This most recent addition to the still-growing collection,
having arrived from Hungary, features Levski-Spartak, as they were between 1969-85,
the result of a merger of Levski & Spartak Sofias, the only name from
Bulgarian football that’s ever really exerted anything of a romantic attraction.
A striking presence in the European club competitions
throughout the 1970s & early 80s (not least as 6 times each winners of both
the Bulgarian League & Cup), & Panini’s sticker albums, one recalls the
name of Levski-Spartak being summarily & tragically extinguished by the
Bulgarian authorities, with the club subsequently re-presented as ‘Vitosha’,
following their part in the disturbances that marred the Cup Final, versus
fierce rivals CSKA, in 1985, before reverting to their original ‘Levski’ in
1989.
Levski-Spartak, however, remains THE name to be treasured,
as now will be the badge representing it, a bona fide hauntological object of a
particular vintage with distinct ‘Ostalgic’ properties. The halved design of
the crest of course references the ‘Levski’ & ‘Spartak’ aspects of the
equation, with appropriately identifying Cyrillic initial characters, in
perfect modern-minimalist fashion: a classic, to be sported with pride & a
certain knowing cool.
Here’s an image of the delightful envelope the badge arrived
in, too, in all its Hungarian-stamped glory.
No comments:
Post a Comment