Back in 1994, Bulgaria was one of the Cinderella stories of the World Cup in the United States and made it all the way to semifinals.
When you think of the glory days of Bulgarian football, you immediately think of Hristo Stoichkov and Yordan Letchkov.
Stoichkov and Letchkov were the two stars of the Bulgarian national team in 1994 and were only defeated 2-1 by Italy in the semifinals.
Four years later, Bulgaria returned to the World Cup in France but was unable to replicate the success of 1994.
Sadly, the last time we saw Bulgaria at football’s biggest spectacle was at France 98.
For a moment it looked as if Bulgaria had returned to some kind of prominence when the eastern European nation qualified to Euro 2004, but that was the last time Bulgaria participated in tournament football.
In the inaugural edition of UEFA Nations League, Bulgaria is off to a good start with victories over Slovenia and Norway.
Next up is a home fixture against Cyprus on 13 October.
Bulgaria has not been relevant in international football for a long time and it makes sense because a long time ago, the best Bulgarian footballers were playing for top European clubs in countries such as Spain and Germany.
The Bulgarian national team has talented players in captain Ivelin Popov of Spartak Moscow, but the majority of the players are domestic based or play in other eastern European countries.
But 21-year-old winger Bozhidar Kraev of Danish Super League side Midtjylland scored a brace against Slovenia and he has the potential to get sold to a top club.
Finishing at the top of Group 3 in Nations League C will not bring Bulgaria back to relevance among top European national teams, but it definitely can be the start of something good.
Yet if Bulgaria wants to return to relevance in international football, player development needs to improve, and young Bulgarian stars need to play in better leagues against superior competition.
Cyprus will not be a walk in the park for Bulgaria considering the Cypriots were able to defeat Slovenia in Nicosia.
But the Bulgarians have more talent and will be playing at home in front of its home supporters.
Prediction: Bulgaria 2-0 Cyprus
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