Petrov loses in the rain in Spain

The Bulgarian national team lost a friendly international match 0-1 against Spain, in front of 16,000 in the Stadion Los Cármenes in Granada on Tuesday (28.12.04). VfL-star Martin Petrov played the full 90 minutes for the side coached by Christo Stoitchkov. His Wolves team mate Marian Hristov, didn’t get a game. The only other Bundesliga in the Bulgarian side was the Bayer Leverkusen striker Dimitar Berbatov.

Fast and furious start

As expected, the home side began the match at a furious pace, pinning the Bulgarians back in their own half for the opening period. On ten minutes, the Spanish pressure paid off as José Mari rounded off superb build-up work by Vicente und Baraja. The home side coached by Iñaki Sáez, could have extended their lead but Gaizka Mendieta and the goal scorer José Mari wasted good opportunities.

Unlucky...

On the stroke of half time Guti was left holding his head in his hands, as he saw his header come back off a post with the Bulgarian keeper Zdravkov nowhere. The second half was almost void of goalmouth action and the rainy weather didn’t exactly help the cause. On the balance of play, Spain deserved their slender one goal victory.