Balgarianovinite.com Levski footballers Georgi Asparuhov (Gundi) and Nikola Kotkov died in a car crash near Vitinya in Stara Planina 55 years ago, on June 30, 1971. The two were travelling to Vratsa for the 50th anniversary of Botev Vratsa football club.
Near Vitinya Pass in Stara Planina, the car driven by Asparuhov collided with a truck that came out of the side road to Arabakonak Pass and blocked the main road. The car caught fire after the impact, and Asparuhov and Kotkov died.
Who Were Gundi and Kotkov
Asparuhov was born on May 4, 1943. During his football career, he played for Botev Plovdiv and Levski Sofia. With Levski, he became champion of Bulgaria three times, in 1964/1965, 1967/1968 and 1969/1970, and won the Bulgarian Cup three times, in 1966/1967, 1969/1970 and 1970/1971. In the 1964/1965 season, he scored 27 goals for Levski and became the league’s top scorer. He reached the quarter-finals of the European Cup Winners’ Cup twice, in 1963 with Botev Plovdiv and in 1970 with Levski Sofia.
For the Bulgaria national team, Asparuhov played 50 matches and scored 19 goals. He took part in three World Cups, in 1962 in Chile, in 1966 in England and in 1970 in Mexico. In 1965, he was chosen as Bulgarian Footballer of the Year and Bulgarian Sportsperson of the Year. The same year, he placed eighth in the Ballon d’Or poll of the French magazine France Football. In 1999, he was posthumously named Bulgaria’s best footballer of the 20th century in a ranking by Noshten Trud newspaper. The stadium of Levski Sofia football club bears his name. Posthumously, he received the Order of Stara Planina, First Class, on May 21, 2014, and was made an honorary citizen of Sofia in 2014.
Kotkov was born on December 9, 1938. During his football career, he played for Lokomotiv Sofia, ZhSK Slavia Sofia and Levski Sofia. For the national football team, he played 26 matches and scored 12 goals. He was chosen as Bulgarian Footballer of the Year in 1964.
BTA’s sports bulletin from the summer of 1971 also covered the last official matches of Asparuhov and Kotkov, played in Pernik and Sofia:
Levski-Spartak, Finalist for the Soviet Army Cup
Sofia, June 16, 1971. Pernik City Stadium had never held such a large number of spectators in its stands. Interest in the Soviet Army Cup semi-final between Levski-Spartak and Marek was enormous. The players of both teams made an effort and, to a large extent, managed to justify that interest by showing good, sportsmanlike play. The crown of that play was the five goals scored by the winners, Levski-Spartak.
The start of the match brought several quick runs towards both goals. In those first minutes, Marek were the more active team and Mihaylov often had to intervene to stop the dangerous raids by Pargov and Milanov. The players in blue threatened Shaldupov’s goal more dangerously only after they repelled Marek’s early pressure. This led to the 38th minute, when an excellent deep pass by Asparuhov found Veselinov, who reached the byline, crossed, and Panov scored the first goal for Levski-Spartak from a tight angle. Like a film reel, the move was repeated just three minutes later, but this time Veselinov chose to shoot himself and made it 2-0. Marek’s resistance collapsed and until the end of the match Levski-Spartak were in full control on the pitch.
In the 49th minute, a breakthrough by Veselinov briefly confused Marek’s defenders and Mitov scored an own goal, 3-0. In the 54th minute, a free kick was taken in front of Mihaylov’s goal. The ball was cleared by the defence, and P. Kirilov took it almost from the penalty area, sprinted irresistibly towards Shaldupov and made it 4-0. The scoring run was completed by Kotkov, who came on in the second half. In the 68th minute, he took a free kick with finesse and shaped the final score, 5-0 for Levski-Spartak.
The referee was Mateev. The two teams played in the following line-ups:
Levski-Spartak: Mihaylov, Gaidarski, Zhechev (Todorov), Aladzhov, Ivkov, Y. Kirilov, Veselinov, Pavlov, Asparuhov, Panov (Kotkov), P. Kirilov.
Marek: V. Shaldupov (Belchinski), Bogdanov, Chereshkov, Mitov, Salinev, Penev, Pargov (Sotirov), Milanov, Manov, M. Shaldupov, Stoimenov.
Lokomotiv Also Reached the Final
Sofia, June 16, 1971. The second semi-final match in the Soviet Army Cup tournament, between Plovdiv’s Lokomotiv and Pleven’s Spartak, was played that evening at Vasil Levski Stadium. (…)
Thus, in the final, which was to be played on July 3, the current cup holder Levski-Spartak and Lokomotiv were to meet for the prized trophy.
CSKA Septemvriysko Zname, National Football Champion
Sofia, June 28, 1971. The flag was lowered that evening at Vasil Levski Stadium on the 1970/1971 national football championship. The gold medals and the national champion title were won by the players of CSKA Septemvriysko Zname. The silver medals went to Levski-Spartak, and the bronze to Botev Vratsa.
The last match of the championship was between the two strongest teams, CSKA Septemvriysko Zname and Levski-Spartak.
The outcome of this match was not particularly important. The army team’s two-point lead was backed by a sizeable goal difference, and for the blue-and-whites to catch up, they needed a victory by 9 goals, an impossible task. That was why victory had only moral value. For this reason, spectators expected a good match in which the players, freed from the chase for points, would show the best of this dynamic sport.
Before referee Aleksandar Shterev, the two teams lined up as follows: CSKA Septemvriysko Zname: Yordanov, Chalev (Gaganelov), B. Kolev, Zafirov, Denev, Penev, Atanasov, Nikodimov, Zhekov, Yakimov and Pl. Yankov; Levski-Spartak: Mihaylov, Gaidarski, Zhechev, Aladzhov, Ivkov, Y. Kirilov, Veselinov, Pavlov, Asparuhov, Panov and P. Kirilov.
The first minutes suggested that the Levski-Spartak players had greater ambition for victory. They attacked more often, with more variety, and created many problems for the defenders of the army team. Of course, the army team also organized frequent counterattacks, but their elaborate moves in front of Mihaylov’s goal made the work of the blue-and-white defence easier. Three fine shots stood out in the first half, by Zhechev and Asparuhov, which hit the posts, and by Yankov, whose effort was saved with difficulty by Mihaylov.
After the break, play evened out and the pace dropped.
Illegal methods also became more frequent (Yankov, Pavlov, Denev), and the good moments seen in the first half were lost. CSKA had an excellent opportunity to open the scoring when, in the 48th minute, Zhekov was left alone in front of the goalkeeper and from two or three metres shot straight into his hands.
A little later, in the 60th minute, Veselinov opened the scoring with a fine, sharp shot, 1-0 for Levski-Spartak. That score remained unchanged until the end of the match. The good in this match, however, was overshadowed by an unsportsmanlike act. In the 75th minute, Asparuhov took a ball from the centre and headed towards the byline. For no particular reason, he was tripped by Yankov, to which Asparuhov reacted in an unsportsmanlike manner. Shterev showed both players to the dressing room. The two groups of fans who had taken places in the east and west stands also left an extremely poor impression. They chanted insulting phrases, booed the teams and behaved improperly even during the formal closing ceremony. These groups had nothing to do with sport and had no place in the stands. At the formal closing, Bulgarian Football Federation Chair Danail Nikolov presented the cup and the flag to the new champions, the CSKA Septemvriysko Zname team, with captain Dimitar Penev accepting them. The thousands of spectators applauded the title winners as they made their honorary lap of the pitch. (…)
To the sounds of Mila Rodino, the captains of the first three teams lowered the national tricolour from the flagpole. After a month and a half of rest, it would be raised again. The hopes of lovers of this fine sport were that in the new season they would see higher-quality games, greater skill from the country’s leading footballers and fair play.
On June 30, the day of the crash, the bulletin carried an obituary for the two footballers:
On June 30, 1971, in a car crash, while performing their official duty, our eminent footballers, Merited Masters of Sport and Ministry of Interior employees with the rank of major, Asparuhov and Kotkov, died.
Asparuhov and Kotkov stood out for their hard work, high sporting morals, ardent patriotism and devotion. They were true fighters on the sports field, unforgettable comrades, friends and favourites.
Their many appearances as part of the national football team, at world championships, Olympic Games and many domestic and international championships and tournaments, crowned a duty worthily fulfilled to the Motherland.
Asparuhov and Kotkov are no longer among us, but the bright memory of them will live in the hearts of the many friends of sport.
Ministry of Interior
Central Committee of the Dimitrov Communist Youth Union (DKMS)
Central Council of the Bulgarian Union for Physical Culture and Sports (BSFS) and Bulgarian Football Federation (BFF)
Levski-Spartak Sports Society
Party Committee at the Ministry of Interior
BCP District Committee, Vasil Levski Borough
BCP District Committee, Blagoevski Borough
Party Committee at Kremikovtsi Metallurgical Works
The lying-in-state was to be held on July 2 of that year, from 8 to 11 am, at the representative stadium of Levski in Poduyane borough.
The burial was to take place the same day, from noon, at Sofia Cemeteries.
Because of the tragic incident, changes were made to the last football matches before the summer break. The Soviet Army Cup final, which was due to be played on July 3 and in which Levski were taking part, was postponed.
Football News
Sofia, July 1, 1971. The final match in the national junior championship, senior age group, between Levski-Spartak and Volov Shumen was to be played on Sunday (July 4, editor’s note) at Vasil Levski Stadium from 7:30 pm.
x x x
The Soviet Army Cup final between the capital’s Levski-Spartak and Plovdiv’s Lokomotiv, scheduled for Saturday, July 3, was postponed.
The funeral of Asparuhov and Kotkov on July 2 drew thousands of football fans:
The Funeral of Asparuhov and Kotkov
Sofia, July 2, 1971. In the capital on that day, the funeral took place of the distinguished Bulgarian footballers, long-time players for the national football team and Levski-Spartak Sports Society, both Merited Masters of Sport, who died tragically in a car crash on June 30. Thousands of sports fans from the capital and the country came to Levski Stadium in Poduyane borough to pay tribute to the mortal remains of the two favourites of football supporters. Interior Minister Angel Solakov, DKMS Central Committee First Secretary and Committee for Youth and Sport at the Council of Ministers Chair Ivan Panev, deputy ministers and senior Ministry of Interior officials, Central Council of BSFS Chair Trendafil Martinski, Bulgarian Olympic Committee Chair Vladimir Stoychev, many public figures, merited figures in physical culture, athletes from across the country and others came to honour the memory of the deceased.
Levski-Spartak Sports Society Chair Lyuben Chervenushev delivered a memorial address. He spoke of the undeniable contribution of the deceased to the development of Bulgarian football, their devotion to sport, their dedication to their homeland and their civic and socialist valour.
A large mourning rally was held at Sofia Cemeteries. Deputy Interior Minister Mincho Agayn spoke about the lives and merits of the two outstanding athletes. Ministry of Interior employees, he said, would forever remember their colleagues for their honesty, hard work and persistence in performing their official duties. They would also remember the two athletes who put all their youthful fire, all their strength and their exceptional talent into worthily representing their society and Bulgarian football.
BCP Vasil Levski Borough Committee Secretary Maria Ivanova also delivered an address. She traced the short life path of Asparuhov and Kotkov and spoke of their example as honourable citizens (…).
On behalf of the Central Council of BSFS and the Bulgarian Football Federation, Nikolov delivered a memorial address. “We will never forget the great contribution of Asparuhov and Kotkov to the development of Bulgarian football, their hard work, skill, sportsmanship and great patriotism, which will serve as an example to the young generation,” Nikolov said.
The crowd of thousands paid its last respects to the unforgettable Bulgarian athletes with a minute of silence and by kneeling.
Two days later, the memory of Asparuhov and Kotkov was honoured before the first football match after the crash, the final of the national football championship for juniors, senior age group.
On the Highest Step, the Levski-Spartak Footballers
Sofia, July 4, 1971. The national football championship for juniors, senior age group, ended at Vasil Levski Stadium on that day. The republican champion title for 1971 was deservedly won by the Levski-Spartak footballers after they defeated Volov Shumen 2-1 (1-0) in the final. The goals for Levski-Spartak were scored by Atanasov in the 27th minute and Voynov in the 54th minute after a fine combination with Atanasov, while Nikolov scored for Volov in the 51st minute with an excellent direct free kick.
At the start of the match, the footballers and everyone present at the stadium observed a minute of silence in memory of the Levski-Spartak and national team footballers who died tragically on June 30, Asparuhov and Kotkov, both Merited Masters of Sport.
Posthumously, Asparuhov entered the list of the best footballers for the 1970-1971 season:
Best Footballers of the 1970-1971 Season
Sofia, July 13, 1971. At its meeting that day, the Bureau of the Bulgarian Football Federation named the 22 best footballers of the 1970-1971 season.
Goalkeepers: Yordanov and Tasev;
Defenders: Gaidarski, Velichkov, Aladzhov, Penkov (Botev);
Central defenders: Penev, Zhechev, B. Kolev, Tsenov (Botev);
Midfielders: Bonev, Yakimov, Paunov, Salinev (Marek);
Wingers: G. Vasilev, Veselinov, Mitkov, Ml. Vasilev;
Centre-forwards: Zhekov, Asparuhov, Petkov (Beroe), Mihaylov. (…) BTA Archive Revisits Gundi and Kotkov 55 Years After Fatal Crash 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-06-30 05:52:13 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law