BULGARIA

With England and Harry Kane especially, trouncing Bulgaria's national team yesterday, it leads me to tell you a bit about the Bulgarian Football Association.
Their present coach is Krasimir Balakov.
Captained by Ivelin Popuv 85 apps (Litex Lovech, Gaziantespor, Krasnodar, Spartak Moscow)
Most caps Stilliyan Popov 105 apps (CSKA, Celtic, Aston Villa)
Top Scorer Dimitar Berbatov (did he play for Sofia, Leverkusen, Fulham, Man U, Spurs, Monaco PSOK, Kerala Blasters) 48 and Hristo Bonev 48 (CSKA Sofia and Lokomotiv Plovdiv)
Founded in 1922 the Association played its first game in Vienna against Austria, then a power house in European football, on May 21st 1924. They drew 0-0.
In the Paris Olympics, 1924, the national team took part for the first time and by 1930 were also due to take part in the Uruguayan hosted World Cup but failed to turn up due to storms and hurricanes over the Atlantic. They were due to play Brazil, Yugoslavia and Bolivia.
In 1968 Bulgaria reached the Olympics final.
Their next W.C. appearance was in Chile in 1962.
Their best FIFA World Cup success was a semi-final place in 1994, beating Greece, Argentina, Mexico and Germany en route.
In 1968 they reached the Quarter-finals of the UEFA Euro Championships.
The Balkan Cup is a competition that they enjoyed playing in tournaments and winning 4 times. The competing countries including Albania, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Turkey and Yugoslavia. These nation states have been altered of course over history!
Most famous player in this competition that lasted until 1980 was Hungarian, Ferenc Puskas, who scored 84 goals in 85 appearances for his country. He also played four times for Spain following his "nationalisation" when signing for Real Madrid in their 1950-60's pomp.

Recent heroes; Hristo Stoitchkov, who played 454 times for clubs including Barcelona and Palma, scoring 219 goals.
Present FIFA ranking 60.