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.
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.
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
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