The 3rd opponent of “Sheriff” during the Cypriot training session – “Levski” (Sofia)- is a well known European team and doesn’t need to be presented. That’s why, there’s was no wonder to see a large group of Bulgarian reporters who had come to cover, one would think, a common friendly match during the low season. Even a camera of an unidentified Bulgarian channel found the room among a large support group of “Levski” – about 40 people.

                     

The nominal guests started the match and “yellow-and-black” had only to organize a defence on their half during the first 15 minutes. However after a time the situation changed : “Sheriff” transferred the game from its goal, though, not as far so it could be dangerous for the Bulgarian goal. However, as the constant dropping wears away the stone, so the attacks of Tiraspol team became more accurate and more dangerous. Finally the goal was scored. Active Volkov having won opposition for the upper ball in the opponent’s penalty area seemed to head perfectly, but “Levski’s” goalkeeper countered the shot skillfully. Then after a corner kick and Rodriguez’s pass Erokhin scored “a goal to the changing roam”. It was 44th minute.

                    

During the half-time the Bulgarians made a number of substitutions, rearranged their lines and with the beginning of the 2nd half tried to take the game over their control. But to hold the ball doesn’t mean to hold the situation and already Erokhin’s sharp pass directed against opponent’s attack led Volkov face to face with the goalkeeper. The only thing Vladimir was able to do was to shoot past the goalkeeper who had run out from his penalty area. Saving the situation the goalkeeper stopped the ball illegally – by his hands. He was sent off the field with a right to be substituted.

                   

The following opposition with abundance of fouls and yellow cards brought “Levski” no scores. On the contrary, when entering the penalty area Gheorghiev was stopped at the cost of illegal hold. Staying on the penalty area Volkov made a pause and parted the ball and the goalkeeper, sending the shot to another corner – 2:0.

                           

During the extra time the Bulgarians again played illegally, this time on their half. Again penalty and Rodriguez set the final score – 3:0. Uneasy game but pleasing to the eye score turned out to be a good present to Alexei Scorpan’s birthday, “Sheriff” fitness coach. It’s nice that a casual joke about a tie on a birthday doesn’t go over in “Sheriff”.