1) To the Lithuanian city of Siauliai, where not one, but three Gintra Universitetas players missed an open goal against Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League last Wednesday. Barça ran out 6-0 winners. It did, at least, provide an excuse to recall some of the most haunting misses of all time. We’re looking at you, Ryan Giggs (2003), Freddie Ljungberg (2005), Chris Iwulemo (2008), Fernando Torres (2011) and Philipp Hofmann (2014).
Away from the big leagues, there are clangers from Croatia (2009) and Qatar (2010), from Morocco and Algeria in 2013, Serbia in 2016 and Lithuania again, also last year. Finally, two recent contenders from Salim Cissé in Romania and Dennis van Duinen in the Netherlands:
2) In surfing news, there was a horrific wipeout in Nazaré, where Andrew Cotton was left with a broken back. Over in Australia, British surfer Charlie Fry escaped a shark attack by ‘punching it in the face’:
3) In the NFL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston gave a hearty yet painfully cringeworthy pre-match team talk to get his team-mates pumped. Not everybody was impressed. It certainly gives Billericay Town’s rousing routine a run for their money.
4) This week we’re full of superlatives. The greatest (and smoothest) motorsport pass ever? It could have been much worse. And this looks mightily good fun too.
5) Car crash television, featuring a slightly overzealous Sweden football team:
6) With the ATP Finals climaxing this week, here’s a beauty courtesy of Roger Federer. Next up: how to win a match point, by Grigor Dimitrov. And don’t overlook David Goffin’s magnificent curling forehand.
Our favourites from last week’s blog
2) AJ Green and Jalen Ramsey do battle.
3) Smooth celebrations, via Ulisses Morais, the coach of the Malaysian side, Johor.
4) Robin Zentner taking his eye off the ball.
5) And gone in less than 10 seconds in Argentina.
Spotters’ badges: TheCedarRoom, whobroughtoranges, grahamclayton, and BlackCaesar.
