ASPARUHOV AND KOTKOV, TWO BEAUTIFUL HEARTS

During history Bulgaria had a lot of good and legendary players from their golden team from WC 1994 to their top scorer Dimitar Berbatov. But this is story about two big friends and two beautiful hearts, as the song says, Asparuhov and Kotkov.

Hard that todays football fans could remember them but they are written with golden letters in Bulgarian football but not just in football but also at that time communist life. They were joy to at that time “ordinary“ people and the evidence of that is about 550 000 people at their funeral. Their lives were tragically extinguished at the height of their power.

Their football careers didn't went in the same way. One was idol of Levski fans while Kotkov was on the other side of town in the jersey of Lokomotiv (Sofia). Both were born in capital city of Bulgaria. Although they spend much time together and were great friends, they were completely different people.

Asparuhov was quite and family man unlike Kotkov who was mangup and loved to drink a bit more and his favorite drink was cognac. Although Kotkov used to drink it didn't stop him to the be best on the field. Asparuhov lived with his wife and son. He was much more responsible than his friend.

Although they were full of opposites on the field they were like one brain. Kotkov started his career in alredy mentioned Lokomotiv. With Lokomotiv he was champion of Bulgaria. After more then 10 years there he joined to Asparuhov in Levski. Asapruhov excpet for Levski played for Botev Plovdiv. Together with Levski they won double crow in 1970. 

Becouse of his discipline Asparuhov started to play for national team with only 19 y while Kotkov had to wait until his 26 y. British use to say that Asparuhov is one of the most underrated player ever and they especially remebers his goal scored to England on Wembly. After a clearance by defense he took ball in the air then shook of Bobby More, at that time one of the best player in defence, then pushed trough Brian Labone legs and scored next to Gordon West. One of the best goals ever scored on Wembly. Gundi, what was his nickname, was named the best Bulgarian player of 20th century.

Georgi Asparuhov and Nikola Kotkov- Bulgaria WC 1970 "FKS stickers" 


Asparuhov Panini sticker from WC 1970

Except for national team he showed great performance for Levski in European cup where he was seen by Benfica and Milan. After second match against Benfica at Da Luz, which Levski lost 5:3, the great Eusebio was amazed. Asparuhov scored all three goals. Until that nobody scored 3 goals on Benfica stadium. Benfica tried to sing him but communist authorities said no.

Except Benfica Milan also tried to sing him against who they also played in European cup. Italians offered him all from a salary same as their three best players had, bonuses for every win up to apartment and car to use. He said for Italian media that for him there are only Bulgaria and Levski. He was born there and will die there.

After Kotkov transfer to Levski they become inseparable. They enoyed big popularity. People lived for that they could touch them. They marked entire generation.

They lost their lives in a car accident on 30th June in 1971. On that tragic June of 71' they went on a friendly match for Botev who celebrate 50 years. Kotkov received an invitation to play and he called Gundi to come with him. On the way they stopped at the gas station to fill the tank. Asparuhov could wait for the rest but he hit the gas. At the next crossroad with its glorious Alfa Romeo crashed into the oncoming truck. At the same moment fire broke out and there were no salvation. Asparuhov had 28 and Kotkov 32 y.

The news of the accident spread quickly through Bulgaria. Tens of thousands of people began to gather at the Levski stadium and according to unofficial informations on the funeral there was about 550 000 people and since the death of emperor Boris III. that was the largest public event in Bulgaria.

Later they were stores that the Communists were jealous becouse of their popularity, especially Asparuhov's, and that they were guilty for the accident. But whatever happens Asparuhov and Kotkov went into a legends. Later song came out dedicated to them: “The two no9 (two nines)“.

At the end of the road on the left, at a crossroad

in the winter and in summer, two bouquet lie.

Two lonely bouquet on a crossroad,

They wait for us if we go there...

They are waiting for us, in the rain and snow

And we remember the road back again...

Team favorite two blue no9,

also today inspire every Bulgarian team...

Asparuhov and Kotkov, two beautiful hearts,

Asparuhov and Kotkov, unfading suns...

And although burned to ashes martyr

We will remember them forever as captivating birds...

Author: Ivo Bozhkov