Basketball, religion and a motorway standstill

The main problem during the season was matches with direct rivals, especially away games, said Beroe's head coach Daniel Klechkov in an interview with the club's website.

Klechkov said the class difference was the main factor in Beroe's loss to Rilski Sportist, but his team fought hard and made things difficult for the opponent. He noted the defence was strong despite conceding 90 points.

The season for Beroe was contradictory, he added. 'We could have achieved a better ranking and entered the playoffs with more confidence. Our main problem was matches with direct rivals, especially away games.' He cited losses in matches against Levski, Shumen, as well as away defeats in Varna and Pernik by minimal margins.

Klechkov took responsibility for the team's performance in decisive moments. Summer recruitment will be key to the club's future, he said. 'If we want Beroe to be competitive with the big teams, we need to do very good work over the summer.'

On the fourth Sunday after Easter, Orthodox churches in Bulgaria recalled the parable of the paralysed man who waited 38 years by a healing pool.

'It is good to learn to thank God for everything. Even if He sends us sorrow, it is always for our benefit,' said Metropolitan Gavriil of Lovech during a liturgy in Troyan's St Paraskeva Church.

Metropolitan Kiprian of Stara Zagora consecrated a newly built Orthodox church dedicated to St Tryphon in the village of Malka Vereya, near Stara Zagora, before leading the Divine Liturgy.

In Targovishte, Father Slavcho Prodanov told worshippers that Christians must pray in the church 'with mind and with heart'. In Pleven, Father Milen said: 'In times of suffering we must be patient, not lose heart, but have hope in God's mercy.'

Traffic was restored at kilometre 6 of the northern ring road in the direction of Botevgrad following an earlier standstill caused by a crash, Bulgarian road authorities reported.

No further details on the incident were provided.