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Levski Sofia
Full nameПрофесионален футболен клуб Левски София
(Professional football club Levski Sofia)
Nickname(s)Сините (The Blues) Отбора на народа (The Team of the People)[1]
FoundedMay 24, 1914
GroundGeorgi Asparuhov Stadium,
Sofia
Capacity29,200
ChairmanTodor Batkov
ManagerNikolay Kostov
LeagueA PFG
2010–11A PFG, 2nd
Websitehttp://www.levski.bg/
Current season

"Levski Sofia" redirects here. For the sports club, see Levski Sofia (sports club).

PFC Levski Sofia, (Bulgarian: ПФК Левски София) otherwise simply known as Levski or Levski Sofia, is a Bulgarian professional football club, founded in Sofia on May 24 1914 by a group of young students. It was named after and national hero of Bulgaria – revolutionary Vasil Levski. The club has won a total of 73 cups in its history to date, including 26 Bulgarian top tier titles and 25 national cups. Levski is the only football team who has been part of the national A football group or the First Sofia Football Division in all of Bulgaria’s 89 championship seasons. It is also the only club with a positive balance against all currently existing teams in the country.

In terms of European tournaments, Levski has reached the quarter-final stage of the European Cup Winners' Cup on three occasions and the same stage of the UEFA Cup on two occasions. Levski is the first and so far the only Bulgarian team to have participated in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League. It is also the Bulgarian club with the most European matches played in the span of a single season – 14.

The 1970s are the club’s Golden age and the time when Levski won four Bulgarian titles and four Bulgarian Cups. During this period the team managed to eliminate the likes of AFC Ajax and Boavista F.C., while recording wins against top outfits like Spanish FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. In spite of all the success, the decade was overshadowed by the death of two of the club’s legends – Georgi Asparuhov and Nikola Kotkov. The pair died in a car crash on June 30 1971. The team has played in all-blue outfits since 1921. It currently hosts its matches at the Georgi Asparuhov Stadium with a capacity ground of 29,200. Levski’s biggest rival is CSKA Sofia, with matches between the two clubs being labelled the Eternal derby of Bulgarian football.

Levski is second in the all-time Bulgarian A Group ranking and first in the ranking combining all Bulgarian championships. The team was placed 120th in IFFHS’s list of best European clubs of the XX century. As of November 29 2011 Levski is 254th in the World Club Rankings.


History

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Sport Club Levski (1914–1969)

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First kit (1914-20)

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Foundations (1914 – 1919)

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Levski Sofia sports football club was founded in 1914 by a group of 13 young men, students in the Second Men’s Gymnasium, who played the game in a locality called ‘’Mogilkata’’ (The Little Hill) near what is now the National Palace of Culture. One of the co-founders – Boris Vasilev – proposed the club to be named after the Apostle of Bulgarian freedom – Vasil Levski. Thus, the club was officially registered under this name on May 24 1914, becoming the sixth club to be founded in Sofia. Vladimir Grigoriev was appointed the first Chairman of the club, remaining on this position until 1919.


Sport Club Levski was founded in 1911 by a group of students at the Second Male High School in Sofia, with football as the major sport practiced. The club was officially registered on May 24, 1914, a date, which is celebrated as Levski's birthday. The club's name was chosen in honour of the Apostle of Bulgarian freedom Vasil Levski.

In 1914 Levski lost its first official match against FC 13 Sofia by 0:2. In that period (1914–1920) football wasn't a popular sport in Bulgaria, so there isn't any other information from the period concerning the club. In the summer of 1921, the Sofia Sports League was founded. It united 10 clubs from Sofia, marking the beginning of organized football competitions in the city. The Blues won the first match in the championship for the season 1921/1922, held on September 18, 1921, against Athletic Sofia with the score of 3:1. Levski captured the first place in the league in 1923 after a dramatic 3:2 win over bitter rival Slavia Sofia and successfully defended the title in the following season.

The first National Championship was held in 1924 with Levski representing Sofia. The team went on to win the title in 1933, 1937 and 1942, and established itself as the most popular football club in Bulgaria. Levski also became the holder for all times of the Ulpia Serdica Cup by virtue of winning it for the third time in a row in 1933. In 1929 Levski became the first semi-professional football club in Bulgaria, after 12 players staged a boycott of the team in demand of financial remuneration and insurance benefits. The same year Levski met its first international opponents, losing to Gallipoli Istanbul 0:1 and winning against Kuban Istanbul 6:0.

After World War II, Levski became one of the two top clubs in Bulgaria. After winning the championship in 1946, 1947, 1949, 1950 and 1953 Levski would not capture the domestic title again until the mid 1960s. In 1949 the authorities changed the club's name to Dinamo following the Soviet traditions, but after the destalinization of Bulgaria, it was reverted back in 1957. The 1960s were marked with return to success both on the domestic and on the international stage. Levski's academy would become the most successful in national youth competitions for the years to come, and the results were first seen in the likes of Georgi Asparuhov, Georgi Sokolov, Biser Mihailov, Kiril Ivkov, Ivan Vutsov, Stefan Aladzhov and Aleksandar Kostov, assisted by experienced veterans like Stefan Abadzhiev, Dimo Pechenikov and Hristo Iliev, who celebrated winning the championship in 1965, 1968 and 1970, and the 7:2 triumph over new bitter rival CSKA in 1968. The tie against Benfica Lisbon in the European Cup in 1965 remained memorable for the Eusebio versus Georgi Asparuhov clash, and the recognition that the Portuguese great gave to his Bulgarian counterpart.

Levski Spartak (1969–1985)

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Following the new wave of political reform in the Eastern Block after the Prague Spring, in 1969 and against the wishes of the majority of its supporters, Levski was merged with Spartak Sofia and put under the auspice of the Bulgarian interior ministry. The name of the club was once again changed, this time to Levski - Spartak.

A new crop of youngsters in the likes of Kiril Milanov, Dobromir Zhechev, Pavel Panov, Todor Barzov, Voyn Voynov, Ivan Tishanski, Georgi Tsvetkov, Plamen Nikolov, and Rusi Gochev not only found their place in the first team, but brought new titles in 1974, 1977 and 1979. On the international stage the quarterfinal appearances in the Cup Winners Cup in 1970 and 1977, and in the UEFA Cup in 1976.

Vitosha Sofia (1985–1989)

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The name of the team was changed to Vitosha by the authorities following the disruptions during and after the Bulgarian Cup final in 1985. The game ran on high emotions fueled by the streak of consecutive victories of Levski over CSKA in the 2 years prior to the game (though CSKA won the Bulgarian Cup game 2-1). The controversial decisions of the referee led to confrontations both on the field and on the stands. By decree of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party some of the leading players both of The Blues and the Reds were suspended from the sport for life. The championship title of the club for 1985 was suspended.

Levski Sofia (1989–present)

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The suspensions were lifted shortly after, but regardless of the universal refusal of supporters to recognize and chant the new name of the team, it wasn't until 1989 and the Fall of the Berlin Wall that the club officially abolished the artificially imposed and hated title Vitosha and returned to being simply Levski. The normalization of sport activities in the country and the removal of the political influences on the football community were especially favorable to the results of The Blues. The team composed of the newcomers Plamen Nikolov, Petar Hubchev, Tsanko Tsvetanov, Emil Kremenliev, Zlatko Yankov, Georgi Slavchev, Ilian Iliev, Daniel Borimirov, Stanimir Stoilov and Velko Yotov and the return of the veterans Plamen Getov, Nikolay Todorov and Nasko Sirakov, dictated the game in the domestic championship by winning the title in 1993, 1994 and 1995. Memorable wins by big margins over challengers Lokomotiv Sofia – 8:0, CSKA – 7:1 and Botev Plovdiv – 6:1, clearly demonstrated Levski's complete superiority. Home games in European Competitions against Rangers FC and Werder Bremen turned into true holidays for supporters. Levski contributed with 5 first team players (Petar Hubchev, Tsanko Tsvetanov, Emil Kremenliev, Zlatko Yankov and Nasko Sirakov) and three reserve players (Plamen Nikolov, Petar Aleksandrov and Daniel Borimirov) to the Bulgaria national football team that ended on fourth place in the unforgettable American summer of the World Cup 1994.

Another relatively unsuccessful period lasted until 2005. Then the young new manager and former player Stanimir Stoilov organized a team of Levski's academy products Zhivko Milanov, Milan Koprivarov and Valeri Domovchiyski, the experienced Elin Topuzakov, Georgi Petkov, Stanislav Angelov and Dimitar Telkiyski, the fans' favorites Hristo Yovov, Daniel Borimirov and Georgi Ivanov, who came back after spending time abroad, reached the quarterfinal stage of the UEFA Cup, knocking out AJ Auxerre, winnings against Olympique de Marseille, Dinamo Bucharest and finishing ahead of the reigning title holder CSKA Moscow in the group stage, triumphing over Champions League participants Artmedia Bratislava and Udinese Calcio, before being knocked out by Schalke 04 in a controversial tie.

Levski, as the champions of Bulgaria, started their UEFA Champions League 2006-07 participation from the second qualiftying round, where they eliminated Georgian champions Sioni Bolnisi, defeating them 2-0 both home and away. In the third round, Levski faced Italian team Chievo Verona who are taking part in the tournament because of other clubs' sanctions as part of the 2006 Serie A matchfixing scandal. Levski eliminated Chievo after a decisive 2-0 win in Sofia and a secure 2-2 draw on Italian soil, and becoming the first Bulgarian club to ever reach the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.[3] There they faced last year's winners FC Barcelona from Spain, English champions Chelsea F.C. and German powerhouse Werder Bremen.[4]

Levski earned a spot in the UEFA Champions League 2008-09 after domestic champion CSKA Sofia failed to secure a UEFA license because of numerous debts to creditors.[5] Levski lost to FC BATE of Belarus in the third qualifying round.

During 2009/2010 season, Levski's team started their European campaign with 9:0 (on aggregate) in the second Qualifying round of Champions League against UE Sant Julià. On the next round, Levski Sofia faced FK Baku. The blues eliminated the team from Azerbaijan with 2:0 (on aggregate). In the play-off round Levski was eliminated by Debreceni VSC with 4:1 (on aggregate). However, Levski qualified for UEFA Europa League. In the group stage, Levski faced Villarreal CF, Lazio and Red Bull Salzburg. Levski achieved only one win and 5 losses. Levski took the win against SS Lazio, after Hristo Yovov scored the winning goal in the match. The match was played at Stadio Olimpico.

Levski started the 2010/2011 season with a match against Dundalk F.C. - a second qualifying round for Europa League. Levski won the first match and the result was 6:0.[6] In the return leg at Oriel Park, a confident Levski beat Dundalk FC 2-0 with two first half goals from Garra Dembele, the first on 4 mins and the second 10 mins before half-time. In the next round Levski played against Kalmar FF. The first match ended 1-1 in Sweden. In the return leg in Sofia Levski won 5:2. In between The Blues defeated their arch rival CSKA Sofia in the Eternal derby of Bulgarian football with 1:0. Their next match in the Europa League saw them play AIK Fotboll, from Stockholm, Sweden. The first match ended with a draw, 0-0 and after the game AIK-hooligans attacked the Levski players and staff, after Levski ultras did not show at meeting place. The second match ended in a 2-1 home win for Levski. Goals scored by Daniel Mladenov and Garra Dembélé put Levski in Europa League group stage. Levski was drawn in Group C, facing Gent, Lille and Sporting CP. The first match was against Gent. Levski won the match in a 3-2 home win. The winning goal was scored by Serginho Greene. With this win Levski recorded 8 games in-a-row without losing in European competitions. After that Levski lost catastrophically from Sporting CP with 5-0. Followed by another loss against Lille. In Sofia Levski played very well against Lille and was leading 2-1 until Ivo Ivanov scored an own goal to make it 2-2. In the last match of the Group C, Levski take a win against Sporting CP with 1-0, the winning goal was scored by Daniel Mladenov.

Stadium

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Main article: Georgi Asparuhov Stadium

Initially, the club did not possess a field of its own and training was held on an empty space called The Hillock (Могилката/Mogilkata), where the National Palace of Culture was built later. In 1924 the Sofia Municipality provided the club with the rights to an empty field on the outskirts of the city, and a decade later the stadium named “Levski” was finally completed. It provided for 10,000 spectators and was regarded as the finest sport facility in the city.

In 1949 the stadium was nationalized and later the Vasil Levski National Stadium was built on the site. The team would move to the “Dinamo” ground, which was located at the site of the modern Spartak swimming complex. In 1961 after districting the team moved to “Suhata Reka” neighborhood. There a new stadium was completed in 1963, renamed in 1990 in honor of Levski’s most beloved former player Georgi Asparuhov.

In 1999 the stadium emerged from serious reconstruction for 29,200 spectators. The field measures 120x90 meters. However, the team plays most of its important games versus foreign teams on the national stadium "Vasil Levski". The club president Todor Batkov has recently demanded that Levski should receive "Rakovski" stadium on loan. This should be done on account that the first club stadium was nationalized and Levski have never been repaid.


Levski have completed a domestic double (13 times - record): 1942, 1946, 1947, 1948-49, 1949-50, 1969-70, 1976-77, 1978-79, 1983-84, 1993-94, 1999-00, 2001-02, 2006-07 and a treble twice: 1983-84 and 2006-07


Levski Fans

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Levski Sofia is the most popular football club in Bulgaria. Sector B (south stand) is home to Levski's supporters. Sector B are divided in groups : Sofia-West (Sofia), South Division (Sofia), Ultra Varna (Varna), Torcida Kyustendil (Kyustendil), Blue Junta (Sofia), Blue Huns (Pernik), HD Boys (Sofia), Old Capital Boys (Veliko Tarnovo), Blue Boyars (Veliko Tarnovo), Vandals (Pleven), Blue Warriors (Plovdiv), Varna Crew (Varna), Ultras Burgas (Burgas) and many others.

See also

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ "Levski - 95 Years the Team of the People". Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  2. ^ "Levski – 94 years of joy, pains and hopes". Levski.bg.
  3. ^ "Levski make Bulgarian history". Uefa.com. Retrieved 2006-08-23.
  4. ^ "Levski land to heroes' welcome". Uefa.com. Retrieved 2006-08-24.
  5. ^ "Levski set to replace CSKA in Champions League". Football24.bg. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
  6. ^ "Dundalk way out of depth in Sofia". irishtimes.com. Retrieved 2010-07-16.

References

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  • Simeonov, Kliment (1959). 50 godini football v Bulgaria (in Bulgarian). Sofia. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Manov, Georgi (1999). 85 godini Levskl - entsiklopedichen spravochnik 1914-1999 (in Bulgarian). Sofia: RIK Levski. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
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Official websites

Fan websites

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