Cairo calls for Bulgaria

By Pawel Dimow

Bulgaria have arranged to play a friendly international against Egypt in Cairo on 29 November.

Famous uncle
With the exception of VfB Stuttgart midfield player Ivan Stoyanov, coach Hristo Stoichkov has named an entirely home-based squad. The 21-year-old Stoyanov, the nephew of former Bulgarian international Yordan Letchkov, made his international debut in the 0-0 draw against Azerbaijan on Wednesday.

First call-ups
PFC CSKA Sofia attacking midfield player Velizar Dimitrov and PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv goalkeeper Stoyan Kolev, who were part of the Bulgaria squad at UEFA EURO 2004™, have received their first call-ups since Stoichkov replaced Plamen Markov after the finals.

Bulgarian debutants
The 18-man squad includes two newcomers - defender Aleksandar Tunchev and midfielder Georgi Iliev. The two 23-year-olds both play for reigning Bulgarian champions PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv. A third player, 19-year-old CSKA striker Kostadin Hazurov, is also awaiting his international debut having sat on the bench for the whole of the game against Azerbaijan.

Full squad
Ivankov (PFC Levski Sofia), Kolev (PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv), Ilian Stoyanov (PFC Levski Sofia), Tunchev (PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv), Topuzakov (PFC Levski Sofia), Venkov (PFC Litex Lovech), Karaslavov (PFC Slavia Sofia), Yankov (PFC Slavia Sofia), Georgiev (PFC Slavia Sofia), Rangelov (PFC Slavia Sofia), Iliev (PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv), Kamburov (PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv), Yanev (PFC CSKA Sofia), Gargorov (PFC CSKA Sofia), Sakaliev (PFC CSKA Sofia), Hazurov (PFC CSKA Sofia), Dimitrov (PFC CSKA Sofia), Ivan Stoyanov (VfB Stuttgart)