Bulgaria's finest football side, who will be proudly carrying the Tangra Mega Rock logo on their shirts in 2010 (CHECK HERE), kicked off the new year in storming fashion!

In a friendly at their 'Moni Panchev Arena' yesterday, manager Georgi Andonov's boys hammered Jitnitsa 6-2, with Yanko Gaytanski smashing in a hat-trick and Joro Stavrev grabbing a brace. Both sides went for it right from the kick off, but Mitko Stoychev put Chernozem in front on 12 minutes, to a deafening roar from the home crowd.

Our boys went in at half-time leading 2-0 and carried on where they left off after the break with a third goal in the 46th minute, courtesy of Stavrev. This enabled manager Andonov to make a number of substitutions and give some of the younger and fringe players a good run out.

Jitnitsa took full advantage and pulled two goals back, only to be brough back down to earth by a fantastic hat-trick from the stellar Yanko Gaytanski.

Chernozem goals were scored by Mitko Stoychev (12 mins), Joro Stavrev (23, 46 mins) and Yanko Gaytanski (60, 85, 87 mins).

In their first League game of 2010 Chernozem face Bania on 20th February at the 'Moni Panchev' stadium. Georgi Andonov's "mad gang" are currently in the highly competitive regional Plovdiv Division 1.

photo: the dressing room at the 'Moni Panchev Arena'