Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008

[*Tosh*]

Next week Bulgarian championship starts , and I made a list with all the oficial transfers in Bulgarian clubs , and a short previews , I think that it could be useful for these , who decide to bet on APFG ... ;) Belasica Petric In: Dianu (Levski) Eli Marques Julio Cesar (Denizlispor) Goran Proykov , Koce Chachev (FC Macedonia) Asen Georgiev (Vihren) Out: Marquinos (Cska Sofia) Ramadan Zekiri (released) Jordan Stoilov , Petio Dinkov (lower league) Comment: Well , Bela is a typical mid-table team . They are strong at home , a little shaky on road , and they often take part in games with very strange results . When they secure their elite status , they are more likely to play with lower than 100 % of their abilities , and to lost points in games , which should win easily . Petrich is a tough place to visit , their pitch is not very good , their players are used to play on that kind of ground , but for our leading teams , it is always hard , when they play on bad pitch , because tehnical abilities of the players become useless , and it often happens Bela not to lose at home , when some of top 4 came in Petrich . A big loss is that Marquinos left the team , he was one of Bela`s best players , the new one , Marques and Cesar , are unknown to bulgarian auditory , and we haven`t seen them in play , their abilities are a mystery for the moment . I think , that a position around 10-th place , is what we should expect from Belasica . Best they can achieve , is 8-th place , worst can be 13-th , but still , they won`t be fighting for their survival untli the last round . Beroe Stara Zagora In: Petur Stoyanov (Hebur) Todor Kiychukov (Beira Mar) Zdravko Iliev , Nikolay Stankov , Vladislav Bejanski , Milen Hristov (lower league) Slavi Jekov (Cherno More) Out: Abdelkarim Kisi , Manuel Lopes , Isaak Kwakye , Stoyan Stavrev (released) Adelino Lopes (Loko Sofia) Ivan Spahiev (lower league) Comment: I still do not know what to expect from Beroe this season . Six rounds before the end of the last one , Beroe appointed a new couch , Eduard Eranosyan , who made Lokomotiv Plovdiv champions in 2005 , and is young and very talanted specialist . The team said , that is going to chase an european spot this season , but when Eranosyan met with the club president , and asked for money for a few good transfers , which would improve the team`s abilities and level of performance , club president refused to give such big transfer credit , so Eduard realised , that there is no chance to achieve a good final place , and to play in Uefa , so he left the club . With quality of players , that Beroe has right now , it is ridiculous to think that they can finish in top 6 , for them this is like "mission imposible" . And president`s refusal to give what the club needs , and to bring in some decent players , shows that they will have no ambition for a Uefa place . A mid-table position , should be expected , Stara Zagora is a football town , with many young talanted players , and the team is better than most of the so-called "relegation fighters" , so I expect that Beroe will have no problems to stay in the APFG , but that`s all they can achieve . A place between 8 and 12 .

[*Tosh*]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 Botev Plovdiv In: Nikolay Manchev , Georgi Hristov (Mariza) Vassil Gurkov (lower league) Out: Stefan Stoychev , Georgi Kirev , Anastas Petrov (released) Grisha Ivanov , Emil Stoev , Kostadin Vidolov (Spartak Plovdiv) Nikolay Domakinov (Cherno More) Comment: A tough season for Botev is what I expect . The team started really well last season , and was almost perfect at home , but on road is one of the poorest in APFG . That`s why Botev often is involved in fights against relegation , which is a shame , because Botev has great past behind them , they are third best loved and popular team in Bulgaria , with great fans and history , but now their destiny is to be on the bottom side of the league table . Botev made two great transfers , with Manchev and Georgi Hristov , from city rivals Mariza , both are nice players , Georgi Hristov is one of the best young strikers in Bulgaria , and he can help for Botev`s survival with his goals . Botev convinced veteran goalkeeper Lilcho Arsov to stay at "Hristo Botev" for this season , so they will be sure in goal . There are rumors , that Botev will sign other goalkeeper , Slavcho Toshev , who is ex-bulgarian national player , he has big experience , and he can be very strong ot his position . The biggest loss , is leaving of Kostadin Vidolov . Veteran midfielder left the club , and this is very bad . Vidolov , despite his age , is one of the best midfield playmakers in APFG , with many seasons in Germany 1st and 2nd Bundesliga , he was a true leader and best player in the club for the last two years . Now , without him , it would be very hard for Botev , they lack of inteligence and creativity , especially on road , where team plays horrible . A fatal 13-th position is what I wish , for being a Botev supporter , but sadly , a relegation place 14 to 16 is also very probably to happen . A relegation fighter this season . Vidima Rakovski In: Asen Chalukov , Veselin Stanchev , Abdi Abdikov (lower league) Ivan Todorov (Levski Sofia) Out: Raychev , Atanas Fidanin , Samed Ashimov , Milen Vankov (lower league) Kopchev (released) Comment: Vidima is newcomer , and as you can expect , main goal will be to survive . With the quality of players they have , I think it would be very hard task . They didn`t brought in good players , to improve their class . They had a good home record last season , in BPFG , but this year it would be harder a lot . In Sevlievo , they can be effective , and to beat their rivals , but on road I expect to be very poor . A relegation fighter , with a little luck , and one or two "unexpected" away wins , can secure their elite status . 12-15 position .

[*Tosh*]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 Vihren Sandanski In: Eduardo Simoes (Masa) Ademar (Vitoria Setubal) Lius Dias , Hugo Santos (Mosca Vide) Tiago COsta (Benfica B) Rudolfo Lima (Portimonese) Stoycho Mladenov Jr (Naftex) Pina Out: Mauro , Konti , Edinho , Vencislav Velinov (released) Jury Ivanov , Rumen Trifonov , Georgi Semerdziev (lower league) Asen Georgiev (Belasica) Viktor Sofroniev (Slavia Sofia) Comment: With a lot of portugal and brazilian players , Vihren will try to earn an european place , an Inter Toto place most likely . I don`t think , that the team has the potential to represent Bulgaria in Europe , not in this season at least . I expect Vihren to have no troubles in surviving , although they lost key players , and the new one , are with mysterious abilities , and we can`t be sure if they are right players , who can drive Vihren forward . An mid-table position , is what I expect from Vihren this year , a place from 9th to 12 , but they shouldn`t have to bother for their APFG position until the last round , they should feel safe three or more rounds before the last one . Levski Sofia In: Darko Tasevski (Metalurg) Yosuf Rabeh (FAR Rabat) Shakib Benzoukane (Marakes) Out: Dianu (Belasica) Stanislav Angelov (Energie Cottbus) Nikolay Mihaylov (Liverpool) Atanas Kurdov (Bayer Leverkusen) Comment: Champions Levski look good to defend their title , but in first two oficial matches they played poor , and Tasevski and Benzoukane weren`t very impresive , Tasevski should say , that was very week . But , I think that they will show their real potential soon , and will become very good signings for the team . Stanislav Angelov`s leaving is a big loss , he was best defender , a very versatile player , could play everywhere on the field . There are rumors , that striker Emil Angelov will leave the club , and join chinese club Dalien , and captain Elin Topuzakov will be transfered in Germany , but nothing oficial . Levski need a striker , this is their main problem in the moment , only Valeri Domovchiyski and Ekundayo Jaeyoba are real forwards , if Angelov leave the club , a replacement should be found immediately , otherwise the team will have problems , because the season is long , and if Valeri or Jaeyoba got injured , Levski would be in a position without clear striker in his squad . With the quality of players that the team has , a position in top 2 has no alternative . It would be harder than last season , where Levski had no strong rivalry , and easy won the championship . A champion , or a runner-up , it depends on the team`s shape during the season .

[*Tosh*]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 Litex Lovech In: Fabien Budaren (Dijon) Sedric Cambon (Montpelier) Ilya Nikolov (Haskovo) Tome (Marek) Sedric Juras (Falkirk) Out: Petar Zanev (Celta Vigo) Jivko Jelev (Ocelul Galac) Nikolay Cvetkov , Rosen Kirilov (released) Comment: Litex start the season with big ambitions , to try to bring the title back in Lovech . I watched some of the team`s friendly matches , a SuperCup match vs Levski , and two in Uefa cup vs Sliema , and I can say that the team plays very attractive and nice football . The new signings are good , I like Cambon very much , and think that he can become a key player in the squad , if he plays on a top level . Litex changed their couch , Lupko Petrovic left , and well known in Lovech , Ferario Spasov came back . Litex is a tough team to beat , very strong , and can beat every team in the league . They also will try to get in the Uefa Cup Group Stage , which is their main target , and to try to get out of them , and play a 1/16 or 1/8 final in Uefa . It would be very hard , but in 2006 they managed to do that , why not this year to do it again ? In the championship , in the very first round , they will play vs Cska , and this match will show if Litex are ready to challenge for the title . I think , that they are not . And not because they are not so strong , but because Levski and Cska are a little better than Lovech right now . Levski beated them in Super Cup , I expect Cska to beat them in the opening round , although these kind of games are hard to predict . A blow will be the departure of Petar Zanev , Jivko Jelev and Rosen Kirilov . These three players , were first choice defenders , and were key players in the defansive wall . Now , Litex should make a completely different foursome in front of the goalie , and they can have problems in first few rounds . Litex is a factor in APFG , I expect to fight well for the title , but at the end of the season , to challenge with Lokomotiv Sofia for the third place . Most likely , a place in top 4 is what you should expect from Litex . Lokomotiv Plovdiv In: Martin Kamburov (free) Out: Stoyan Kolev (Treviso) Zoran Baldovaliev , Hristo Zlatinski (Loko Sofia) Dragolub Kostic , Stefan Trumic (released) Comment: Loko Plovdiv will have some troubles this season . First of all , a couple of months ago , their club president was killed , and the team was very close to falit , there were a lot of people , who wanted to buy the club , but that operation lasted very long , and finally last week was sold to Levent , a turkish businessman . Some of the club fans don`t like their new owner , they were protesting , but now they cannot do anything against this decision . But the most important here is players . They are not ready for the start of the season . Loko lost some of their key players , like goalie Kolev , and forwards Baldovaliev and Zlatinski . Marto Kamburov is back , he is really great player, but he`s not played at high level for almost two years , so he will need some time to adapt . Coach Marinov started his selection just a few days ago , so he will have no time to bring in players that could help him to achieve his main goals this season . The team is not ready for the start of the season , so I expect a hard games for Loko , they did not trained well during the break , and will have problems this season . Despite that , I still do not expect Loko to be involved in surviving battle , but nothing more than a safe mid-talbe place should be expected . This season that would be enough , for a serious challenge and battle for european places , Loko should prepare from the next season . A place between 9th and 13th .

[*Tosh*]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 Lokomotiv Sofia In: Adelino Lopes (Beroe) Rumen Tinkov , Nikolay Pavlov , Ivo Dimitrov (Spartak Plovdiv) Zoran Baldovaliev , Hristo Zlatinski (Loko Plovdiv) Denislav Simeonov , Preslav Ivanov (lower league) Out: Tzvetan Genkov (Dinamo Moscow) Julian Petkov , Ivan Pavlov , Stanislav Rumenov (lower league) Comment: Lokomotiv Sofia played very well last season , and earned a Uefa place . I expect from them to do the same this year , and to finish in top 4 . I still do not believe , that Loko has what it takes to win the championship , but he can still secure a place in Europe . Main loss will be the departure of APFG Goalscorer , Tzvetan Genkov , who was sold to Dinamo Moscow . The new atackers , Baldovaliev and Zlatinski , can replace Genkov , if they adapt fast in his new team . Baldovaliev is good player , and can be key player for Loko . It would be interesting battle between Loko and Litex , these two teams are expected to be close to title pretendents Levski and Cska , but still with very poor chances for the first place . Loko will try to achieve some good results in Uefa cup , but the season is long , and I expect Lokomotiv to finish in top 4 , right now they play better than Litex , so for me - Loko third , and Lovech on 4th place . Marek Dupnitsa In: Ivo Pargov (Naftex) Alexander Goranov (Cska) Milan Pavlovic (Radnicki) Out: Tome (Litex) Borislav Hazurov (Litex) Stanislav Bachev , Yanko Kosturkov , Veselin Zdravkov , Nikolay Blagoev , Svetoslav Rizov , Ivaylo Petev (released) Comment: Marek is playing worse and worse with every new season , last season they survived luckily , but this season I will not be so confident . First of all , they lost key players , and didn`t do anything about it . Second of all , I think that the team is a little exhausted , they cannot give nothing more to APFG , and for me are main candidat for BPFG . Dupnitsa is a hard place to visit , just like Sandanski , just like Petrich , places in South West Bulgaria are tough , with bad pitches , and these teams rely very much on points , earned at home . Marek will try to do this again , this season , but I think that it would be very hard . I expect to fight for their survival , and at the end of the season , to find themselves on a place in the red zone . I feel sorry for them , but a 14-16 place is what I expect from Marek this season .

[*Tosh*]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 Pirin Blagoevgrad In: Rumen Laptanov , Miroslav Rizov (lowed league) Emanuel , Herman (somewhere in Argentina) Stefan KOstadinov (Rilski Sportist) Out: Kostadin Markov , Georgi Zezev , Stanko Stoychev , Atanas Nikolov (released) Comment: Well , Pirin are newcomers this season , they reunited with a local team , also called Pirin , and now they will be looking for a long and successful era in APFG . They were perfect last season , in our lower division , but in APFG it would be harder . As a newcomer , Pirin`s first goal should be to survive . They are a decent team , not many stars in the squad , but the boys there , are highly motivated to show what they can , so it would be interesting to see what are their abilities . I haven`t watched them since their last game in APFG , in Plovdiv vs Botev , where they actually got relegated , but I heard that team changed since then , and now it`s full with young players , talanted players , and of course , some older , with a lot of experience , who should lead the team when hard times came . Pirin should fight for their survival , but at the end , I think that is more likely to finish on a place above the red zone . A place between 10 and 14th place /still there is a possibility for Pirin to get relegated , but I don`t think that Pirin will be the poorest team this season/ . Slavia Sofia In: Bogomil Dyakov (Spartak Varna) Dimitur Simeonov (Minyor Pernik) Martin Hristov (Cherno More) Deniran Ortega (Spartak Varna) Viktor Sofroniev (Vihren) Ivaylo Simeonov (Marek) Out: Nenad Lazarevski , Angel Stoykov , Kostadin Dzambazov , Borislav Dimitrov , Kiril Nikolov (released) Todor Kolev (Alemania Aahen) Asen Karaslavov (Groiter Furt) Comment: Slavia is a traditionaly upper mid-table team , with no ambitions for Euro place , and far away from relegation places . This year won`t be different . Two big losses for the team - leading goalscorer Todor Kolev left for Bundesliga team Alemania , and top defender Asen Karaslavov left for Second Bundesliga , and will be playing for Groiter Furt . The new signings , are not top class players , but can be replacements . Bogomil Dyakov is a decent defender , Ortega is inteligent player , and Viktor Sofroniev has a lot of experience . But , with these players , Slavia has no chance for top 4 position , they will try to finish in top 6 , usually that`s what they are trying to do , to play well , and at the end of the season , to sold a key player abroad , in last couple of seasons , it is in Germany Bundesliga . Slavia plays well in Sofia , but have this habbit , once sure for their elite status , they can give a point or three to a team , who`s fighting for survival , and needs the points badly . Another decent season for Slavia , a place between 6th - 10th is what I expect .

[*Tosh*]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 Spartak Varna In: Desislav Rusev (Rodopa) Out: Bogomil Dyakov (Slavia) Rosen Kaptiev , Emanuel Baba , Kyncho Kynchev , Georgi Filipov , Mitko Nedev , Yonko Peykov , Mitko Arangelov (released) Deniran Ortega (Slavia) Comment: Spartak vas involved in a survival battle last season , and this should repeat in the new one . The team didn`t sign a quality player , only Desislav Rusev from relegated Rodopa , who is a decent striker , but it won`t be enough for team`s ambitions to stay away from the danger Red Zone . Bogomil Dyakov and Deniran Ortega are serious losses , I think that Spartak would be even poorer than last season , so I expect to fight againts relegation from the first round , till the last one . Spartak were sent in amateur divisions , for financial troubles , and for some problems with their stadium , but then Bulgarian Football Union changed his decision , and Spartak are back in our elite APFG . Not sure if they has what it takes to finish in a safe place , last season they player really poor , they were good at home , but on road were just terrible . If they don`t improve their kind of play when visitin other teams , Spartak should get relegated this season . A place between 12th and 16th position , their survival depends on the points , they will earn on road . Cska Sofia In: Kevin Amunike (Vitoria Setubal) Marqunos (Belasica) Todor Yanchev (Randers) Jose Rui (Nacional Madeira) Georgi Chilikov (Nacional Madeira) Kwido Lanzaat (Duisburg) Nikola Vyadinovic (Radnicki) Jose Garces (Belenenses) Out: Eugen Trica (Cluj) Jose Furtado (Pacos Fereira) Gyom da Zaadi (Changchun Yatay) Thiago Silva (in Belgium) Comment: A lot of changes in Cska this summer . A lot of new players . Most of them , are quality signings , and should help the team to win the title . That`s their main target this season . Cska will celebrate their 60th anniversаry , and they will do all they can to win the title . And I think , that there is big chance for them to do it . First of all , their main opponent , Levski , is weaker than what he was last season , but still is serious threat . Key players for the team are Velizar Dimitrov , defender Valentin Iliev /if he stays in Cska , and don`t go in Premiership or in Strasbourg/ , Florentin Petre/really explosive winger/ , Georgi Chilikov/ex Levski player,who scored in every friendly match that Cska played this summer , showed good shape , and will be real danger for the other teams/ , Marquinos , who can became Cska`s best midfielder . Other new signings , showed good qualities , but still are not better than players , who were in Cska before them . Lanzaat and Vyadinovic are said to be good defenders , still think that Valio Iliev is better . Rui , Amunike , are fast players , not faster than Petre . But one thing is sure - Cska made good team , with about 20 players , that can be in the first eleven , which is very good for an ambitious team . Cska are obliged to do well in Uefa cup , too , because last season they were very poor , and their performance was a disaster . I think , that they won`t have big problems to get into Uefa Cup Group Stage , and even to qualify for the 1/16 finals . I wish them to do it , think that they have what it takes . In APFG , we shouldn`t expect a place lower than 2nd , even think , that Cska is favourite for the title . I like Levski more than Cska , but еmotions have no place here , so I expect Cska to win APFG this season , and to do well in Uefa Cup .

[*Tosh*]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 Cherno More In: Dzuneyt Yasar , Daniel Dimov , Todor Kolev (lower league) Nikolay Domakinov (Botev Pd) Mihail Lazarov (Rodopa) Jahlma Enrique da Silva , Fabinho Laurentinho , Jovaldir Peres , Ricardo (free) Out: Yordan Linkov (Chernomorets) Slavi Jekov (Beroe) Boyko Velickov , Dian Gentchev , Georgi Vladimirov , Veselin Vachev , Miroslav Milosevic , Paulo Dias , Plamen Timnev (released) Martin Hristov (Slavia Sofia) Comment: A decent team , who already left European Inter-Toto Cup , were beaten by Sampdoria two times with 1-0 , but in these two games , Cherno More showed really good display . They played better than the italians in Varna , had plenty of opportunities , a lot of chances , but a refferee mistake lead to that 0-1 result . Cherno More plays attractive football , and this season they will fight for an Euro spot , too . They made a good squad , Nikolay Domakinov is really strong defender , these brazilian players , who signed for the team , are still unknown , but Yassen Petrov is a good , wise , and talanted manager , so I`m sure that they have good qualities , and will do well this season in the team . Main opponent for Cherno More , should be Slavia Sofia , but I think that right now , Cherno More is better , and should finish upper than Slavia . A place between 5th and 8th is what I expect , Cherno More is better than "relegation fighters" , so they will have no problems to stay in the league , the possibility of getting relegated shouldn`t be discussed at all . Chernomorets In: Yordan Linkov (Cherno More) Radomir Todorov , Ivan Cvorovoc , Georgi Karakanov , Velin Damyanov (Naftex) Todorin Dimitrov (Dunav) Out: Todor Popov , Deliminkov , Vecherinkov (released) Comment: First of all , I should warn you , that this team , Chernomorets , has nothing in common with Chernomorets Sofia (Burgas) , who finished on last 16th place last season , with ridiculous -2 pts , and with 0 wins , 1 draw , and 29 losses ! Chernomorets is a team from Burgas , they are newcomers this season , and first their job , is to secure their place in APFG . And I think , that their mission would be successful . They have completely new squad , with many talanted players , many national players / under 19th and under 21 players / , lost Yordan Linkov to Cherno More , bud managed to sign a very talanted goalie Ivan Cvorovic , and other 3 players from Naftex . Chernomorets played well last season , destroyed most of the teams in their league , but they were poorer than APFG teams , there is big difference in class level of these two divisions . Chernomorets should be involved in relegation fight , but I`m confident , that they will survive . Chernomorets is rich club , one of the richest in APFG , and Burgas is one of the biggest towns in the country , the town deserves to have a team in our elite division . I expect a place between 10th and 12th place .

[*Tosh*]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 Well , that`s all , if there is any news , or updates , and if it`s oficial confirmed , I`ll inform you ... ;) Good Luck to all , who will try to bet on APFG this season ... :cheers:

[godmato]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 Just great *Tosh* ! Thanx a lot for the previews mate!

[*Tosh*]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008

Just great *Tosh* ! Thanx a lot for the previews mate!

Eh , cheers mate ! ;) I just hope for a good season , think that this year top teams are a little better than what they were last year , so we should expect from them signs of improvement ... ;) Soon I`ll be back with a short previews for the opening round , but still has time , we should wait a couple of days .... ;)

[*Tosh*]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 Meanwhile , Cska signed Felipe Maschado from Uniao Leiria , on loan , for 6 months , because first choice right back Robert Petrov got injured in the silly friendly tournament called "Playstation Cup" , which Cska won two days ago ... Alexander Alexandrov , ex-national and Levski Sofia player , right winger , signed a one year contract with Cherno More . He played many seasons in Turcey , in Konyaspor , Kayseri , Istanbulspor , Kogaelispor ...... Last season played in Ankara .... He`s 32 , and he should be an essential player for Cherno More ...

[meatman]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 jesus christ I never expected to see a Bulgarian league preview on PL lol :loon Absolutely terrific work Tos, I haven't had time to read it properly yet, although I'll eventually get round to it. This is sure to help a lot of people, thanks a lot mate :clap:clap:clap Thread stickied :ok

[*Tosh*]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 Slavia Sofia signed experienced goalkeeper Yordan Gospodinov , on free transfer . He was released from Litex , he is ex-national player . They signed with him , because first choice goalkeeper Emil Petrov is injured , and won`t be ready for the start of the season . I think this is good transfer from Slavia , Gospodinov is a classy goalkeeper , he is a little old , but that shouldn`t be a problem , he can still be good at the goal ... ;)

[*Tosh*]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 A little updates ... ;) Chernomorets will sign with two players on Sunday - Omonigo Temile , from Krilya Sovetov a well known winger here , in Bulgaria , he played for Levski three seasons ago , and Etien Flo , a striker , who played for Spartak Moscow . They will not be ready for the opening round , but should play in the next round ... A good transfers , imo . Lokomotiv Plovdiv will sign a contract with ghanaian Bertrand Haktan , who is training with the team last week , and he showed very good qualities , according to Loko`s manager Ivan Marinov . Meanwhile , Danail Bachkov left the club , and he will play in Greece , but still it is not said officially in which greece club he will play this season . But for sure , Danail won`t play in Loko Pd this season .

[davidmphill]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 Great work Tosh, just come across this. Best of luck for the coming season.

[*Tosh*]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008

Great work Tosh, just come across this. Best of luck for the coming season.

Thanks , David . There`s been some updates in most of the teams , but I`m waiting for the transfer window to pass , so I can write down all of them , and try not to miss any important signing ... ;) Cheers again , I`m expecting decent season , too ... :cheers:

[El NihiL]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 Just finished it and ı must say "Great work *Tosh*" :ok:ok

[*Tosh*]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 Okay , transfer window is closed now , and there`s been some changes in most of the squads ... We`ll start with the leading teams ... Levski Sofia looked for a classy striker , after their defeat in Champions League , there`s been plenty of players , linked with the club , but at the end Levski signed nobody up front . Levski had a problem with the second choice goalie , since they sold young Niki Mihaylov to Liverpool ... Levski get youngsters Georgi Georgiev /goalkeeper/ and Alexander Kirov /striker/ from their academy to the first team . They both are talented players , Kirov is said to be a rising star , with great potential , but they won`t be in first eleven , most likely will play in last minutes of the matches ... My Comment: I don`t think that Levski did what they have to on transfer market , and think that they still will struggle with finding the net and winning the games , as they did in all of their matches this season . Levski have good players , but most of them seemed a little tired , and played with less than 50 % of their potential . Unless they improve and start to play like a title chaser , it would be very hard for Levski to win points . My advice is to avoid bets on Levski , if the price is too low ...

[*Tosh*]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 Cska did not signed contracts with any new player , but that is not neccessary - they have 11 new players , so it is enough . They have too many players , so they decided to give some of them to the other clubs , on loan . Daniel Morales /def midfielder/, Alexander Branekov /defender/, Ivan Ivanov /defender/, Stoyko Sakaliev /striker/ all are now in Lokomotiv Plovdiv . Youngsters Nikolay Chipev now in Beroe , and Mihail Alexandrov was sold abroad , in Bundesliga team - Borussia Dortmund . My comment: Cska is still the main pretender for the title , and they look pretty solid , but should improve their level too . They looked really poor in both games vs Omonia in Uefa Cup , but this should be because most of the players are not used to play together . Cska is in better shape than Levski , and they should get advantage of it , and to win their next games , starting with the very next one - vs leader Pirin in Blagoevgrad , at their home . Lokomotiv Sofia ... Nobody in, nobody out ... Still fighting in Uefa Cup , but vs Hamburger it would be very very hard ... I do not want to repeat myself , so I`ll stick to my previous comment on the team ... ;)

[*Tosh*]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 Litex Lovech ... Same as Loko Sf - nodoby in ... And out - striker Alexander Rodic sold to Interblock Slovenia , goalie Yordan Gospodinov was released , later he signed with Slavia Sofia , Junior in Pelister Macedonia , and a lot of young players left - Boby Hazurov and Todor Palankov to Pirin Blagoevgrad , Nikolay Tzvetkov , Delyan Kolev , Krassimir Georgiev to Lokomotiv Mezdra . My Comment: Litex , I can say , is the top Bulgarian team right now . They totally outplayed both Levski and Cska , defeated Levski 2-1 , and only drew with Cska 1-1 , but should have won , as they were the better team . If the team is serious in their games on road vs most of the poor teams in league /like vs Vihren in Sandanski for example ,where Litex surprisingly lost/ , Litex should have great chance for the title . Litex has a great player like Tom /Wellingtom/ , who is one of the best , even best player in APFG atm , he can be a danger for every team . Definitely stick to the previous comment on Litex - should be in top 3 .

[*Tosh*]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 Slavia Sofia ... I forgot to say , that Slavia signed with striker Helton , from Polish side Pogon , who now in front with partner Ortega look very dangerous . Other new player , as I said , is ex-Litex goalie Yordan Gospodinov . Nothing interesting in players , who left the club . My Comment: As I predicted , Slavia started very well , and showed that they can beat every club here , but ... But , their last visit , in Dupnitsa , vs one of the poorest side Marek , proved my oppinion , that I have for Slavia . This team just loves to give points vs relegation battlers , and to fix games . Slavia is not a serious team , they will surely win most of their games until the end of the season , but you should be very careful when Slavia plays with such kind of underdogs like Marek , in this case . They totaly gave them the victory , as a birthday gift , had many opportunities to win the game , but they did not scored ... Cherno More ... Absolutely nothing interesting here ... Nobody in , nobody out since the last updates ... A little unsure about coach Nikola Spasov , but still Cherno More is a solid team , maybe won`t be that good as the last two seasons , but still will be in top half of the table ...

[*Tosh*]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 Lokomotiv Plovdiv ... After some problems , that Loko had in the club , now everything is fine . Team has new chairman , and players get their salary , so they can concentrate on the field . Most important players in , are club favourite Martin Kamburov , goalkeeper Stoyan Kolev , who was said to be transferred to Italian Treviso , but the transfer failed down , and he`s back in the team now , and four players from Cska , who came on loan in Plovdiv , we already said who are they - Daniel Morales , Alexander Branekov , Ivan Ivanov and Stoyko Sakaliev . Nobody important left the club since the last update ... My Comment: Loko played well vs Levski in Sofia , and when Kamburov and Sakaliev are in their best form , Lokomotiv will be very dangerous . We must say , that both Kamburov and Sakaliev did not played regular first team football in last year , maybe two , as both were injured , but they should be ok now , so I suppose that in Loko they can find their good form . Still Loko is poor in defence , which can be a problem in hard games , that`s why I don`t think that they can chase an Euro spot this season . Maybe next one , they will be more prepared . But not this one , not with these kind of players ...

[*Tosh*]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 Pirin Blagoevgrad ... Still no changes here , nobody in and nobody out . 4 wins in 4 games so far is a good reasult , but you should not be impressed . Pirin still have not played vs strong team in good form , two very lucky wins at home , with 1-0 , and two away wins vs very poor teams . This team right now is a leader , but it won`t be for too long . Sooner or later Pirin will start to drop possitions , until they reach the place that they really deserve - bottom half . As a newcomer , that`s what is expected from them ... Again stick to my previous comment on the team ... Belasica Petric ... Again nothing interesting since last update . Bela shows poor form , and did not play the way they did in last two years , maybe because of the lost of their key player Marquinos , who organizes the team play very well . They should improve their kind of play in next few matches , cause right now they are in the red zone , but this position can be explained - in these 4 matches , Bela played both vs Cska and Litex , and now this Sunday will play vs Levski , so in first 5 matches Bela plays vs all top 3 in Bulgaria , it is not an easy task . My expectations stays the same ... Vidima Rakovski ... Nobody in and nobody out ... I watched them live , when visited Botev in Plovdiv , and lost 5-0 , that was two rounds ago , and I have to say , that this was the poorest and weakest team that I have seen in APFG in last 3 years / except last year joke called Chernomorec Sofia Burgas / . Vidima did not posses quality in their squad , and for me this is candidate N1 for relegation . Right now , that`s what has to be said about Vidima ...

[*Tosh*]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 Vihren Sandanski ... Well , no football player left or came into the club , but Vihren made a very good move . They changed their coach , Rui Dias , for well-known Eduard Eranossyan . Eduard won APFG with Lokomotiv Plovdiv few years ago , and that is a success for every coach - to win a title , and not to be at the helm of Levski Sofia and Cska . He is very talanted and wise manager , so this is very good for Vihren . As for Vihren`s display - I don`t think that is important now , because Rui Dias is gone , and he was everything else but a football coach . Vihren has only 3 pts , and scored only two goals , but I expect that they will improve their game soon ... Marek Dupnitsa ... A good move in Dupnitsa - striker Evgeni Yordanov signed in . He is ex-Cska Sofia player , played then in Russia , he is a good player . But Marek still plays poor , this win vs Slavia ... it was very funny game , and the winner was not decided on the field . One thing is for sure - Marek can not fix all of their matches until the end of the season , so they will have to improve their kind of play , and start to play like a team . Well, that is actually the most interesting around the club . New Serbian players received permittion for registration , so now they can play for the team , if coach decides , of course . My expectations here stays the same .

[*Tosh*]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 Beroe Stara Zagora ... Nobody came and nobody`s gone . Last placed Beroe has some troubles right now . President Nikolay Banev left the club , he first tried to sell it for the price of 1 bulgarian lev /this is about a half of an euro - 0.50 cents/ , but nobody was interested . Than he offered it to the City Hall of Stara Zagora , but they did not accepted the offer , so now Banev leaves the club to survive on his own . About the display , that the team shows so far ... Well , I do not think that Beroe is the team that most deserves to be on the last 16-th place , but yes , in bottom top 3 for sure . Only one point in a scoreless and really boring game at home vs Loko Plovdiv , and losses vs Levski , Slavia and Cherno More . In fact , Beroe played vs better opponents so far , and maybe in next few games will win some points , but right now , when players do not know who will pay their salary and bonuses and so on , I think that Beroe`s games should be skipped ... Still do not think that the club will be relegated , Stara Zagora is one of the biggest towns in Bulgaria , and Beroe is the only club there , there must be somebody who will buy the club , and decide their financial problems ... Chernomorets Burgas ... No ins and outs , but some players were registered and now can play in Chernomorets matches . Still , winger Omonigo Temile waits for this kind of permittion , and rumors are saying , that he will get it in a two months time , so he will have to wait for his debut in the club . And ... that`s all interesting around the club so far ...

[*Tosh*]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 Spartak Varna ... Nobody in and nobody out . Don`t know what to say about them . A very strange win in last round , in fact there are rumors , that Vihren lost vs Spartak on purpose , just to sack their manager Riu Dias , what actually happened . A little unsure about Spartak , in Varna they can play well , but on road are still a little toothless . Again stick to my early thoughts here ... Botev Plovdiv ... Last , but not least ... ;) Nobody out , some players tried to find a club abroad , but failed - Borislav Karamatev in Norrkoping , Mauro Alegre in Lugano /Switzerland/ , but both are now in Plovdiv . Striker Georgi Kakalov left the club , he had a fight with club owner Dimitar Hristolov , Georgi wanted to leave , but then changed his mind and decided to get back in the team . About the team display ... I am very delighted , that my expectation did not happen . Botev plays well , and this is something that I did not expect . Veteran midfielder Kostadin Vidolov left , but new one Nikolay Manchev is doing very well on his position . And new striker Georgi Hristov is just great - 4 goals in 4 games . In last two games , Botev can feel a little scr***d , in games vs Pirin and Lokomotiv Sofia , where the referees were not correct in their decisions , but that`s football . All I can say , is that the team shows very good and attractive style of playing , there is a will for victory , and I and all of the fans like that very much . If Botev plays like that in rest of the games , shows this kind of display until the end of the season , the team will have no problem in securing his place in APFG , and even to get a place in the middle of the table , why not ?! Right now there are at least 5 teams , who are weaker than Botev , and the place , that Botev occupies atm /8th place/ , is fair . I do not stick to my previous comments on Botev , now I`m more confident and calm about team future . I do not see Botev as a relegation fighter right now , and hope that they will stay away from the red zone ...

[Fen4e]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 Bravo! I appreciate your work :-) Who will be the champ, man? Who is going to relegate/ :unsure

[*Tosh*]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008

Bravo! I appreciate your work :-) Who will be the champ' date=' man? Who is going to relegate/ :unsure[/quote'] Thanks... :) Well, my expectations before the start of the season have not changed a lot, and I still expect Cska to win the title for their 60th anniversary. Not because Cska are so strong, but because Levski shows nothing, and other teams like Loko Sofia and Litex are ... are completely jokes, I can say ... :) This Sunday is the derby game between Levski and Cska. If Cska DID NOT LOSE the game, they are 90% champions. For sure. I still see Vidima as the poorest team in the league, despite their current league position, and I think that at the end they will be one of the teams to go back to BPFG ... Other two... I cannot be so sure, but I think that both Marek and Belasica will improve their form in second part of the season, they always find a way to secure their elite status, with some "strange" games vs better opponents , you are from Bulgaria, you know what I mean ... ;) Troubled Beroe and Botev are questionable, but think that in winter break there will be some changes in these two teams, and they will start to climb in the table in second half of the season... Vihren is poorer this season, compared to what they showed in last couple of years , so I rate them as a relegation battler, too ... ;) Too many candidates, as you see, but it is too early. We should wait until the second part of the season, very interesting things can happen during the winter break, when the transfer window is open ... ;) I hope that I managed to answer your questions.. :) Mnogo pozdravi ot Plovdiv! :) :cheers:

[*Tosh*]

Re: Bulgarian APFG Preview 2007/2008 Bulgarian APFG restarts on 3rd March, just a couple of weeks from now, and here are all of the official inns and outs during the winter break. Of course, there can be more changes, and if there are, I`ll let you know... ;) Cska Sofia In: Emil Gargorov (Strasbourg, France) Nenad Nastic (Vojvodina Novi Sad) Daniel Bekono (Beroe) Evgeny Yordanov (Marek) Moussa Gyeue (Senegal) Out: Kevin Amouneke (Norrkoping, Sweden) Abder Kabous (Mursia, Spain) Georgi Chilikov (Dalien, China) Pavel Vidanov, Stanko Yovchev, Krum Lovkov (Vihren) Lokomotiv Sofia In: Vanya Dzeferovic (Beroe) Danail Mytrev (Beroe) Fabio Moreira (Tenerife) Out: Rumen Rangelov (lower division) Ventzi Hristov, Nikolay Ivanov (lower division) Plamen Krumov (Banats, Amrenia) Slavia Sofia In: Milan Koprivarov (Levski) Georgi Samokishev, Radoslav Anev, Zoran Zlatkovski (Lokomotiv Plovdiv) Simeon Mechev, Galin Ivanov (Beroe) Atanas Drenovichki (Pirin GD) Zoran Beloshevic (Modrica) Out: Radoslav Vasilev (Reading, England) Zdravko Lazarov (Shinnik) Georgi Mechadziev, Petar Kiumurdziev (Lokomotiv Plovdiv) Dimitar Vodenicharov (Spartak Varna) Martin Hristov (Vidima Rakovski) Levski In: Ze Soares (Remo, Brazil) Jean Carlos (Figuerense, Brazil) Joazinho (Portuguesa, Brazil) Ismail Isa, Tzvetomir Matev (Haskovo) Out: Elin Topuzakov, Dimitar Telkiyski (Apoel Tel Aviv, Israel) Hristo Yovov (Aris Limasol, Cyprus) Valeri Domovchiyski (Herta Berlin, Germany) Emil Angelov (Litex) Milan Koprivarov (Slavia Sofia) Ekundayo Jaeyoba (Macaby Herzelia) Sedric Bardon (Bney Yehuda, Israel) Cherno More In: Tigran (Armenia) Kristian Prechakovic, Stefan Nikiforovic (Serbia) Out: Jalmah, Fabinho (Brazil) Botev Plovdiv In: Apostol Popov (Haskovo) Nikolay Harizanov (Beroe) Mohamed (Juventus) Georgi Korudziev (Shopron) Out: Atanas Vurgov (Rodopa) Vasil Gurkov (Montana) Emil Urumov (Rodopa) Todor Timonov (Nesebur) Beroe In: Kostadin Vidolov (Spartak Plovdiv) Vladislav Zlatinov (Lokomotiv Plovdiv) Nedko Milenov (Rodopa) Janko Kosturkov, Ilic, Milosavlevic (Serbia) Ivan Spakov (Russia) Out: Vanya Dzeferovic (Loko Sofia) Slavi Jekov, Anton Vergilov, Doncho Atanasov, Todor Simov (lower division) Galin Ivanov (Slavia) Daniel Bekono (Cska Sofia) Gerasim Zakov (Loko Plovdiv) Vladimir Pekin (Fosteras) Danail Mitev (Loko Sofia) Nikolay Harizanov (Botev Plovdiv) Marek In: Nunes, Senturion, Moricone (Argentina) Out: Lubomir Bozankov (Akademik Svistov) Nenad Stamenkovic, Marko Cenic (Vidima Rakovski) Enyo Krastovchev Evgeny Yordanov (Cska Sofia) Pirin Blagoevgrad In: Kiril Nikolov Out: Velik Irmiev, Faik Tairov, Rumen Lapantov (lower division) Chernomorets Burgas In: Stefan Toshkov, Mustafa Mustafa (Pomorie) Out: Kosta Yanchev, Georgi Karakanov Litex In: Emil Angelov (Levski) Du Bala (Belasica) Adriano Miranda (Brazil) Wilfred Niflor (Guenon, France) Momchil Tzvetanov (Spartak Pleven) Out: Robert Popov (Auxerre, France) Kostadin Hazurov (Vidima Rakovski) Beto (Gaziantepspor) Ivan Bandalovski, Alexandro Sychero, Fabien Boudarene Lokomotiv Plovdiv In:Petar Lazarov, Lubomir Nikolov, Karin Izrailov, Anatoly Todorov (lower division) Georgi Mechedziev, Petur Kiumurdziev (Slavia Sofia) Gerasim Zakov (Beroe) Teodor Banev, Kiril Akalski (Maritsa Plovdiv) Out: Illamy Halimy Mario Georgiev, Georgi Samokishev, Zoran Zlatkovski, Radoslav Anev (Slavia Sofia) Stoyan Kolev (Otelul Galati, Romania) Vladislav Zlatinov (Beroe) Martin Kamburov (Asteras, Greece) Belasica In: Alexander Stoyanovski (Macedonia) Luciano Villas (Brazil) Out: Daniel Gadzev, Kostadin Nazurov Du Bala (Litex) Spartak Varna In: Dimitar Vodenicharov (Slavia Sofia) Radostin Stanev, Martin Dimov, Ivo Mihaylov (Levski) Stoyan Abrashev (Cska Sofia) Villar (Argentina) Borislav Stoychev (Vidima Rakovski) Out: Mladen Stoev, Genady Lugo, Stanislav Jekov Vihren In: Pavel Vidanov, Stanko Yovchev, Krum Lovkov (Cska Sofia) Tihamer, Feher (Hungary) Bruno Beas (Brazil) Marcos Grifero (Argentina) Out: Luis Dias, Diogo Andrade Rudolfo Lima, Georgi Micev, Stoycho Mladenov Jr Vidima Rakovski In: Kostadin Hazurov (Litex) Martin Hristov (Slavia Sofia) Marko Cenic (Marek) Out: Borislav Stoychev (Spartak Varna) Hristo Markov (Lokomotiv Sofia) Maryan Dragnev, Hristo Ivanov, Dean Petrov, Dragomir Ivanov, Borislav Dichev