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Zverotić maintains Montenegro's dream start

Bulgaria 0-1 Montenegro
Elsad Zverotić's effort from distance stunned the home fans in Sofia as the tournament debutants won again.

Elsad Zverotić celebrates his strike on the break in Sofia
Elsad Zverotić celebrates his strike on the break in Sofia ©Getty Images

Elsad Zverotić struck from distance to give Montenegro a 1-0 Group B win against Bulgaria in Sofia as UEFA's newest member nation secured a second UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying win.

The FC Luzern defender's low strike surged past Nikolay Mihaylov in the Bulgaria goal to leave Bulgaria with a mountain to climb in the section, following their opening 4-0 defeat in England; indeed coach Stanimir Stoilov resigned after the game. Zlatko Kranjčar's side, meanwhile, can still believe that anything is possible ahead of their next qualifier, at home against Switzerland on 8 October.

Captain Mirko Vučinić struck to give Montenegro a 1-0 win against Wales on Friday in their first UEFA European Championship game, but it did not initially seem that they would be able to repeat that feat against Bulgaria. However, after Mladen Božović saved from Ivelin Popov's header after 35 minutes, Montenegro broke, with Zverotić striking gold from 30 metres.

Bulgaria coach Stoilov brought on Stanislav Genchev for right-back Zhivko Milanov at the break with Valeri Bozhinov also replacing Dimitar Rangelov up front, but while the home side dominated, Montenegro held their own, with Božović doing his reputation no harm. A Martin Petrov free-kick crashed into the bar at the death but Bulgaria were defeated and Stoilov soon announced his resignation.