FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template

Bulgaria, who were due to train twice on Monday, have an ageing squad but a wealth of experience which could make them dangerous outsiders in group D.

Coach Hristo Bonev is relying on such established stars as Hristo Stoichkov and Emil Kostadinov, now both of CSKA Sofia, to earn them success as in their trail to the 1994 World Cup semi-finals. Bulgaria had a scare on Sunday morning when their hotel, 35km to the south of Paris, caught fire, damaging the dining room and glass facade. But the Bulgarians have announced they will be staying, which is a change from Euro 96 when they moved out of their lodgings in the north of England, claiming Scarborough was too boring. Bulgaria had a very unorthodox route to success in the 1994 World Cup, with reported late nights drinking and smoking, even the day before important matches.

But their results in the finals could not be denied, as well as their last gasp defeat of France from the qualifying group to book their ticket to the USA.

The Bulgarians face Spain, Nigeria and Paraguay in Group D in the first round this time and their final warm-up game went well. Goals on Friday from veteran striker Stoichkov and Ivaylo Iordanov gave them a 2-0 win over Algeria.

When Bonev took over in 1996 after Bulgaria failed to reach the finals of Euro ‘96, he was met by a mini players strike over the sacking of former coach Dimitar Penev.

Worse still it was led by Bulgaria’s star striker Stoichkov who Bonev promptly ignored for several months. But with the World Cup looming Bonev, who has coached Greek side Panathinaikos and APOEL Nicosia, and Stoichkov made their peace.

Bulgaria begin their campaign this week against Paraguay in Montpellier on Friday. Spain and Nigeria are also in their first round group. “Euro 96 was a disappointment,” he said. “It was less than we anticipated. We were semi-finalists in America and we seriously feel we can obtain a medal in France,” Bonev said. “We have had a generation of great players, who are still a force at international level. I know, however, what a long tournament this will be and we must have some youth in the squad. I have a number of players who are beginning to show what they can do.” Bonev is counting on the likes of 24-year-old Marian Hristov, an exciting midfield talent who will have gained valuable experience with Kaiserslautern in the German Bundesliga.

While experience and team spirit will, of course, play a crucial part, fitness is going to become an ever-important factor as the tournament wears on and that could concern Bulgaria.