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Hristo Stoichkov brings football emotions and joy to Bulgarian fans with "50 years No. 8"

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Photo: BULPHOTO

On May 20, 1992 at the Wembley stadium a Bulgarian lifted the European Cup for the first time in football history. This was Hristo Stoichkov with the team of Barcelona and coach Johan Cruyff. Exactly 24 years after this memorable date the legendary Bulgarian striker once again brought joy and lots of football emotions to all fans. With a spectacular football show last night, Stoichkov celebrated his 50th anniversary in front of the full stands of the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia, together with friends and stars of world football.

Under the applause of 40,000 people who crowded the stadium despite the heavy rain, the team of Stoichkov faced the all-star team of the world in a spectacular match that 'N8' team won 4:1. The team of Stoichkov included beloved players such as Txiki Begiristain, Gheorghe Popescu, Antonio Benarrivo, Emil Kostadinov, Yordan Lechkov, Dimitar Berbatov, Gheorghe Hagi, Martin Petrov, Krasimir Balakov, and others. The team of the stars included legends such as Jorge Campos, Vincent Candela, Paolo Maldini, Mauro Camoranesi, Jean-Pierre Papin, Carlos Valderrama, Ludovic Giuly, Ivan Zamorano, Demetrio Albertini and many other great stars who came to Sofia to show respect for Hristo Stoichkov and to Bulgarian football fans.

The legendary striker with No. 8 jersey, known for his relentless style and hot temper, did not hold back his tears before the match when the whole stadium paid tribute and remembered great Bulgarian defender and teammate of Stoichkov in CSKA and the national team - Trifon Ivanov. In the 14th minute of the match tears were again seen on the faces of players and fans who honored the memory of legendary Johan Cruyff. Nostalgia and memories, as well as lots of joy brought by the achievements of a whole generation of players were an integral part of this unique football match.

Krassimir Balakov scored a beautiful first goal of the match for Stoichkov's team after a pass from Emill Kostadinov. Until the end of the first half goalkeeper of the stars Jorge Campos repeatedly intervened decisively to stop Stoichkov's strikes, demonstrating his unique style of play. Just before the halftime there was a new goal for team "No.8" after a cross from Stoichkov and a header by Dimitar Berbatov. At the beginning of the second half Stoichkov made a great surprise to fans when together with some of his former teammates from Barcelona lifted the European Cup - the same one won with Cruyff. Later Martin Petrov replaced Stoichkov on the field and the score quickly turned 3:0. Ludovic Giuly scored a goal for the stars with a skillful shot but in the 65th minute of the game referee Atanas Uzununov called a penalty for the home team and Stoichkov stood behind the ball. With accuracy that is typical for him he scored the 4th goal for his team in the net guarded at the time by Felix Fernandez and the referee ended the game.

"I want to thank fans for the respect they show and for everything I have achieved. This celebration today is not for Hristo Stoichkov, it is for the fans. Without you there would have been no victories," Stoichkov said after the match and bowed in front of loyal fans.

The football celebration on the 20th of May in honor of one of the greatest strikers in the world will remain in the hearts of fans with the passion, the beautiful style of play shown by the legends of football, lots of emotions and awaken memories of the greatest triumphs and greatest football players.



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