November 15, 1995-Germany 3-Bulgaria 1

November 15, 1995

Germany 3-Bulgaria 1

UEFA European Championship Qualifying -Group 7

Venue: Berlin- Olympiastadion

Attendance: 75,841

Referee: Vassilios Nikakis (Greece)

Goalscorers: (Germany): Jürgen Klinsmann 50, 76 pen, Thomas Häßler 56

                    (Bulgaria): Hristo Stoichkov 47

Lineups:

Germany:

1- Andreas Köpke (Eintracht Frankfurt e.V.)  [28 / 0]

2-Markus Babbel (Fußball-Club Bayern München e.V.)  [10 / 1]

3-Steffen Freund (Ballspielverein Borussia Dortmund 1909 e.V.)  [10 / 0]

4- Jürgen Kohler (Ballspielverein Borussia Dortmund 1909 e.V.)  [77 / 0] (15-Thomas Strunz (Fußball-Club Bayern München e.V.) [25 / 1] 46^th) 

5-Thomas Helmer (Fußball-Club Bayern München e.V.)   [41 / 2]

6-Matthias Sammer (Ballspielverein Borussia Dortmund 1909 e.V.)  [37 / 5]

7-Dieter Eilts (Sport Verein Werder Bremen von 1899 e.V.)  [12 / 0]

8-Mario Basler (Sport Verein Werder Bremen von 1899 e.V.)   [13 / 1]

10- Thomas Häßler (Karlruher Sport-Club von 1894 Mühlburg-Phönix e.V.)  [68 / 8] (14-Stefan Reuter (Ballspielverein Borussia Dortmund 1909 e.V.) [48 / 2] 87^th ) 

9- Jürgen Klinsmann (Fußball-Club Bayern München e.V.)   [78 / 34]

11- Stefan Kuntz (Besiktas Jimnastik Kulübü–Istanbul / Turkey)  [13 / 2] (13-Fredi Bobic (Verein für Bewegungspiele Stuttgart 1893 e.V.) [5 / 1] 82^nd)  

Coach: Hans-Hubert ‘Berti’  Vogts

Booked: Jürgen Klinsmann 35, Steffen Freund 67

Other Substitutes :

12-Oliver Kahn (Fußball-Club Bayern München e.V.)  

16-Mehemt Scholl (Fußball-Club Bayern München e.V.)  

Team Captain: Jürgen Klinsmann

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Uniform Colors: White Shirts (Patches of Black, Yellow and Red at the top), Black Shorts, White Socks

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 22, April 1996

(Germany squad, November 15, 1995, EC Qualifier, Germany 3-Bulgaria 1)

Photo From: (Magazine Source unknown) / Contribution From a blog viewer

(Special Thanks to Teodor Borisov)

(Germany squad, November 15, 1995, EC Qualifier, Germany 3-Bulgaria 1)

Bulgaria:

1-Dimitar Popov (Fudbalski Klub CSKA(Centralnij Sport Klub Armija) Sofia)  [12 / 0]

2-Emil Kremenliev (Fudbalski Klub Levski 1914-Sofia)  [22 / 0]

3-Valentin Dartilov (Fudbalski Klub Levski 1914-Sofia) [1 / 0]

4-Tzanko Tzvetanov (Sport Verein Waldhof Mannheim 07 e.V. / Germany) [33 / 0]

5-Gosho Guinchev (Fudbalski Klub Levski 1914-Sofia)  [2 / 0]

6-Zlatko Yankov (Fußball Club Bayer 05 Uerdingen  / Germany)   [47 / 4]

7-Emil Kostadinov (Fußball-Club Bayern München e.V. / Germany)  [48 / 18]

8-Hristo Stoichkov (Associazione Calcio Parma / Italy)   [59 / 29]

9-Luboslav Penev (Club Atlético de Madrid / Spain)  [48 / 12] (14-Nasko Sirakov (Fudbalski Klub Slavia-Sofia) [76 / 22]  79^th) 

10-Krassimir Balakov (Verein für Bewegungspiele Stuttgart 1893 e.V. / Germany)  [50 / 7] (15-Daniel Borimorov (Turn- und Sportverein München von 1860 e.V / Germany) [19 / 2] 82^nd) 

11-Yordan Lechkov (Hamburger Sport-Verein e.V. / Germany)  [31 / 4] (16-Ilian Kiriakov (Anorthosis Football Club of Famagusta / Cyprus) [52 / 0] 62^nd)   

Coach: Dimitar Penev

Booked: Krassimir Balakov 36, Valentin Dartilov 55, Dimitar Popov 76

Other Substitutes :

12-Zdravko Zdravkov (Fudbalski Klub Slavia-Sofia)   

13-Radostin Kishishev (Fudbalski Klub Neftochimik Bourgas)

Team Captain: Hristo Stoichkov

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Puma

Uniform Colors: Red Shirts (Patches of white at the top), Green Shorts, Red Socks

Photo From: World Soccer, March 1996

(Bulgaria squad, November 15, 1995, EC Qualifier, Germany 3-Bulgaria 1)

Photo From: (Magazine Source unknown) / Contribution From a blog viewer

(Special Thanks to Teodor Borisov)

(Bulgaria squad, November 15, 1995, EC Qualifier, Germany 3-Bulgaria 1)

Notes:

-Match number 629 for Germany and number 539 for Bulgaria.

-This was the 20th meeting between the nations.

-The previous match between the nations, as well as the previous match on Bulgarian soil and Bulgaria’s previous victory, was the first Leg of this qualifier just a few months prior on June 7, 1995 that Bulgaria won (3-2) at Sofia.

Germany players: Andreas Köpke, Stefan Reuter, Matthias Sammer, Markus Babbel, Thomas Helmer, Thomas Strunz, Dieter Eilts, Mario Basler, Thomas Häßler and Jürgen Klinsmann and Bulgaria players: Emil Kremenliev, Tzanko Tzvetanov,           Zlatko Yankov, Luboslav Penev, Hristo Stoichkov, Emil Kostadinov, Krassimir Balakov, Yordan Lechkov and Nasko Sirakov were present that day (on the field and/or the substitutes bench).

Both Managers were still at their respective posts.

Jürgen Klinsmann captained Germany for that match as well.

Hristo Stoichkov scored twice on two penalty kicks and Emil Kostadinov also scored for Bulgaria, while Jürgen Klinsmann also scored for Germany again.

Germany’s Reuter, Klinsmann and Sammer were booked in that match.

This remains Bulgaria’s last win to date over Germany.

-The next match between the nations, as well as the next match on Bulgarian soil, was a Friendly on August 21, 2002 at Sofia that ended in a (2-2) tie.

Krassimir Balakov was the only remaining player from this 1995 match to be present in that match. He captained Bulgaria and also scored one of the goals on a penalty kick.

This was the 21^st match between the Nations. The two nations have not played one another since.

Bulgaria has only defeated Germany three times (two of them coming in 1994 and 1995).

-The sides had met at a neutral venue over a year prior for the Quarterfinals of the 1994 World Cup on July 10, 1994 at East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA.

Bulgaria had won that match (2-1). Hristo Stoichkov and Yordan Letchkov scored for Bulgaria that day.

Germany players: Thomas Helmer, Jürgen Kohler, Thomas Strunz, Thomas Häßler and Jürgen Klinsmann and Bulgaria players: Ilian Kiriakov, Tzanko Tzvetanov, Zlatko Yankov, Nasko Sirakov, Yordan Lechkov, Krassimir Balakov, Emil Kostadinov and Hristo Stoichkov were present that day (on the field and/or the substitutes bench).

Both Managers were still at their respective posts.

Germany’s Thomas Helmer, Thomas Häßler and Jürgen Klinsmann were booked in that match, as was Bulgaria’s Hristo Stoichkov.

The only other time the sides met a neutral venue was during the 1970 World Cup, on June 7, 1970 (Germany (West) 5-Bulgaria 2).

-The previous away win for Germany was a Friendly on March 22, 1989 at Sofia that Germany (West) won (2-1).

Germany players: Jürgen Kohler and Thomas Häßler and Bulgaria players: Ilyan Kiriakov, Krassimir Balakov, Emil Kostadinov, Luboslav Penev and Hritsto Stoitchkov were present that day (on the field and/or the substitutes bench).

-The previous match between the nations on German soil was a Friendly on April 17, 1985 that Germany (West) won (4-1) at Augsburg.

-The previous Official qualifier on German soil was a World Cup qualifier on November 22, 1981 that the Germans won (4-0).

-The previous UEFA European Championship qualifier on German soil between the nations was on November 19, 1975 at Stuttgart, that the Germans won (1-0).

Berti Vogts played for Germany (West) in that match,

-The two Managers, Bulgaria’s Manager Dimitar Penev and Germany’s Berti Vogts have taken part in many Bulgaria and Germany (West) match-ups.

Dimitar Penev only:

March 22, 1967, at Hannover, West Germany 1-Bulgaria 0

May 12, 1973, at Hamburg, West Germany 3-Bulgaria 0

Berti Vogts only:

April 27, 1975, EC Qualifier, at Sofia, Bulgaria 1- West Germany 1

November 19, 1975, EC Qualifier, at Stuttgart, West Germany 1-Bulgaria 0

Dimitar Penev and Berti Vogts:

September 24, 1969, at Sofia, Bulgaria 0-West Germany 1

June 7, 1970, World Cup, West Germany 5-Bulgaria 2

In addition the pair managed their respective sides against one another in the 1994 World Cup quarterfinal and these two 1995 UEFA European Championship qualifiers.

-The other teams in this UEFA European Championship qualifying Group, in addition to Germany and Bulgaria, were Georgia, Moldova, Wales and Albania.

Germany and Bulgaria both qualified to the Euro Finals to take place in England in the summer of 1996.

-This match was not critical in terms of qualification prospects as both already seemed set to qualify, but was important in terms of winning the Group.

For the Germans this was an opportunity to revenge the two previous losses on June 1995 and July 1994.

Berti Vogts had indicated that they wanted to win the group outright for better seeding at the 1996 Euro Finals.

-Berti Vogts had named his squad on November 6^th, 1995:

Goalkeeper:

Andreas Kopke, Oliver Kahn

Defenders: Markus Babbel, Thomas Helmer, Stefan Reuter, and Matthias Sammer

Midfielders: Mario Basler, Dieter Eilts, Steffen Freund, Thomas Haessler, Andreas Moeller (Borussia Dortmund), Mehmet Scholl, Thomas Strunz

Strikers: Fredi Bobic, Heiko Herrlich (Borussia Dortmund), Jurgen Klinsmann, Stefan Kuntz

Note: Andreas Moeller and Heiko Herrlich would withdraw.

-In addition to Moeller and Herrlich, the Germans were also missing Christian Ziege, Ulf Kirsten and Christian Wörns.

-Bulgaria were missing goalkeeper and Captain Borislav Mikhailov. Hristo Stoichkov captained in his absence.

The Bulgarians were also missing Trifon Ivanov, Petar Hubchev and Ivaylo Yordanov.

Photo From:n Kicker Sportsmagazin, Issue 93, 46, November 16, 1995

(Team Formations)

-Dimitar Penev chose to hand a debut Valentin Dartilov at Libero to replace Hubchev.

In general Bulgaria’s defense was inexperienced. The absence of Mikhailov also forced Penev to start with the relatively inexperienced Dimitar Popov in goal.

Gosho Guinchev was earning only his second cap.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 89, June 1996

(Emil Kostadinov, November 15, 1995, EC Qualifier, Germany 3-Bulgaria 1)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 89, June 1996

(Krassimir Balakov and Dieter Eilts, November 15, 1995, EC Qualifier, Germany 3-Bulgaria 1)

-For the Germans former midfielder Matthias Sammer was now the established Libero.

Ever since the injury suffered by former Captain Lothar Matthaus in January 1995 that had sidelined him for many months, Sammer had effectively filled up the role to such a point that even after Matthaus’ return, Vogts chose to maintain Sammer in the position.

Matthaus would later state that Jurgen Klinsmann and Thomas Helmer had lobbied Vogts for his exclusion. He would enter into a public feud with Klinsmann for the coming years.

-Vogts chose to push Helmer in midfield where he formed a defensive shield with Eilts.

He also surprisingly chose to start with Kuntz as striker instead of Bobic.

-Jurgen Kohler was injured and substituted off at halftime by Thomas Strunz.

Babbel who was in the flank marking Stoichkov was moved in center of defense to mark Penev.

-The Bulgarian guests took the lead early in the second half (47^th minute). On  the right side, Yordan Lechkov sent Kostadinov through who immediately pulled back for Stoichkov to slot home.

Photo From: World Soccer, January 1996

(Hristo Stoichkov celebrating, November 15, 1995, EC Qualifier, Germany 3-Bulgaria 1)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 89, June 1996

(Hristo Stoichkov after scoring, November 15, 1995, EC Qualifier, Germany 3-Bulgaria 1)

-The Germans tied the match just three minutes later (50^th minute). Kuntz send a long ball into the Bulgarian box, Dartilov cleared it back very weakly and it fell in the path of Klinsmann who scored.

-Germany took the lead in the 56^th minute. Thomas Haessler scored from a free kick, finding a gap in the wall, to score past Popov in his lower left corner.

-The Germans settled the matter in the 76^th minute after being awarded a penalty kick after Popov fouled Kuntz in the box.

Klinsmann scored his second and Germany’s third.

Photo From: World Soccer, January 1996

(Thomas Haessler scoring from free kick, November 15, 1995, EC Qualifier, Germany 3-Bulgaria 1)

-This was Germany’s seventh consecutive win.

Photo From: World Soccer, February 1996

(Krassimir Balakov, November 15, 1995, EC Qualifier, Germany 3-Bulgaria 1)

-The win made the Germans the winners of the Group with 25 points. Their overall record had been 8 wins, 1 tie and only one loss (vs., Bulgaria on June 7, 1995).

Bulgaria ended with 22 points with seven wins, 1 tie and 2 losses.

Georgia were a distant third with 15 points.

-Jurgen Klinsmann’s booking meant that he would have to miss Germany’s first match at the Euro Finals.

Photo From: (Magazine Source unknown) / Contribution From a blog viewer

(Special Thanks to Teodor Borisov)

(November 15, 1995, EC Qualifier, Germany 3-Bulgaria 1)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 22, April 1996

(Jurgen Klinsmann and Emil Kostadinov, November 15, 1995, EC Qualifier, Germany 3-Bulgaria 1)

-The only foreign based player for the Germans was Stefan Kuntz who played at Besiktas at Turkey.

For the Bulgarians : Tzanko Tzvetanov, Zlatko Yankov, Emil Kostadinov, Hristo Stoichkov, Luboslav Penev,  Krassimir Balakov, Daniel Borimorov, Yordan Lechkov and Ilian Kiriakov were playing for foreign clubs.

-For the Bulgarians, many players were playing for German clubs:

Tzanko Tzvetanov (Waldhof Mannheim), Zlatko Yankov (Bayer 05 Uerdingen), Krassimir Balakov (Stuttgart), Daniel Borimorov (TSV München 1860),  Yordan Lechkov (Hamburg SV) and Emil Kostadinov (Bayern München).

Kostadinov was playing against many of his Bayern teammates such as Babbel, Helmer, Strunz and Klinsmann.

Photo From: (Magazine Source unknown) / Contribution From a blog viewer

(Special Thanks to Teodor Borisov)

(Yordan Lechkov and Emil Kostadinov, November 15, 1995, EC Qualifier, Germany 3-Bulgaria 1)

Photo From: Kicker Sportsmagazin, Issue 93, 46, November 16, 1995

-Bulgaria’s Luboslav Penev was the nephew of Bulgaria Manager Dimitar Penev. He missed the 1994 World Cup as he was recuperating from Testicular cancer. He returned back to the fold in the Fall of 1994.

-Bulgaria Hristo Stoichkov was the reigning Ballon d’Or winner (1994). A month later, Jurgen Klinsmann would finish second for the 1995 award (behind George Weah).

Matthias Sammer would be awarded the 1996 Ballon d’Or.

-Matthias Sammer had also earned 23 caps (6 goals) for East Germany.

Photo From: (Magazine Source unknown) / Contribution From a blog viewer

(Special Thanks to Teodor Borisov)

(November 15, 1995, EC Qualifier, Germany 3-Bulgaria 1)

Photo From: (Magazine Source unknown) / Contribution From a blog viewer

(Special Thanks to Teodor Borisov)

(Emil Kostadinov and Dieter Eilts, November 15, 1995, EC Qualifier, Germany 3-Bulgaria 1)

-Jurgen Klinsmann had joined Bayern Munich that season after an excellent season with Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League.

Thomas Strunz rejoined Bayern Munich that season from Stuttgart.

Jurgen Kohler had joined Borussia Dortmund that season from Juventus.

Mario Basler would join Bayern Munich the following season.

-Hristo Stoichkov had just joined Parma from Barcelona. After a disappointing season he would rejoin Barcelona the following season.

Photo From: (Magazine Source unknown) / Contribution From a blog viewer

(Special Thanks to Teodor Borisov)

(Germany players celebrating after a goal, November 15, 1995, EC Qualifier, Germany 3-Bulgaria 1)

Photo From: Chronik des deutschen fussballs, 2005

(Germany players celebrating at the end, November 15, 1995, EC Qualifier, Germany 3-Bulgaria 1)

-For the Bulgarians: Emil Kremeliev, Tzanko Tzvetanov, Zlatko Yankov, Emil Kostadinov, Hristo Stoichkov, Nasko Sirakov, Yordan Lechkov, Daniel Borimirov, Ilian Kiriakov and Krassimir Balakov (as well as Manager Dimitar Penev) were members of the Bulgarian 1994 World Cup squad that had finished fourth.

Stoichkov was joint top goalscorer with six goals at the World Cup.

-The following Bulgaria players made the 1996 Euro Finals squad:

Radostin Kishishev, Ilian Kiriakov, Zlatko Yankov, Emil Kostadinov, Hristo Stoichkov, Luboslav Penev, Krasimir Balakov, Yordan Lechkov,     Dimitar Popov, Nasko Sirakov, Daniel Borimorov, Emil Kremenliev, Tzanko Tzvetanov, Gosho Guinchev and Zdravko Zdravkov (along with Manager Dimitar Penev).       

-The following Germany players made the 1996 Euro Finals squad:

Andreas Köpke, Stefan Reuter, Steffen Freund, Thomas Helmer, Matthias Sammer, Mehmet Scholl, Fredi Bobic, Thomas Haessler, Stefan Kuntz, Oliver Kahn, Mario Basler, Marcus Babbel, Jürgen Kohler, Jürgen Klinsmann, Thomas Strunz and Dieter Eilts (along with Manager Berti Vogts).

   

-The Germans would go and triumph in the 1996 UEFA European Championships by defeating the Czech Republic (2-1) on June 30^th, 1996 at Wembley.

By then, the Udinese based Oliver Bierhoff would have integrated the German ranks.

Bulgaria were eliminated in the first round in a group with France, Spain and Romania.

-The following German players won the 1990 World Cup as well as the 1996 UEFA European Championships: Andreas Köpke, Jürgen Kohler, Thomas Häßler, Stefan Reuter and Jürgen Klinsmann.

(Note: Andreas Moller who was absent in this match vs. Bulgaria was also part of that group of double winners).

-Yordan Lechkov and Andreas Köpke would be teammates at French Club Olympique Marseille for the following season (1996/97).

-Bayern Munich players: Kostadinov, Klinsman, Babbel, Strunz, Helmer, Kahn and Scholl won the UEFA Cup that season (1995/96).

-Borussia Dortmund players: Freund, Reuter, Kohler and Sammer won the German Bundesliga at the end of that season.

-Nasko Sirakov and Zdravko Zdravkov won the Bulgarian League title with Slavia Sofia at the end of that season.

-Jurgen Klinsman (2004/2006) and Hristo Stoichkov (2004/2007) have managed their respective National Teams.

Klinsmann also managed the USA National Team (2011/2016).

-Berti Vogts has also managed the National Teams of Kuwait, Scotland, Nigeria and Azerbaijan.

Match Reports:

Chronik des deutschen fussballs, 2005 / Kicker Sportsmagazin, Issue 93, 46, November 16, 1995 / World Soccer, January 1996

Match Video / Highlights: