Krasimir Balakov is an emblematic person in the history of the team from “Ivaylo” stadium. In the period of 1983-1990 the midfielder wore the colors of Veliko Tarnovo team and at that time Krasimir won the status as Etar legend. The techie’s debut was in spring 1983 when he played two games for his home town club.
With the 20 year old Balakov the “violet” team finished third in the tournament for the country’s cup in 1986 but his success was still forthcoming. By the end of 80s Etar finished twice (1989, 1990) with bronze medals in the Bulgarian championship and Krasimir with his nine goals for season 1988/89 and ten for 1989/90 was the main reason for the good results.
The playmaker started the next season 1990/91 brilliantly and because of his excellent games in Etar he had already been a national player of Bulgaria. By that time the team from Veliko Tarnovo had a solid staff and Balakov skillfully conducted his team-mates Boncho Genchev, Tsanko Tsvetanov, Trifon Ivanov, Ilyan Kiryakov, etc. The senior coach of this glorious team was Georgi Vasilev. Etar headed breathlessly to the top of Bulgarian football. In winter break Balakov signed a preliminary contract with the Bulgarian grand CSKA.
The techie was even introduced to the supporters of the army club as new recruit for the spring which led to mass protests in Bulgaria old capital Veliko Tarnovo where the supporters of Etar were against the transfer of their idol in CSKA. What were more they threatened to block the road with human chain and thus not to let Bala on his way to Sofia. By that time another offer from the elite Portuguese Sporting was made and the managers of Etar sold the super star in Lisbon. At the end of the season in question Etar wrote the golden page of its history becoming champion of Bulgaria for 1991 – triumph for which Krasimir Balakov had a great contribution.
Etar (1983 - 1990)
Etar - 1983/spring - "А" group, 2 games/0 goals
Etar - 1983/1984 - "А" group, 17/2
Etar - 1984/1985 - "А" group, 30/6
Etar - 1985/1986 - "А" group, 5/3
Etar - 1986/autumn - "А" group, 1/0
Etar - 1987/1988 - "А" group, 18/2
Etar - 1988/1989 - "А" group, 29/9
Etar - 1989/1990 - "А" group, 30/10
Etar - 1990/autumn - "А" group, 11/3
