WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FINAL : Spotlight : MEMORIES . . .

“Magic moments” from the World Cup, according to some notables:

British Prime Minister John Major: “Having returned hot and tired from the Naples Summit, I particularly enjoyed settling down to watch the second half of the Bulgaria vs. Germany match. The game really hinged on one man--(Yordan) Letchkov. Giving away a penalty only galvanized him to greater efforts--wherever the ball was, so was he, it seemed. His match-winning goal was magnificent. . . . It was the very essence of the beautiful game.”

Bulgarian President Zhelyu Zhelev: “My abiding memory will be of Yordan Letchkov. His goal meant so much to the Bulgarian people. I have written to him to tell him that the victory gave the whole country a new confidence and belief in their achievements.”

Writer and TV executive Melvyn Bragg: “When Ireland scored against Italy, all I wanted to do was be in a bar in Dublin.”

Novelist and politician Jeffrey Archer: “The tension of the penalty shoot-out, realizing that just one mistake means you have to wait another four years before you can redeem yourself.”

FIFA President Joao Havelange: “No single moment for me. Just the whole competition. I have been to every World Cup since 1954 and USA ’94 has been the best. There is no question about it.”