STUTTGART - A German journalist reported Sunday he will take Bulgarian national team player Krassimir Balakov to court for allegedly hitting him before Wednesday's cup winners cup final. Hoger Gayer of the Stuttgarter Zeitung claims the VFB Stuttgart midfielder, angry over his reporting, verbally abused and hit him on the head. Balakov denied the incident, which reportedly took place while both were on a plane flight to the match held at Stockholm Sweden. Gayer did not say what charges would be filed.

VFB Stuttgart lost the final 1-0 to Chelsea of London. The midfielder was one of the stars of the Bulgarian team that reached the 1994 World Cup semifinals, ousting defending champion Germany in the quarterfinals. (AP)