The Toughest Sporting Defeats

In the wake of Andy Roddick’s desperate defeat at the hands of quite possibly the best tennis player (and almost certainly the least disguised superhero) ever, Roger Federer, I got to thinking of some of the most difficult defeats to take in the recent history of sport. As if it wasn’t bad enough just to lose…

The ‘It‘s like Rain, on your wedding day - You messed up your one chance’ Division
Chesterfield v Middlesbrough FA Cup Semi Final 1997 - Little Chesterfield were 2-1 up against a 10-man Boro team containing the likes of Juninho, Emerson and Ravanelli before having a ‘good’ goal disallowed. The game finished 3-3, the Spirites lost in a replay and the dream was over.

Tim Henman v Goran Ivanisevic Wimbledon Semi-Final 2001 - That was to be his year. No Sampras and a victory over his conqueror, the soon-to-be-king Federer, lead Henman to an encounter with the world no. 125 in the semi final of the tournament he, and a nation, craved . A combination of rain, miracle shots and quite possibly god were to resign him to defeat once more.
Portugal v Greece European Championships Final 2004 - The Portuguese have never won a major title. Greece have. Al Pacino won an Oscar for his role in Scent of a Woman. Strange World.

Arizona Cardinals v Pittsburgh Steelers Superbowl 2009 - Some teams are just never meant to get to the big show. What happens if they do? Much like a stripper , they look good for a couple of hours but don’t get the job done. What? There’s strippers that do? I’ve wasted my life….

Red Sox v Mets World Series 1986 - The Sox were one out away from breaking the curse of the bambino and lifting a coveted title. But the curse hit back with one of the most iconic images in sports history as Mookie Wilson singled through the leg of First Baseman Bill Buckner to send the series to a 7th Game in which, naturally, the Mets emerged triumphant.

Utah Jazz v Chicago Bulls NBA Finals 1998 - Ok so Michael Jordan single handedly beat plenty of teams over the years but this wasn’t just MJ (not the dead one); The officials missed a couple of vital calls, including a push off on Jordan’s winning bucket and Utah still await their first NBA title.

Jean Van de Velde British Open 1999 - Journeyman Jean was moments from becoming Open Champion as he stepped up onto the 18th tee. 3 shots clear of the pack, he managed to hit everything except the fairway and even managed to go paddling. He finished with a 7 and lost in a playoff. Oh Jean, you are the reason people believe they can win and fear they may lose.

Brazil v Uruguay World Cup Final 1950 - 200,00 Brazilians turned out to watch their team win their first World Cup. Yet, needing only a draw to win the tournament, Uruguay stunned the hosts with a 2-1 victory and spoilt the party. Don’t feel too bad; their Brazilian, they probably had a top party anyway.

USA v Brazil Confederations Cup 2009 - They aren’t winning the World Cup any time soon and they send a ‘b’ team to the Gold Cup so that clearly doesn‘t matter all that much. Now I can see why they were so upset.

Phil Mickelson/Colin Montgomerie US Open 2006 - Mickelson has five second placed finishes in the US Open. Montgomerie may never come closer to winning that elusive major that his career deserves. Both Montgomerie and Mickleson entered the 18th a stroke ahead of eventual winner Geoff Ogilvy but managed to double bogey their way to joint second. And you thought golf was relaxing…

The ‘It's meeting the man of my dreams, and then meeting his beautiful wife - Kick in the teeth’ Division

Australia v England Rugby World Cup Final 2003 - Losing in extra time to your greatest rivals in the tournament your hosting? It can even happen to the Aussies.

France v West Germany World Cup Semi Final 1982 - So feelings can get hurt, but losing a few teeth, damaging vertebrae and falling into a coma hurts a little more. Harald Schumacher essentially assaulted Patrick Battiston after 70 minutes when the Frenchman was through on goal and was not even called for a foul. France lead 3-1 in extra time but the pesky Germans came back to force a penalty shoot out and…wait for it…the Germans nicked it thanks to Schumacher’s key save.

USA v USSR Olympic Ice Hockey Medal Round 1980 - The Soviets had won every gold medal in men’s hockey since 1964 and thrashed the Americans 10-3 in a warm up game. Didn’t matter, they’re on the list because they lost to their Cold War rivals in the termed ‘Miracle on Ice.’
Cincinnati Bengals v Pittsburgh Steelers AFC Wild Card Game 2005 - This game not only saw the end of the Bengals improbable run to the playoffs, their first in 15 years, but the loss of their franchise QB Carson Palmer. He hasn’t been the same since and the Bengals have yet to return to the playoffs.

Yankees v Red Sox ALCS 2003 - A classic game in the history of one of sport’s great rivalries came down to extra innings in game 7, with the winner earning a place in the World Series. The Yankees won on the back of an Aaron Boone walk-off home run in the 11th and Red Sox nation mourned one final time.

Yankees v Red Sox ALCS 2004 - Redemption. The Yankees appeared set to continue their dominance over their fiercest foe after taking a 3-0 lead in the series but the Sox would fight back and this time it would be Yankee fans and players that would be left in shock. The Sox would sweep the Cardinals in the World Series and fans were provided with a classic ‘Manny being Manny’ quote; ‘I don't believe in curses, I believe you make your own destination.’

The ‘It's like ten thousand spoons, when all you need is a knife - Frankly ridiculous’ Division

Fabrice Santoro v Arnaud Clement French Open 2004 - The longest tennis match in the open era took one Frenchman over six and a half hours to win and the other Frenchman over six and a half hours to lose.

Buffalo Bills v Houston Oilers AFC Wild Card Game 1993 - 32 point deficit? backup QB? It’s only the biggest comeback in NFL history

Milan v Liverpool Champions League Final 2005 - How many lists will this game be on? But seriously, to go in at half time with a 3-0 lead and the aura of Italian defending at your back and then to find yourself watching another team lift the trophy? Tough. Really, really tough.

Man Utd v Bayern Munich Champions League Final 1999 - And you thought Liverpool fans hated United.

Green Bay Packers v Philadelphia Eagles NFC Divisional Playoffs 2004 - 4th and 26. If there’s an entrance on Wikipedia of a sporting incident it probably didn’t end well for one of the teams.

Buffalo Bills v New York Giants Superbowl 1991 - Wide right. See above.

Greg Norman US Masters 1996 - Being 6 strokes ahead overnight going into the final round of the Masters must be a dream for any golfer. Finishing 2nd and losing the biggest lead ever in the majors must be a nightmare.

The An old man, turned 98, he won the lottery, and died the next day - So close and yet so far’ Division

Roger Federer v Rafael Nadal Wimbledon Final 2008 - We would all like to play in the greatest match of all time. Just don’t lose it…

Roger Federer v Andy Roddick Wimbledon Final 2009 - It was like a week go. Watch more sport people.

Charlton v Sunderland 1st Division Playoff Final 1998 - Just a crazy game of football at about the time people began to realise the financial importance of promotion to the Premier League. 4-4 and penalties. How were the strike force of Kevin Phillips and Niall Quinn outgunned by Clive Mendonca and Steve Jones.

Man Utd v Chelsea Champions League Final 2008 - Just for JT. (odds on him being asked to take a penalty next summer?)

Liverpool v Arsenal Premier League 1989 - Sky would kill to have this game now. Last game of the season and the top two teams meet with Arsenal needing to win by two goals at Anfield to steal the title (appropriate term for a game in Liverpool). Brian Moore said it best: ‘Arsenal come streaming forward now in surely what will be their last attack. A good ball by Dixon, finding Smith, for Thomas, charging through the midfield. Thomas, it's up for grabs now!’ Liverpool 0 - 2 Arsenal. Smith 52’, Thomas 92’

New England Patriots v New York Giants Superbowl 2008 - No perfect season. No place in the conversation of best teams ever. No Superbowl. Oh and throw in that Boston v New York rivalry thing.

Germany v Italy World Cup Semi Final 2006 - About the only time an Englishman could feel sorry for a German sporting team.

Italy v Australia World Cup Second Round 2002 - About the only time an Englishman could feel sorry for an Australian sporting team.

Holland v Italy European Championships Semi Final 2000 - The tournament hosting Dutch played most of the game against ten men and were awarded two penalties in normal time but the Italians refused to lose. Hands up if you watched the game and thought Italy would win the penalty shoot out? Yup, sport is that predictable sometimes.

Oakland Raiders v New England Patriots AFC Divisonal Playoffs 2002 - Talk to any Raiders fan and this may suggest that this is the most desperate of all. On the verge of winning the game after soon-to-be Hall of Famer Rod Woodson sacked Tom Brady (before he was Tom Brady) and Oakland recovered. The play was reviewed, the call was reversed (due to a little known rule called the Tuck Rule) and Raider nation had one more reason to think that the NFL hated them.

Minnesota Vikings v Atlanta Falcons NFC Championship Game 1998 - There are not many ‘sure things’ in sport but, during the 1998 season, Gary Anderson was just that. The kicker was and is the only place kicker to ever successfully kick every Field Goal and PAT in an NFL regular season. In the dying minutes of their NFC Championship game against the Falcons, Anderson was wheeled out to tie up the game and send the Vikings to their first Superbowl in 22 years. He missed, The Falcons won the game in OT and the Vikes have still yet to get to the big game.

The ‘A traffic jam when you’re already late - Just a massive F$%* off to England football fans’ Division

England v USA World Cup Group Stage 1950 - Lost 1-0. People thought they read a misprint in the papers.

England v West Germany World Cup Quarter Final 1970. Lead 2-0, lost 3-2 after extra time.

England v Poland World Cup Qualifying 1973 - Failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time due to an inspired goalkeeper. Poland ended up coming third. Well done them.

England v Argentina World Cup Quarter Final 1986 - Lost 2-1. He already had a divine left foot but apparently had to add a hand of God to his collection. Had to be against England didn’t it…

England v Germany World Cup Semi Final 1990 - Once.

England v Germany European Championships 1996 - Twice

England v Germany World Cup Qualifying 2000 - Three times a lady. And the last game at the old Wembley. (and the last game of Kevin Keegan’s tenure so I guess we’re even)

Germany v England World Cup Qualifying 2001 - Don’t really remember this one myself. Vague memories of Emile Heskey Djing, Michael Owen scoring some goals and Stevie G sliding to the corner flag. *cough* 5-1. Didn’t hear me? 5-1. Once more for luck. 5-1.

Soundtrack kindly provided by Alanis Morissette