Cornerstone

Bulgarian goalkeeper Zdravko Zdravkov is challenged by Spanish player, 24 June at the Felix Bollaert stadium in Lens, northern France, during the 1998 Soccer World Cup group D first round match between Spain and Bulgaria. Spain finally found their form 24 June when they beat Bulgaria 6-1 in their final Group D match here, but it all proved to no avail as Paraguay snatched away their last hope of qualifying for the second round by beating Nigeria. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO ROMEO GACAD

In a youthful Bulgaria squad Zdravko Zdravkov is something of a veteran with over 60 international caps to his credit.

He is the cornerstone of the national side's defence and could well spoil the party for one of their Euro 2004 first round Group C rivals; Italy, Sweden or Denmark.

He is a native of Sofia and made his first professional appearances there for Levski. He then spent one season at one of Bulgaria's lesser lights Etar, before a move to Slavia Sofia with whom he won the League and Cup double in 1996, a year he was voted best keeper in the country.

In all he has won three Bulgarian titles and three Bulgarian cups.

Turkish exile

Currently with Istanbulspor he is part of a sizeable Bulgarian presence in the Turkish championship, other notables being Ivailo Petkov and Rossen Kirilov.

He was also one of the rare current national squad members who were part of the team that competed at the 1998 World Cup in France.

Milan Baros of Czech Republic (C) beats Bulgarian goalkeeper Zdravko Zdravkov (R) as he scores the third Czech goal in the first half of the soccer World Cup qualification match in Prague, 06 October 2001. Bulgaria's Georgi Markov at left.

Despite the presence of Hristo Stoichkov and his great will to win, Zdravkov, who played in all three matches, and his teammates wilted in the first round in 1998. They drew with Paraguay, lost 1-0 Nigeria and were on the wrong end of a 6-1 hiding by Spain.

On the domestic front Istanbulspor consistently make the UEFA Cup but are somewhat overshadowed by city rivals Galatasaray, Fenerbahce or Besiktas.

He played seven of the eight qualifying matches (having missed a tie against Andorra with a jaw injury) and conceded just four goals as Bulgaria qualified directly ahead of Croatia and Belgium.

Euro 2004 will be his second major competition, wher he will hope to emulate the steadying influence of a Stoichkov or a Yordan Letchkov, his experience will be crucial if Plamen Markov's young squad are to make it past the first round.