Penev primed for Dutch decider

Coach Dimitar Penev returns to the Bulgaria bench for a competitive match for the first time in over a decade on Saturday when his side face Netherlands in a Group G fixture that could have a major bearing on who books a place in the UEFA EURO 2008™ finals.

Big task
The 62-year-old master tactician was handed the task of taking Bulgaria through their last five qualifiers in June, taking over from stand-in Stanimir Stoilov with the team second in a tight section. The Dutch lie two points behind with a game in hand on everybody else so all eyes will be on the Amsterdam Arena, where Penev expects a testing night. "The current crop of Dutch players are fantastic," said the former PFC CSKA Sofia coach. "They have some of the brightest stars in the world, with players at the best clubs in Europe. They could form a great side even if they drew only from the Eredivisie.

Rotterdam recollections
"That said, a draw on Saturday would not be a good result for us. I want to win and we will go there to win. We need points to make amends for the home draw against Albania earlier this year." Penev knows what it takes to reach a major finals, having guided Bulgaria to the 1994 FIFA World Cup and EURO '96™. As a no-nonsense defender he was also part of the side that progressed to the 1970 World Cup, an achievement significantly aided by a precious 1-1 draw against the Netherlands in Rotterdam. "The memories are nice, but we cannot compare the generations," said Penev, who began this spell at the helm with a 1-0 friendly win at home to Wales last month. "Those games are in the past."

Motivation
Back in the present and Penev has no major injury problems with the exception of long-term absentee Valeri Bozhinov, though the fine form of PFC Litex Lovech forward Ivelin Popov could provide a dilemma of who to start with in attack. Dimitar Berbatov is almost guaranteed a berth, however, and the Tottenham Hotspur FC man is relishing the challenge of trying to find a way past a Dutch defence that have conceded just twice in six qualifiers to date. "We have no fear," he insisted. "There is no such thing as an invincible team and while we respect them this does not mean we are afraid. On the contrary, we will be more motivated."