Zdravko Zdravkov

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Zdravko Zdravkov (Bulgarian: Здравко Здравков) (born October 4, 1970 in Sofia) is a former Bulgarian football goalkeeper, who ended his career at end of 2006-2007 season.

On the club level, Zdravkov has played for Levski Sofia (1989-1995), Istanbulspor (1997-1999 and 2000-2002), Adanaspor (1999-2000), Cherno more (2002–2003), and Litex Lovech (2003-2004). For Bulgaria, Zdravkov has been capped over 60 times. He was the starting goalkeeper for his country at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2004.

Halfway through the France World Cup in 1998, with Bulgaria having played two games (0–0 against Paraguay and a 0–1 loss to Nigeria), Zdravkov was ranked as the 2nd best goalkeeper in form. Although he went on to concede 6 goals in Bulgaria's unforunate loss to Spain in the next game, Zdravkov was an exceptional performer at the World Cup.

In December 2002–January 2003, Zdravkov spent a trial period with Arsenal F.C., but did not eventually sign with the then-reigning FA Premier League champions. [1][2]

Six years later, at Euro 2004, Zdravkov's age began to show. Although he did not concede any 'soft' goals and a few could say he made any serious errors, he was outclassed by some very talented Swedish, Danish and Italian attackers. Bulgaria lost 0–5 to Sweden, 0–2 to Denmark and 1–2 to Italy, and this was to be Zdravkov's final tournament as national team goalkeeper.

v • d • e Bulgaria squad - UEFA Euro 1996 1 Mikhailov • 2 Kishishev • 3 Ivanov • 4 Kiriakov • 5 Houbchev • 6 Yankov • 7 Kostadinov • 8 Stoichkov • 9 L. Penev • 10 Balakov • 11 Letchkov • 12 Popov • 13 Guentchev • 14 Sirakov • 15 Yordanov • 16 Borimirov • 17 Kremenliev • 18 Tsvetanov • 19 Ginchev • 20 Donkov • 21 Georgiev • 22 Zdravkov • Coach: Dimitar Penev

v • d • e Bulgaria squad - 1998 FIFA World Cup 1 Zdravkov • 2 Kishishev • 3 T. Ivanov • 4 I. Petkov • 5 Yordanov • 6 Yankov • 7 Kostadinov • 8 Stoichkov • 9 Penev • 10 Balakov • 11 Iliev • 12 Mikhailov • 13 Ginchev • 14 Hristov • 15 Zafirov • 16 Nankov • 17 Stoilov • 18 Borimirov • 19 Bachev • 20 G. Ivanov • 21 Kirilov • 22 M. Petkov • Coach: Bonev

v • d • e Bulgaria squad - UEFA Euro 2004 1 Zdravkov • 2 Ivanov • 3 Kirilov • 4 Ivaylo Petkov • 5 Zagorčić • 6 Kotev • 7 Borimirov • 8 Milen Petkov • 9 Berbatov • 10 Dimitrov • 11 Lazarov • 12 Kolev • 13 Peev • 14 Chilikov • 15 Hristov • 16 Manchev • 17 M. Petrov • 18 Pažin • 19 S. Petrov • 20 Bojinov • 21 Janković • 22 Stoyanov • 23 Ivankov • Coach: Markov

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