Thursday Sep 29 2005 08:59
Bulgaria manager Plamen Markov hopes to have a full-strength squad to pick from for Monday's Euro 2004 opener against Sweden in Lisbon.
Markov has had three injury doubts but all appear to have cleared up in time for the Swedish test.
Striker Velizar Dimitrov is recovering well from a thigh injury, while keeper Zdravko Zdravkov and midfielder Daniel Borimirov hope to shake off minor muscle injuries.
Bulgaria are taking part in only their second European Championships, having qualified for Euro 96 in England.
They failed to qualify from their group then, but have targeted a top two place this year as they bid to take points from Denmark and Italy following Monday's encounter.
They impressed during qualifying for the tournament, finishing top of a tough group that included Croatia and Belgium.
Celtic midfielder Stilian Petrov is expected to produce the guile that can open up opposition defences while Bayer Leverkusen striker Dimitar Berbatov is the man who can score the all-important goals.
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