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Tens of thousands of Northern Ireland fans were today hoping and praying for one final big effort from David Healy and team in tonight's make-or-break Euro 2008 qualifying match against Spain.
From grey-skied Ulster to sunny Gran Canaria, football mania was reaching fever pitch as the boys in green prepared for their most important match since the World Cup in 1986.
Up to 4,000 ticket-holders travelled to the venue in Las Palmas to cheer on the squad, while pubs across the province showing the game were expected to be packed out with supporters praying for a Northern Ireland victory . . . and for Latvia to triumph over Sweden.
Bookmakers believe Healy and co will need a miracle to qualify for the finals in Austria and Switzerland next year. They are offering odds of 103-1 on both Latvia beating Sweden and Northern Ireland beating the Goliath that is Spain.
But Northern Ireland's loyal Green And White Army - including politicians, musicians and sports stars - were confident of another major win over Spain to rival that unforgettable night during the 1982 World Cup campaign.
First Minister Ian Paisley wished the Northern Ireland team good luck.
"One of Northern Ireland's greatest victories was against Spain in the 1982 World Cup," he said.
"Let's hope they can repeat that great performance and get us a step closer to Euro 2008 qualification."
Snow Patrol's football-loving frontman, Gary Lightbody, said he planned to be in fine voice tonight to cheer his side on.
The Bangor-born singer, who was at Windsor Park on Saturday to watch Northern Ireland beat Denmark, said he would have been in Gran Canaria, only for band commitments.
"I was all set for Gran Canaria. But for band commitments I'd be drinking sangria there right now pre-match. Alas, I shall watch it (and the Latvia game) on the telly with bated breath," he said.
"With Feeney and Lafferty both fit to partner Sir David Healy up front, we have a wealth of on-form strikers to call on.
"We'll need them. Every single player has played their hearts out throughout the campaign and it was none more obvious than in the way we took the game to the Danish side, who didn't know what had hit them on Saturday night."
And Ulster boxing champ Wayne McCullough also got behind the team.
Belfast's Pocket Rocket said he believed Northern Ireland could beat the Spanish team.
"David Healy's the man for the job," he said.
Speaking ahead of the match Gary McAllister of the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs said the fans in Gran Canaria were getting nervous.
"The nerves are really building now," he said.
"Today will be a very exciting day."
