ENGLAND BULGARIA VS EUROPEAN QUALIFIER FOR UEFA EURO 2020
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BULGARIA VS
ENGLAND
EUROPEAN QUALIFIER
FOR UEFA EURO 2020
Monday 14 October 2019
9.45pm (Local Time)
Vasil Levksi National Stadium, Bulgaria
1
MEMBER INFORMATION
With over 3400 members making this trip to Sofia we hope you follow the lead The FA continues to work hard to ensure a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for
of others and help make the experience of following the England team a positive all supporters. If you witness any racist, homophobic, xenophobic or anti-social
experience for all. behaviour before, during or after the match, you can report it in confidence by
emailing englandsupportersclub@TheFA.com or by calling or texting us on +44
We ask that members treat locals and opposing fans in the same way that they
(0)7970146250 (this number is printed on the back of your membership card).
would want to be treated. Incidents of poor behaviour before and during England
matches can be detrimental to the reputation of England fans abroad. Members The FA will always investigate reports of inappropriate behaviour at an England
behaving in an unacceptable manner whilst following ‘England away’ may result in: game. For more information regarding fan behaviour at England matches, please
refer to the ‘Rules of Membership’. http://www.thefa.com/news/2018/sep/04/
• Removal from the stadium
estc-rules
• Suspension from the ESTC membership
FA staff have the right to refuse tickets to members who are abusive and/or visibly
• Withdrawal of EURO 2020 tickets intoxicated upon arrival at the Ticket Collection Point.
• The issue of a Football Banning Order
• Report to the police and possible criminal proceedings.
2
Passports and Visas Safety and Security
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise that visitors of Bulgaria do If you need the emergency services whilst in Bulgaria call 112. English speaking
not need a visa to enter however they must have a valid passport with at least operators are available. If you’re sent to hospital or are reporting a theft, you
6 months remaining. should contact your travel insurance provider immediately.
You should take out comprehensive travel insurance before heading to Bulgaria If you need emergency help from the UK government if you’ve been attacked,
as this can cover you in the event of flight cancellations or the theft of any of your arrested or someone has died, you need to call the British Embassy in Sofia on
personal belongings. +359 2933 9222.
On arrival in Bulgaria you may be asked to confirm that you have sufficient funds Address: 9 Moskovska St, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
available for the duration of your stay and may be asked to show a return ticket
If your passport is lost or stolen whilst in Bulgaria, you will need to contact the
back to the UK.
British Embassy in Sofia using the details above. Please be aware that you may
We recommend all supporters heading to Bulgaria check the FCO website for be charged for some of their services.
travel and security updates before leaving the UK:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bulgaria
Information produced in this Travel Guide was correct at the time of writing - we
always advise supporters to check the FCO in the event of changes.
3
British Embassy Health
Whilst in Bulgaria please take care of yourself and your belongings in the same If you require medical treatment whilst in Bulgaria please be mindful that
way you would do in the UK. Report any thefts to police within 24hrs of the incident facilities in hospitals are basic and old-fashioned compared to the UK.
occurring and get a crime reference number. Specialised medical equipment and treatment may not be available so if you
need to take medication, please ensure you take enough with you to cover the
Watch out for pick pockets and bag thefts in tourist areas and be particularly
duration of your stay.
vigilant late at night. Tourists are often targeted in Sunny Beach – refrain from
taking valuables with you and be sure to lock your hotel room and balcony doors if If you go to a private clinic or hospital, be expected to pay for your treatment and
staying there. agree on a price in advance. Always contact your travel insurance provider after
seeking medical treatment abroad.
Stray dogs are common in Bulgaria; take any animal bites serious and seek medical
advice as rabies and other animal borne diseases are present in Bulgaria.
Bulgarian authorities treat all drink and drug-related offences very seriously.
Custodial sentences can be expected for any England fans convicted of such
offences. Offences related to disorderly behaviour, hooliganism and drunken
behaviour will be treated more seriously than in the UK.
Public attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community are less tolerant than in the
UK. For more information on LGBTQ+ issues in Bulgaria, please read the advice
provided by the FCO here.
For more information about general safety and security advice in Bulgaria, please
visit the FCO website here.
4
Bulgaria
Officially known as the Republic of Bulgaria, the country is located in Southeast
Europe and borders with Romania, Serbia, Greece and Turkey. The capital and largest
city is Sofia but Sunny Beach and Sozopol are also popular with tourists.
Bulgaria’s history dates as far back as the 6th century BC when it was part of the
Persian Empire where it is believed that some of the first pottery and jewellery in
the world was produced. After World War Two, Bulgaria became a Communist state
however a series of crises resulted in much of Bulgaria’s industry and agriculture in
decline. It wasn’t until the early 2000s that Bulgaria’s economy and the quality of life
for residents began to improve (the average wage is just £100 a month). It became a
member of NATO in 2004 and joined the EU in 2007.
Image to change
IMAGE COURTESY OF IVETA
5Sofia
Sofia is in the west of Bulgaria below the Vitosha Mountain. The city’s
landmarks reflect the country’s long history which includes Greek,
Roman, Ottoman and Soviet occupation. There are plenty of impressive
churches to visit including the Russian Church and Church of St George
plus the Alexander Newski Cathedral. Vitosha Boulevard is the main
street in the centre of Sofia containing shops, restaurants and bars.
Bulgarian food is hearty and diverse and inspired by Balkan and middle-
eastern influences. You can find plenty of grilled meats, breads and
cheeses plus plenty of delicious yogurt ice-creams and flaky pastries. In
terms of drinks, there are plenty of Bulgarian craft beers available to buy
across Sofia. Glarus pale ale, Mursalki red ale and a white stout called
White Stork are just some of the locally brewed beers available.
The currency in Bulgaria is the Bulgarian LEV. Be careful as some prices
in Sofia are listed in Euros (to make it simple for European visitors)
however transactions are always in LEV. Not all shops and bars are
equipped with credit/debit card machines so we recommend taking
enough cash with you.
Tap water is safe to drink in Sofia however it doesn’t have a clear
appearance. Bulgaria has a vast supply bottled mineral water available
which is cheap and tasty.
6Getting around Sofia
Sofia has comprehensive public transport system which includes trams, buses and Basic Balkan phrases
an underground metro. Generally public transport runs from 5am-11pm every day. Hello = здравей (zdravei)
Tickets are sold at booths at most stops – not from the driver.
Good Morning = добро утро (dobro utro)
Sofia has one of the longest tram networks in Europe and some of the trams are
over 50 years old (great for Instagram!) Goodbye = довиждане (dovizhdane)
Be aware that tickets can only be purchased using cash and you will need to Thank you = благодаря (blagodarya)
physically punch your ticket when boarding or alighting from either tram or bus.
Please = моля (molya)
You’ll also need a ticket for any oversized luggage you take with you on public
transport. Yes = да (da)
The metro system links Sofia Airport with the city centre – go to Terminal 2 at the No = не (ne)
airport to get the metro into the city for approximately 1.60 LEVS (90p).
I don’t speak Bulgarian very well = не говоря български много
Alternatively there are free shuttle buses that run from the airport to the city centre добре (ne govorya balgarski mnogo dobre)
every 30 minutes. You’ll need to book these via Terminal 1 at the Information Desk.
How much? = колко е (kolko e)
To view the metro map and timetable for Sofia, click the link here.
To view timetables (including the night time service timetable) for Sofia, click here. The bill, please = сметката, моля (smetkata, molya)
How do you get to…? = как да стигна до… (kak da stigma do)
7Vasil Levski Stadium Getting to the stadium
The Vasil Levksi National Stadium is named after Bulgarian national hero Vasil The stadium can be reached by buses 9, 72, 75 and 76 plus the tram lines 10, 12
Levski who led the revolutionary movement to liberate Bulgaria from Ottoman and 18 or by using the Vasil Levski Stadium metro station. To view the different
rule in the 19th century and create a democratic republic. The football team routes and timetables click here.
Levski Sofia is also named after him.
From Vitosha Boulevard, the stadium is approximately a 25 minute walk or you
Originally built in 1953, the stadium was extended in 1966 and renovated again can take the number 16 trolley bus from NDK-tunel to pl. Orlov Most and walk 7
in 2002. minutes to the stadium.
The stadium has 44,000 seats and is located in the centre of Sofia. The Bulgarian
National Team play all their home games here and it’s often used for derbies
between the big clubs of Sofia rather than their home grounds.
The highest ever attendance came from a Madonna performance in 2009 in
front of 54,000 people.
If you’re going straight from Sofia Airport to the stadium, catch the M2 metro link
straight to the Vasil Levski Stadium metro station. The journey takes approximately
40 minutes but please be mindful that there will be no facilities at the stadium to
leave large bags or suitcases.
8Stadium access Stadium regulations
There are no public parking facilities at the stadium, however if you require The Bulgarian Football Union have instructed that all ticket holders take a form of
disabled parking please contact englandsupportersclub@thefa.com with your photo ID with them to the match, along with their match ticket.
request and we will enquire for you.
Once at the stadium, there will be a ticket check at the turnstiles which then leads
to the search areas. All supporters will undergo a body and bag search – if you do Please note the following stadium regulations:
need to bring a bag with you, please ensure its no larger than an A4 piece of paper • Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the stadium.
and do not bring any bottles (including bottles of perfume or cosmetics) as these
will be thrown away. • Pyrotechnic devices including flares and fireworks are not permitted.
Much of the stadium is open-air so we recommend checking the weather forecast • Fans without valid tickets will not be allowed to enter the stadium.
before making your way to the stadium and taking waterproof coats/ponchos with • Supporters must be able to show a valid ticket and photo ID when requested to
you if it’s due to rain. do so by stewards, security staff or police.
No alcohol is to be consumed at the stadium. • The Sinobo Stadium has the right to refuse entry to anyone who is believed to
We do not anticipate a hold-back for England fans after the game, but please listen be under the influence of drugs or alcohol and has the right to remove them at
to stadium announcements. any time.
Important • Bottles, glasses, cans, sticks and any other blunt or pointed weapons are not
permitted into the stadium
If you're attending this match with a Junior member, please ensure you complete
the declaration form below. • Flags or banners displaying discriminative or provocative text or images will
not be permitted into the stadium
You must print off a copy and bring it with you to the match and present it to
stadium security when requested. Please keep a second copy for your records. • Small bags (no bigger than an A4 piece of paper) are allowed in the stadium but
will be subject to security checks.
Any child under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times for this
fixture. One adult may accompany no more than three children under the age of 16.
The full UEFA Stadium and security regulations can be found here.
Download Junior Declaration Form
9TICKET COLLECTION POINT
Please bring either your current 2018-2020 Travel Club membership card or any
up-to-date photo ID to collect your ticket.
If you’re part of a group, each member must collect their ticket in person. Please
be aware that all members of the group do not have to collect at the same time but
it will not be possible for another member (or non-member) to collect your ticket
on your behalf.
To help save time when collecting tickets, we advise members to know the name of
the lead booker in their order.
If you’re attending both the Czech Republic and Bulgaria away matches, it will NOT
be possible to collect your Bulgaria match ticket before the Czech match.
Travel Club members will be able to collect their tickets at the following location
during the stated opening hours:
Address
Hall 4
At the stadium
National Palace of Culture There will not be a ticket collection office at the stadium. Hall 4 of the National Palace
Congress Centre Sofia of Culture is 15-20 minute walk from the stadium and easily accessible by public
transport therefore you will only be able to collect your ticket from this location.
Bulevard Bulgaria
To encourage members to arrive at the stadium in plenty of time and avoid potentially
1463 Ndk missing the start of the match, the ticket collection point will be closing at 9pm
Opening times: on matchday.
Sunday 13 October: 3pm-8pm (local time) If you need to get in touch with the England Supporters Club on matchday and your
query is related to the Bulgaria fixture please call or text +44 (0) 7970 146 250.
Monday 14 October: 10am - 9pm This number is also printed on your membership card.
10PREVIOUS MEETING – 2 SEPTEMBER 2011
The last time England faced Bulgaria at the Vasil Levski stadium was on Starting XI that night:
September 2 2011.
BULGARIA: Nikolay Bodurov, Tsvetan Genkov, Zhivko Milanov, Petar Zanev,
A 3-0 victory put the Three Lions top of their qualifying group for Euro 2012. Ivan Bandalovski, Ivan Ivanov, Nikolay Mihaylov, Stilian Petrov (captain), Ivelin
Popov, Blagoy Georgiev, Martin Petrov
Gary Cahill opened the scoring on 13 minutes when he guided home Gareth
Barry's clipped ball into the box. Wayne Rooney headed a second from ENGLAND: Joe Hart, Chris Smalling, Gary Cahill, John Terry (captain),
Stewart Downing's corner and the former Manchester United forward sealed Gareth Barry, Ashley Young, Ashley Cole, Stewart Downing, Scott Parker,
the win just before the break by tapping home at the far post after being Theo Walcott, Wayne Rooney
found by club-mate Ashley Young.
From a Martin Petrov corner Joe Hart produced a wonderful point blank save
to keep his goal in tact, a moment of hope for the home side in the face of
England's dominance in the first period.
The second half began slowly, Bulgaria brought the physical Georgi Sarmov
into the centre of midfield and saw an early set piece headed wide.
James Milner replaced Ashley Young after the hour mark, but the fluency
remained, with Rooney leading the line expertly. Bulgaria enjoyed more of the
ball in the second period, but they failed to properly test Hart again.
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