Standing: 10.Nasko Sirakov, 3.Trifon Ivanov, 9.Yordan Letchkov, 1.Bobi Mihailov (Captain), 6.Zlatko Yankov, 7.Emil Kostadinov, Dimitar Penev (head coach)
Squatting: 20.Krasimir Balakov, 5.Peter Hubchev, 8.Hristo Stoichkov, 4.Tzanko Tzvetanov, 16.Ilian Kiriakov
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The undisputed leader of the team was Stoichkov, an established player with FC Barcelona. Playing as a left winger, Stoichkov scored regularly in important games. In attack he was helped by his former CSKA teammates Penev and Kostadinov.
In the midfield, Krasimir Balakov was instrumental in distributing the ball. Balakov covered a lot of ground and most attacking passes were directed by him. Letchkov showed impressive flair and skills and emerged as the team’s top technician.
Trifon Ivanov was the prominent defender on the team. The stubby Kiriakov and Tzvetanov played along his side, while stopper Hubchev roamed in front of the back three.
Captain Mihailov was a reliable figure at the goal for Bulgaria. He made few mistakes on the job and managed to hold his position for over 100 international caps.
Known as a laid back character, Bulgaria’s coach Dimitar Penev had good instincts when it came to team chemistry. Penev was a former international for Bulgaria. Before taking over as the head coach for Bulgaria, he had achieved success with CSKA Sofia.
History
1992 – 1993
After the fall of the Soviet Union, Bulgaria opened its doors to foreign player trade. This gave the chance for Western clubs to sign many talented Bulgarian players. Stoichkov was recruited by Barcelona, while Balakov and Kostadinov went to Portugal. Bulgarian footballers were exposed to top European competition for the first time. The first major upset that Bulgaria caused was against France. In a decisive qualifier for World Cup 1994, the French were overturned 2-1 by a late goal from Kostadinov in the 90th minute.
1993 – 1994
Bulgaria’s dramatic victory over France in the qualifications, catapulted the team into World Cup 1994. Virtually no one expected Bulgaria’s success at the tournament. After a 0-3 loss from Nigeria in the first game, the team bounced back with a 4-0 win over Greece, the first World Cup victory in the country’s history. The team maintained their form, beating returning finalist Argentina 2-0 and toppling both Mexico and the defending champion, Germany. At the semifinals, Italy put an end to Bulgaria’s run. Regardless of the loss, the Bulgarian squad were welcomed as champions upon their return home.
1995 – 1996
During the Euro 1996 qualification stage, Bulgaria started off with a string of consecutive victories. Bulgaria defeated Germany once more with a 3-2 victory in Sofia. Yet, by the end of the qualification campaign, the team’s youthful tenacity seemed to be gone. At Euro 1996, Bulgaria was eliminated in the first round after a 1-3 loss from no other than France. Coach Dimitar Penev was sacked along with his nephew, Luboslav. Stoichkov and a couple of his teammates announced a boycott on the national team. Although Stoichkov would later return, Bulgaria’s golden era was over.
Achievements
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 The Bulgarian team celebrates its victory over Germany at the 1994 World Cup quarter-finals. |
 Midfielder Yordan Letchkov dribbles past three Greek defenders. |
 Bulgarian Striker Hristo Stoichkov curves a free kick over the German wall. |
 Krasimir Balakov tricks Argentina’s Diego Simeone. |