WORLD CUP USA ‘94: SEMIFINALS : Spotlight : ‘HI MOM’ MIGHT BE HIS ONLY REWARD
The most marked man in New York this week? Roberto Baggio? Hristo Stoitchkov?
Try Ilian Petrov, 22, one of three interpreters for the Bulgarian national team.
Petrov was minding his own business as a student at Columbia University in New York when World Cup officials called him in desperation before Bulgaria played Mexico in the second round.
He was not a soccer fan, but officials couldn’t find anybody else.
Petrov soon found himself caught between a group of players who spoke virtually no English and hundreds of reporters who suddenly wanted to know all about them.
Petrov has been pushed, screamed at and criticized by British reporters for misquoting Yordan Letchkov, the Bulgarian midfielder with quick wit.
“I read on the wires that reporters claim Letchkov cannot possibly be as funny as he sounds,” Petrov said. “But I am just interpreting exactly as he says it. The Bulgarians are very nice, funny guys.”
Petrov, who is not paid, says he has been rewarded by hearing Bulgarian folk songs drifting from the locker room.
He has not told his parents in Sofia.
“Maybe I will be on TV, they will see me then. That will be a much better surprise than a phone call, no?” he said.
