Confident Markov eyes upset against Italians

IN A press conference room just off the hallowed marble halls of the Vassil Levski Stadium, the thin-faced Plamen Markov yesterday pondered the past and future roles of Italian football in his career as Bulgarian coach.

Markov is in his second stint in the hot seat, the first having ended with his resignation following a 2-1 defeat to the Azzurri — then managed by a certain Mr Trapattoni — in the 2004 European Championship finals, a tournament in which the Bulgarians failed to win a match.

That was also the last time the two countries played each other and, with Markov back in situ since the end of 2007, they are set to renew their rivalry here in Sofia tonight in a match the local press are calling “the game of the year”.