Bulgaria Cup. Women
The Bulgaria Women's Cup is a prestigious national knockout competition organized by the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU), bringing together the country's top women's teams in a battle for glory. Held in a thrilling play-off format, it plays a crucial role in advancing women's soccer in Bulgaria, where urban clubs typically hold sway. The tournament captivates fans with its high-stakes matches and underdog stories, serving as a launchpad for emerging talents eyeing European stages.
History and foundation
Launched in the late 1990s amid the revival of women's football post-communism, the first edition kicked off in 1998. It has run almost annually since, barring brief interruptions due to funding issues and the COVID-19 pandemic. A standout moment: in 2005, Montana stunned favorites Slovan 4-1 in the final, marking a provincial breakthrough. The 2017 final saw Lokomotiv Stara Zagora triumph on penalties after a 2-2 draw, showcasing grit. Over two decades, 12 different clubs have lifted the trophy, highlighting its unpredictability.
Tournament format
The competition uses a straight knockout format with 16 to 32 teams per season. It starts from the round of 16, pitting First and Second League sides against each other. Single-leg ties are hosted by the lower-ranked team or on neutral ground, with the final at Sofia's central stadium, drawing up to 5,000 fans. In 2023/24, 24 teams competed, crowning Sportist Svoge champions after a 3-1 final win over National Sports Academy.
Interesting facts
Matches average 3.2 goals, surpassing the league's 2.8, thanks to attacking play in do-or-die scenarios. All-time top scorer is Iva Ilieva (Montana), with 28 cup goals (2003–2015). Standouts include Sportist Svoge's captain Desislava Mileva (15 assists in recent editions) and Lokomotiv's keeper Maria Petkova (4 penalty saves in clutch games). Stars like Preslava Ivanova, who netted a hat-trick in the 2022 semi-final before moving to Turkey, have shone brightly.