PFC Svetkavitsa

Svetkavitsa was founded on 6 July 1922 from a merger of Levski and Botev, two neighborhood teams in Targovishte and has played in its current home ground, Dimitar Burkov Stadium, since 1971. In the 1961–62 season, the club was promoted for the first time to the B PFG. Svetkavitsa's most notable achievement in the twentieth century came in 1974, when they finished runners-up in the second division. In 1987, the club's form dropped, and they were relegated to V AFG, after finishing last. Svetkavitsa regained second-flight status in 1989 after a two-year absence. Svetkavitsa established itself as a consistent team in the B Group during the early 2000s. The team finished the 2010–11 season in fourth place in the B PFG, their highest finish in the league since 1973–74, and claimed a spot in the play-offs for promotion to A PFG. Their qualification for the playoffs came after some controversy, however. Originally, second-placed Pomorie qualified for the playoffs, but Pomorie was not given a license for the A Group, despite winning the playoff. On the other hand, third-placed Spartak Plovdiv was relegated to the third tier for financial problems, thus allowing Svetkavitsa to enter the playoffs. Svetkavitsa defeated Etar Veliko Tarnovo 3–1 on 17 June 2011, to earn promotion to the A PFG. This achievement meant Svetkavitsa made its debut appearance in the top league since the 1948 founding of the competition. Svetkavitsa entered the A Group as clear outsiders and favorites for…