Season review: Bulgaria
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Article summary
PFC Ludogorets Razgrad graced the UEFA Champions League group stage and claimed a fourth title in a row – something only PFC CSKA Sofia had managed before.
Article top media content
Article body
Champions: PFC Ludogorets Razgrad
Ludogorets matched PFC CSKA Sofia in becoming only the second club to claim four consecutive Bulgarian titles, despite early-season turbulence which led to Georgi Dermendzhiev replacing Stoycho Stoev as coach. Magic was in the air in their UEFA Champions League play-off, Romanian defender Cosmin Moți putting on the gloves to make two saves in a shoot-out success against FC Steaua Bucureşti, and though they trailed CSKA in the league in the winter, an unprecedented run of ten games without a goal ruined the Army Men's campaign. The Eagles were confirmed as champions with three games to go, but at the end of the season, Dermendzhiev announced that he was moving on.
Cup final: PFC Levski Sofia 1-2 PFC Cherno More Varna (aet)
The Bulgarian Cup final has had some thrilling twists of late, but the 2015 decider was something else, Levski denied a first trophy since 2009. Reduced to ten men seven minutes before half-time when Sténio was dismissed, Cherno More went 1-0 down on 72 minutes, Spanish forward Añete on target. However, Bacari's neat volley at the death took the game to extra time, with greater drama to follow, Coureur's glorious run and shot on 119 minutes bringing the Sailors their first major silverware.
European places*
PFC Ludogorets Razgrad – UEFA Champions League second qualifying round
PFC Cherno More Varna – UEFA Europa League second qualifying round
PFC Beroe Stara Zagora – UEFA Europa League first qualifying round
PFC Litex Lovech – UEFA Europa League first qualifying round
*subject to final confirmation from UEFA
Player of the year: Marcelinho (PFC Ludogorets Razgrad)
Vladislav Stoyanov became the first Ludogorets player to be named as Bulgaria's footballer of the year, scooping the award for his efforts in 2014, while Brazilian midfielder Marcelinho was honoured by his fellow professionals in a separate end-of-season poll. At the club since May 2011, the 30-year-old has played a part in four title successes and two Bulgarian Cup wins. In 2014/15, he scored against Real Madrid CF and now holds club records for most league appearances (104) and most league goals (32).
One to watch: Bozhidar Kraev (PFC Levski Sofia)
At 17, the attacking midfielder is regarded as the most promising youngster in the Bulgarian top flight. The son of former PFC Botev Vratsa star Boyko Kraev, he made his league debut last July, scored three in a cup tie against PFC Spartak Varna two months later and ended the campaign with six goals from 19 league outings – including a last-day treble against PFC Marek Dupnitsa.
Leading scorer: Añete (PFC Levski Sofia), 14 goals
Relegated: FC Haskovo, PFC Marek Dupnista
Promoted: PFC Montana, OFK Pirin Blagoevgrad*
*to be approved by Bulgarian Football Union (BFU).