Most memorable moments in sport

Inspired by the recent GOAT competition, and some of the awe inspiring achievements i read about there, i thought id try to find out what moments in sport posters remember most as being the most impressive, exciting or inspiring. These can be a one off performance or over the course of a tournament, championship or season. I dont mind if its from an individual or a team, just want to know what you good people consider to be your fondest sporting memories and why. Off the top of my head and to get this started ill put my thoughts forward:
Maradona's world cup
Carl Lewis in LA 84
Benn beating McClellan (Tragic ending but Benn showed amazing guts and spirit)
Messi in 2012
Bolt in Beijing 08
Arsenal's invincible season.
Brian Lara's WR innings.
Tiger Woods' 'Grand Slam'

Im sure there are many many more that ive forgotten or dont even know about. All sensible contributions are welcome.

My personal favourite was Ivanisevic v Rafter at Wimbledon 2001.
Incredible match. Watched his previous finals against Agassi and Sampras (x2). The fairytale of gaining a wild card and then a three day rain delayed semi final against Henman (probably his best ever chance, although doubt he would have beaten Rafter).
Gladatorial tennis from both player with a magical sporting ending with a great deal of mutual respect. Top bloke and that rare thing amongst sportsmen - a personality.
Some may say Capybara against Federer was the best final, but for me it was this one.

Good shout SR. I found myself in the rare position of wanting a Brit to lose in that semi. I just loved Ivanisevic, such a character and a damn fine player as well. The look on his face when he won the title is priceless!

Best of all time, tho' wasn't present:
1966: England win the World Cup.

Fot those I attended:
1987: Europe retain the Ryder Cup at "Jack's Place", didn't just win, dominated.

For most surreal:
1980: Listening to the British national anthem at a medal ceremony for a Winter Olympic alpine event.

Michael Johnson at the Atlanta Olympics!

Too many to name really, and that's just in my own lifetime!

Liverpool 4-3 Newcastle, 1996. Particularly Tyler's legendary commentary: "Barnes....Rush...Barnes...Still John Barnes, Collymore closing IIINNN!"

Ali lighting the torch at the Atlanta Olympics that same year.

That unbelievable 1999 Cricket World Cup semi final between South Africa and Australia.

Michael Phelps' dramatic victory in the 100m butterfly in Beijing 2008 to equal Spitz's record of seven golds in one Games.

Tyson getting hungry against Holyfield in 1997.

The Wimbledon men's finals of 2001, 2007 and 2008 all for different reasons, as well as the women's final of 2005.

The Champions League finals of 1999 and 2005.

Usain Bolt's 100m gold at Beijing 2008.

Andy Farrell's last-second conversion to help the Wigan Warriors beat the Bradford Bulls 19-20 in a top of the table clash in 2000, the best rugby league match I've seen.

Dereck Redmond's 400m in Barcelona '92.

And a load more. And all of that in just a quarter of a century!

I remember setting my alarm at some ungodly hour to listen to Hagler-Hearns on my transistor radio. Brilliant!

As a young kid, watching in the school hall in Ontario as the winning goal went in for Canada vs Russia with 30 seconds left in the final match, to win the series 4-3 (ice hockey). Pandemonium!

Getting up one Sunday morning to watch the England v West Indies test match, thinking we need some early wickets, and Dominic Cork getting a hat-trick in the first over of the day. Fantastic!

88Chris05 wrote:
Ali lighting the torch at the Atlanta Olympics that same year.

What was even funnier was Frazier's reaction to this. "they should have thrown him in there as well" Got to love Joe's inability to move on!

A couple that stick out to me when I was a kid:

Beckham's free kick vs Greece in 2001 to send us to the World Cup at the death. He took over that game.

Steve Harmison taking the wicket of Kasprowicz in the 2nd Test of the 2005 Ashes series and England winning by 2 runs.

England vs Germany in Euro 96, and in fact all of Euro 96.

sodhat wrote:England vs Germany in Euro 96, and in fact all of Euro 96.

That was the first major tournament I was old enough to follow England in and appreciate what was happening, sodhat. That semi final absolutely broke my heart.

Johnny Wilkinson RWC Final 2003.

Great Britain beating Australia at RL at Wembley in 1994 with only 12 men (best event I've actually been at). Particularly Jiffy's try.

Michael Thomas scoring the league title clinching goal for Arsenal against Liverpool

England's Ashes triumph in 2005.

88Chris05 wrote:

sodhat wrote:England vs Germany in Euro 96, and in fact all of Euro 96.

That was the first major tournament I was old enough to follow England in and appreciate what was happening, sodhat. That semi final absolutely broke my heart.

Same for me Chris. It was the first time I'd really watched football and I was about 8 or 9. Since then I've followed it, but nothing quite matches the excitement of that entire tournament, at least in my mind. Certainly not with England, anyhow.

Aye, very true again sodhat. I was spoilt - I thought all England teams in future would be that good, be in the hunt for glory and that all tournaments would have that magical feel to them. Didn't turn out that way!

A few for me:

Jack Nicklaus and the 1986 Masters. Just seeing the footage and coverage, the atmosphere was just pure electric and even now when looking back on it just gives me goosebumps. That back 9 was just fairytale stuff.

England regaining the Ashes 2005. The 2nd Test at Edgbaston and that Sunday morning when Harmison took the wicket of Kasprowicz. The iconic moment of the series with Flintoff consolling Lee was true sportsmanship. Amazing stuff.

Redgrave's 5th Gold Medal Sydney 2000. Has to be the latest I have ever stayed up to watch a rowing race. Truly remarkable moment and Redgrave just looking relieved and stunned when the team won the race.

England's Rugby World Cup Triumph 2003. England's expectancy to win the tournament. Was a pulsating match. Just remembering Robinsons try and him punching the ball into the top row and the intensity and then Johnny in extra time and that famour drop goal.

Federer winning his first Wimbledon 2003. Very emotional given his junior coach died in 2002. The start of something special in the tennis world and it was a lump in the throat moment at the presentation. I would throw Nadal overcoming Federer at Wimbledon 2008. A stunning match and stunning finish.

Ali and Foreman Rumble in the Jungle 1974. One of many iconic moments from Ali. On reflection there are so many moments with Ali. This one just for how he absorbed all those blows from Foreman and just turned it all around. Un-real.

I would be here all day if I thought about in great detail!!

88Chris05 wrote:

sodhat wrote:England vs Germany in Euro 96, and in fact all of Euro 96.

That was the first major tournament I was old enough to follow England in and appreciate what was happening, sodhat. That semi final absolutely broke my heart.

That was a good tournament for England with lots of iconic moments. Gazza's goal v Scotland being my abiding memory. My first tournament of actually wanting an English football team to succeed was probably Mexico 86 where Maradona broke English hearts. Then, i remember well the superb Dutch team in 88 sweeping all before them and of course Gazza's tears and Platt's volley in Italia 90.

The first day of the boxing Test in the 2010 Ashes in Australia. Bowling them out for 97, and going unbeaten, the ground emptied of Aussies, and 15,000 of the Barmy Army going nuts.

That Steven Gerrard goal against West Ham in the 2006 FA Cup Final. What a strike that was, and a final overall

On a more personal note - Simeon Jackson's goal at Portsmouth that got us promoted to the Premier League.

Here's some of mine.

Marco Tardelli's goal celebration in the 1982 world cup final.

Lewis at the 84 Olympics.

Ben Johnson's 100m in the 88 Olympics (before I realised he was on drugs)

Lara's 375.

Euro 96. A great summer.

Michael Johnson's 200m run at Atlanta

England's 5-1 against Germany

Beckham's free kick against Greece

Tiger's chip in, at the 2005 Masters

Bolt's 9.69 run when he actually slowed down

From an Irish point of view:

Ray Houghton against Italy, USA 94 (even though I was only just alive)

Ireland against England in the cricket world cup

From a pure getting me off the edge of my seat point of view:

United v Bayern champions league final 1999.

Denver Bronco's 2011 regular season and brief post season with Tebow.

Usain Bolt at either 2008 or 2012.

Edgbaston test of the 2005 Ashes

It's got to be Wales 05 grand slam. the rugby they played against a back drop of nobody expecting it was just unforgettable. I'll never forget watching it in the working pub in croesyceiliog. what an atmosphere!

mckay1402

2005 was special. After years of mediocrity, brought on by the pillaging of welsh talent by the Pros up north, to see a welsh team who could not just compete but win games against our NH rivals was a joy. Ill never forget the atmosphere in Cardiff after the final match v Ireland! What a night that was!

99 champions league final

Kimi winning 2005 japanese GP

Buttons 2011 canadian GP win

Hamilton passing Timo Glock on the final corner, of the final lap, in the final race of the 2008 season to become world champion.

This is not happy one but if you are asking about memorable moments, it is hard to forget Imola 94.

On a lighter note, any of the great wins senna had in the wet.

Jessica Enis winning gold at london 2012

Tiger winning 97 masters

Tiger winning 2000 us open

Tiger completing the tiger slam at 2001 masters.

Given the number of Scots on here I'm surprised that no-one's mentioned 1963 and 1967 and Jim Baxter's humiliations of England . . . . . . .

One of my most memorable sporting moments was the 4x100 metre freestyle relay at the 2008 Olympics. I'm not a massive swimming fan, but the way Jason Lezak pulled that out of the bag when the French, with World Record holder Alain Bernard on the anchor leg, looked to have an unassailable lead was unbelievable. Mr Phelps owes him big time. Probably the best race I've ever seen.

My personal favorites

1999 Champions league final
2001 David Beckham free kick against Greece
2005 The Ashes
2012 Ryder Cup - Only time i have ever watched Golf!
2003 Rugby World Cup

Also Elliot Bennett wonder goal at Walsall, for Brighton to clinch the league one title

The most memorble moment for me was watching the open championship at Muirfield when Nick faldo won.(1987)

That really got me playing the game.

Also

Senna crashing out and dieing. RIP

Maradona's evil hand of god. Proof god doesnt exist - If anyone actually wondered- When I was 7 years old.

England V holland 4/1 and gazas goal v scotland same tourny!

Man U's CL win. when they came back scoring two goals late on(was that the semi v bayern maybe!)

Liverpools come back to win the CL. Unbelivable

6oldenbhoy wrote:One of my most memorable sporting moments was the 4x100 metre freestyle relay at the 2008 Olympics. I'm not a massive swimming fan, but the way Jason Lezak pulled that out of the bag when the French, with World Record holder Alain Bernard on the anchor leg, looked to have an unassailable lead was unbelievable. Mr Phelps owes him big time. Probably the best race I've ever seen.

That was a ridiculous race, 6oldenbhoy. Ian Thorpe overhauling Gary Hall in the final leg of the same race at the 2000 Games was amazing but I think the USA's victory there outdid even that.

Not a huge sporting moment by any means in the grand scheme of things but from a personal perspective seeing one of my personal favourites Clinton Woods finally win a world title at the fourth attempt was tears to a glass eye stuff, particularly as he did it as the underdog against the previously touted Rico Hoye.

For me it's easily the 2005 Champions League final, the comeback from 3-0 down to win it against all the odds. I honestly don't think anything will ever top that as a Liverpool supporter.

Another boxing one I am surprised has not got a mention is the shock of seeing Buster Douglas hand Mike Tyson his arse. Douglas was a 42-1 underdog and tipped by precisely nobody to beat the previously unbeaten “baddest man on the planet”, ignore what the scorecards might tell you or the nonsense around the long count Mike got a whooping that night.

Can't believe I forgot the 1996 Olympic 100m final.

Don't get me wrong, it's amazing seeing Bolt do what he does. But when it's one man against the clock it's not quite the same. I remember as a kid getting all excited about the '96 final. Christie getting disqualified might have ruined it a bit for many Brits but it was one of those rare times where three or four people could easily have won it, and the race itself was fantastic.

Will stick with me forever, particularly Bailey's screams as he saw the world record on the clock. That's how Olympic 100m finals should be.

2 that ended up being remembered for the wrong reason:
Armstrong v Pantani on the climb up Mont Ventoux in 2000.
Ben Johnson 9.79

SA chasing down 434
Cameroon beating Argentina in '90 world cup
Connors v McEnroe '82 Wimbledon final
Jos Verstappen's car catching fire
Djamolidine Abdoujaparov crashing on the Champs Elysees in '91

Rowley wrote:Another boxing one I am surprised has not got a mention is the shock of seeing Buster Douglas hand Mike Tyson his arse. Douglas was a 42-1 underdog and tipped by precisely nobody to beat the previously unbeaten “baddest man on the planet”, ignore what the scorecards might tell you or the nonsense around the long count Mike got a whooping that night.

Yes that was memorable in fairness! What tarnishes it slightly though is the fact that Tyson was clearly looking past Buster thinking it would be easy and was out of shape. Never the less, a big part of sporting history that shocked the world.

How the heck could I have forgeton the 2003 RWC!!!

Swing Low....

Not a great sporting moment in itself, but one of the greatest spectacles I've seen; Spain 4-3 Yugoslavia at Euro 2000. Absolutely sensational match with an otherworldly comeback by Spain which made the difference between them getting to the quarter finals and crashing out. An absolute classic. Anyone else remember it?

Happy Memories.

I'd go for Rudisha's 800m for recent memory.

Psycho's penalty against Spain in '96. Was the end of my first year at uni and we were all in the little dive pub we had adopted in Stoke. I told a mate if Psycho scored he could shove the cream cake he was eating in my face. He did, and he did! It was the last time I can remember really caring whether the England football team won or lost.

Master Oats winning the 1995 Gold Cup. I had £100 double on the greyhound I owned which came in at 6/1 running onto Master Oats at 7/2.

Garry Parker scoring against Bristol City in the 1989 league cup semi final.

Less Happy Memories.

Jimmy losing in a final frame decider in '94 after missing an easy black off the spot.

Jimmy losing the last ten frames in the '92 final.

Des Walker's own goal in '91 Fa Cup Final

Psycho's penalty being saved in 1990.

Warnie's 700th at the MCG, I was lucky enough to be there, the whole crowd (including the Barmy Army) rising as one to hail the great man.

Hibbz

So you actually did love England footy at one point.

You have got cynical in your age..(you must be the same age as me!)

A good question and so many memorable moments to choose from.

For me it has to be on a Club 18-30 holiday in Corfu a few years ago. The ladies topless mud wrestling competition was indeed a sporting occasion not to be missed and never to be forgotten

mystiroakey wrote:Hibbz

So you actually did love England footy at one point.

You have got cynical in your age..(you must be the same age as me!)

Couple of years older. I think being passionate/tribal about football is
something a lot of people grow out of when they discover there are more important
things in life.

I have never been tribal about football. Never understood that mentality at any age. Supporting/following your home team. Well that is very natural and very normal

But you seem very passionate. Just about the german team these days

Loads I'd agree with but always interested about talk of the 2005 CL final (as an average Sunday League goalie at the time) as the save Dudek made in the last minute was just the stuff of dreams and doesn't get the same level of attention- still can't believe he makes it every time it's shown (and not a L'pool fan).
Other football would be Carlos Alberto goal for Brazil against Italy in 1970 WC final.
From lesser sports (before Sky gave us sport 24/7) I'll always remember Dennis Taylor giving the trophy a kiss before winning the World title against Steve Davis
And from darts back in 1983 an unknown qualifier called Keith Deller winning the world title in sudden death, finishing with 138 after Eric Bristow had spurned the chance to go for the bull to leave himself double 16 next throw.

Should add a couple more absolute thrillers:

On TV: "That" try by the Barbarians vs 1973 All Blacks.

In person: The Brigadier beating Mill Reef and My Swallow for the 1971 2000 Guineas.

Both as spellbinding now as they were forty-ish years ago.


(PS: Nothing from Fratton Park turnip? Pompey 5 vs Arsenal 2 will always be a very personal favourite!)

88Chris05 wrote:

6oldenbhoy wrote:One of my most memorable sporting moments was the 4x100 metre freestyle relay at the 2008 Olympics. I'm not a massive swimming fan, but the way Jason Lezak pulled that out of the bag when the French, with World Record holder Alain Bernard on the anchor leg, looked to have an unassailable lead was unbelievable. Mr Phelps owes him big time. Probably the best race I've ever seen.

That was a ridiculous race, 6oldenbhoy. Ian Thorpe overhauling Gary Hall in the final leg of the same race at the 2000 Games was amazing but I think the USA's victory there outdid even that.

It had everything, Eamon Sullivan broke the individual world record in the lead off leg then Lezak recorded the fastest ever split. Five teams broke the existing world record showing the strength of the field. Will live long in the memory for me.

Ray Houghton's goal vs Italy in the 1994 World Cup and Katie Taylor's Gold Medal were two from an Irish perspective.

A lot more low key was Shunsuke Nakamura's free kick against Utd in the Champions League. It's still one of the best free kicks I've ever seen.

Hibbz
Master Oats winning the 1995 Gold Cup. I had £100 double on the greyhound I owned which came in at 6/1 running onto Master Oats at 7/2

Im not much of a horse racing fan, or a gambler really, but my ex GF was. We/She used to have a flutter most days and loved Frankie Dettori. Anyway, the night before his amazing day of days at Ascot id been out on a bender. She woke me the next day with a newspaper in her hand asking my opinion on who i thought she should back that day. After disturbing my slumber with 'Frankie's riding this' and 'Frankie's riding that', i told her "Look, leave me sleep babe! Just chuck a fiver on everything Dettori rides if you like. Doubles triples, i dont really care!!!" She didnt and i still aint rich.

mystiroakey wrote:I have never been tribal about football. Never understood that mentality at any age. Supporting/following your home team. Well that is very natural and very normal

But you seem very passionate. Just about the german team these days

I'd say that was a pretty good definition of tribal so as ever I'm not sure what you're on about but then again I'm not sure you're ever sure what you're on about yourself.

Fratton days were back in the Biley/Blake days Kwini - best memory was being stood in the Fratton end as Pompey were trying to come back from one down against possibly Birmingham and the whole place was going mental - when they then scored I was glad to survive the surge that followed. Not the same without terracing!
Another moment was Akabussi anchoring the 4*400m guys to World gold, beating the world champ on the final leg - 4 of us listening on the car radio waiting to go and get changed for Sunday football also going mental. Seemed to matter back then.

Roberto carlos' physics defying free kick in a friendly before the 1998 world cup. Cant count how many times i tried to re-create this in my back yard as a lad.

Hibbz wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:I have never been tribal about football. Never understood that mentality at any age. Supporting/following your home team. Well that is very natural and very normal

But you seem very passionate. Just about the german team these days

I'd say that was a pretty good definition of tribal so as ever I'm not sure what you're on about but then again I'm not sure you're ever sure what you're on about yourself.

Are you actually trying to have a pop?

Tribal would be hardcore following a team. going to all the games. caring about a footy result in such a way that it affects your life!

You have said that most people at a certain age grow up and don't follow there local or nations teams anymore. Well 99% of people on here do. What is it you are trying to say about everyone? Are they all backwards?

Its very simple dude. Maybe not simple enough for you to understand but they you go

I too find the rampant support of a team in which you can have no influence is such a big part of peoples lives a little strange.

If you go back and read what I wrote you'll find I said a lot of people grow out of it not most.

You can't go round accusing people of being cynical and making silly little comments about being passionate about Germany and not expect some comeback.

Go and take your meds and calm down Mysti.