Bulgarian politicians are set to defeat the team of diplomats in the charity football match that will kick off at 6 p.m. today at Vassil Levksi national stadium.

I hope that the diplomats will accept the defeat with dignity, Borislav Tsekov, MP of the ruling Simeon II National Movement, said several days before the start of the match.

The match will be held under the patronage of President Parvanov in support of Bulgaria's EU accession in 2007. The raised donation will be in aid of disabled people, 2003 being the European Year of Disability.Members from all parliamentary represented groups have signed up for joining the team of the Bulgarian politicians.

In all probability each of the teams will have nine football players in its line-up. The Bulgarian team includes Parliamentary Speaker Ognyan Gerdzhikov, Interior Ministry Chief Secretary General Boyko Borisov, Energy Minister Milko Kovachev and Foreign Minister Passy.

President Parvanov is expected to be the team's number 10, just like Bulgarian soccer star Krassimir Balakov, who threw a benefit performance to mark the end of his career end-May. During the benefit match Balakov presented President Parvanov with a T-shirt Number 10 with their two names written upon it.

The team of diplomats, including the Ambassadors of Russia, Spain, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and diplomats from Ireland, Great Britain, Turkey and Morocco, will be headed by Sweden's Ambassador to Bulgaria Sten Ask.

We want to show all Bulgarians and Europe that Bulgarian politicians enjoy broad consensus on EU entry, said Maxim Behar, CEO of M3 Communications Group Inc, co-organiser of the event. Similar matches are to be held every six months prior to the country's accession.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!