Bulgarian Cup

Bulgarian Cup

Founded 1938 (1938)
Region Bulgaria
Number of teams Various
Current champions Cherno More Varna
(1st title)
Most successful club(s) Levski Sofia
(25 titles)
Television broadcasters Nova, Diema
Nova Sport, Diema Sport
2015–16 Season

The Bulgarian Cup (Bulgarian: Купа на България) is a Bulgarian annual football competition. It is the country's main cup competition and all officially registered Bulgarian football teams take part in it. It is sponsored by the Bulgarian Corporate Commercial Bank.

The tournament's format is single-elimination, with all matches being one-legged, except the semi-final. The competition's winner achieves the right to take part in the UEFA Europa League. If the winner has already secured a place through the Bulgarian A Professional Football Group, the team that has come fourth in the championship substitutes it.

The competition has been dominated by Sofia-based teams. The Sofia teams have won together a total number of 61 titles. The two most successful teams are Levski Sofia (25 cups) and CSKA Sofia (19 cups). The most recent winners of the Bulgarian Cup is Cherno More Varna, who beat Levski Sofia 2–1 after extra time in 2015 Bulgarian Cup Final.

History

The Bulgarian Cup as a domestic cup knock-out tournament, has its roots in several tournaments held in Bulgaria through the early 20th century, simultaneously or successively starting in the 1910s with regional Sofia competitions.

Sketch of the Tsar's Cup

The first Bulgarian national tournament was the Tsar's Cup ("King's Cup"). The competition is officially recognised as the foundation of the modern domestic cup by the Bulgarian Football Union. From 1924 until 1937 the tournament was the de facto state championship to determine the Bulgarian national football champions and winners of the tournament for those years are recognised as such by the BFU). The trophy was decided over a series of direct knock-out matches in which the champions of the country's oblasts played in one-legged single-elimination rounds.

In 1937 the first national league was created to determine the football champion of Bulgaria. The tournament for the Tsar's Cup, however, remained a prestigious competition in the country. The winners of the trophy between 1938 and 1942 are officially recognised as domestic cup holders by the BFU.

The competition was not held between 1942 and 1945 due to World War II and only returned in 1946. Bulgaria was now under Communist rule, and reformed their football league structure and competitions along the lines of other Soviet states. The new Central Football Committee created the Soviet Army Cup (Bulgarian: Купа на Съветската армия) in time for the 1945-46 season. For the remainder of the communist period in Bulgaria (between 1945 and 1990), an annual two-legged knock-out tournament was held. The tournament had a national scope but initially included only top tier clubs. It served as the primary means of qualification to the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup between 1960 and 1982.

In 1981, in honour of the 1300th anniversary of the country, another national knock-out football tournament took place awarding the winner the Cup of Bulgaria. The tournament for the Cup of the Soviet Army gradually lost its importance due to the success of the Bulgarian Cup and in 1983 it ceded primacy to the new competition.

The Bulgarian Football Union recognises the historic winners of the Soviet Army Cup as official domestic cup holders for the seasons between 1945–46 and 1981–82, while holders of the Bulgarian Cup are the official domestic cup holders from 1982-83 onwards. Levski Sofia, as the club to have won the Soviet Army Cup most times, were awarded the original trophy to keep in their collection.

Competition format

The Bulgarian Cup tournament is divided in two phases - the Qualification phase and the Final phase.

Qualification phase

In this phase are participating teams from the four groups of the amateur division V AFG (3rd level of the Bulgarian football league system) and teams from Bulgarian A Regional Football Group (A RFG) (4th level of the Bulgarian football league system).

Final phase

In this phase are participating the teams that have won their matches in the Qualification phase, with the 20 teams from the two groups of B PFG (10 teams from West B PFG and 10 teams from East B PFG) and 16 teams from A PFG. The team from a lower league division is the home team. In matches between teams from same division the home team is determined by lot.

Sponsorship

From 1997 to 2011 the Bulgarian Cup is sponsored by the American car manufacturer Ford and its official distributor in Bulgaria Moto-Pfohe.

From season 2011–12 the Bulgarian Cup is sponsored by the Bulgarian Corporate Commercial Bank.

Official winners

The performance of various clubs is shown in the following tables:[1]

Tsar's Cup (1938–1942)

Tsar's Cup (English: Cup of the King) is the first name of the present tournament Bulgarian Cup.

Season Winner Result Runner-up Date Venue Attendance
1938FC 13 Sofia3–0 (w/o)Levski Ruse3 October 1938Yunak Stadium, Sofia10,000
1939Shipka Sofia2–0Levski Ruse3 October 1939Levski Playground, Sofia 4,000
1940FC 13 Sofia2–1Sportklub Plovdiv13 October 1940Levski Playground, Sofia 5,000
1941AS 23 Sofia4–2Napredak Ruse3 October 1941City Stadium, Dobrich 10,000
1942Levski Sofia3–0 (w/o)Sportklub Plovdiv3 October 1942Yunak Stadium, Sofia8,000

Cup of the Soviet Army (1945–1982)

Season Winner Result Runner-up Date Venue Attendance
1946Levski Sofia4–1Chernolomets Popovo (II)6 May 1946Yunak Stadium, Sofia15,000
1947Levski Sofia1–0Botev Plovdiv1 June 1947Yunak Stadium, Sofia17,000
1948Lokomotiv Sofia1–0Slavia-Chengelov Plovdiv9 May 1948Yunak Stadium, Sofia12,000
1949Levski Sofia1–1 (aet)
2–2 (aet)
2–1 (aet)		CSKA Sofia8 May 1949
16 May 1949
17 May 1949		Yunak Stadium, Sofia
Yunak Stadium, Sofia
Yunak Stadium, Sofia		35,000
35,000
35,000
1950Levski Sofia1–1 (aet)
1–1 (aet)
1–0 (aet)		CSKA Sofia26 November 1950
27 November 1950
3 December 1950		People's Army Stadium, Sofia
People's Army Stadium, Sofia
People's Army Stadium, Sofia		30,000
30,000
30,000
1951CSKA Sofia1–0 (aet)Akademik Sofia7 November 1951People's Army Stadium, Sofia25,000
1952Slavia Sofia3–1Spartak Sofia9 November 1952People's Army Stadium, Sofia22,000
1953Lokomotiv Sofia2–1Levski Sofia25 November 1953Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia30,000
1954CSKA Sofia2–1Slavia Sofia7 November 1954Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia30,000
1955CSKA Sofia5–2 (aet)Spartak Plovdiv11 December 1955Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia32,000
1956Levski Sofia5–2Botev Plovdiv18 November 1956Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia40,000
1957Levski Sofia2–1Spartak Pleven7 November 1957Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia28,000
1958Spartak Plovdiv1–0Minyor Pernik7 November 1958Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia20,000
1958–59Levski Sofia1–0Spartak Plovdiv2 May 1959Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia40,000
1959–60Septemvri Sofia4–3 (aet)Lokomotiv Plovdiv (II)15 June 1960Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia25,000
1960–61CSKA Sofia3–0Spartak Varna28 June 1961Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia25,000
1961–62Botev Plovdiv3–0Dunav Ruse12 August 1962Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia20,000
1962–63Slavia Sofia2–0Botev Plovdiv10 September 1963Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia40,000
1963–64Slavia Sofia3–2Botev Plovdiv9 September 1964Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia31,000
1964–65CSKA Sofia3–2Levski Sofia8 September 1965Ovcha Kupel Stadium, Sofia30,000
1965–66Slavia Sofia1–0CSKA Sofia10 September 1966Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia25,000
1966–67Levski Sofia3–0Spartak Sofia16 July 1967Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia38,000
1967–68Spartak Sofia3–2 (aet)Beroe Stara Zagora6 June 1968Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia18,000
1968–69CSKA Sofia2–1Levski Sofia30 April 1969Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia40,000
1969–70Levski Sofia2–1CSKA Sofia25 August 1970Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia46,000
1970–71Levski Sofia3–0Lokomotiv Plovdiv25 August 1971Bulgarian Army Stadium, Sofia30,000
1971–72CSKA Sofia3–0Slavia Sofia25 August 1972Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia25,000
1972–73CSKA Sofia2–1Beroe Stara Zagora3 June 1973Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia18,000
1973–74CSKA Sofia2–1 (aet)Levski Sofia10 August 1974Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia40,000
1974–75Slavia Sofia3–2Lokomotiv Sofia21 June 1975Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia15,000
1975–76Levski Sofia4–3 (aet)CSKA Sofia2 June 1976Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia65,000
1976–77Levski Sofia2–1Lokomotiv Sofia12 June 1977Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia45,000
1977–78Marek Dupnitsa1–0CSKA Sofia24 May 1978Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia40,000
1978–79Levski Sofia4–1Beroe Stara Zagora23 May 1979Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia40,000
1979–80Slavia Sofia3–1Beroe Stara Zagora13 May 1980Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia30,000
1980–81Botev Plovdiv1–0Pirin Blagoevgrad5 May 1981Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia20,000
1981–82Lokomotiv Sofia2–1 (aet)Lokomotiv Plovdiv (II)12 June 1982Pleven Stadium, Pleven8,000

Notes:

Bulgarian Cup (1982–present)

Season Winner Result Runner-up Date Venue Attendance
1982–83CSKA Sofia4–0Spartak Varna3 April 19839th September Stadium, Plovdiv15,000
1983–84Levski Sofia1–0Botev Plovdiv2 May 1984Druzhba Stadium, Kardzhali30,000
1984–85CSKA Sofia2–1Levski Sofia19 June 1985Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia35,000
1985–86Vitosha Sofia2–1Sredets Sofia27 April 1986Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia28,000
1986–87Sredets Sofia2–1Vitosha Sofia13 May 1987Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia40,000
1987–88Sredets Sofia4–1Vitosha Sofia11 May 1988Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia50,000
1988–89Sredets Sofia3–0Chernomorets Burgas (II)24 May 1989Pleven Stadium, Pleven15,000
1989–90Sliven2–0CSKA Sofia30 May 1990Hristo Botev Stadium, Gabrovo15,000
1990–91Levski Sofia2–1Botev Plovdiv29 May 1991Ivaylo Stadium, Veliko Tarnovo10,000
1991–92Levski Sofia5–0Pirin Blagoevgrad27 May 1992Georgi Benkovski Stadium, Pazardzhik10,000
1992–93CSKA Sofia1–0Botev Plovdiv2 June 1993Hristo Botev Stadium, Blagoevgrad18,000
1993–94Levski Sofia1–0Pirin Blagoevgrad4 May 1994Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia18,000
1994–95Lokomotiv Sofia4–2Botev Plovdiv27 May 1995Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia20,000
1995–96Slavia Sofia4–0 (w/o)Levski Sofia1 May 1996Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia22,000
1996–97CSKA Sofia3–1Levski Sofia27 May 1997Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia18,500
1997–98Levski Sofia5–0CSKA Sofia13 May 1998Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia50,000
1998–99CSKA Sofia1–0Litex Lovech25 May 1999Balgarska Armia Stadium, Sofia20,000
1999–00Levski Sofia2–0Neftohimik Burgas31 May 2000Hristo Botev Stadium, Plovdiv18,000
2000–01Litex Lovech1–0 (aet)Velbazhd Kyustendil24 May 2001Lokomotiv Stadium, Sofia8,000
2001–02Levski Sofia3–1CSKA Sofia15 May 2002Ovcha Kupel Stadium, Sofia17,500
2002–03Levski Sofia2–1Litex Lovech21 May 2003Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia10,453
2003–04Litex Lovech2–2 (4–3 pen.)CSKA Sofia12 May 2004Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia11,461
2004–05Levski Sofia2–1CSKA Sofia25 May 2005Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia10,848
2005–06CSKA Sofia3–1Cherno More Varna24 May 2006Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia7,216
2006–07Levski Sofia1–0 (aet)Litex Lovech24 May 2007Beroe Stadium, Stara Zagora11,000
2007–08Litex Lovech1–0Cherno More Varna14 May 2008Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia2,040
2008–09Litex Lovech3–0OFC Pirin Blagoevgrad26 May 2009Georgi Asparuhov Stadium, Sofia9,500
2009–10Beroe Stara Zagora1–0Chernomorets Pomorie (II)5 May 2010Lovech Stadium, Lovech5,250
2010–11CSKA Sofia1–0Slavia Sofia25 May 2011Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia17,500
2011–12Ludogorets Razgrad2–1Lokomotiv Plovdiv19 May 2012Naftex Stadium, Burgas13,103
2012–13Beroe Stara Zagora3–3 (3–1 pen.)Levski Sofia 15 May 2013Lovech Stadium, Lovech7,500
2013–14Ludogorets Razgrad1–0Botev Plovdiv15 May 2014Naftex Stadium, Burgas13,250
2014–15Cherno More Varna2–1 (aet)Levski Sofia30 May 2015Naftex Stadium, Burgas13,910
2015–16 26 May 2016Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia

Notes:

Non-official winners

Bulgarian Cup (1981–1982)

Season Winner Result Runner-up Date Venue Attendance
1981CSKA Sofia1–0Slavia Sofia6 June 1981Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia25,000
1982Levski Sofia4–0CSKA Sofia16 June 1982Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia30,000

Performances

The totals below include the Tsar's Cup (1938–1942), Cup of the Soviet Army (1945–1982) and Bulgarian Cup (1982–present).

Performance by club

Club Winners Runners-up Winning Years
Levski Sofia
25
11
 1942, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1967, 1970, 1971, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1984, 1986, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007
CSKA Sofia
19
12
 1951, 1954, 1955, 1961, 1965, 1969, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2006, 2011
Slavia Sofia
7
3
 1952, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1975, 1980, 1996
Litex Lovech
4
3
 2001, 2004, 2008, 2009
Lokomotiv Sofia
4
2
 1948, 1953, 1982, 1995
Botev Plovdiv
2
9
 1962, 1981
Beroe Stara Zagora
2
4
 2010, 2013
Ludogorets Razgrad
2
–
 2012, 2014
FC 13 Sofia
2
–
 1938, 1940
Cherno More Varna
1
2
 2015
Spartak Sofia
1
2
 1968
Spartak Plovdiv
1
2
 1958
Sliven
1
–
 1990
Marek Dupnitsa
1
–
 1978
Septemvri Sofia
1
–
 1960
AS 23 Sofia
1
–
 1941
Shipka Sofia
1
–
 1939
OFC Pirin Blagoevgrad
–
4
 –
Lokomotiv Plovdiv dagger
–
4
 –
Sportklub Plovdiv dagger
–
3
 –
Spartak Varna
–
2
 –
Levski Ruse
–
2
 –
Chernomorets Pomorie
–
1
 –
Velbazhd Kyustendil
–
1
 –
Neftochimic Burgas
–
1
 –
Chernomorets Burgas
–
1
 –
Dunav Ruse
–
1
 –
Minyor Pernik
–
1
 –
Spartak Pleven
–
1
 –
Akademik Sofia
–
1
 –
Chernolomets Popovo
–
1
 –
Napredak Ruse
–
1
 –

Notes:

Performance by city

City Cups Winning Clubs
Sofia
61
 Levski Sofia (25), CSKA Sofia (19), Slavia (7), Lokomotiv Sofia (4), FC 13 Sofia (2), Spartak Sofia (1), Shipka Sofia (1), AS 23 Sofia (1), Septemvri Sofia (1)
Lovech
4
 Litex Lovech (4)
Plovdiv
3
 Botev Plovdiv (2), Spartak Plovdiv (1)
Razgrad
2
 Ludogorets Razgrad (2)
Stara Zagora
2
 Beroe Stara Zagora (2)
Varna
1
 Cherno More (1)
Dupnitsa
1
 Marek Dupnitsa (1)
Sliven
1
 Sliven (1)

References

  1. ↑ http://ro.soccerway.com/national/bulgaria/cup/c201/archive/?ICID=PL_3N_04
  2. ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesb/bulgcuphist.html

External links

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