For this interview, I look back at the World Cup Qualifiers on November 17, 1993.

The Interview will be as a video link companion, while the Blog will be a presentation of the events.

The Interviewee is:

Irish Freelance writer, Historian and Broadcaster Mr. John O’Carroll

Mr. O’Carroll’s contact info:

Twitter: @JohnOCarroll17

e-mail: johnocarroll0@gmail.com

or on facebook under John O’Carroll

My contact information:

on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.

https://linktr.ee/sp1873

November 17^th, 1993- World Cup Dreams in Balance

The Final Rounds of World Cup qualifiers tend to be dramatic as often Groups are undecided right until the end.

However, there has never been as much drama and intrigue as on November 17^th, 1993, the day of the Final Rounds for the 1994 World Cup qualifiers in the European Zone. At the conclusion of that night, hearts rejoiced, many others were broken and one could argue the course of Football History was changed in a few instances.

There was politics (Ireland), sending offs, penalty misses and last minute winners and outcomes of Groups shifted in matter of minutes.

When the dust settled Italy, Switzerland, Holland, Spain, Republic of Ireland, Belgium, Romania, Bulgaria made it through joining the likes of Norway, Greece, Russia and Sweden (already qualified before this last round).

In addition, outside of the European Zone, Argentina eliminated Australia in the second leg of Play-off for the Final spot.

The fallen Nations included Portugal, Denmark, Czechoslovakia, Wales and most notably England and France.

There were so many stories that most people have forgotten that Germany and Brazil faced one another in a friendly that night.

In the First Group, Italy and Portugal were at the top in this last day with equal points with Switzerland one point behind. Switzerland were to play Estonia and their victory appeared as a formality (and they predictably won (4-0)), therefore, Italy’s clash vs. Portugal at Milan would determine the likely second qualifier.

Italy would earn their qualification by the slimmest of margins from a Dino Baggio effort that appeared offside.

Italy won the Group with Switzerland one point behind. The Swiss qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1966.

Photo From: Soccer America, Vol. 45, No. 21, Issue 1136, December 6, 1993

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2485, November 23, 1993

(November 17, 1993, World Cup Qualifier, Italy 1-Portugal 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2485, November 23, 1993

(November 17, 1993, World Cup Qualifier, Italy 1-Portugal 0)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 16, May 1994

(November 17, 1993, World Cup Qualifier, Italy 1-Portugal 0)

Photo From: L'Equipe de Suisse, Authors Guy Balibouse, Roger Felix, Pierre Tripod, 1993

(November 17, 1993, World Cup Qualifier, Switzerland 4-Estonia 0)

Photo From: L'Equipe de Suisse, Authors Guy Balibouse, Roger Felix, Pierre Tripod, 1993

(November 17, 1993, World Cup Qualifier, Switzerland 4-Estonia 0)

Photo From: L'Equipe de Suisse, Authors Guy Balibouse, Roger Felix, Pierre Tripod, 1993

(November 17, 1993, World Cup Qualifier, Switzerland 4-Estonia 0)

The Second Group had already been won by Egil Olsen’s Norway, making history by qualifying for their first World Cup since 1938.

When the draw was made, this Group appeared promised to England and Netherlands. Neither could have envisioned the progress made by Norway.

Both teams struggled and the Dutch appeared all but qualified on October 13^th, when they defeated England (2-0). The Dutch held a two-point advantage over the English and had their last match at Poland, while England were to face San Marino. The Dutch also held a better goal difference (+18 vs. +11) and England not only had to hope for a Dutch loss but an overwhelming win to overtake the Dutch on goal difference. The odds were against the English and the days of Graham Taylor appeared numbered. Nevertheless, the English took the field intent on destroying and racking up goals against a lowly opposition. They were stunned when San Marino took the lead after just eight seconds.

This goal has often been referenced to symbolize the disappointing Taylor tenure.

The England responded with seven ultimately irrelevant goals, as the Dutch sealed their placed with a (3-1) win at Poznan.

Photo From: Soccer America, Vol. 45, No. 21, Issue 1136, December 6, 1993

Photo From: The Game, 1995

(Stuart Pearce, November 17, 1993, World Cup Qualifier, San Marino 1-England 7)

The Third Group was the tightest with Spain along with European Champions Denmark and Republic of Ireland in a three-way fight for two places.

In Belfast, politics were at center stage, as the two Irelands met. For Northern Ireland this encounter not only marked the farewell match for long-serving Manager Billy Bingham, but also as a way to derail the Republic of Ireland’s path to the World Cup. In fact, that had been the stated purpose of the Northern Irish. The tension filled match was rife with many incidents as well as insults from both sets of the coaching staff. Fortunately, all was forgiven at the post-match banquet and Jacky Charlton and the Republic of Ireland honored Billy Bingham. Of Course, the Republic of Ireland were in forgiving mood as they earned the point they needed to qualify.

At the same time, the other rivals from this Group, Spain and Denmark were facing off in Seville. Once again, the match was also filled with drama of its own as Spain goalkeeper Andoni Zubizaretta would be sent off after a foul on his Barcelona club-mate Michael Laudrup. The Spanish feared the worst with one less man, but persevered and won through a Fernando Hierro strike to qualify at Denmark’s expense and join the Republic of Ireland

Photo From: Soccer America, Vol. 45, No. 21, Issue 1136, December 6, 1993

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 16, May 1994

(November 17, 1993, World Cup Qualifier, Northern Ireland 1-Republic of Ireland 1)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2485, November 23, 1993

(November 17, 1993, World Cup Qualifier, Spain 1-Denmark 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2485, November 23, 1993

(November 17, 1993, World Cup Qualifier, Spain 1-Denmark 0)

In the Fourth Group, any of four teams (Romania, Belgium, Czechoslovakia (before they were separated) and Wales) could have qualified.

Belgium held a one-point lead over Romania, with both Wales and Czechs/Slovaks two points behind Romanians. Belgium would hold the Czechs/Slovaks goalless to earn the point they needed.

The more dramatic match was between Wales and Romania at Cardiff.

The Romanians victory (2-1) was all the more memorable as Wales’ Paul Bodin penalty kick miss made him famous in Football History for all the wrong reasons.

Photo From: Soccer America, Vol. 45, No. 21, Issue 1136, December 6, 1993

Photo From: Fotbal Plus, NR. 113, 23-29 Noeimbrie, 1993

(November 17, 1993, World Cup Qualifier, Wales 1-Romania 2)

Photo From: Soccer America, Vol. 45, No. 23, Issue 1138, December 20, 1993

(November 17, 1993, World Cup Qualifier, Wales 1-Romania 2)

The Fifth Group had already been decided for some time between Greece and Russia. The significant aspect was that this was Greece’s first ever qualification for the World Cup. As far as the Russians, the matters off the field took precedence and after the qualification, a group of players mutinied against the Manager (in the end to no avail)

The most dramatic match of the day was in the Sixth Group with France and Bulgaria squaring off in Paris. This match has become one of the most referenced World Cup qualifying matches ever, not only for the emotions but also for its repercussions.

France just needed a single point at home to qualify along with Group winners Sweden.

They appeared to be cruising when Eric Cantona gave them the lead. However, shortly thereafter Emil Kostadinov leveled the score.

France nervously held on for the remainder of the match.…that is until the very last minute.

France were awarded a free kick in the Bulgarian half. The ball was passed to David Ginola. What happened next is still discussed and analyzed to this day. Instead of trying to kill the clock, he decided to cross the ball across. The loose ball was picked up by the Bulgarians who went on to score one of the most talked about last minute winning goals ever (through Kostadinov again).

To this day, Houllier has blamed and vilified Ginola for his action. Ginola’s name and reputation is inextricably linked to this event.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2485, November 23, 1993

(November 17, 1993, World Cup Qualifier, France 1-Bulgaria 2)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2485, November 23, 1993

(November 17, 1993, World Cup Qualifier, France 1-Bulgaria 2)

Photo From: Soccer America, Vol. 45, No. 23, Issue 1138, December 20, 1993

(Diagram of Kostadinov’s winner, November 17, 1993, World Cup Qualifier, France 1-Bulgaria 2)

There remained one play-off match to determine the Final place. Argentina had suffered the humiliation of a (0-5) home drubbing by Colombia in September.

They were forced into a play-off with Australia. Diego Maradona was back and out of temporary retirement to help his Nation qualify.

Following a (1-1) first leg draw in Australia, Argentina qualified by defeating Australia (1-0) in Buenos Aires and earned their ticket to America.

Photo From: Soccer America, Vol. 45, No. 21, Issue 1136, December 6, 1993

Photo From: World Soccer, January 1994

(Diego Maradona, November 17, 1993, World Cup Qualifier, Argentina 1-Australia 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2485, November 23, 1993

(November 17, 1993, World Cup Qualifier, Argentina 1-Australia 0)

The main coaching casualties from these qualifiers were France’s Gerard Houllier and England’s Graham Taylor. They would both resign shortly thereafter.

Terry Venables would be called in to replace Taylor. However, the change in management would be much more significant for the French and in a way would change the course of Football History. Had France qualified, Houllier would have remained in charge for the coming years and with it the Papin-Cantona Generation. However, the appointment of Aimé Jacquet would hasten the departure of the old guard and give rise to the Zidane Generation that would culminate with the World Cup title in 1998.

In a way France’s failure was also significant, as it allowed Bulgaria to have its most memorable World Cup campaign in USA ‘94. The Nation still looks back at that Team as its best Football Generation. Hristo Stoichkov would most likely not have won the Ballon d’Or in 1994 without Bulgaria being in the World Cup. Therefore, this one result affected the course of Football History in more ways than one.

As for the likes of Portugal, they were on the verge of the breakthrough of a wonderful Generation with the likes of Luis Figo and Rui Costa. These qualifiers were a learning process for this contingent of young stars that would be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years.

Such dramatic nights have been fewer since, as the subsequent increase in the number of participants in Europe has forced the introduction play-offs.

At the start of this fateful day, dozens of nations had a stake in play and dreams of being in USA in the summer. At the end, it some were able to celebrate, but others were forced to look in the mirror and search for answers and explanations.