Former Bulgarian national football coach Dimitar Penev is dead.
The coach, who sensationally led Bulgaria to the semi-finals of the 1994 World Cup in the USA, died on Saturday at the age of 80 after a long illness, according to the Bulgarian association.
On the way to the World Cup semi-finals, Bulgaria eliminated the German national team under national coach Berti Vogts in the quarter-finals 32 years ago. In East Rutherford the Bulgarians scored 2-1 against the defending champions and were then beaten 2-1 by Italy in the semi-finals.
Penev was considered one of the most famous football personalities in Bulgaria and was recognized, among other things, as the best Bulgarian coach of the 20th century. As a player, he took part in the 1966, 1970 and 1974 World Cups.