The year in review from our video series
The year began with a truck full of hay bales destroying the inflatable finish line at the Tour Down Under and ended with Jimmy Gressier celebrating his Euro under-23 Cross Country title by faceplanting over the line. In the meantime, there were salutary lessons in how to avoid being hit by a heavyweight boxer (leave the ring as soon as the bell goes), sensational holes in one, football supporters showing their good side by hurling hundreds of toys on to the pitch to be collected for ill children, Peter Sagan’s dad losing his mind, a full-court buzzer beater, plus romance at Charlton (imagine telling the kids about that time you proposed during a Checkatrade Trophy game) and another proposal, after breaking an Ironman course record.
A bumper year for screamers …
… Particularly of the half-pitch variety. Here’s Ikromjon Alibaev of Lokomotiv Tashkent lashing one in from his own half, and Louis MacLachlan scoring direct from the kick-off in the under-14s Scottish Cup final, before Cliftonville’s Billie Simpson returns a goal kick with interest. It’s not all about individuals, however, with Lyon Duchère and Entente both producing goal of the season contenders in the same match in France, and Portugal’s Sacavenense juniors combining for a belter. But it is a bit about individuals: here’s Riley McGree scoring a backheeled volley from downtown, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo being Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan being Zlatan. Still, though, none of them are a backflip penalty.
But sometimes they just won’t go in …
… As both North Carolina and London non-leaguers Wingate & Finchley discovered. Sometimes, though, they all go in.
It’s not just the players who have an impact
Referees have been known to score, when they’re not missing clear goals or using the local snapper as a makeshift VAR unit, while managers are not above tripping opposing players. Meanwhile, in Brazil, players are expected to bump start ambulances after an injury.
Goalkeeping and own goals dept
A 20-yard own-goal thunderbolt, how not to throw a ball, falling foul of the rules and a keeper scoring a last-minute winner. And, best not to have a drink at an inopportune time.
Broadcasting in football: not always seamless
Pity the poor Lyon player who turned up to a presser to discover a media blackout, while supporters in Switzerland took issue with eSports by hurling tennis balls on to the pitch, and one fan in Turkey took matters into his own hands after being banned from the ground.
Marathon men
To the world of athletics and the heartwarming tale of the 85-year-old ultra-marathon record breaker. Elsewhere, there was the Venice underwater marathon and a cheeky bit of Diamond League sabotage.
Never work with animals
At The Races presenter Hayley Moore stops a runaway horse, Elaura Cieslik’s sensational bareback ride to victory, kangaroo v footballers and why it’s best not to jog on to a racecourse with your headphones on.
Extreme sports: not for us, Clive
Apparently, it works for some people – some 19-second kitesurf air, Anna Gasser’s record-breaking triple snowboard cork, surfing a wall of wave, a miraculous save, when skiing and parkour collide, and how to backflip 20ft.
And finally …
Classic YouTube will return in the new year – in the meantime, feel free to post any videos you see over Christmas below the line.
