Cherno More defy odds to beat Levski in final

PFC Cherno More Varna won their first silverware thanks to a thrilling 2-1 triumph against PFC Levski Sofia following extra time in the Bulgarian Cup final.

Cherno More, down to ten men for more than 80 minutes, were trailing going into added time of the initial 90. Bacari equalised to take the game to extra time and Mathias Coureur then struck the killer blow to avoid the need for penalties.

Levski were dominant for much of the first half, going close through Antonio Añete and Luís Pedro, and Cherno More's task became harder still seven minutes before the break when Sténio was dismissed. Añete then spurned another excellent opening but did finally put Levski in front after 72 minutes, latching on to Roman Procházka's attempted shot and finishing from ten metres.

Cherno More were not to be shaken off, however, and were on level terms two minutes into added time through Bacari's neat volley. Levski's numerical advantage meant they dominated possession thereafter, but they could not find a way through.

With a penalty shoot-out looming, Coureur embarked on a stunning run down the left, kept his composure inside the penalty area and calmly slotted in to secure a sensational victory for the Black Sea club, runners-up in the 2006 and 2008 finals.