Berbatov still chasing fading hope

Captain Dimitar Berbatov will lead out Bulgaria in Albania on Wednesday fearing that "it may be in the script" for his team to miss a second successive major finals.

Serious blow
Romania's 1-0 home win against the Netherlands on Saturday has dealt a serious blow to their southern neighbours' prospects of qualifying for UEFA EURO 2008™. Bulgaria visit Tirana sitting five points behind Group G leaders Romania and two short of the Dutch, in third place. And although they face Romania at home on 17 November, Bulgaria do not envisage their rivals dropping many points.

Berbatov optimistic
Tottenham Hotspur FC striker Berbatov is trying to stay positive, however, saying: "Obviously, we are disappointed with the result in Romania but they played very well after half-time and won. We have three games left and we will be looking for three wins. I am optimistic as there are always surprises in football, like on Saturday in Minsk where Luxembourg won 1-0 against Belarus."

Coaching changes
Now under coach Dimitar Penev again, Bulgaria had started the campaign with Hristo Stoichkov in charge but his departure for Spain's RC Celta de Vigo prompted changes. PFC Levski Sofia boss Stanimir Stoilov took over for two games in June before Penev – who famously led Bulgaria to the semi-finals of the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States – was given the job full time.

No excuses
That uncertain middle period in qualifying may have unsettled Bulgaria, but Berbatov refuses to use it as an excuse. The 26-year-old said: "Of course, working under three coaches in one qualifying campaign has an effect, but at the end of the day it is up to the players. We have to do our job on the pitch. It would be a pity to miss a second successive tournament, but it may be in the script."

Albanian wound
Penev, meanwhile, suggests that one result lies at the root of Bulgaria's problems. He said: "I have said it several times before: the reason we do not hold our destiny in our hands is the goalless draw with Albania in Sofia earlier this year. If we had won, it would have been a different situation. Now, we must focus on the next three games. We have to win them all."

Still determined
Bulgaria need the Netherlands to drop points in their remaining fixtures against Slovenia, Luxembourg and Belarus. Manchester City FC midfielder Martin Petrov said: "There is still a theoretical chance so we must go and win all our matches. The result between Romania and the Netherlands was no good for us, but we must be professional. We will go to Albania with one aim – to win."