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''"Levski Sofia" redirects here. For the sports club, see [[Levski Sofia (sports club)]].''
''"Levski Sofia" redirects here. For the sports club, see [[Levski Sofia (sports club)]].''

'''PFC Levski Sofia''', ({{lang-bg|ПФК Левски София}}) otherwise simply known as '''Levski''' or '''Levski Sofia''', is a professional [[Association football|football]] club based in [[Sofia]], [[Bulgaria]]. The club was founded on May 24, 1914 by a group of young students, and is named after [[Vasil Levski]], a Bulgarian revolutionary renowned as the national hero of Bulgaria.

Since its establishment, Levski Sofia has won 73 major domestic trophies (a national record):
26 [[Bulgarian A Professional Football Group|A PFG]] titles, 26 [[Bulgarian Cup|National Cups]], 3 [[Bulgarian Supercup|Supercups]], 11 Sofia Championships, 3 [[Bulgarian Cup|Cups of the Soviet Army]], 4 Ulpia Serdika Cups, and has achieved a record 13 [[Double (association football)|doubles]] and 2 [[The Treble|trebles]]. The club has a positive balance against all other Bulgarian teams in all national competitions and its a member of the [[European Club Association]]. The Blues are also the team with most seasons played in the [[Football in Bulgaria|Bulgarian football]] [[A PFG|championship]] and has never been relegated.

Internationally, Levski has reached three [[European Cup Winners' Cup]] quarter-finals and two [[UEFA Cup]] quarter-finals. In [[2006 in football (soccer)|2006]], it became the first and so far the only Bulgarian club to make it to the group stages of the [[UEFA Champions League]].

The team's regular kit colour is all-blue. Levski's home ground is the [[Georgi Asparuhov Stadium]] in Sofia, which has a capacity of 29,200 spectators. To date, the club's biggest rivals are [[CSKA Sofia]], and matches between the two capital sides are commonly referred to as [[The Eternal Derby]] in Bulgaria.

==History==
===Sport Club Levski (1914–1969)===
{{Football kit box |
align = left |
pattern_b = _red_stripes|
pattern_ra = _red_stripes|
pattern_la = _red_stripes|
leftarm = FFFF00 |
body = FFFF00 |
rightarm = FFFF00 |
shorts = 000000 |
socks = 000000 |
title = First kit (1914-20)
}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.levski.bg/Levski/cms/info/en/history/club.html |publisher=Levski.bg|title=Levski – 94 years of joy, pains and hopes}}</ref> Sport Club Levski was founded in 1911 by a group of students at the Second Male High School in Sofia, with football as the major sport practiced. The club was officially registered on May 24, 1914, a date, which is celebrated as Levski's birthday. The club's name was chosen in honour of the [[wikt:apostle|Apostle]] of Bulgarian [[Freedom (political)|freedom]] [[Vasil Levski]].

In 1914 Levski lost its first official match against FC 13 Sofia by 0:2. In that period (1914–1920) football wasn't a popular sport in Bulgaria, so there isn't any other information from the period concerning the club. In the summer of 1921, the Sofia Sports League was founded. It united 10 clubs from Sofia, marking the beginning of organized football competitions in the city. The Blues won the first match in the championship for the season 1921/1922, held on September 18, 1921, against Athletic Sofia with the score of 3:1. Levski captured the first place in the league in 1923 after a dramatic 3:2 win over bitter rival [[Slavia Sofia]] and successfully defended the title in the following season.

The first [[Bulgarian A Professional Football Group|National Championship]] was held in 1924 with Levski representing Sofia. The team went on to win the title in 1933, 1937 and 1942, and established itself as the most popular football club in Bulgaria. Levski also became the holder for all times of the Ulpia Serdica Cup by virtue of winning it for the third time in a row in 1933.
In 1929 Levski became the first semi-professional football club in Bulgaria, after 12 players staged a boycott of the team in demand of financial remuneration and insurance benefits. The same year Levski met its first international opponents, losing to Gallipoli Istanbul 0:1 and winning against Kuban Istanbul 6:0.
[[File:Georgi Asparuhov.gif|right|thumb|180px|[[Georgi Asparuhov]]]]
After World War II, Levski became one of the two top clubs in Bulgaria. After winning the championship in 1946, 1947, 1949, 1950 and 1953 Levski would not capture the domestic title again until the mid 1960s. In 1949 the authorities changed the club's name to Dinamo following the Soviet traditions, but after the [[destalinization]] of Bulgaria, it was reverted back in 1957. The 1960s were marked with return to success both on the domestic and on the international stage. Levski's academy would become the most successful in national youth competitions for the years to come, and the results were first seen in the likes of [[Georgi Asparuhov]], [[Georgi Sokolov]], [[Biser Mihailov]], [[Kiril Ivkov]], [[Ivan Vutsov]], [[Stefan Aladzhov]] and [[Aleksandar Kostov]], assisted by experienced veterans like [[Stefan Abadzhiev]], [[Dimo Pechenikov]] and [[Hristo Iliev (footballer)|Hristo Iliev]], who celebrated winning the championship in 1965, 1968 and 1970, and the 7:2 triumph over new bitter rival CSKA in 1968. The tie against [[Benfica Lisbon]] in the [[UEFA Champions League|European Cup]] in 1965 remained memorable for the [[Eusébio]] versus Georgi Asparuhov clash, and the recognition that the [[Portugal|Portuguese]] great gave to his Bulgarian counterpart.

===Levski Spartak (1969–1985)===
Following the new wave of political reform in the [[Eastern Block]] after the [[Prague Spring]], in 1969 and against the wishes of the majority of its supporters, Levski was merged with [[Spartak Sofia]] and put under the auspice of the Bulgarian interior ministry. The name of the club was once again changed, this time to Levski - Spartak.

A new crop of youngsters in the likes of [[Kiril Milanov]], [[Dobromir Zhechev]], [[Pavel Panov]], [[Todor Barzov]], [[Voyn Voynov]], [[Ivan Tishanski]], [[Georgi Tsvetkov]], [[Plamen Nikolov (footballer born 1957)|Plamen Nikolov]], and [[Rusi Gochev]] not only found their place in the first team, but brought new titles in 1974, 1977 and 1979. On the international stage the quarterfinal appearances in the [[Cup Winners Cup]] in 1970 and 1977, and in the [[UEFA Cup]] in 1976.

===Vitosha Sofia (1985–1989)===
The name of the team was changed to Vitosha by the authorities following the disruptions during and after the [[Bulgarian Cup]] final in 1985. The game ran on high emotions fueled by the streak of consecutive victories of Levski over CSKA in the 2 years prior to the game (though CSKA won the [[Bulgarian Cup]] game 2-1). The controversial decisions of the referee led to confrontations both on the field and on the stands. By decree of the [[Central Committee]] of the [[Bulgarian Communist Party]] some of the leading players both of The Blues and the Reds were suspended from the sport for life. The championship title of the club for 1985 was suspended.

===Levski Sofia (1989–present)===
The suspensions were lifted shortly after, but regardless of the universal refusal of supporters to recognize and chant the new name of the team, it wasn't until 1989 and the [[Fall of the Berlin Wall]] that the club officially abolished the artificially imposed and hated title Vitosha and returned to being simply Levski. The normalization of sport activities in the country and the removal of the political influences on the football community were especially favorable to the results of The Blues. The team composed of the newcomers [[Plamen Nikolov (footballer born 1961)|Plamen Nikolov]], [[Petar Hubchev]], [[Tsanko Tsvetanov]], [[Emil Kremenliev]], [[Zlatko Yankov]], [[Georgi Slavchev]], [[Ilian Iliev]], [[Daniel Borimirov]], [[Stanimir Stoilov]] and [[Velko Yotov]] and the return of the veterans [[Plamen Getov]], [[Nikolay Todorov]] and Nasko Sirakov, dictated the game in the domestic championship by winning the title in 1993, 1994 and 1995. Memorable wins by big margins over challengers [[Lokomotiv Sofia]] &ndash; 8:0, CSKA &ndash; 7:1 and [[Botev Plovdiv]] &ndash; 6:1, clearly demonstrated Levski's complete superiority. Home games in European Competitions against [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers FC]] and [[Werder Bremen]] turned into true holidays for supporters. Levski contributed with 5 first team players ([[Petar Hubchev]], [[Tsanko Tsvetanov]], [[Emil Kremenliev]], [[Zlatko Yankov]] and [[Nasko Sirakov]]) and three reserve players ([[Plamen Nikolov (footballer born 1961)|Plamen Nikolov]], [[Petar Aleksandrov]] and [[Daniel Borimirov]]) to the [[Bulgaria national football team]] that ended on fourth place in the unforgettable American summer of the [[World Cup 1994]].

Another relatively unsuccessful period lasted until 2005. Then the young new manager and former player Stanimir Stoilov organized a team of Levski's academy products [[Zhivko Milanov]], [[Milan Koprivarov]] and [[Valeri Domovchiyski]], the experienced Elin Topuzakov, [[Georgi Petkov]], [[Stanislav Angelov]] and [[Dimitar Telkiyski]], the fans' favorites [[Hristo Yovov]], Daniel Borimirov and Georgi Ivanov, who came back after spending time abroad, reached the quarterfinal stage of the UEFA Cup, knocking out [[AJ Auxerre]], winnings against [[Olympique de Marseille]], [[Dinamo Bucharest]] and finishing ahead of the reigning title holder [[PFC CSKA Moscow|CSKA Moscow]] in the group stage, triumphing over [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] participants [[Artmedia Bratislava]] and [[Udinese Calcio]], before being knocked out by [[Schalke 04]] in a controversial tie.

[[File:Levski Werder2.jpg|left|thumb|220px|Levski against [[Werder Bremen]] at the [[Vasil Levski National Stadium|National Stadium]] in the [[2006&ndash;07 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]]]]

Levski, as the champions of Bulgaria, started their [[UEFA Champions League 2006-07]] participation from the second qualiftying round, where they eliminated [[Georgia (country)|Georgian]] champions [[Sioni Bolnisi]], defeating them 2-0 both home and away. In the third round, Levski faced Italian team [[Chievo Verona]] who are taking part in the tournament because of other clubs' sanctions as part of the [[2006 Serie A scandal|2006 Serie A matchfixing scandal]]. Levski eliminated Chievo after a decisive 2-0 win in Sofia and a secure 2-2 draw on Italian soil, and becoming the first Bulgarian club to ever reach the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/fixturesresults/round=2356/match=84632/report=rp.html|publisher=Uefa.com|title=Levski make Bulgarian history|accessdate=2006-08-23}}</ref> There they faced last year's winners [[FC Barcelona]] from Spain, [[FA Premier League|English champions]] [[Chelsea F.C.]] and German powerhouse [[Werder Bremen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/news/kind=1/newsid=448541.html|publisher=Uefa.com|title=Levski land to heroes' welcome|accessdate=2006-08-24}}</ref>

Levski earned a spot in the [[2008&ndash;09 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League 2008-09]] after domestic champion [[PFC CSKA Sofia|CSKA Sofia]] failed to secure a UEFA license because of numerous debts to creditors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.football24.bg/?gg=3&hh=4&ii=140&jj=6&ll=8538&mm=140&nn=0|publisher=Football24.bg|title=Levski set to replace CSKA in Champions League|accessdate=2008-07-30}}</ref> Levski lost to [[FC BATE]] of Belarus in the third qualifying round.

During 2009/2010 season, 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 [[2009–10 UEFA Europa League|UEFA Europa League]]. In the group stage, Levski faced [[Villarreal CF]], [[S.S. Lazio|Lazio]] and [[FC Red Bull Salzburg|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]].

Levski started the 2010/2011 season with a match against [[Dundalk F.C.]] - a second qualifying round for [[2010–11 UEFA Europa League|Europa League]]. Levski won the first match and the result was 6:0.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0716/1224274820584.html|publisher=irishtimes.com|title=Dundalk way out of depth in Sofia|accessdate=2010-07-16|date=July 7, 2010}}</ref> In the return leg at Oriel Park, a confident Levski beat Dundalk FC 2-0 with two first half goals from Garra Dembele, the first on 4 mins and the second 10 mins before half-time. In the next round Levski played against [[Kalmar FF]]. The first match ended 1-1 in Sweden. In the return leg in [[Sofia]] Levski won 5:2. In between The Blues defeated their arch rival [[CSKA Sofia]] in the [[Eternal derby of Bulgarian football]] with 1:0. Their next match in the [[2010–11 UEFA Europa League|Europa League]] saw them play [[AIK Fotboll]], from [[Stockholm]], Sweden. The first match ended with a draw, 0-0 and after the game AIK-hooligans attacked the Levski players and staff, after Levski ultras did not show at meeting place. The second match ended in a 2-1 home win for Levski. Goals scored by [[Daniel Mladenov]] and [[Garra Dembélé]] put Levski in [[2010–11 UEFA Europa League|Europa League]] group stage. Levski was drawn in [[2010–11_UEFA_Europa_League_group_stage#Group_C|Group C]], facing [[K.A.A. Gent|Gent]], [[Lille OSC|Lille]] and [[Sporting Clube de Portugal|Sporting CP]]. The first match was against [[K.A.A. Gent|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 Clube de Portugal|Sporting CP]] with 5-0. Followed by another loss against [[Lille OSC|Lille]]. In Sofia Levski played very well against [[Lille OSC|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]].

In the following 2011/12 season in the Third Qualifying Round of the Europa League, Levski were surprisingly eliminated by [[Spartak Trnava]] of Slovakia, following a late-minute 2-1 win in Sofia, and a loss of the same scoreline in Trnava. The penalty shootout cost Levski a place in the Playoff round. This caused an upset with the fans and players, the team barely clinching the fourth position at the winter break in the "A" PFG. Albeit only three points from the leaders Ludogoretz, the acting manager Gerogi Ivanov was sacked from the position, but remained in the club as a sporting director. [[Nikolay Kostov]] was appointed as the new manager of the club, giving the supporters a sense of optimism.

== Stadium ==
[[File:Georgi asparuhov stadium01.jpg|thumb|280px|Georgi Asparuhov Stadium]]
{{main|Georgi Asparuhov Stadium}}
Initially, the club did not possess a field of its own and training was held on an empty space called ''The Hillock'' (''Могилката/Mogilkata''), where the [[National Palace of Culture]] was built later. In 1924 the Sofia Municipality provided the club with the rights to an empty field on the outskirts of the city, and a decade later the stadium named "Levski" was finally completed. It provided for 10,000 spectators and was regarded as the finest sport facility in the city.

In 1949 the stadium was nationalized and later the [[Vasil Levski National Stadium]] was built on the site. The team would move to the "Dinamo" ground, which was located at the site of the modern Spartak swimming complex. In 1961 after districting the team moved to "Suhata Reka" neighborhood. There a [[Georgi Asparuhov Stadium|new stadium]] was completed in 1963, renamed in 1990 in honor of Levski's most beloved former player '''[[Georgi Asparuhov]]'''.

In 1999 the stadium emerged from serious reconstruction for 29,200 spectators. The field measures 120x90 meters. However, the team plays most of its important games versus foreign teams on the national stadium "Vasil Levski".
The club president Todor Batkov has recently demanded that Levski should receive "Rakovski" stadium on loan. This should be done on account that the first club stadium was nationalized and Levski have never been repaid.

== Honours ==
===Domestic===

'''[[Bulgarian A Professional Football Group|Bulgarian A PFG]]
:*'''Champions (26 times):''' [[A PFG 1933|1933]], [[A PFG 1937|1937]], [[A PFG 1942|1942]], [[A PFG 1946|1946]], [[A PFG 1947|1947]], [[A PFG 1948-49|1948–49]], [[A PFG 1950|1950]], [[A PFG 1953|1953]], [[A PFG 1964-65|1964–65]], [[A PFG 1967-68|1967–68]], [[A PFG 1969-70|1969–70]], [[A PFG 1973-74|1973–74]], [[A PFG 1976-77|1976–77]], [[A PFG 1978-79|1978–79]], [[A PFG 1983-84|1983–84]], [[A PFG 1984-85|1984–85]], [[A PFG 1987-88|1987–88]], [[A PFG 1992-93|1992–93]], [[A PFG 1993-94|1993–94]], [[A PFG 1994-95|1994–95]], [[A PFG 1999-00|1999–00]], [[A PFG 2000-01|2000–01]], [[A PFG 2001-02|2001–02]], [[A PFG 2005-06|2005–06]], [[A PFG 2006-07|2006–07]], [[A PFG 2008–09|2008–09]]
'''[[Bulgarian Cup]]
:*'''Winners (26 times – record):''' 1942, 1946, 1947, 1948–49, 1949–50, 1956, 1957, 1958–59, 1966–67, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1978–79, 1981–82, 1983–84, 1985–86, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1993–94, [[1998 Bulgarian Cup Final|1997–98]], [[2000 Bulgarian Cup Final|1999–00]], [[2002 Bulgarian Cup Final|2001–02]], [[2003 Bulgarian Cup Final|2002–03]], [[2005 Bulgarian Cup Final|2004–05]], [[2007 Bulgarian Cup Final|2006–07]]
'''[[Bulgarian Supercup]]
:*'''Winners (3 times):''' [[2005 Bulgarian Supercup|2005]], [[2007 Bulgarian Supercup|2007]], [[2009 Bulgarian Supercup|2009]]
'''[[Bulgarian Cup|Tsar's Cup / Cup of the Soviet Army]]
:*'''Winners (5 times):''' 1933, 1937, 1983–84, 1986–87, 1987–88
'''Ulpia Serdika Cup
:*'''Winners (4 times):''' 1926, 1930, 1931, 1932
'''Sofia Championship
:*'''Winners (11 times – record):''' 1922–23, 1923–24, 1924–25, 1928–29, 1932–33, 1936–37, 1941–42, 1942–43, 1944–45, 1945–46, 1947–48
'''Doubles and Trebles'''
:*'''[[Double (association football)|The Double]] (13 times – record):''' 1942, 1946, 1947, 1948–49, 1949–50, 1969–70, 1976–77, 1978–79, 1983–84, 1993–94, 1999–00, 2001–02, 2006–07
:*'''[[The Treble]] twice:''' 1983–84 and 2006–07

===International===

'''[[UEFA Champions League|European Cup / UEFA Champions League]]'''
:*'''Last 16 (4):''' [[1965-66 European Cup|1965–66]], [[European Cup 1977-78|1977–78]], [[European Cup 1984-85|1984–85]], [[1993&ndash;94 UEFA Champions League|1993–94]]
:*'''Group stage (1):''' [[2006&ndash;07 UEFA Champions League|2006–07]]

'''[[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League]]'''
:*'''Quarter-finals (2):''' [[1975&ndash;76 UEFA Cup|1975–76]]<sup>1</sup>, [[2005&ndash;06 UEFA Cup|2005–06]]<sup>2</sup>
:*'''Group stage (3):''' [[2005&ndash;06 UEFA Cup|2005–06]], [[UEFA Europa League 2009-10|2009–10]], [[UEFA Europa League 2010-11|2010–11]]

'''[[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|European Cup Winners' Cup / UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]]'''
:*'''Quarter-finals (3):''' [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1969-70|1969–70]]<sup>3</sup>, [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1976-77|1976–77]]<sup>4</sup>, [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1986-87|1986–87]]<sup>5</sup>

'''[[Balkans Cup]]'''
:*'''Runners-up (2):''' [[1960-61 Balkans Cup|1961]], [[1961-63 Balkans Cup|1963]]

'''Notes''':
:<sup>1</sup> Eliminated by [[FC Barcelona]], Agg. 5 - 8
:<sup>2</sup> Eliminated by [[Schalke 04]], Agg. 2 - 4
:<sup>3</sup> Eliminated by [[Gornik Zabrze]], Agg. 4 - 4
:<sup>4</sup> Eliminated by [[Atlético Madrid]], Agg. 2 - 3
:<sup>5</sup> Eliminated by [[Real Zaragoza]], Agg. 0 - 4

==PFC Levski Sofia in Europe==

{{Main|PFC Levski Sofia in Europe}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
!width="318" style="background:#DCDCDC"|Competition
!width="35" style="background:#DCDCDC"|{{Tooltip| S | Seasons}}
!width="35" style="background:#DCDCDC"|{{Tooltip| P | Played}}
!width="35" style="background:#DCDCDC"|{{Tooltip| W | Won}}
!width="35" style="background:#DCDCDC"|{{Tooltip| D | Drawn}}
!width="35" style="background:#DCDCDC"|{{Tooltip| L | Lost}}
!width="35" style="background:#DCDCDC"|{{Tooltip| GF | Goals for}}
!width="35" style="background:#DCDCDC"|{{Tooltip| GA | Goals against}}
!width="35" style="background:#DCDCDC"|{{Tooltip| GD | Goal difference}}
|-
|align=left|[[UEFA Champions League]] / [[UEFA Champions League|European Cup]]
|16||58||15||14||29||74||82||– 8
|-
|align=left|[[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]] / [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|European Cup Winners' Cup]]
|12||36||14||5||17||70||55||+ 15
|-
|align=left|[[UEFA Europa League]] / [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]]
|20||96||36||21||39||130||130||0
|-
| '''Total'''
|'''48'''||'''190'''||'''65'''||'''40'''||'''85'''||'''274'''||'''267'''||'''+ 7'''
|}

== Current squad ==
===First team===
''As of January 23, 2012''
<!-- Please do not change the national flags of players -->
{{Football squad start}}
{{Football squad player|no=2|nat=Netherlands|name=[[Dustley Mulder]]|pos=DF}}
{{Football squad player|no=3|nat=Netherlands|name=[[Serginho Greene]]|pos=MF}}
{{Football squad player|no=4|nat=Bulgaria|name=[[Stefan Stanchev]]|pos=DF}}
{{Football squad player|no=5|nat=Bulgaria|name=[[Ivo Ivanov (defender)|Ivo Ivanov]]|pos=DF}}
{{Football squad player|no=6|nat=Bulgaria|name=[[Orlin Starokin]]|pos=DF}}
{{Football squad player|no=7|nat=Bulgaria|name=[[Daniel Dimov]]|pos=MF}}
{{Football squad player|no=8|nat=Spain|name=[[Toni Calvo]]|pos=MF}}
{{Football squad player|no=10|nat=Bulgaria|name=[[Hristo Yovov]]|pos=MF|other=[[Captain (association football)|vice-captain]]}}
{{Football squad player|no=11|nat=Bulgaria|name=[[Simeon Raykov]]|pos=MF}}
{{Football squad player|no=14|nat=Bulgaria|name=[[Radoslav Tsonev]]|pos=MF}}
{{Football squad player|no=15|nat=Bulgaria|name=[[Borislav Tsonev]]|pos=MF}}
{{Football squad player|no=16|nat=Portugal|name=[[Cristovão da Silva Ramos|Cristovão]]|pos=MF}}
{{Football squad mid}}
{{Football squad player|no=17|nat=Bulgaria|name=[[Daniel Mladenov]]|pos=FW}}
{{Football squad player|no=19|nat=Bulgaria|name=[[Ivan Tsvetkov]]|pos=FW}}
{{Football squad player|no=20|nat=Bulgaria|name=[[Aleksandar Bashliev]]|pos=DF}}
{{Football squad player|no=21|nat=Bulgaria|name=[[Todor Hristov]]|pos=MF}}
{{Football squad player|no=22|nat=Macedonia|name=[[Darko Tasevski]]|pos=MF}}
{{Football squad player|no=23|nat=Bulgaria|name=[[Plamen Iliev (goalkeeper)|Plamen Iliev]]|pos=GK}}
{{Football squad player|no=24|nat=Bulgaria|name=[[Bozhidar Mitrev]]|pos=GK}}
{{Football squad player|no=25|nat=Mali|name=[[Souleymane Diamoutene]]|pos=DF}}
{{Football squad player|no=28|nat=Portugal|name=[[Nuno Pinto]]|pos=DF}}
{{Football squad player|no=45|nat=Bulgaria|name=[[Vladimir Gadzhev]]|pos=MF|other=[[Captain (association football)|captain]]}}
{{Football squad player|no=55|nat=Bulgaria|name=[[Yordan Miliev]]|pos=DF}}
{{Football squad player|||nat=Brazil|name=[[Jose Carlos Junior|Jose Junior]]|pos=FW|other=on loan from [[PFC_Slavia_Sofia|Slavia]]}}
{{Football squad end}}

''For recent transfers, see [[List of Bulgarian football transfers winter 2011–12#Levski Sofia|List of Bulgarian football transfers winter 2011–12]].''

====On loan====
{{fs start}}
{{fs player |no= |nat=BUL |pos=GK |name=[[Ivaylo Vasilev (footballer born 1991)|Ivaylo Vasilev]] |other=at [[PFC Vidima-Rakovski Sevlievo|Vidima-Rakovski]] until 30 June 2012}}
{{fs player |no= |nat=BUL |pos=MF |name=[[Lachezar Baltanov]] |other=at [[FC Botev Vratsa|Botev Vratsa]] until 30 June 2012 }}
{{fs mid}}
{{fs player |no= |nat=Netherlands |pos=FW |name=[[Sjoerd Ars]]|other=at [[Tianjin Teda F.C.|Tianjin Teda]] until 31 December 2012}}
{{fs end}}

===Reserves===
''* These are the players that was registered as a reserves for the previous season and are still in the club. The actual reserves' list is not ready yet.''

{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=41|nat=Bulgaria|name=Asen Georgiev|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=42|nat=Bulgaria|name=Georgi Pavlov|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=43|nat=Bulgaria|name=Iliya Munin|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=46|nat=Bulgaria|name=Domenik Avramov|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=47|nat=Bulgaria|name=Nikola Yanachkov|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=48|nat=Bulgaria|name=[[Todor Chavorski]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=49|nat=Bulgaria|name=Nikolay Ivanov|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=51|nat=Bulgaria|name=Ivelino Ivanov|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=53|nat=Bulgaria|name=Yanko Angelov|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=54|nat=Bulgaria|name=Plamen Tonev|pos=FW}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no=56|nat=Bulgaria|name=Stanislav Marinov|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=57|nat=Bulgaria|name=Georgi Stoichkov|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=58|nat=Bulgaria|name=Jack Koen|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=59|nat=Bulgaria|name=Hristo Popadiyn|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=61|nat=Bulgaria|name=Dimitar Iliev|pos=GK}}
{{Fs player|no=—|nat=Bulgaria|name=Hristo Stamboliyski|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=—|nat=Bulgaria|name=[[Ivan Stoyanov (defender)|Ivan Stoyanov]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=—|nat=Bulgaria|name=Yanislav Ivanov|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=—|nat=Bulgaria|name=Tsvetelin Tonev|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=—|nat=Bulgaria|name=Denis Nikolov|pos=FW}}
{{Fs end}}

==Club officials==
===Board of directors===
{| class="toccolours"
!bgcolor=|Position
!bgcolor=|Name
!bgcolor=|Nationality
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|Owner||[[Todor Batkov]]||{{flagicon|Bulgaria}}
|-
|General director||[[Georgi Ivanov (footballer)|Georgi Ivanov]]||{{flagicon|Bulgaria}}
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|Financial director||Konstantin Bazhdekov||{{flagicon|Bulgaria}}
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
|Academy director||[[Kiril Ivkov]]||{{flagicon|Bulgaria}}
|-
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|Academy director ||Biser Hazday ||{{flagicon|Bulgaria}}
|}

===Current technical body===
{| class="toccolours"
!bgcolor=|Position
!bgcolor=|Name
!bgcolor=|Nationality
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|Manager ||[[Nikolay Kostov]]||{{flagicon|Bulgaria}}
|-
|Assistant Manager ||Miroslav Kosev||{{flagicon|Bulgaria}}
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|Assistant Manager ||Ivaylo Petrov||{{flagicon|Bulgaria}}
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|Assistant Manager ||[[Veselin Branimirov]]||{{flagicon|Bulgaria}}
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|Goalkeeper Coach ||Georgi Sheytanov||{{flagicon|Bulgaria}}
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
|Fitness coach ||Yasen Ekimov||{{flagicon|Bulgaria}}
|-
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|Doctor ||January Filipov||{{flagicon|Bulgaria}}
|-
|Psychologist ||Tatyana Yancheva||{{flagicon|Bulgaria}}
|}

==Player records==
''Players in '''bold''' are currently playing for the team. Statistic is correct as of match played 11 August 2010.''

===Most appearances for Levski===

{| class="wikitable" cellpadding="3" style="text-align: center;"
|-
!#
!Name
!Career
!Appearances
!Goals
|-
|1
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Stefan Aladzhov]]
|1967-81
|473
|4
|-
|2
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Emil Spasov]]
|1974-90
|413
|111
|-
|3
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Pavel Panov]]
|1969-81
|380
|177
|-
|4
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Kiril Ivkov]]
|1967-78
|376
|15
|-
|5
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Aleksandar Kostov]]
|1956-71
|346
|85
|-
|6
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Elin Topuzakov]]
|1996-08<br>2009-10
|332
|23
|-
|7
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Hristo Iliev (footballer)|Hristo Iliev]]
|1954-68
|329
|132
|-
|8
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Dimitar Telkiyski]]
|1999-08</br>2009-10
|312
|64
|-
|9
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Stefan Abadzhiev]]
|1953-68
|302
|45
|-
|10
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Voyn Voynov]]
|1977-92
|297
|36
|}

===Most goals scored for Levski===

{| class="wikitable" cellpadding="3" style="text-align: center;"
|-
!#
!Name
!Career
!Appearances
!Goals
!Goals/Game<br />Ratio
|-
|1
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Nasko Sirakov]]
|1981-94
|258
|206
|0.80
|-
|-
|2
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Pavel Panov]]
|1969-81
|383
|177
|0.46
|-
|3
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Georgi Asparuhov]]
|1959-71
|238
|153
|0.64
|-
|4
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Georgi Ivanov (footballer)|Georgi Ivanov]]
|1997-09
|204
|135
|0.60
|-
|5
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Hristo Iliev (footballer)|Hristo Iliev]]
|1974-90
|415
|132
|0.27
|-
|6
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Emil Spasov]]
|1956-65
|207
|111
|0.50
|-
|7
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Dimitar Yordanov]]
|1981-87
|169
|103
|0.60
|-
|8
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Mihail Valchev]]
|1990-95</br>2004-08
|295
|102
|0.29
|-
|9
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Asen Peshev]]
|1924–1940
|99
|86
|0.87
|-
|10
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Aleksandar Kostov]]
|1960–1968
|112
|85
|0.69
|}

==World ranking==
''As of 31 July 2011 by [[IFFHS]]''

* 84. {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Gamba Osaka]]
* {{0}} {{0}} {{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba|Godoy Gruz]]

*'''86'''.{{0}} {{0}} {{0}} {{0}}{{0}}{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} '''Levski Sofia'''
* {{0}} {{0}} {{flagicon|Republic of Korea}} [[Suwon Samsung Bluewings|Suwon]]
* {{0}} {{0}} {{flagicon|England}} [[Fulham FC]]

* 89. {{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Argentinos Juniors]]
*[http://www.iffhs.de/?10f42e00fa2d17f73702fa3016e23c17f7370eff3702bb1c2bbb6f28f53512 Full list]

==Notable managers==
{|
|valign="top"|
*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Ivan Radoev]]
*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Dimitar Mutafchiev]]
*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Georgi Pachedzhiev]]
*{{flagicon|Czech Republic}} [[Rudolf Vytlačil]]
*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Krasimir Chakarov]]
*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Yordan Arsov]]
*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Ivan Vutsov]]
|width="33"|&nbsp;
|valign="top"|
*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Dobromir Zhechev]]
*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Vasil Metodiev]]
*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Kiril Ivkov]]
*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Pavel Panov]]
*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Georgi Vasilev (midfielder)|Georgi Vasilev]]
*{{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Vyacheslav Hrozny]]
*{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Vladimir Fedotov]]
|width="33"|&nbsp;
|valign="top"|
*{{flagicon|Serbia}} [[Ljupko Petrović]]
*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Dimitar Dimitrov (football manager)|Dimitar Dimitrov]]
*{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Rüdiger Abramczik]]
*{{flagicon|Serbia}} [[Slavoljub Muslin]]
*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Stanimir Stoilov]]
|}

==Notable players==
{{notable players}}
{|
|valign="top"|
'''1960s'''
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Stefan Abadzhiev]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Dobromir Zhechev]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Georgi Sokolov]] †
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Georgi Asparuhov]] †
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Nikola Kotkov]] †
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Ivan Vutsov]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Aleksandar Kostov]]

'''1970s'''
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Kiril Ivkov]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Biser Mihaylov]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Kiril Milanov]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Stefan Aladzhov]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Stefan Staykov]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Pavel Panov]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Voyn Voynov]]

'''1980s'''
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Nikolay Iliev]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Bozhidar Iskrenov]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Borislav Mikhailov]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Emil Spasov]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Mihail Valchev]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Plamen Nikolov (footballer born 1957)|Plamen Nikolov]]
|width="33"|&nbsp;
|valign="top"|
'''1990s'''
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Marian Hristov]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Petar Hubtchev]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Zdravko Zdravkov]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Nasko Sirakov]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Zlatko Yankov]]
* {{flagicon|Serbia}} [[Predrag Pažin]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Daniel Borimirov]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Plamen Nikolov (footballer born 1961)|Plamen Nikolov]]
* {{flagicon|EGY}} [[Magdy Tolba]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Ilian Iliev]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Aleksandar Aleksandrov (footballer born 1975)|Aleksandar Aleksandrov]]
* {{flagicon|SCO}} [[John Inglis (footballer)|John Inglis]]

'''2000s (decade)'''
* {{flagicon|Nigeria}} [[Garba Lawal]]
* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Biser Ivanov]]
* {{flagicon|Ecuador}} [[Manuel Mendoza]]
* {{flagicon|Serbia}} [[Dalibor Dragic]]
* {{flagicon|Russia}} [[Konstantin Golovskoy]]
* {{flagicon|Serbia}} [[Sasa Simonovic]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Georgi Ivanov (footballer)|Georgi Ivanov]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Dimitar Ivankov]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Stanislav Angelov]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Elin Topuzakov]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Hristo Yovov]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Dimitar Telkiyski]]
* {{flagicon|France}} [[Cédric Bardon]]
* {{flagicon|Nigeria}} [[Richard Eromoigbe]]
* {{flagicon|CRO}} [[Igor Tomašić]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Valeri Domovchiyski]]
* {{flagicon|Morocco}} [[Youssef Rabeh]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Zhivko Milanov]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Lúcio Wagner]]
* {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[José Soares da Silva Filho|Zé Soares]]
|width="33"|&nbsp;
|valign="top"|
'''2010s'''
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Georgi Petkov]]
* {{flagicon|BRA}} [[João Natailton Ramos dos Santos|Joãozinho]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Veselin Minev]]
* {{flagicon|MLI}} [[Garra Dembélé]]

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<!-- The page is only for FORMER players -->
|}*
Note: ''For a complete list of Levski Sofia players, see [[:Category:PFC Levski Sofia players]].''

==Bulgarian Footballer of the Year==
* 1965 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Georgi Asparuhov]]
* 1970 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Stefan Aladzhov]]
* 1974 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Kiril Ivkov]]
* 1975 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Kiril Ivkov]]
* 1977 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Pavel Panov]]
* 1984 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Plamen Nikolov (footballer born 1957)|Plamen Nikolov]]
* 1986 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Borislav Mikhailov]]
* 1987 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Nikolay Iliev]]
* 1999 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Aleksandar Aleksandrov (footballer born 1975)|Aleksandar Aleksandrov]]
* 2000 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Georgi Ivanov (footballer)|Georgi Ivanov]]
* 2001 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Georgi Ivanov (footballer)|Georgi Ivanov]]
'''''Winners - 11 times /record/''

==A PFG Top goalscorers==
* 1940 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Yanko Stoyanov]] (14 goals)
* 1950 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Lubomir Hranov]] (11 goals)
* 1957 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Hristo Iliev (footballer)|Hristo Iliev]] (14 goals)
* 1960 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Dimitar Yordanov]] (12 goals)
* 1965 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Georgi Asparuhov]] (27 goals)
* 1977 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Pavel Panov]] (20 goals)
* 1979 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Rusi Gochev]] (19 goals)
* 1982 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Mihail Valchev]] (24 goals)
* 1987 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Nasko Sirakov]] (36 goals)
* 1988 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Nasko Sirakov]] (28 goals)
* 1992 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Nasko Sirakov]] (26 goals)
* 1993 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Plamen Getov]] (26 goals)
* 1994 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Nasko Sirakov]] (30 goals)
* 2001 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Georgi Ivanov (footballer)|Georgi Ivanov]] (21 goals)
* 2003 - {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Georgi Chilikov]] (22 goals)
* 2011 - {{flagicon|Mali}} [[Garra Dembele]] (26 goals)
'''''Winners - 16 times /record/''

==Levski Fans==
[[File:Levski Werder1.jpg|thumb|255px|Levski Fans in Sector B at [[Vasil Levski National Stadium|Vasil Levski Stadium]]]]
Levski Sofia is the most popular football club in [[Bulgaria]]. Sector B (south stand) is home to Levski's supporters. Sector B are divided in groups : Sofia-West (Sofia), South Division ([[Sofia]]), Ultra Varna ([[Varna]]), Torcida Kyustendil ([[Kyustendil]]), Blue Junta (Sofia), Blue Huns ([[Pernik]]), HD Boys (Sofia), Old Capital Boys ([[Veliko Tarnovo]]), Blue Boyars (Veliko Tarnovo), Vandals ([[Pleven]]), Blue Warriors ([[Plovdiv]]), Varna Crew (Varna), Ultras Burgas ([[Burgas]]) and many others.

==See also==

* [[Levski Sofia (sports club)]]
* [[Georgi Asparuhov]]
* [[Vasil Levski]]
* [[Eternal derby of Bulgarian football|Eternal derby (Bulgaria)]]
* [[Bulgarian Footballer of the Year]]
* [[BC Levski Sofia]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
'''Official websites'''
* [http://www.levski.bg Official website]
* [http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/clubs/club=50044/ UEFA Profile]

'''Fan websites'''
* [http://www.sector-b.com Sector B website]
* [http://www.pfclevski.eu/ Unofficial website]
* [http://UltrasLevski.org/ Website dedicated to Levski Ultras]
* [http://www.levskifc.com/ LevskiFC.com]
* [http://forum.levski.com/ Levski Sofia forum]
* [http://levskisofia.info/ LevskiSofia.info]
* [http://www.bluehonour.hit.bg/ Blue Honour Supporters Club]

{{PFC Levski Sofia}}
{{UEFA Europa League}}
{{BG A PFG}}
{{Football in Bulgaria}}
{{Bulgarian A Professional Football Group seasons}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Levski Sofia}}
[[Category:PFC Levski Sofia| ]]
[[Category:Football clubs in Bulgaria]]
[[Category:Levski Sofia|Football]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1914]]

{{Link FA|bg}}

[[ar:ليفسكي صوفيا]]
[[az:Levski (futbol klubu, Sofiya)]]
[[be-x-old:Леўскі Сафія]]
[[bg:ПФК Левски (София)]]
[[ca:PFC Levski Sofia]]
[[cs:PFK Levski Sofia]]
[[da:Levski Sofia]]
[[de:Lewski Sofia]]
[[el:Λέφσκι Σόφιας]]
[[es:PFC Levski Sofia]]
[[fr:PFK Levski Sofia]]
[[ko:PFC 레프스키 소피아]]
[[hr:Levski Sofija]]
[[id:PFC Levski Sofia]]
[[it:Profesionalen Futbolen Klub Levski Sofija]]
[[he:לבסקי סופיה]]
[[lt:PFK Levski Sofiâ]]
[[hu:PFK Levszki Szofija]]
[[mr:लेव्हस्की सोफिया]]
[[nl:Levski Sofia]]
[[ja:レフスキ・ソフィア]]
[[no:Levski Sofia]]
[[pl:Lewski Sofia]]
[[pt:Profesionalen Futbolen Klub Levski Sofia]]
[[ro:PFC Levski Sofia]]
[[ru:Левски (футбольный клуб)]]
[[sr:ФК Левски Софија]]
[[fi:PFK Levski Sofia]]
[[sv:PFC Levski Sofia]]
[[tr:PFK Levski Sofya]]
[[uk:Левскі (футбольний клуб)]]
[[zh:索菲亞列夫斯基足球俱樂部]]

Revision as of 21:57, 16 February 2012

Levski Sofia
Levski Sofia emblem
Full nameПрофесионален футболен клуб Левски София
(Professional football club Levski Sofia)
Nickname(s)Сините (The Blues) Отбора на народа (The Team of the People)
FoundedMay 24, 1914
GroundGeorgi Asparuhov Stadium,
Sofia
Capacity29,200
ChairmanTodor Batkov
ManagerNikolay Kostov
LeagueA PFG
2010–11A PFG, 2nd
WebsiteClub website
Current season

"Levski Sofia" redirects here. For the sports club, see Levski Sofia (sports club).

PFC Levski Sofia, (Bulgarian: ПФК Левски София) otherwise simply known as Levski or Levski Sofia, is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria. The club was founded on May 24, 1914 by a group of young students, and is named after Vasil Levski, a Bulgarian revolutionary renowned as the national hero of Bulgaria.

Since its establishment, Levski Sofia has won 73 major domestic trophies (a national record): 26 A PFG titles, 26 National Cups, 3 Supercups, 11 Sofia Championships, 3 Cups of the Soviet Army, 4 Ulpia Serdika Cups, and has achieved a record 13 doubles and 2 trebles. The club has a positive balance against all other Bulgarian teams in all national competitions and its a member of the European Club Association. The Blues are also the team with most seasons played in the Bulgarian football championship and has never been relegated.

Internationally, Levski has reached three European Cup Winners' Cup quarter-finals and two UEFA Cup quarter-finals. In 2006, it became the first and so far the only Bulgarian club to make it to the group stages of the UEFA Champions League.

The team's regular kit colour is all-blue. Levski's home ground is the Georgi Asparuhov Stadium in Sofia, which has a capacity of 29,200 spectators. To date, the club's biggest rivals are CSKA Sofia, and matches between the two capital sides are commonly referred to as The Eternal Derby in Bulgaria.

History

Sport Club Levski (1914–1969)

First kit (1914-20)

[1] Sport Club Levski was founded in 1911 by a group of students at the Second Male High School in Sofia, with football as the major sport practiced. The club was officially registered on May 24, 1914, a date, which is celebrated as Levski's birthday. The club's name was chosen in honour of the Apostle of Bulgarian freedom Vasil Levski.

In 1914 Levski lost its first official match against FC 13 Sofia by 0:2. In that period (1914–1920) football wasn't a popular sport in Bulgaria, so there isn't any other information from the period concerning the club. In the summer of 1921, the Sofia Sports League was founded. It united 10 clubs from Sofia, marking the beginning of organized football competitions in the city. The Blues won the first match in the championship for the season 1921/1922, held on September 18, 1921, against Athletic Sofia with the score of 3:1. Levski captured the first place in the league in 1923 after a dramatic 3:2 win over bitter rival Slavia Sofia and successfully defended the title in the following season.

The first National Championship was held in 1924 with Levski representing Sofia. The team went on to win the title in 1933, 1937 and 1942, and established itself as the most popular football club in Bulgaria. Levski also became the holder for all times of the Ulpia Serdica Cup by virtue of winning it for the third time in a row in 1933. In 1929 Levski became the first semi-professional football club in Bulgaria, after 12 players staged a boycott of the team in demand of financial remuneration and insurance benefits. The same year Levski met its first international opponents, losing to Gallipoli Istanbul 0:1 and winning against Kuban Istanbul 6:0.

File:Georgi Asparuhov.gif
Georgi Asparuhov

After World War II, Levski became one of the two top clubs in Bulgaria. After winning the championship in 1946, 1947, 1949, 1950 and 1953 Levski would not capture the domestic title again until the mid 1960s. In 1949 the authorities changed the club's name to Dinamo following the Soviet traditions, but after the destalinization of Bulgaria, it was reverted back in 1957. The 1960s were marked with return to success both on the domestic and on the international stage. Levski's academy would become the most successful in national youth competitions for the years to come, and the results were first seen in the likes of Georgi Asparuhov, Georgi Sokolov, Biser Mihailov, Kiril Ivkov, Ivan Vutsov, Stefan Aladzhov and Aleksandar Kostov, assisted by experienced veterans like Stefan Abadzhiev, Dimo Pechenikov and Hristo Iliev, who celebrated winning the championship in 1965, 1968 and 1970, and the 7:2 triumph over new bitter rival CSKA in 1968. The tie against Benfica Lisbon in the European Cup in 1965 remained memorable for the Eusébio versus Georgi Asparuhov clash, and the recognition that the Portuguese great gave to his Bulgarian counterpart.

Levski Spartak (1969–1985)

Following the new wave of political reform in the Eastern Block after the Prague Spring, in 1969 and against the wishes of the majority of its supporters, Levski was merged with Spartak Sofia and put under the auspice of the Bulgarian interior ministry. The name of the club was once again changed, this time to Levski - Spartak.

A new crop of youngsters in the likes of Kiril Milanov, Dobromir Zhechev, Pavel Panov, Todor Barzov, Voyn Voynov, Ivan Tishanski, Georgi Tsvetkov, Plamen Nikolov, and Rusi Gochev not only found their place in the first team, but brought new titles in 1974, 1977 and 1979. On the international stage the quarterfinal appearances in the Cup Winners Cup in 1970 and 1977, and in the UEFA Cup in 1976.

Vitosha Sofia (1985–1989)

The name of the team was changed to Vitosha by the authorities following the disruptions during and after the Bulgarian Cup final in 1985. The game ran on high emotions fueled by the streak of consecutive victories of Levski over CSKA in the 2 years prior to the game (though CSKA won the Bulgarian Cup game 2-1). The controversial decisions of the referee led to confrontations both on the field and on the stands. By decree of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party some of the leading players both of The Blues and the Reds were suspended from the sport for life. The championship title of the club for 1985 was suspended.

Levski Sofia (1989–present)

The suspensions were lifted shortly after, but regardless of the universal refusal of supporters to recognize and chant the new name of the team, it wasn't until 1989 and the Fall of the Berlin Wall that the club officially abolished the artificially imposed and hated title Vitosha and returned to being simply Levski. The normalization of sport activities in the country and the removal of the political influences on the football community were especially favorable to the results of The Blues. The team composed of the newcomers Plamen Nikolov, Petar Hubchev, Tsanko Tsvetanov, Emil Kremenliev, Zlatko Yankov, Georgi Slavchev, Ilian Iliev, Daniel Borimirov, Stanimir Stoilov and Velko Yotov and the return of the veterans Plamen Getov, Nikolay Todorov and Nasko Sirakov, dictated the game in the domestic championship by winning the title in 1993, 1994 and 1995. Memorable wins by big margins over challengers Lokomotiv Sofia – 8:0, CSKA – 7:1 and Botev Plovdiv – 6:1, clearly demonstrated Levski's complete superiority. Home games in European Competitions against Rangers FC and Werder Bremen turned into true holidays for supporters. Levski contributed with 5 first team players (Petar Hubchev, Tsanko Tsvetanov, Emil Kremenliev, Zlatko Yankov and Nasko Sirakov) and three reserve players (Plamen Nikolov, Petar Aleksandrov and Daniel Borimirov) to the Bulgaria national football team that ended on fourth place in the unforgettable American summer of the World Cup 1994.

Another relatively unsuccessful period lasted until 2005. Then the young new manager and former player Stanimir Stoilov organized a team of Levski's academy products Zhivko Milanov, Milan Koprivarov and Valeri Domovchiyski, the experienced Elin Topuzakov, Georgi Petkov, Stanislav Angelov and Dimitar Telkiyski, the fans' favorites Hristo Yovov, Daniel Borimirov and Georgi Ivanov, who came back after spending time abroad, reached the quarterfinal stage of the UEFA Cup, knocking out AJ Auxerre, winnings against Olympique de Marseille, Dinamo Bucharest and finishing ahead of the reigning title holder CSKA Moscow in the group stage, triumphing over Champions League participants Artmedia Bratislava and Udinese Calcio, before being knocked out by Schalke 04 in a controversial tie.

Levski against Werder Bremen at the National Stadium in the Champions League

Levski, as the champions of Bulgaria, started their UEFA Champions League 2006-07 participation from the second qualiftying round, where they eliminated Georgian champions Sioni Bolnisi, defeating them 2-0 both home and away. In the third round, Levski faced Italian team Chievo Verona who are taking part in the tournament because of other clubs' sanctions as part of the 2006 Serie A matchfixing scandal. Levski eliminated Chievo after a decisive 2-0 win in Sofia and a secure 2-2 draw on Italian soil, and becoming the first Bulgarian club to ever reach the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.[2] There they faced last year's winners FC Barcelona from Spain, English champions Chelsea F.C. and German powerhouse Werder Bremen.[3]

Levski earned a spot in the UEFA Champions League 2008-09 after domestic champion CSKA Sofia failed to secure a UEFA license because of numerous debts to creditors.[4] Levski lost to FC BATE of Belarus in the third qualifying round.

During 2009/2010 season, 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, 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.

Levski started the 2010/2011 season with a match against Dundalk F.C. - a second qualifying round for Europa League. Levski won the first match and the result was 6:0.[5] In the return leg at Oriel Park, a confident Levski beat Dundalk FC 2-0 with two first half goals from Garra Dembele, the first on 4 mins and the second 10 mins before half-time. In the next round Levski played against Kalmar FF. The first match ended 1-1 in Sweden. In the return leg in Sofia Levski won 5:2. In between The Blues defeated their arch rival CSKA Sofia in the Eternal derby of Bulgarian football with 1:0. Their next match in the Europa League saw them play AIK Fotboll, from Stockholm, Sweden. The first match ended with a draw, 0-0 and after the game AIK-hooligans attacked the Levski players and staff, after Levski ultras did not show at meeting place. The second match ended in a 2-1 home win for Levski. Goals scored by Daniel Mladenov and Garra Dembélé put Levski in Europa League group stage. 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.

In the following 2011/12 season in the Third Qualifying Round of the Europa League, Levski were surprisingly eliminated by Spartak Trnava of Slovakia, following a late-minute 2-1 win in Sofia, and a loss of the same scoreline in Trnava. The penalty shootout cost Levski a place in the Playoff round. This caused an upset with the fans and players, the team barely clinching the fourth position at the winter break in the "A" PFG. Albeit only three points from the leaders Ludogoretz, the acting manager Gerogi Ivanov was sacked from the position, but remained in the club as a sporting director. Nikolay Kostov was appointed as the new manager of the club, giving the supporters a sense of optimism.

Stadium

Georgi Asparuhov Stadium

Initially, the club did not possess a field of its own and training was held on an empty space called The Hillock (Могилката/Mogilkata), where the National Palace of Culture was built later. In 1924 the Sofia Municipality provided the club with the rights to an empty field on the outskirts of the city, and a decade later the stadium named "Levski" was finally completed. It provided for 10,000 spectators and was regarded as the finest sport facility in the city.

In 1949 the stadium was nationalized and later the Vasil Levski National Stadium was built on the site. The team would move to the "Dinamo" ground, which was located at the site of the modern Spartak swimming complex. In 1961 after districting the team moved to "Suhata Reka" neighborhood. There a new stadium was completed in 1963, renamed in 1990 in honor of Levski's most beloved former player Georgi Asparuhov.

In 1999 the stadium emerged from serious reconstruction for 29,200 spectators. The field measures 120x90 meters. However, the team plays most of its important games versus foreign teams on the national stadium "Vasil Levski". The club president Todor Batkov has recently demanded that Levski should receive "Rakovski" stadium on loan. This should be done on account that the first club stadium was nationalized and Levski have never been repaid.

Honours

Domestic

Bulgarian A PFG

Bulgarian Cup

  • Winners (26 times – record): 1942, 1946, 1947, 1948–49, 1949–50, 1956, 1957, 1958–59, 1966–67, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1978–79, 1981–82, 1983–84, 1985–86, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1993–94, 1997–98, 1999–00, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2006–07

Bulgarian Supercup

Tsar's Cup / Cup of the Soviet Army

  • Winners (5 times): 1933, 1937, 1983–84, 1986–87, 1987–88

Ulpia Serdika Cup

  • Winners (4 times): 1926, 1930, 1931, 1932

Sofia Championship

  • Winners (11 times – record): 1922–23, 1923–24, 1924–25, 1928–29, 1932–33, 1936–37, 1941–42, 1942–43, 1944–45, 1945–46, 1947–48

Doubles and Trebles

  • The Double (13 times – record): 1942, 1946, 1947, 1948–49, 1949–50, 1969–70, 1976–77, 1978–79, 1983–84, 1993–94, 1999–00, 2001–02, 2006–07
  • The Treble twice: 1983–84 and 2006–07

International

European Cup / UEFA Champions League

UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League

European Cup Winners' Cup / UEFA Cup Winners' Cup

Balkans Cup

Notes:

1 Eliminated by FC Barcelona, Agg. 5 - 8
2 Eliminated by Schalke 04, Agg. 2 - 4
3 Eliminated by Gornik Zabrze, Agg. 4 - 4
4 Eliminated by Atlético Madrid, Agg. 2 - 3
5 Eliminated by Real Zaragoza, Agg. 0 - 4

PFC Levski Sofia in Europe

Competition S P W D L GF GA GD
UEFA Champions League / European Cup 16 58 15 14 29 74 82 – 8
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup / European Cup Winners' Cup 12 36 14 5 17 70 55 + 15
UEFA Europa League / UEFA Cup 20 96 36 21 39 130 130 0
Total 48 190 65 40 85 274 267 + 7

Current squad

First team

As of January 23, 2012 Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
2 DF Netherlands NED Dustley Mulder
3 MF Netherlands NED Serginho Greene
4 DF Bulgaria BUL Stefan Stanchev
5 DF Bulgaria BUL Ivo Ivanov
6 DF Bulgaria BUL Orlin Starokin
7 MF Bulgaria BUL Daniel Dimov
8 MF Spain ESP Toni Calvo
10 MF Bulgaria BUL Hristo Yovov (vice-captain)
11 MF Bulgaria BUL Simeon Raykov
14 MF Bulgaria BUL Radoslav Tsonev
15 MF Bulgaria BUL Borislav Tsonev
16 MF Portugal POR Cristovão
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 FW Bulgaria BUL Daniel Mladenov
19 FW Bulgaria BUL Ivan Tsvetkov
20 DF Bulgaria BUL Aleksandar Bashliev
21 MF Bulgaria BUL Todor Hristov
22 MF North Macedonia MKD Darko Tasevski
23 GK Bulgaria BUL Plamen Iliev
24 GK Bulgaria BUL Bozhidar Mitrev
25 DF Mali MLI Souleymane Diamoutene
28 DF Portugal POR Nuno Pinto
45 MF Bulgaria BUL Vladimir Gadzhev (captain)
55 DF Bulgaria BUL Yordan Miliev
FW Brazil BRA Jose Junior (on loan from Slavia)

For recent transfers, see List of Bulgarian football transfers winter 2011–12.

On loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
GK Bulgaria BUL Ivaylo Vasilev (at Vidima-Rakovski until 30 June 2012)
MF Bulgaria BUL Lachezar Baltanov (at Botev Vratsa until 30 June 2012)
No. Pos. Nation Player
FW Netherlands NED Sjoerd Ars (at Tianjin Teda until 31 December 2012)

Reserves

* These are the players that was registered as a reserves for the previous season and are still in the club. The actual reserves' list is not ready yet.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
41 DF Bulgaria BUL Asen Georgiev
42 DF Bulgaria BUL Georgi Pavlov
43 DF Bulgaria BUL Iliya Munin
46 FW Bulgaria BUL Domenik Avramov
47 MF Bulgaria BUL Nikola Yanachkov
48 FW Bulgaria BUL Todor Chavorski
49 FW Bulgaria BUL Nikolay Ivanov
51 MF Bulgaria BUL Ivelino Ivanov
53 MF Bulgaria BUL Yanko Angelov
54 FW Bulgaria BUL Plamen Tonev
No. Pos. Nation Player
56 FW Bulgaria BUL Stanislav Marinov
57 DF Bulgaria BUL Georgi Stoichkov
58 FW Bulgaria BUL Jack Koen
59 DF Bulgaria BUL Hristo Popadiyn
61 GK Bulgaria BUL Dimitar Iliev
DF Bulgaria BUL Hristo Stamboliyski
DF Bulgaria BUL Ivan Stoyanov
MF Bulgaria BUL Yanislav Ivanov
FW Bulgaria BUL Tsvetelin Tonev
FW Bulgaria BUL Denis Nikolov

Club officials

Board of directors

Position Name Nationality
Owner Todor Batkov Bulgaria
General director Georgi Ivanov Bulgaria
Financial director Konstantin Bazhdekov Bulgaria
Academy director Kiril Ivkov Bulgaria
Academy director Biser Hazday Bulgaria

Current technical body

Position Name Nationality
Manager Nikolay Kostov Bulgaria
Assistant Manager Miroslav Kosev Bulgaria
Assistant Manager Ivaylo Petrov Bulgaria
Assistant Manager Veselin Branimirov Bulgaria
Goalkeeper Coach Georgi Sheytanov Bulgaria
Fitness coach Yasen Ekimov Bulgaria
Doctor January Filipov Bulgaria
Psychologist Tatyana Yancheva Bulgaria

Player records

Players in bold are currently playing for the team. Statistic is correct as of match played 11 August 2010.

Most appearances for Levski

# Name Career Appearances Goals
1 Bulgaria Stefan Aladzhov 1967-81 473 4
2 Bulgaria Emil Spasov 1974-90 413 111
3 Bulgaria Pavel Panov 1969-81 380 177
4 Bulgaria Kiril Ivkov 1967-78 376 15
5 Bulgaria Aleksandar Kostov 1956-71 346 85
6 Bulgaria Elin Topuzakov 1996-08
2009-10
332 23
7 Bulgaria Hristo Iliev 1954-68 329 132
8 Bulgaria Dimitar Telkiyski 1999-08
2009-10
312 64
9 Bulgaria Stefan Abadzhiev 1953-68 302 45
10 Bulgaria Voyn Voynov 1977-92 297 36

Most goals scored for Levski

# Name Career Appearances Goals Goals/Game
Ratio
1 Bulgaria Nasko Sirakov 1981-94 258 206 0.80
2 Bulgaria Pavel Panov 1969-81 383 177 0.46
3 Bulgaria Georgi Asparuhov 1959-71 238 153 0.64
4 Bulgaria Georgi Ivanov 1997-09 204 135 0.60
5 Bulgaria Hristo Iliev 1974-90 415 132 0.27
6 Bulgaria Emil Spasov 1956-65 207 111 0.50
7 Bulgaria Dimitar Yordanov 1981-87 169 103 0.60
8 Bulgaria Mihail Valchev 1990-95
2004-08
295 102 0.29
9 Bulgaria Asen Peshev 1924–1940 99 86 0.87
10 Bulgaria Aleksandar Kostov 1960–1968 112 85 0.69

World ranking

As of 31 July 2011 by IFFHS

Notable managers

   

Notable players

1960s

1970s

1980s

 

1990s

2000s (decade)

 

2010s

*

Note: For a complete list of Levski Sofia players, see Category:PFC Levski Sofia players.

Bulgarian Footballer of the Year

Winners - 11 times /record/

A PFG Top goalscorers

Winners - 16 times /record/

Levski Fans

Levski Fans in Sector B at Vasil Levski Stadium

Levski Sofia is the most popular football club in Bulgaria. Sector B (south stand) is home to Levski's supporters. Sector B are divided in groups : Sofia-West (Sofia), South Division (Sofia), Ultra Varna (Varna), Torcida Kyustendil (Kyustendil), Blue Junta (Sofia), Blue Huns (Pernik), HD Boys (Sofia), Old Capital Boys (Veliko Tarnovo), Blue Boyars (Veliko Tarnovo), Vandals (Pleven), Blue Warriors (Plovdiv), Varna Crew (Varna), Ultras Burgas (Burgas) and many others.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Levski – 94 years of joy, pains and hopes". Levski.bg.
  2. ^ "Levski make Bulgarian history". Uefa.com. Retrieved 2006-08-23.
  3. ^ "Levski land to heroes' welcome". Uefa.com. Retrieved 2006-08-24.
  4. ^ "Levski set to replace CSKA in Champions League". Football24.bg. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
  5. ^ "Dundalk way out of depth in Sofia". irishtimes.com. July 7, 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-16.

Official websites

Fan websites

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