Georgi Petkov
Encyclopedia
Georgi Petkov (born March 14, 1976 in Pazardzhik
) is a Bulgaria
n football goalkeeper currently playing for Enosis Paralimni
. Petkov has played for Bulgarian national team
since 2005 as a backup to Dimitar Ivankov
.
, Petkov started his career at local side Hebar
. In June 1996, he was signed by A PFG club Slavia Sofia
. Petkov started the 1996–97 season as the third choice goalkeeper and earned only two appearances in his first campaign at Slavia. Following Zdravko Zdravkov
transferred to Turkish İstanbulspor in June 1997, he has been promoted to second choice.
for a $400,000, breaking the Bulgarian goalkeeper transfer-record. He was a substitute of Dimitar Ivankov
until this season.
After Ivankov left Levski, Petkov showed his real potential and became an important part of the team. With Georgi as a key player, his team was the first Bulgarian team to join the group stage of the UEFA Champions League
. He was one of the few players that had their positions secure during the 07-08 transfer season, when a big part of the Levski players were sold. On 25 April 2008 a media report said that Petkov is wanted by Besiktas J.K.
during the summer transfer season.
Petkov became a captain of PFC Levski, during the 2008/2009 season.
On 24 January 2008, during the pause of 2008/2009 season, Petkov was number one goalkeeper in Europe
, according to IMScouting. He conceded the least goals per minute. Petkov conceded one goal on each 810 minutes.
He became a Champion of Bulgaria in 2009, after a contradictory but great season under the coaching of Emil Velev
. Despite the bad results during the autumnal part of the season, after great matches in the spring, Levski Sofia fulfilled the plan before the term had set and became a champion for 26 time, before the last round has been played.
During 2009/2010 season, the Levski's team started their European campaign with 9:0 (on aggregate) in the second Qualifying round of Champions League against UE Sant Julià
. On the next round, Levski Sofia faced FK Baku
. The blues eliminated the team from Azerbaijan
with 2:0 (on aggregate). In the play-off round Levski was eliminated by Debreceni VSC
with 4:1 (on aggregate). However, Levski qualified for UEFA Europa League. In the group stage, Levski faced Villarreal CF
, SS Lazio and Red Bull Salzburg. Levski achieved only one win and 5 losses. Levski took the win against SS Lazio, after Hristo Yovov
scored the winning goal in the match. The match was played at Stadio Olimpico
.
In 2009/2010 season, after couple of bad games and results, Levski however achieved qualifying for UEFA Europa League becoming 3rd in the final ranking.
During the 2010/2011 Levski qualified for UEFA Europa League after eliminating Dundalk F.C.
, Kalmar FF
and AIK Fotboll
. Levski was drawn in Group C, facing Gent, Lille
and Sporting CP. The first match was against Gent. Levski won the match in a 3-2 home win. The winning goal was scored by Serginho Greene
. With this win Levski recorded 8 games in-a-row without losing in European competitions. After that Levski lost catastrophically from Sporting CP with 5-0. Followed by another loss against Lille
. In Sofia Levski played very well against Lille
and was leading 2-1 until Ivo Ivanov scored an own goal to make it 2-2. In the last match of the Group C, Levski take a win against Sporting CP with 1-0, the winning goal was scored by Daniel Mladenov
.
On 10 January 2011, it was announced that Petkov is being released from the club. After ten perfect years in Levski, Petkov told the media that he felt insulted by the actions of his former club.
on 21 January 2011, making a winning debut 24 hours later, by beating Ermis FC 3-1 in Tasos Markou Stadium.
Pazardzhik
Pazardzhik is a city situated along the banks of the Maritsa river, Southern Bulgaria. It is the capital of Pazardzhik Province and centre for the homonymous Pazardzhik Municipality...
) is a Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
n football goalkeeper currently playing for Enosis Paralimni
Enosis Neon Paralimni FC
Enosis Neon Paralimni is a Cypriot football team from Paralimni. Currently playing in the first division, it holds home games at the Paralimni Municipal Stadium "Tasos Marcou", which holds 5,800 people.-History:...
. Petkov has played for Bulgarian national team
Bulgaria national football team
The FIFA Bulgaria national football team is an association football team fielded by the Bulgarian Football Union, a member association of UEFA. The team's home ground is Vasil Levski in Sofia and Luboslav Penev is in charge manager after replacement of Lothar Matthäus...
since 2005 as a backup to Dimitar Ivankov
Dimitar Ivankov
Dimitar Ivanov Ivankov is a Bulgarian football player who currently plays for Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta FC. He plays as a goalkeeper, however he is known for his goals, especially from converting penalty kicks. Ivankov is the 3rd best goalscoring keeper in the world with 42 goals...
.
Career
Born in PazardzhikPazardzhik
Pazardzhik is a city situated along the banks of the Maritsa river, Southern Bulgaria. It is the capital of Pazardzhik Province and centre for the homonymous Pazardzhik Municipality...
, Petkov started his career at local side Hebar
PFC Hebar Pazardzhik
PFC Hebar is a Bulgarian football club from the town of Pazardzhik, playing in the Bulgarian South-West V AFG, the third division of Bulgarian football. The current name of the club was chosen in 1979: Hebar-the old Thracian name of the river Maritsa. This is the name that the club has borne for...
. In June 1996, he was signed by A PFG club Slavia Sofia
PFC Slavia Sofia
PFC Slavia Sofia is a Bulgarian football club founded on 10 April 1913 in Sofia. Slavia's ground is Slavia Stadium with a capacity of 15,992. The team's colours are white and black....
. Petkov started the 1996–97 season as the third choice goalkeeper and earned only two appearances in his first campaign at Slavia. Following Zdravko Zdravkov
Zdravko Zdravkov
Zdravko Zdravkov is a former Bulgarian football goalkeeper. He ended his career at the end of 2006–07 season.-Career:...
transferred to Turkish İstanbulspor in June 1997, he has been promoted to second choice.
Levski Sofia
In July 2001, Petkov joined Levski SofiaPFC Levski Sofia
"Levski Sofia" redirects here. For the sports club, see Levski Sofia .PFC Levski Sofia, otherwise simply known as Levski or Levski Sofia, is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria...
for a $400,000, breaking the Bulgarian goalkeeper transfer-record. He was a substitute of Dimitar Ivankov
Dimitar Ivankov
Dimitar Ivanov Ivankov is a Bulgarian football player who currently plays for Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta FC. He plays as a goalkeeper, however he is known for his goals, especially from converting penalty kicks. Ivankov is the 3rd best goalscoring keeper in the world with 42 goals...
until this season.
After Ivankov left Levski, Petkov showed his real potential and became an important part of the team. With Georgi as a key player, his team was the first Bulgarian team to join the group stage of the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
. He was one of the few players that had their positions secure during the 07-08 transfer season, when a big part of the Levski players were sold. On 25 April 2008 a media report said that Petkov is wanted by Besiktas J.K.
Besiktas J.K.
Beşiktaş Jimnastik Kulübü , or simply Beşiktaş , is a Turkish sports club. The club's football team is one of the major teams in Turkey. The professional sports club, founded in 1903, is based in the Beşiktaş district in Istanbul, Turkey...
during the summer transfer season.
Petkov became a captain of PFC Levski, during the 2008/2009 season.
On 24 January 2008, during the pause of 2008/2009 season, Petkov was number one goalkeeper in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, according to IMScouting. He conceded the least goals per minute. Petkov conceded one goal on each 810 minutes.
He became a Champion of Bulgaria in 2009, after a contradictory but great season under the coaching of Emil Velev
Emil Velev
Emil Velev is a former Bulgarian football player and currently manager of Lokomotiv Plovdiv.-Career:...
. Despite the bad results during the autumnal part of the season, after great matches in the spring, Levski Sofia fulfilled the plan before the term had set and became a champion for 26 time, before the last round has been played.
During 2009/2010 season, the Levski's team started their European campaign with 9:0 (on aggregate) in the second Qualifying round of Champions League against UE Sant Julià
UE Sant Julià
Unió Esportiva Sant Julià is an Andorran football club, playing in the village of Aixovall in the parish of Sant Julià de Lòria, some 6 km from the capital, Andorra la Vella and 4 km from the Spanish border....
. On the next round, Levski Sofia faced FK Baku
FK Baku
Football Club Baku is an Azerbaijani football club in Baku, Azerbaijan. The club sponsored by the Baghlan Group Company and ZQAN Holding.FC Baku plays in the Azerbaijan Premier League and have won two Azerbaijan Premier League championships and two Azerbaijan Cups.-History:FC Baku was founded in...
. The blues eliminated the team from Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
with 2:0 (on aggregate). In the play-off round Levski was eliminated by Debreceni VSC
Debreceni VSC
Debreceni VSC or just Debrecen or DVSC is a football club from the city of Debrecen in Hungary. They are best known for reaching the group stages of the UEFA Champions League 2009–10 season. Debreceni VSC has been the most successful Hungarian club since 2000. The club has won the Hungarian...
with 4:1 (on aggregate). However, Levski qualified for UEFA Europa League. In the group stage, Levski faced Villarreal CF
Villarreal CF
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
, SS Lazio and Red Bull Salzburg. Levski achieved only one win and 5 losses. Levski took the win against SS Lazio, after Hristo Yovov
Hristo Yovov
Hristo Yovov is a Bulgarian footballer who currently plays for Levski Sofia. Yovov's first club was Levski, but he has also played for Munchen 1860, Lokomotiv Sofia, Litex Lovech, Aris Limassol and Apollon Limassol....
scored the winning goal in the match. The match was played at Stadio Olimpico
Stadio Olimpico
The Stadio Olimpico is the main and largest sports facility of Rome, Italy. It is located within the Foro Italico sports complex on the north of the city. An asset of the Italian National Olympic Committee, the structure is intended primarily for football...
.
In 2009/2010 season, after couple of bad games and results, Levski however achieved qualifying for UEFA Europa League becoming 3rd in the final ranking.
During the 2010/2011 Levski qualified for UEFA Europa League after eliminating Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
, Kalmar FF
Kalmar FF
Kalmar FF is a Swedish football club located in Kalmar. Formed 10 January 1910, the club has won three national cup titles and 1 league title. Kalmar FF currently play in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan....
and AIK Fotboll
AIK Fotboll
AIK, , an abbreviation for Allmänna Idrottsklubben, , when needed internationally AIK Stockholm, is a Swedish football club based at Råsunda stadium in Solna, a municipality in Stockholm County bordering to Stockholm City Centre...
. Levski was drawn in Group C, facing Gent, Lille
Lille OSC
LOSC Lille Métropole is a French association football club based in Lille. The club was founded in 1944 as a result of a merger and currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football. Lille plays its home matches at the Stade Lille-Metropole in nearby Villeneuve-d'Ascq. In 2012, the...
and Sporting CP. The first match was against Gent. Levski won the match in a 3-2 home win. The winning goal was scored by Serginho Greene
Serginho Greene
Serginho Greene, is a Dutch association football player who is currently playing for Levski Sofia in the Bulgarian A PFG.-Early life:...
. With this win Levski recorded 8 games in-a-row without losing in European competitions. After that Levski lost catastrophically from Sporting CP with 5-0. Followed by another loss against Lille
Lille OSC
LOSC Lille Métropole is a French association football club based in Lille. The club was founded in 1944 as a result of a merger and currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football. Lille plays its home matches at the Stade Lille-Metropole in nearby Villeneuve-d'Ascq. In 2012, the...
. In Sofia Levski played very well against Lille
Lille OSC
LOSC Lille Métropole is a French association football club based in Lille. The club was founded in 1944 as a result of a merger and currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football. Lille plays its home matches at the Stade Lille-Metropole in nearby Villeneuve-d'Ascq. In 2012, the...
and was leading 2-1 until Ivo Ivanov scored an own goal to make it 2-2. In the last match of the Group C, Levski take a win against Sporting CP with 1-0, the winning goal was scored by Daniel Mladenov
Daniel Mladenov
Daniel Mladenov is a Bulgarian footballer, currently playing for PFC Levski Sofia as a striker. He can also play as a left and right winger.-Youth career:Mladenov started his career in home town Kyustendil in local team – Velbazhd....
.
On 10 January 2011, it was announced that Petkov is being released from the club. After ten perfect years in Levski, Petkov told the media that he felt insulted by the actions of his former club.
Enosis Neon Paralimni FC
Georgi Petkov signed for Enosis ParalimniEnosis Neon Paralimni FC
Enosis Neon Paralimni is a Cypriot football team from Paralimni. Currently playing in the first division, it holds home games at the Paralimni Municipal Stadium "Tasos Marcou", which holds 5,800 people.-History:...
on 21 January 2011, making a winning debut 24 hours later, by beating Ermis FC 3-1 in Tasos Markou Stadium.
Career Stats
- As of 10 January 2011.
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| PFC Levski Sofia PFC Levski Sofia "Levski Sofia" redirects here. For the sports club, see Levski Sofia .PFC Levski Sofia, otherwise simply known as Levski or Levski Sofia, is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria... |
2001–02 | 27 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 40 | 0 |
| PFC Levski Sofia PFC Levski Sofia "Levski Sofia" redirects here. For the sports club, see Levski Sofia .PFC Levski Sofia, otherwise simply known as Levski or Levski Sofia, is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria... |
2002–03 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| PFC Levski Sofia PFC Levski Sofia "Levski Sofia" redirects here. For the sports club, see Levski Sofia .PFC Levski Sofia, otherwise simply known as Levski or Levski Sofia, is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria... |
2003–04 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| PFC Levski Sofia PFC Levski Sofia "Levski Sofia" redirects here. For the sports club, see Levski Sofia .PFC Levski Sofia, otherwise simply known as Levski or Levski Sofia, is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria... |
2004–05 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PFC Levski Sofia PFC Levski Sofia "Levski Sofia" redirects here. For the sports club, see Levski Sofia .PFC Levski Sofia, otherwise simply known as Levski or Levski Sofia, is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria... |
2005–06 | 23 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 38 | 0 |
| PFC Levski Sofia PFC Levski Sofia "Levski Sofia" redirects here. For the sports club, see Levski Sofia .PFC Levski Sofia, otherwise simply known as Levski or Levski Sofia, is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria... |
2006–07 | 17 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 27 | 0 |
| PFC Levski Sofia PFC Levski Sofia "Levski Sofia" redirects here. For the sports club, see Levski Sofia .PFC Levski Sofia, otherwise simply known as Levski or Levski Sofia, is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria... |
2007–08 | 28 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 31 | 0 |
| PFC Levski Sofia PFC Levski Sofia "Levski Sofia" redirects here. For the sports club, see Levski Sofia .PFC Levski Sofia, otherwise simply known as Levski or Levski Sofia, is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria... |
2008–09 | 17 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
| PFC Levski Sofia PFC Levski Sofia "Levski Sofia" redirects here. For the sports club, see Levski Sofia .PFC Levski Sofia, otherwise simply known as Levski or Levski Sofia, is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria... |
2009–10 2009–10 A PFG The 2009-10 season of the Bulgarian A PFG was the 86th season of top-tier football in Bulgaria. It began on 7 August 2009 with the game between Beroe and Lokomotiv Sofia. The last round took place on 30 May 2010... |
19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 28 | 0 |
| PFC Levski Sofia PFC Levski Sofia "Levski Sofia" redirects here. For the sports club, see Levski Sofia .PFC Levski Sofia, otherwise simply known as Levski or Levski Sofia, is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria... |
2010–11 2010–11 A PFG The 2010–11 A PFG is the 87th season of the Bulgarian A Professional Football Group, Bulgaria's premier football league. The season commenced on 31 July 2010 and will end with the last games on 28 May 2011. The winter break will be in effect between weekends around 29 November 2010 and 26 February... |
6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Career totals | 149 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 48 | 0 | 216 | 0 | |
Awards
- Champion of Bulgaria 1996,2002, 2006, 2007, 2009
- Holder of Bulgarian CupBulgarian CupThe Bulgarian Cup is a Bulgarian annual football competition. It is the country's main cup competition and all officially registered Bulgarian football teams take part in it. It is sponsored by the Bulgarian Corporate Commercial Bank....
1996,2002, 2003, 2005, 2007 - Bulgarian SupercupBulgarian SupercupThe Bulgarian Supercup is an annually held football match between the football club that has won the Bulgarian A Professional Football Group and the club that has won the Bulgarian Cup...
2005, 2007, 2009 - Bulgarian Goalkeeper of the year 2002, 2007, 2008
- Bulgarian Footballer of the YearBulgarian Footballer of the YearBulgarian Footballer of the Year is an annual title awarded to the best Bulgarian football player of the year. The award has been given since 1961, and the winner is elected by authorized journalists from the leading Bulgarian media....
2007 (3rd place), 2008 (2nd place) - UEFA Cup 2005-06UEFA Cup 2005-06The UEFA Cup 2005–06 season was won by Sevilla FC, beating Middlesbrough FC in the final. It was the first victory for Sevilla in a European competition, and the first appearance by Middlesbrough in a European final. The final took place at Philips Stadion, in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The match was...
: 1/4 finals - UEFA Champions League 2006-07UEFA Champions League 2006-07The 2006–07 UEFA Champions League was the 15th season of UEFA's premier European club football tournament, the UEFA Champions League, since it was rebranded from the European Cup, and the 52nd season overall. The final was contested by Milan and Liverpool on 23 May 2007...
: Group-stage