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Bulgaria's new footballing home opens

UEFA HatTrick funding helped the Bulgarian Football Union build its new national football centre, opened on Thursday in the presence of UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.

Bulgaria's new national football centre
Bulgaria's new national football centre ©BFU/Lap.bg

The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) has opened its new House of Football – funded with UEFA's help – at Boyana, on the outskirts of the capital Sofiа.

UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin joined Bulgarian football greats, members of the European football family and many other dignitaries at the opening ceremony on Thursday.

Bulgaria's new footballing home includes three pitches – one with artificial turf – a multi-functional hall, a tennis court and a hotel where teams will be able to stay. In addition, the centre houses the BFU administrative offices.

Thursday was also notable for being the 23rd anniversary of Bulgaria's qualification for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, thanks to a stunning last-gasp win over France in Paris.

BFU vice-president Atanas Furnadzhiev, Aleksander Čeferin, Borislav Mihaylov, Zvonimir Boban and Bulgaria's sports minister Krasen Kralev
BFU vice-president Atanas Furnadzhiev, Aleksander Čeferin, Borislav Mihaylov, Zvonimir Boban and Bulgaria's sports minister Krasen Kralev©Meridian Match

"The date of this occasion was not chosen by an accident," said BFU president and former Bulgarian international goalkeeper Borislav Mihaylov, who played in that memorable match in 1993. "As players, we made one dream come true in 1994 – and now, we are making another dream come true as leaders of the BFU.

"This is an exceptional day for us. This is a dream come true for me and many generations of Bulgarian footballers."

Major funding from UEFA's HatTrick assistance programme helped to construct the centre. "I want to thank UEFA and FIFA," Mr Mihaylov reflected. "Without their help, this would not have happened."

Aleksander Čeferin congratulated the BFU on the new centre. "I am sure that this new national technical base and House of Football will help improve the level of Bulgarian football for the long term," he said.

"I am also proud that the centre has been built partly thanks to UEFA and our HatTrick programme, which redistributes the revenues generated by UEFA to all our member associations, in order to assist them in developing football across Europe.

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin kicks a ball in front of the hotel at the BFU's new base
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin kicks a ball in front of the hotel at the BFU's new base©BFU/Lap.bg

"In many ways," Mr Čeferin continued, "this is what gives daily meaning to our job in UEFA – to contribute to the development of football in Europe irrespective of the relative wealth or size of each federation. Today, more than ever, we need solidarity – a value which is in the DNA of football."

Bulgarian football personalities welcomed the opening of the centre. "I am happy with what I am seeing here; I want to congratulate everyone," said Dimitar Penev, who coached Bulgaria to the World Cup semi-finals in 1994.

Emil Kostadinov, who scored twice in the 1993 match against France, added: "This centre is priceless, and is for the long term. Let us hope that future generations will learn to play football from here."

"What Borislav Mihaylov and his team have done is outstanding," was the view of FIFA advisor and former Croatian international Zvonimir Boban.