BULGARIA Euro 1988 Qualification All Matches Highlights | Road to West Germany

[@stivan81]

The double save by Mikhaylov in 5:14 is one of the most ridiculous saves I've ever seen. (Mikhaylov then sadly proceeded to become the most corrupt and least competent of a national football association and we can't get rid of him to this day.) This video brings me a lot of nostalgia for the time when Bulgaria was a relevant football nation, we almost qualified when only 1st spot was to proceed, against such tough competition in such an evenly matched group (barring Luxembourg). Funny thing is that my first ever football memories were from EURO 1988 when 6 year old me was crazy about the Dutch trio led by van Basten; but I remember nothing about these qualifiers. Also Tanev... I always knew he was a decent player in his time, I don't remember watching him ever play; but in this video I discover him as a total beast, really way above anything I've ever imagined about him. All in all, thanks for sharing this, really enjoyed.

[@ivaneurope]

What's even worse is that we can't even beat Luxembourg these days. And furthermore, Luxembourg will qualify for the playoffs as they had better Nations League performance (while we couldn't beat Gibraltar).

[@FOUDEFOOT85]

Who is better in football history ? bulgarian or romanian football

[@discodavid26]

Goalie substitute at 17:01 But 2 different kits! ( blue gk on for yellow) 🤷‍♂️? ? ? Injured ?

[@ivankitanov8159]

В последния мач срещу Шотландия не игра капитанът ни Георги Димитров и голмайсторът на отбора Танев. Танев получи тежка контузия в първенството и след нея не беше същият футболист. Просто не е било писано да играем на Евро 1988. Този отбор беше много силен. И ЦСКА, и Левски тогава имаха невероятни футболисти.

[@adamantiness]

Gary Mackay's 87min winner Vs Bulgaria, was the worst nightmare in Bulgarian football history.

[@dorian_dark_grey]

At the time - probably. But think about it: Bulgaria would have gone into a Euro '88 group with: The Netherlands; The USSR; England. We all know what would have happened against the USSR: there would have been an order from Moscow to lose - and preferably lose by a big score. Forecast: 3-0 to the Soviet Union, default. (They were good at the time, too...) We suspect what might have happened against Holland: if Van Basten had a good day, 3-0 or 4-1 would have been just about par for the course. Then again - they were prone to having bad days as well. 50/50: Holland thrash Bulgaria - or it's a 0-0 draw. (6 people in defence: park the bus - unless you're suicidal.) There's a chance Bulgaria might have done damage against England: equal or greater chances that England would have done damage against Bulgaria. Match probably decided by one goal?... and one single win would not have seen Bulgaria take second place - even if Holland had beaten all three opponents - because of the pre-ordered heavy defeat against the Soviet Union. So... do you really wanna go to a major finals just to be exposed as the weakest team there?... It would have been heartbreaking for the actual guys on the national team back then, no doubt. But there's no chance they would have progressed from the group - and every chance they would have incurred three defeats - and two very salty ones at that. They were good - but they weren't like the Dutch. The Soviet Union beat England - and would have beaten them on any given day in 1988. Leaves England vs. Bulgaria - for 3rd place - and that just sucks. The other group was STACKED. Germany, Denmark, Spain and Italy: any of these teams would have beaten us - and Germany by a four-goal margin. We typically fare very badly against Scandinavian teams, Italy could have played within themselves and won 1-0, Spain were well dangerous at the time - and Germany were a death sentence. Fuck that, seriously: it would have looked like Genady Golovkin against Anthony Joshua.

[@ivankitanov8159]

@@dorian_dark_grey Actually, Bulgaria played a friendly match vs Holland just days before Euro 1988 and won 2-1 (goals by Lubo Penev andd Nikolay Iliev). New players like Kostadinov, Stoichkov, Penev and Trifon Ivanov would have joined the team for the championship. They were young 21-22 years old. You never know...