EUROPEAN QUALIFIER for UEFA EURO 2020 Monday 14 October 2019 9.45Pm (Local Time) Vasil Levksi National Stadium, Bulgaria
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BULGARIA VS ENGLAND EUROPEAN QUALIFIER FOR UEFA EURO 2020 Monday 14 October 2019 9.45pm (Local Time) Vasil Levksi National Stadium, Bulgaria 1 MEMBER INFORMATION With over 3400 members making this trip to Sofia we hope you follow the lead The FA continues to work hard to ensure a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for of others and help make the experience of following the England team a positive all supporters. If you witness any racist, homophobic, xenophobic or anti-social experience for all. behaviour before, during or after the match, you can report it in confidence by emailing [email protected] or by calling or texting us on +44 We ask that members treat locals and opposing fans in the same way that they (0)7970146250 (this number is printed on the back of your membership card). would want to be treated. Incidents of poor behaviour before and during England matches can be detrimental to the reputation of England fans abroad. Members The FA will always investigate reports of inappropriate behaviour at an England behaving in an unacceptable manner whilst following ‘England away’ may result in: game. For more information regarding fan behaviour at England matches, please refer to the ‘Rules of Membership’. http://www.thefa.com/news/2018/sep/04/ • Removal from the stadium estc-rules • Suspension from the ESTC membership FA staff have the right to refuse tickets to members who are abusive and/or visibly • Withdrawal of EURO 2020 tickets intoxicated upon arrival at the Ticket Collection Point. • The issue of a Football Banning Order • Report to the police and possible criminal proceedings. 2 Passports and Visas Safety and Security The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise that visitors of Bulgaria do If you need the emergency services whilst in Bulgaria call 112. English speaking not need a visa to enter however they must have a valid passport with at least operators are available. If you’re sent to hospital or are reporting a theft, you 6 months remaining. should contact your travel insurance provider immediately. You should take out comprehensive travel insurance before heading to Bulgaria If you need emergency help from the UK government if you’ve been attacked, as this can cover you in the event of flight cancellations or the theft of any of your arrested or someone has died, you need to call the British Embassy in Sofia on personal belongings. +359 2933 9222. On arrival in Bulgaria you may be asked to confirm that you have sufficient funds Address: 9 Moskovska St, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria available for the duration of your stay and may be asked to show a return ticket If your passport is lost or stolen whilst in Bulgaria, you will need to contact the back to the UK. British Embassy in Sofia using the details above. Please be aware that you may We recommend all supporters heading to Bulgaria check the FCO website for be charged for some of their services. travel and security updates before leaving the UK: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bulgaria Information produced in this Travel Guide was correct at the time of writing - we always advise supporters to check the FCO in the event of changes. 3 British Embassy Health Whilst in Bulgaria please take care of yourself and your belongings in the same If you require medical treatment whilst in Bulgaria please be mindful that way you would do in the UK. Report any thefts to police within 24hrs of the incident facilities in hospitals are basic and old-fashioned compared to the UK. occurring and get a crime reference number. Specialised medical equipment and treatment may not be available so if you need to take medication, please ensure you take enough with you to cover the Watch out for pick pockets and bag thefts in tourist areas and be particularly duration of your stay. vigilant late at night. Tourists are often targeted in Sunny Beach – refrain from taking valuables with you and be sure to lock your hotel room and balcony doors if If you go to a private clinic or hospital, be expected to pay for your treatment and staying there. agree on a price in advance. Always contact your travel insurance provider after seeking medical treatment abroad. Stray dogs are common in Bulgaria; take any animal bites serious and seek medical advice as rabies and other animal borne diseases are present in Bulgaria. Bulgarian authorities treat all drink and drug-related offences very seriously. Custodial sentences can be expected for any England fans convicted of such offences. Offences related to disorderly behaviour, hooliganism and drunken behaviour will be treated more seriously than in the UK. Public attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community are less tolerant than in the UK. For more information on LGBTQ+ issues in Bulgaria, please read the advice provided by the FCO here. For more information about general safety and security advice in Bulgaria, please visit the FCO website here. 4 Bulgaria Officially known as the Republic of Bulgaria, the country is located in Southeast Europe and borders with Romania, Serbia, Greece and Turkey. The capital and largest city is Sofia but Sunny Beach and Sozopol are also popular with tourists. Bulgaria’s history dates as far back as the 6th century BC when it was part of the Persian Empire where it is believed that some of the first pottery and jewellery in the world was produced. After World War Two, Bulgaria became a Communist state however a series of crises resulted in much of Bulgaria’s industry and agriculture in decline. It wasn’t until the early 2000s that Bulgaria’s economy and the quality of life for residents began to improve (the average wage is just £100 a month). It became a member of NATO in 2004 and joined the EU in 2007. Image to change IMAGE COURTESY OF IVETA 5 Sofia Sofia is in the west of Bulgaria below the Vitosha Mountain. The city’s landmarks reflect the country’s long history which includes Greek, Roman, Ottoman and Soviet occupation. There are plenty of impressive churches to visit including the Russian Church and Church of St George plus the Alexander Newski Cathedral. Vitosha Boulevard is the main street in the centre of Sofia containing shops, restaurants and bars. Bulgarian food is hearty and diverse and inspired by Balkan and middle- eastern influences. You can find plenty of grilled meats, breads and cheeses plus plenty of delicious yogurt ice-creams and flaky pastries. In terms of drinks, there are plenty of Bulgarian craft beers available to buy across Sofia. Glarus pale ale, Mursalki red ale and a white stout called White Stork are just some of the locally brewed beers available. The currency in Bulgaria is the Bulgarian LEV. Be careful as some prices in Sofia are listed in Euros (to make it simple for European visitors) however transactions are always in LEV. Not all shops and bars are equipped with credit/debit card machines so we recommend taking enough cash with you. Tap water is safe to drink in Sofia however it doesn’t have a clear appearance. Bulgaria has a vast supply bottled mineral water available which is cheap and tasty. 6 Getting around Sofia Sofia has comprehensive public transport system which includes trams, buses and Basic Balkan phrases an underground metro. Generally public transport runs from 5am-11pm every day. Hello = здравей (zdravei) Tickets are sold at booths at most stops – not from the driver. Good Morning = добро утро (dobro utro) Sofia has one of the longest tram networks in Europe and some of the trams are over 50 years old (great for Instagram!) Goodbye = довиждане (dovizhdane) Be aware that tickets can only be purchased using cash and you will need to Thank you = благодаря (blagodarya) physically punch your ticket when boarding or alighting from either tram or bus. Please = (molya) You’ll also need a ticket for any oversized luggage you take with you on public моля transport. Yes = да (da) The metro system links Sofia Airport with the city centre – go to Terminal 2 at the No = не (ne) airport to get the metro into the city for approximately 1.60 LEVS (90p). I don’t speak Bulgarian very well = не говоря български много Alternatively there are free shuttle buses that run from the airport to the city centre добре (ne govorya balgarski mnogo dobre) every 30 minutes. You’ll need to book these via Terminal 1 at the Information Desk. How much? = (kolko e) To view the metro map and timetable for Sofia, click the link here. колко е To view timetables (including the night time service timetable) for Sofia, click here. The bill, please = сметката, моля (smetkata, molya) How do you get to…? = как да стигна до… (kak da stigma do) 7 Vasil Levski Stadium Getting to the stadium The Vasil Levksi National Stadium is named after Bulgarian national hero Vasil The stadium can be reached by buses 9, 72, 75 and 76 plus the tram lines 10, 12 Levski who led the revolutionary movement to liberate Bulgaria from Ottoman and 18 or by using the Vasil Levski Stadium metro station. To view the different rule in the 19th century and create a democratic republic. The football team routes and timetables click here. Levski Sofia is also named after him. From Vitosha Boulevard, the stadium is approximately a 25 minute walk or you Originally built in 1953, the stadium was extended in 1966 and renovated again can take the number 16 trolley bus from NDK-tunel to pl. Orlov Most and walk 7 in 2002.