By Andrew Warshaw
November 20 – All eyes may have been on the four nail-biting playoffs but the most historic European encounter Tuesday night took place in the Algarve region of Portugal where tiny Gibraltar staged their first full international since winning their 14-year battle to become UEFA’s 54th and smallest member.
Attended by a few hundred fans in a stadium that could have accommodated the country’s entire population, Gibraltar pulled off a stunning goalless draw against Slovakia, 65 in the world rankings, to enter the annals of European football.
Just 2.6 square miles in size, Gibraltar’s population is estimated to be around 30,000, slightly less than that of San Marino. Spain, which fiercely disputes Gibraltar’s status, fought to prevent it becoming a recognised national side.
The issue is so sensitive that UEFA have made it clear Gibraltar will be kept apart from Spain in World Cup and European Championship draws, just as Armenia and Azerbaijan have been subsequent to being paired together in Euro 2008 qualifiers but refusing to play.
Since its 2,000-capacity stadium does not meet UEFA requirements, Gibraltar’s ‘home’ games will be played in the Estadio de Algarve, a four-hour drive away, for Euro 2016 qualifying games.
Managed by Gibraltarian Allen Bula, their squad is made up of part-timers from the domestic league but on Tuesday also featured a handful of professional and semi-professional players from the English lower leagues.
Prior to joining UEFA, Gibraltar had been forced to play again equally unrecognised outposts like Greenland. Slovakia – despite missing several first-team players – provided by far their biggest test and although they rarely threatened to score, the ‘hosts’ defended heroically to clinch a remarkable draw.
The 500 fans who travelled from the rocky enclave waved red and white flags as well as Union Jacks. “It was very emotional before and after the game,” said Danny Higginbotham, once on Manchester United’s books and now playing in English non-league football. “It’s been a long way to get here.”
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