And Also Remember... The 17th Of November!

Today, we remember a marquee match-up during FIFA World Cup qualification history: a game which decided who would move on to play for the World Cup, and who would, as the Frenski say, mordre la poussière!  As it turned out, and quite fittingly enough, on the 17th of November 1993, it was Team France that did, bite the dust - and Team Bulgaria moved on to bigger and better things!

France and Bulgaria are flat out dead even in international competition as it stands now; however, back in 1993, it was the most memorable victory for Bulgaria over those damnable Frenski for it came amidst an incredible run for Team Bulgaria - one that saw them come just a little bit short of actually winning it all! One commentator was so elated, he exclaimed, with this 2-1 win sealed and delivered, ''God Is Bulgarian!'' - nothing less!

Let's watch THE DECISIVE GOAL:

Gotta love that ''EUROSUCRE'' ad-banner - priceless! 

Emil Kostadinov played for FC PORTO, I hear...? 

Épa - Portugalia! ;) 

Bulgaria would go on to be in the Final Four subsequently. They stood toe-to-toe with all the elite teams left in the competition at the time: Germany, Argentina and Mexico in the 1994 World Cup. And, even though the magical run would have a bitter ending (gorshivo?) ultimately, this is remembered as the most impressive display of team unity and execution on the field ever put on by the national selection - something that made the entire country of Bulgaria immensely proud! 

Viva Bulgaria!