World Cups, World Championships, Olympic Games, World Series, Playoffs, Superbowls...the decade has had all the various platforms to deliver greatness.
The following are some of the most memorable, brilliant, unlikely, reality-defying wonders of the noughties. There will be omissions naturally, but I can live with that. Plus I'll probably change half the list next week.
The Boston Red Sox finally win the World Series 2004
1918, 'The Curse', Dave Roberts stealing second, David Ortiz's walk off in the 14th inning, Curt Schilling's bloody sock... Once they overturned a 3-0 series lead against the Yankees in the ALCS (only the third team in any of the four major American sports to overturn a 3-0 deficit) the World Series victory seemed inevitable. 86 years without a championship overcome in as wonderful, emotional and ridiculous a way as it had transpired.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2JbRYrmf74&feature=related&pos=3
David Tyree's catch in the Superbowl 2008
On a third down play a backup wide receiver makes a tremendous catch against his helmet with a player (Rodney Harrison, one of the toughest defensive backs of all time) trying to hit the ball free in one of the biggest upsets in NFL history with his QB under all sorts of pressure setting up the winning touchdown in the last couple of minutes of the Superbowl. I'm out of breath...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMWmRBR4UzQ
Liverpool 3 - 3 AC Milan Champions League Final 2005
Milan were so dominant in the first half that it seemed that Liverpool would do well to avoid humiliation. After 15 minutes of soul searching and Lucozade drinking, the Reds came out and turned the footballing world upside down. So good it gives English football fans fond memories of Instanbul which is really saying something.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE6m9kUDTpE
Texas Wins the Rose Bowl 2006
Maybe the greatest college football game ever played (apologies to Cal and Stanford). Two unbeaten teams with a shared 53 game unbeaten streak, featuring arguably the three best college players of the time - Heisman Trophy winners Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush plus Vince Young - meeting for the National Championship in front of 93,000 people. The build up was good, the game was even better. Vince Young threw for 267 yards and ran for 200 more with three TD's - the last winning the game with 19 seconds remaining to beat the much fancied USC 41-38.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8zZRBTOcnY&feature=related&pos=1
Zidane gets sent off in the World Cup final 2006
The story book ending to one of the great careers ever never quite came to pass. I'm still not entirely convinced that this ever actually happened.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAjWi663kXc
Usain Bolt breaks 100m World Record 2008
He starts celebrating 30 metres from the line...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io8t2CHGNb4
Tiger wins the US Open 2008
When he calls it 'his best ever' it must be pretty special - and it was. Battling injury and continued problems on the first hole at Torrey Pines, Woods sunk some unbelievable putts, mastered the back nine and held off Rocco Mediate in a playoff. Better than any fictional film made about golf.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo95mUZiAVU
Lance Armstrong wins his 6th Tour de France 2004
An unparalleled achievement and one of the greatest stories of human endeavour culminated in his 6th straight Tour de France victory, breaking the record shared between greats Anquetil, Merckx, Hinault and Indurain. He won the following year as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQDjqAkLUB0
Michael Phelps wins 8 gold medals 2008
17 races, 9 days, 8 golds, 7 world records. If able to compete alone, he would have finished fourth in the medals table at Beijing. He is the most successful Olympian of all time. And he was probably high...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3paiELa7mA
Nadal v Federer Wimbledon Final 2008
The two best players in a generation met at the biggest tournament of the year and played a game for the ages. Federer was a five-time champion and had not been beaten on grass since 2002 and yet it was he played the role of the underdog after falling 2 sets to love down. He fought back against the undeniable Spaniard and was 2 points from victory himself in the fifth set, a set finally won 9-7 by Nadal after 4 hours and 48 minutes of play in the late evening on center court.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK4Abuboumc&feature=related&pos=2
England win the Ashes 2005
Australia won 8 straight Ashes series and retained the famous Urn for 18 years with apparent ease. In 2005, England were a team on-form and, inspired by Kevin Pietersen and Freddie Flintoff, they managed to wrestle victory from their arch enemies via two of the most thrilling test match finishes ever in the 2nd and 3rd tests. Of course the Aussies won the next series 5-0 but for one sweet, sweet summer, England were really good at cricket.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2AvCaFg51c&feature=related&pos=1
Also garnering attention: The Tiger Slam 2001, FA Cup Final 2006, Kobe scores 81 2006, Goran Ivanisevic wins Wimledon 2001, Lewis v Tyson 2002, Wilkinson drop goal wins Rugby World Cup 2003, Cathy Freeman wins gold in Sydney 2000, The 'tuck rule' game 2001, Montgomery wins the Ryder Cup 2004, Redgrave wins his 5th gold 2000, Morales v Barrera 2000
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