The Bulgarian Under-18 national team started with a draw its participation in "Valentin Granatkin" International tournament which is held in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Viktorio Pavlov`s team ended 0:0 against Estonia in its first game of Group "A", which was played at Saint Petersburg Sports and Concert Complex.

First half

The national players were more active than their opponents, who didn`t threatened the goal, guarded by Ivan Dichevski.

Viktorio Pavlov`s players created their best goal scoring opportunity in the 42nd minute when Ilia Gruev found Ivan Mitrev behind the defensive line with a long pass, but CSKA-Sofia`s forward missed the target.

Second half

During the second part the situation didn`t change. “The “lions” were aggressive in front of the goal as they didn`t allow their opponents to create any serious danger for the defense.

In the 52nd minute Ivan Mitrev tried a shot from the penalty area, but Ingmar Paplavskis saved. In the 76th minute after a good combination between Ivan Mitrev and Georgi Kostov, the latter went throw the center, outplayed several defenders and shot, but the ball went centimeters from the right post. In the end of the match Lachezar Georgiev tried to score from the left side, but the ball went wide and the gamed ended 0:0.

In the other match of the group Tajikistan beat Greece 1:0.

Bulgaria`s next opponent is Tajikistan. The game will be played on Tuesday, 10.01.2017, at 13:15 (Bulgarian time).

Bulgaria U18 – Estonia U18 0:0

Yellow cards: Aleksandar Bastunov (Bulgaria); . Markus Poom, Kristofer Piht (Estonia)

Bulgaria U18: 1. Ivan Dichevski, 4. Georgi Kostov, 5. Aleksandar Bastunov – C., 6. Ivan Kalaydzhiyski, 3. Borislav Vakadinov, 20. Erol Dost, 8. Ilia Gruev, 11. Mitko Mitkov, 21. Ilian Iliev (Lachezar Georgiev, 63), 10. Aleksandar Zlatkov, 9. Ivan Mitrev (Martin Minchev, 76)

Coach: Viktorio Pavlov

Estonia U18: 1. Ingmar Krister Paplavskis, 3. Marko Lipp, 5. Karl-Erik Pukk, 2. Freddie Heinmaa, 8. Mario Kuokkanen (Kristofer Piht, 69), 6. Markus Lokk, 4. Kermo Pihelgas, 10. Markus Poom – C., 7. Kristofer Reinberg (Markus Vaherna, 60), 11. Rasmus Saar, 9. Erik Sorga (Artjom Ostrovski , 90+1)

Coach: Lars Hopp

Referee: Ivan Sidenkov

You can watch full recording of the match here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3adGv_29q0

Image: http://www.granatkin.com/ru/

Department "Public Relations and Media"