Bulgarian Cup win ends CSKA Sofia drought

PFC CSKA Sofia lifted the Bulgarian Cup for the 11th time after a 1-0 win against PFC Slavia Sofia in the final at Vassil Levski Stadium.

The highly-rated Spas Delev was the match-winner for Bulgaria's most successful club, directing Marquinhos' right-wing cross past Emil Petrov six minutes before half-time. The 21-year-old said: "We could have won by more, but one goal was enough to lift the trophy. We played very well and deserved to win. I have lost one final before, with [PFC] Pirin Blagoevgrad [in 2009], and now the feeling is great."

Milen Radukanov's team continued to dominate after the restart, squandering some promising chances, and could have paid the price four minutes from time when Slavia forward Nikolay Bozhov passed up an opportunity. As it was, CSKA closed the game out for their first piece of silverware in three years.

"The cup means a lot for the club," said Radukanov, who won the competition as a player with CSKA and PFC Levski Sofia. "This is my first trophy as a coach. CSKA hadn't won the cup for five years. I would like to thank the players and the fans. It was a hard game, there was also pressure on us, but we played well and this cup is a fitting reward for all of us and the club."

CSKA conclude their season this weekend. The Army Men are destined to finish third in the A PFG whatever the result in their final league game at home to PFC Akademik Sofia on Saturday.