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Bulgarian goalkeeper Nikolay Mihailov becomes Footballer of the Year

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Photo: BGNES
The end of the year is a time for a number of awards but one of the most expected ceremonies in Bulgaria remains the Footballer of the Year. The award has been given annually to the best Bulgarian players since 1961. Winners of the awards have been legends like Georgi Asparuhov, Hristo Stoichkov, and Dimitar Berbatov

After placing third in the Footballer of the Year chart in 2010, next year Nikolay Mihailov managed to climb to the top, replacing Dimitar Berbatov. The goalkeeper of the Bulgarian national side and the Dutch club Twente gathered 224 points in the voting of the journalists and left behind Bulgarian player of Aston Villa Stylian Petrov. Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov, who is the winner of 7 Footballer of the Year prizes placed third in the chart, despite calling on journalists not to vote for him anymore.

© Photo: BGNES


Nikolay Mihailov received the prize from his father - legendary Bulgarian goalkeeper from the World Cup in 1994, Borislav Mihailov. “ Iam extremely happy and proud that 25 years after I won the Footballer of the Year Award, my son also holds this prize in his hands,” he said at the ceremony and added he was happy that after so many years, respect is paid to the most difficult position in the football game.

Nikolay Mihailov thanked Dimitar Berbatov and said that even 10 more awards for the striker would be deserved. “This award would only make me work harder during the next year,” the young goalkeeper said. In 2011 Mihailov was very successful guarding his net and he was selected for the best goalkeeper award in the Netherlands, leaving behind Maarten Stekelenburg of Ajax. The player thanked his first manager in the team of Levski – Stanimir Stoilov, and also legendary Hristo Stoichkov, who was his first manager in the national team.

In 2011 Mihailov played 13 matches in the Dutch tournament without letting a goal in his net. His performance caused the interest of leading European teams such as Tottenham. Sports media in Europe also claim that Barcelona and Milan were interested in attracting Mihailov to their teams. The goalkeeper himself told reporters he would be happy to play for the Italian Milan in the next summer.

The Footballer of the Year Award reflects the level of the Bulgarian football. Despite the poor performance of the national team during the year, sport fans expect victories in 2012. Nikolay Mihailov is one of the players whose presence on the field guarantees positive emotions and reminds of the greatest moments of Bulgarian football.


По публикацията работи: Alexander Markov


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