Zdravko Zdravkov
Encyclopedia
Zdravko Zdravkov (born October 4, 1970 in Sofia
) is a former Bulgaria
n football goalkeeper. He ended his career at the end of 2006–07 season.
(1999–2000), Cherno More
(2002–2003), Litex Lovech (2003–2004) and Çaykur Rizespor
(2004–2007). For Bulgaria
, Zdravkov has been capped 70 times. He was the starting goalkeeper for his country at the Euro 1996, 1998 World Cup and Euro 2004.
Halfway through the France World Cup in 1998
, with Bulgaria having played two games (0–0 against Paraguay
and a 0–1 loss to Nigeria
), Zdravkov was ranked as the 2nd best goalkeeper in form. Although he went on to concede 6 goals in Bulgaria's unforunate loss to Spain in the next game, Zdravkov was an exceptional performer at the World Cup.
December 2002 until January 2003, Zdravkov spent a trial period with Arsenal F.C.
, but did not eventually sign with the then-reigning FA Premier League
champions.
Six years later, at UEFA Euro 2004, Zdravkov's age began to show. He did not concede any 'soft' goals and few could say he made any serious errors, but he was outclassed by some very talented Swedish, Danish and Italian attackers. Bulgaria lost 0–5 to Sweden
, 0–2 to Denmark
and 1–2 to Italy
, and this was to be Zdravkov's final tournament as national team goalkeeper.
Sofia
Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.Prehistoric settlements were excavated...
) is a former 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. He ended his career at the end of 2006–07 season.
Career
On the club level, Zdravkov has played for Levski Sofia (1989–1995), Istanbulspor (1997–1999 and 2000–2002), AdanasporAdanaspor
Adanaspor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Adana. Formed in 1954, Adanaspor are nicknamed Toros Kaplanları . The club colours are orange and white, and the club play their home matches at Adana 5 Ocak Stadı....
(1999–2000), Cherno More
PFC Cherno More Varna
PFC Cherno More Varna , or simply Cherno More is a Bulgarian professional football club from the city of Varna, which currently competes in Bulgaria's top football league, the A PFG....
(2002–2003), Litex Lovech (2003–2004) and Çaykur Rizespor
Çaykur Rizespor
Çaykur Rizespor is a Turkish sports club based in Rize. Çaykur Rizespor is currently playing in the TFF First League. The club was founded in 1953 in green-yellow colours and had professionalship status in 1968 as Rizespor and changed its colours to blue-green...
(2004–2007). For Bulgaria
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...
, Zdravkov has been capped 70 times. He was the starting goalkeeper for his country at the Euro 1996, 1998 World Cup and Euro 2004.
Halfway through the France World Cup in 1998
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
, with Bulgaria having played two games (0–0 against Paraguay
Paraguay national football team
The Paraguay national football team is controlled by the Paraguayan Football Association and represents Paraguay in men's international football competitions. The team has reached the second round of the World Cup on four occasions . The 2010 trip also featured their first appearance in the...
and a 0–1 loss to Nigeria
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
), Zdravkov was ranked as the 2nd best goalkeeper in form. Although he went on to concede 6 goals in Bulgaria's unforunate loss to Spain in the next game, Zdravkov was an exceptional performer at the World Cup.
December 2002 until January 2003, Zdravkov spent a trial period with Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, but did not eventually sign with the then-reigning FA Premier League
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
champions.
Six years later, at UEFA Euro 2004, Zdravkov's age began to show. He did not concede any 'soft' goals and few could say he made any serious errors, but he was outclassed by some very talented Swedish, Danish and Italian attackers. Bulgaria lost 0–5 to Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
, 0–2 to Denmark
Denmark national football team
The Denmark national football team represents Denmark in association football and is controlled by the Danish Football Association , the governing body for the football clubs which are organized under DBU...
and 1–2 to Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
, and this was to be Zdravkov's final tournament as national team goalkeeper.