Bulgaria to Face Italy in 1st World Cup 2014 Qualifier

Lyuboslav Penev, a former prolific striker who used to play for Spanish sides Valencia, Atletico Madrid, Compostela and Celta Vigo, recently took over Bulgaria's naional squad. BGNES

Underdogs Bulgaria will kick off their World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign against Italy on September 7 2012, it has been made clear.

The game against Italy in Sofia will mark the official debut of Bulgaria's new coach, former Atletico Madrid striker Lyuboslav Penev, who is the nephew of the most successful Bulgarian football manager in history, Dimitar Penev.

Four days after their game with Italy, Penev's boys will face Armenia at home. On October 12, the Bulgarians will play against Denmark, once again in Sofia.

The other teams in Group B are Malta and the Czech Republic.

Bulgaria does not seem to stand any chances of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The Balkan team is in deep crisis, as it recently slumped to the historically low 85th place in the FIFA/Coca Cola World Ranking (a little behind Antigua and Barbuda).

Bulgaria's dismal performance in the Euro 2012 qualifiers is the main reason behind the massive collapse. The Balkan squad finished last in its qualifying group with just 5 points.

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