Group 8 winners, could now match the achievements of Penev's team.
Playing success
Markov's life in football began as a player with Vidima-Radovski, his hometown team, before he moved to the capital to join PFC CSKA Sofia. He won five league titles there between 1976 and 1983 along with two Bulgarian Cups.
European run
As CSKA's playmaker, Markov helped them to the European Champion Clubs' Cup semi-final in 1981/82. He also earned 34 caps for Bulgaria, playing in the 1986 World Cup. The previous year Markov had moved abroad, joining FC Metz in France where he spent two years before taking his first step into management with a player-coach's role at Grenoble Foot 38.
Coaching bow
At Grenoble, Markov became mentor to a young Youri Djorkaeff before he returned home to rejoin CSKA as assistant coach. His first job as a coach in his own right came with FC Chardafon Gabrovo but after returning to CSKA as coach in summer 1995, his reputation took a dent as he lasted less than half a season before leaving the club that December.
National call
After spells at Chardafon again and FC Minior, he returned to Vidima-Radovski in 1999, and remained with the club until the call came from the Bulgarian Football Union. He replaced Stoytcho Mladenov in the wake of the humiliating 6-0 defeat by the Czech Republic which ended Bulgarian hopes of qualifying for the 2002 World Cup.
Tactical knowledge
Bulgaria's young team have blossomed under his guidance. He has displayed excellent tactical knowledge, the ability to communicate with his players and also a capacity to take well measured risks during matches.
'Real job starts now'
Qualification was confirmed when they beat Andorra 3-0 on 10 September 2003, the eve of Markov's 46th birthday. "This is the greatest birthday present for me," he said. "But we still have a lot of work to do. The real job starts now."
Odds
66/1
AREA: 110,910 sq km
POPULATION: 7,537,929
NEIGHBOURS: Greece, F.Y.R. Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Turkey
LANGUAGES: Bulgarian
CAPITAL CITY: Sofia
The success of Plamen Markov's youthful national team in qualifying for the finals of UEFA EURO 2004™ was a sign of hope for Bulgaria, a nation that is emerging from a turbulent past with hope and a real passion to be involved in Europe.
Ancient empires
In the fourth century BC the territory of modern-day Bulgaria was part of the Macedonian Hellenic Empire of Philip II and his son Alexander the Great, until the Romans intervened. As the old empires waned in the early part of the first millennium, the Slavs had already colonised almost the whole Balkan peninsula, when the Proto-Bulgarians arrived in the seventh century, giving their name to the modern nation."
Ottoman occupation
The nation rose and fell in the subsequent centuries, battling for territory with neighbouring Byzantium and subsequently Turkey until the whole country fell to the Ottoman empire in the 14th century.
Emergent nation
Ottoman power was to survive until the late 19th century when, with help from other European countries and Russia in particular, Bulgaria was able to emerge as a nation in its own right once more. However, the first and second world wars destabilised the country, and Bulgaria overthrew its monarchy to emerge as a communist nation after 1945.
Footballing boost
Following the collapse of communism in 1989, Bulgaria has begun to recover from its troubled past, and the nation received a massive morale boost in 1994 as a team of hard workers enlivened by the mercurial genius of Hristo Stoitchkov took the national side to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup in the United States, knocking out holders Germany in the quarter-finals.
Young pioneers
Football has come to represent much of the vitality of the modern Bulgaria, with promising young players like Celtic FC's Stilian Petrov and Bayer 04 Leverkusen's Dimitar Berbatov showing what the nation can offer at the highest level of European club football.
Preview
Bulgaria's greatest ever achievement was finishing third at the 1994 FIFA World Cup finals, with a team which revolved around the brilliance of Hristo Stoitchkov.
New hope
The golden boys of USA '94 are all but gone now, but with a bright young side who cruised to Portugal as winners of qualifying Group 8, edging out Croatia, Belgium and Estonia in the process, Plamen Markov's men are hoping they have the skills necessary to challenge again.
Petrov presence
Just as the 1994 side were held together by the brilliance of Stoitchkov, the modern Bulgarian side owes much to their young captain, Celtic FC midfield player Stilian Petrov. A crafty playmaker who leads by example, his work-rate and eye for a telling ball drive Bulgaria through the middle of the field.
Renewed composure
The retirement of two of the last veterans of the 1994 campaign during the qualification for UEFA EURO 2004™, defender Radostin Kishishev and inspirational captain Krassimir Balakov, left Bulgaria reeling for a while, but under Petrov's guidance, they have recovered their composure.
Able winger
The captain is ably supported by winger Martin Petrov - not a blood relation of Stilian Petrov but sufficiently in tune with his team-mate's thoughts to pass for one. A tireless worker, the VfL Wolfsburg player has also proved to be a consistent goalscorer.
Strong striker
Forward Dimitar Berbatov is another player who caught the eye in the Bulgarian qualifying campaign. Tall and strong, he may not have the slick touches that mark out the world's greatest strikers, but he has long since proved that he has the power and finishing ability to intimidate any defence.
Supporting cast
Those three players mark out Bulgaria's biggest hopes for the future, but an able supporting cast of players, most notably Portsmouth FC youngster Svetoslav Todorov and Serbo-Montenegrin striker Zoran Jankovic, who took Bulgarian citizenship to join Markov's side, give them a tangible threat going forward.
Experienced defenders
In defence, solidity is the key, with plenty of experience from the likes of Predrag Pazin and Ivailo Petkov, but overall, Markov's Bulgaria are far more than just the sum of their parts. They play together and have discipline and maturity that belies the youth of so many of their players.
Past glories
Stoitchkov himself saw echoes of past glories in the current crop. "They have a good side with much promise, and, most importantly, good spirit," he told uefa.com. "It's great news for Bulgaria, because they are all still quite young and will play together for many years to come. These really are exciting times for the fans."
Unpleasant memories
It is all a far cry from the final game of their 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign - a humiliating 6-0 mauling at the hands of the Czech Republic which spelled the end for Markov's predecessor Stoytcho Mladenov. However, having made a break with their glorious past, the new side have much to offer.
Bright future
Some in Bulgaria think that the finals of EURO 2004™ may have come a little too early for Markov's side, and that they will be an even more impressive outfit in a few years' time. That may be the case, but their opponents in Portugal would be very unwise indeed to underestimate what Bulgaria can do.
Squad List (subject to change)
Zdravko Zdravkov
Dimitar Ivankov
-----------------
Zlatomir Zagorcic
Ilian Stoianov
Ivailo Petkov
Rosen Kirilov
Nikolai Krastev
Predrag Pazin
-----------------
Georgi Peev
Milen Petkov
Daniel Borimirov
Marian Hristov
Stilian Petrov
Todor Yanchev
-----------------
Svetoslav Todorov
Zoran Jankovic
Vladimir Manchev
Dimitar Berbatov
Martin Petrov
Velizar Dimitrov
Fixtures
v Sweden 19:45
v Denmark 17:00
v Italy 19:45
(Match kick-offs are listed in local time)
In charge
Plamen Markov
http://www.smh.com.au/ffxImage/urlpicture_id__2003/06/06/spt_bulgaria030607.jpg
Eyebrows were raised when Plamen Markov left his post as coach of FC Vidima-Rakovski in the Bulgarian second division to take charge of the national team in December 2001.
Doubters silenced
Dimitar Penev, who took Bulgaria to the semi-finals of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, suggested that "appointing a second-division coach is a risk". Yet Markov has since silenced those who doubted him, developing a young side who, having qualified in style as UEFA EURO 2004™ Group 8 winners, could now match the achievements of Penev's team.
Playing success
Markov's life in football began as a player with Vidima-Radovski, his hometown team, before he moved to the capital to join PFC CSKA Sofia. He won five league titles there between 1976 and 1983 along with two Bulgarian Cups.
European run
As CSKA's playmaker, Markov helped them to the European Champion Clubs' Cup semi-final in 1981/82. He also earned 34 caps for Bulgaria, playing in the 1986 World Cup. The previous year Markov had moved abroad, joining FC Metz in France where he spent two years before taking his first step into management with a player-coach's role at Grenoble Foot 38.
Coaching bow
At Grenoble, Markov became mentor to a young Youri Djorkaeff before he returned home to rejoin CSKA as assistant coach. His first job as a coach in his own right came with FC Chardafon Gabrovo but after returning to CSKA as coach in summer 1995, his reputation took a dent as he lasted less than half a season before leaving the club that December.
National call
After spells at Chardafon again and FC Minior, he returned to Vidima-Radovski in 1999, and remained with the club until the call came from the Bulgarian Football Union. He replaced Stoytcho Mladenov in the wake of the humiliating 6-0 defeat by the Czech Republic which ended Bulgarian hopes of qualifying for the 2002 World Cup.
Tactical knowledge
Bulgaria's young team have blossomed under his guidance. He has displayed excellent tactical knowledge, the ability to communicate with his players and also a capacity to take well measured risks during matches.
'Real job starts now'
Qualification was confirmed when they beat Andorra 3-0 on 10 September 2003, the eve of Markov's 46th birthday. "This is the greatest birthday present for me," he said. "But we still have a lot of work to do. The real job starts now."
Odds
66/1