On June 30, 1971, in a car accident in the “Vitinya” the legendary football players from the "Levski" team die Georgi Asparuhov and Nikola Kotkov. The accident happened at the 52nd kilometer from Sofia at 11:30 a.m. On the way to Vratsa, their car crashed into a truck with a trailer traveling to the capital.
On June 30 at 9:30 a.m., Gundy arrived at the “Levski” stadium. in the “Poduyane” quarter, where the team's training begins. However, the captain will not play because he is suspended. In the previous match, which was against CSKA, he was kicked by Plamen Yankov. Down to the ground, Gundy kicks him and the ref chases them both down. Long before that, an invitation came from Vratsa to participate in the anniversary match for the 50th anniversary of the local “Botev”. Gundi cannot refuse, and both he and Kotkov decide to respect the request of Vracani.
Smiling - Asparuhov in a dark blue sports blouse, and Kotkov in an elegant suit with a tie. get into the beige “Alfa Romeo”. At the gas station near Vitinya, an unknown man asks them to give him a ride, and Asparuhov agrees and they leave.
On the descent, after the last turn, about 150 m from the side road, a cargo ZIL with a heavy trailer came up, fatally blocking the main road. Everything is happening like lightning. Asparukhov presses the brake all the way and the alpha leaves 30 m of tire tracks, but the distance is not enough. The middle part of the compartment is stuck in the tank of the heavy machine. Gasoline splashes on the car and catches fire. No one manages to help - neither the truck driver, nor the people who arrived in other cars. The car and its passengers burn.
Georgi Asparuhov - Gundy is called “The legend of “Levski”". Born in Sofia in 1943. Made his debut in “Levski” in 1960 With “Levski” won three championship titles: in 1965, 1968 and 1970 and four national cups: in 1962, 1967, 1970 and 1971. In the 1964/65 season he scored 27 goals for Levski, with which he became the country's top scorer for the season.
Nikola Kotkov is one of the legends of “Locomotive Sofia”. Born in 1938 in Sofia. Two-time champion of the country in 1964 with “Lokomotiv” and in 1970 with “Levski”. Winner of the Soviet Army Cup in 1970 and 1971 with “Levski”. In the 1967/68 season, he scored 28 goals, but remained second only to Petar Zhekov from “Beroe”, who scored 31 goals.
The funeral of Gundy and Kotkov became a day of national mourning. According to unofficial data, more than 550,000 people say goodbye to football players forever.