FRANCE 98 – Match no.37 : SPAIN-BULGARIA – Mixed Zone – Comments by BULGARIA players

Match no.37 : SPAIN-BULGARIA – Mixed Zone – Comments by BULGARIA players

24.06.98 23h30 CET

Hristo STOITCHKOV (8):

“We ran in vain for ninety minutes, but nothing came of it. These days everything can be bought, even a game like BRAZIL-NORWAY…”

Ilian ILIEV (11):

“At 3-1, there was something to play for, given our domination. We could have got back to 3-2, and a bit closer to the Spaniards. And from that point, the balance might have tipped in our favour.”

Emil KOSTADINOV (7):

“It was a very bad result for BULGARIA. It’s obvious that we didn’t play to our real capabilities. This evening it’s very difficult to say if the former generation, the one that played in a World Cup semi-final in 1994, will give way to a new, younger generation. That will be for the new national coach to decide. Every change can be a positive one. A new boss for this side might be able to find the right formula with his know-how. From now on, we have to concentrate on the European championship. Life goes on, and I am convinced that BULGARIA has an excellent pool of players to draw from.”

Zdravko ZDRAVKOV (1):

“It’s the worst evening of my entire career, but in football everything can turn out badly. Now we have to ring the changes on this Bulgarian team. I’m sorry to have to say this, but BULGARIA has not managed any good results with Hristo BONEV as coach. His departure will lead to changes in the team, with a view to the qualifying games for Euro 2000. In addition to our defeat, I don’t think NIGERIA played to win. But we have to stop blaming others and concern ourselves with our own future.”

Luboslav PENEV (9):

“You can say what you like about us or about SPAIN, but the cold facts are to be found in the final group placings: the best two teams are NIGERIA and PARAGUAY. Unfortunately, we are among the disappointed ones who have been eliminated, but that’s the way it is.”