Bulgaria National Quidditch Team

The Bulgaria National Quidditch Team is the national Quidditch team representing the country of Bulgaria. They are most famous for their performance in the 1994 Quidditch World Cup, where they reached the final against the Ireland National Team. Despite losing the match, their star Seeker, Viktor Krum, captured the Golden Snitch, making the final score a very close 170-160. The team is renowned for its aggressive, physical playing style and the exceptional talent of Krum.

The Bulgarian team's journey in the 1994 Quidditch World Cup culminated in a dramatic final against Ireland. They had previously defeated the Transylvanian team in the semi-finals. At the final, held in the Quidditch World Cup stadium on Dartmoor, the team was introduced with their mascots, a troupe of Veela, who captivated the crowd. The match itself was a display of Bulgarian ferocity against Irish strategic prowess. Ireland's Chasers, Troy, Mullet, and Moran, scored the first goal, and their Seeker, Aidan Lynch, was a strong match for Viktor Krum. The Bulgarian Chasers, including Ivanova, utilized a formation known as the Sloth Grip Roll, but struggled to break through the defense of the Irish Keeper, Ryan. The Bulgarian Beaters, Volkov and Vulchanov, were noted for their brutality, at one point hitting Aidan Lynch with a Bludger after the Quaffle was already through the goal hoops. A key moment in the match was when Krum performed a spectacular Wronski Feint, a dangerous Seeker dive intended to trick the opposing Seeker into crashing. Aidan Lynch fell for the feint and collided with the ground. While Lynch was recovering, Krum was repeatedly targeted by Irish Bludgers, receiving a broken nose. Ultimately, despite Bulgaria trailing 160-10, Viktor Krum caught the Golden Snitch. This added 150 points to Bulgaria's score, ending the match 170-160 in Ireland's favour. Krum's decision to end the match on his own terms, rather than allow his team to be further humiliated, was seen as a moment of great personal glory amidst the team's defeat.

The Bulgarian team wears scarlet-coloured Quidditch robes. The team's on-pitch personality is one of aggressive flair and physical dominance. They often employ intimidating tactics and rely heavily on the individual brilliance of their star player, Viktor Krum. Their playing style is less about intricate teamwork compared to the Irish team and more about hard-hitting offence and spectacular, high-risk manoeuvres like the Wronski Feint. Their dramatic entrance to the Quidditch World Cup final was accompanied by their team mascots, the Veela. The Veela's enchanting dance temporarily mesmerised the all-male crowd, including the referee, Hassan Mostafa, demonstrating the team's penchant for spectacle.

The Bulgarian team was comprised of world-class Quidditch players, each displaying exceptional magical and athletic ability.

• Known Roster (1994):
  • Seeker: Viktor Krum
  • Chasers: Dimitrov, Ivanova, Zograf
  • Beaters: Volkov, Vulchanov
  • Keeper: Levski
• Notable Skills:
  • Wronski Feint: A dangerous Seeker manoeuvre perfected and famously used by Viktor Krum.
  • Sloth Grip Roll: A Chaser formation used by the Bulgarian team.
  • Aggressive Beating: Volkov and Vulchanov were described as particularly brutal Beaters, known for their powerful and often borderline-illegal plays.
  • Flying Prowess: The entire team, and Krum in particular, were superb fliers, known for their speed and agility in the air.

• Firebolts: At the 1994 Quidditch World Cup, the entire Bulgarian team rode state-of-the-art Firebolt racing brooms, a fact noted with some envy by Ron Weasley.

• Ireland National Team: The Bulgarian team's primary known relationship is their intense rivalry with the Ireland National Team, their opponents in the 1994 Quidditch World Cup final. The match was hard-fought and ended with Ireland as the victors.
• Veela: The team uses Veela as their official mascots. The Veela support the team from the sidelines and at times become aggressive towards perceived threats or rivals, such as when they clashed with the Irish Leprechaun mascots.
• Fans: The team has a dedicated and passionate fanbase, including figures like Draco Malfoy, who supported them in the final, and many students at the Durmstrang Institute, where Viktor Krum was a student.

The team is named for the country it represents, Bulgaria, a nation in Southeast Europe.

In the film adaptation of `Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)`, the Bulgarian team's robes are depicted differently from the scarlet ones described in the book. The film costumes are dark red and brown, resembling military-style leather uniforms. The Sloth Grip Roll is not mentioned in the film, and the match is significantly shortened, focusing almost entirely on the Seekers. (film)