On the way to the Nations League game in Georgia, the Bulgarian national football team is involved in a serious car accident. Former Bundesliga professional Todor Nedelev was particularly badly injured. After a serious operation, however, there is a cautious all-clear.
Bulgarian football international Todor Nedelev is conscious and responsive following surgery for traumatic brain injury. This was announced by the Bulgarian association. The former professional of FSV Mainz 05 was transferred from the intensive care unit of the university hospital in Georgia's capital Tbilisi to the neurosurgical department.
According to the doctors, the operation went well, but there is still no specific date for the 29-year-old's release. "It was a serious operation and at the moment we shouldn't rush into anything. The most important thing is that Todor stays calm and can recover as much as possible," said Professor Shota Ingorokwa, who performed the operation, according to the association's statement.
The Bulgarians were involved in a serious traffic accident on their way to the Nations League game in Georgia. Midfielder Nedelev suffered a traumatic brain injury. Nedelev was under contract with 1. FSV Mainz 05 between 2014 and 2016, but only played twice in the Bundesliga. He then moved back to his homeland to Botev Plovdiv. "We wish Todor a lot of strength and the best possible recovery," explained the Mainz team. He has played 35 international matches for Bulgaria so far.
The Bulgarians' accident happened on Friday after their arrival in Georgia's capital Tbilisi, where they are playing their fourth group game today (6 p.m. / live ticker on ntv.de). On the way to the team hotel, the driver of the first of the two buses lost control of the vehicle, which led to the serious accident. After the collision, Nedelev was transported to a local hospital.
Georgia's football federation confirmed that the match will go ahead as planned despite Nedelev's serious injury. "Other members of the Bulgarian delegation are fine and preparing for tomorrow's match," wrote FA president Levan Kobiashvili on Saturday.
