Vidima-Rakovski set for Premier League
Tuesday, June 3, 2003
Article summary
National coach Plamen Markov's former club PFC Vidima-Rakovski Sevlievo have secured promotion.
Article body
PFC Vidima-Rakovski Sevlievo have become the third new members of the Bulgarian Premier League following PFC Rodopa Smolyan and PFC Makedonska Slava Simitli's promotion last weekend.
Top flight first
The 2003/04 season will therefore see Vidima-Rakovski in the top division for the first time in their 80-year history. A 4-1 win against PFC Belite Orli Pleven in the final round of the First League was enough for the club, who were led by national coach Plamen Markov until the beginning of 2002, to secure promotion. Markov was at the match to see his former charges make history.
Play-off approaches
PFC Belasitsa Petrich and PFC Pirin Blagoevgrad, who finished fourth and fifth in the First League respectively, will feature in a play-off on 4 June at the Lokomotiv stadium in Sofia to decide the final promotion place. Only two teams are being demoted from the Premier League because the number of participants is being increased from 14 to 16 next season.
Relegated clubs
PFC Dobrudzha Dobrich and PFC Rilski Sportist Samokov were relegated and will play in the First League next season.
