Unofficial world cup thread.

[Sarmatian]

Give credit to Bulgaria please, they were 4th placed in that world cup. Being beaten by the 4th best team in the world isn't something to be ashamed of, unless you're in the top 3, of course.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Give credit to Bulgaria please, they were 4th placed in that world cup.

Credit? Hah! No, me I signed the petition to Mitterrand to nuke Sofia, under whatever pretext.

If Bulgaria no longer existed, we would by default regain the qualification the Bulgars robbed of us.

[Sarmatian]

Credit? Hah! No, me I signed the petition to Mitterrand to nuke Sofia, under whatever pretext.

If Bulgaria no longer existed, we would by default regain the qualification the Bulgars robbed of us.

I can respect that. Unlike nationalism, football is a valid reason to go to war for.

[Pannonian]

Ooh, it gets even better.

Two months prior to the decisive clash, France looked odds-on certainties to qualify for USA 1994. Out in front in Group 6 with 13 points to their name, Gerard Houllier's side only had to secure a point from their final two games, both at home, to secure their place in the finals.

Lying third, two points behind Sweden and three adrift of the French, the Bulgarians knew they had no margin for error as they went into their last two fixtures, the first of them coming on 13 October, when Dimitar Penev's men easily disposed of Austria 4-1.

That same evening, section leaders France were hosting lowly Israel, whom they had comfortably beaten 4-0 away in the first meeting between the two. Two-one ahead with ten minutes remaining, Les Bleus were firmly on course to achieve their objective. Late goals from Eyal Berkovic and Reuven Atar, the latter striking in the third minute of injury time, gave the Israelis a shock win, however, leaving France with the task of taking something from their final match. Reprieved by the Israelis, Bulgaria knew that a win in Paris would take them through.