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Back at their best
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 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.
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