David EdwardsAustralian Sporting Moments 2006 – The Top 5
December 31st 2006 06:12
Today we are counting down the top five Australian sporting moments for 2006, one of the biggest years that Australian sports has seen for some time. We begin with a fantastic match that went for five days, but went down to the final hour of play.
#5. Australia’s defeat of England at the second Test in Adelaide
After Australia won the first Test in one of the most anticipated Ashes series for generations, many thought that Adelaide was turning into an anti-climax.
For four days, all the signs were there for a drawn Test. England had batted for most of the first two days play, to score a respectable 6/550 dec, and Australia responded to batting just as long to notch up 513 runs. With the full 2nd Innings remaining and only a day and a session remaining of play, it was certain that the 2nd Test would be drawn.
But Australia stuck back, and essentially turned the game on its heel. Warne, who had notched an terrible 1/167 in the first innings, turned it around in his second attempt to grab four wickets for just 49 runs. England, who started the final day on 1/59, dropped the ball in a major way, and with key players such as Flintoff, Pietersen, Cook, and Giles unable to notch a double-digit figure, collapsed all out for 129.
With one session remaining, and Australia aiming for 168 runs, every run was vital. Langer was unable to get past six, Martyn, in what was his final first-class match, could only grab five, but the batters were able to stay the course.
In the end it was the next generation batsmen, Hussey and Michael Clarke, who got the final runs needed to earn the victory. It was a fantastic match from the Australian squad, and was what the squad needed to grab the psychological advantage going into the third Test, which ultimately retrieved the Ashes for them. The Adelaide Test was vital for the Australian squad, the Ashes series, and for all the cricket fans around the world.
#4. West Coast Eagles winning the AFL Premiership by one point
The AFL Grand Final in 2006 was one of the closest victories that the game of Australia Rules of Football had seen in over 100 years.
The two sides, the West Coast Eagles and the Sydney Swans, were playing in a replay of the 2005 final. Both sides had been worthy foes of each other for a number of years, with a number of memorable games.
And 2006 Grand Final was not different. The game swayed from one side to another, and whilst the West Coast Eagles had the upper hand at half time, the Sydney Swans came back in the third quarter, and at the start of the final quarter, there was only 11 points difference.
The final quarter was a hard fought contest, and with both sides trying to get the upper hand, it ended up for the final five minutes, and the West Coast Eagles grabbing the much needed goal in the 24th minute to grab the victory, by a single point.
It was the second closest game in the history of the sport, with only the 1977 Grand Final draw, and the second ever Grand Final in 1899 being as close. But after a great campaign between two of the strongest sides the competition has seen for some time, it was a perfect ending to a sensational season by West Coast and Sydney
#3. Socceroos’ defeat of Japan in the World Cup
The bronze spot goes to Socceroos fairy-tale start to their World Cup campaign in Germany.
After their qualification penalty kick last November being named the biggest sporting moment of 2005, their World Cup campaign was always going to grab the heart of the nation.
But no one could anticipate how much the general public would begin supporting their boys. Many supporters would wake up in the middle of the night to watch the game, and city centres around the nation had fans crammed in during the cold hours to watch the game on big screens.
With their first World Cup since the 70s grabbing the attention of the public, facing up against Japan in their first match was always going to be a major event.
It started quite slowly, with Japan earning a seemingly dubious goal in the first half. For the majority of the match, it would look like Australia would not be able to break their goalless World Cup curse, until youngster Tim Cahill was substituted into the game.
With only 6 minutes left of regular play, Cahill tied up the game from a loose ball in the penalty spot. A few minutes later, he scored again from 18 yards to earn Australia the lead.
But they did not stop there, with the star of November, John Aloisi, grabbing the final goal in injury time to finish the match 3-1 for Australia.
It was the first ever World Cup victory that Australia had experienced, not to mention the first ever goals scored in their campaign. For many of their supporters, it made their wait worth it, and more so, it gave Australia the edge in the competition to make it to the 2nd round of the competition. We will all wait to see how the next World Cup campaign will kick off, with the sudden celebrity status most players have at the moment
Opals Win World Basketball Championship
The top two spots of the Sporting Moments of 2006 were separated by a single vote, and whilst both were vastly different in comparison.
With so many world championships occurring in 2006, the World Cup, the Commonwealth Games, the World Baseball Classic, the women’s World Basketball championships did seem to go through unnoticed.
But even so, it was a massive day for the Australian basketball fans. The Opals, lead by WNBA and WNBL star Lauren Jackson, were trying to stake a bigger claim in the world standings.
Always a major player in the world of basketball, the Opals always seemed to not be able to grab that final glory that they deserved. That all changed in September, when they were able to defeat Russia 91-74 for the championship.
The Opals went through the tournament undefeated, and after knocking out their arch nemesis, USA, in the semi-finals to advance to the Championship match, it would seem that they could go all the way.
With the able bodied Russia squad in their way of victory, it was always going to be a challenge. But Jackson, and tournament MVP Penny Taylor both seriously contributing to the victory, they were able to upset the favourites, and claim the world championship they have richly deserved for years.
Whilst many people did miss the championship, due to it being played during the finals series of both the NRL and AFL, it was still a major event for Australian sports. It was the first time we were able to upstage America in one of their signature sports, plus be able to effectively show off the talent that emerges from our shores in ability and athleticism.
Congratulations must go to the Opals, and hope that they see that it was a close call from Sporting Mind in being the biggest Australian Sporting Event of 2006.
With that said, it is time to reveal the number one Australian sporting event of 2006, congratulations to….
#1. Socceroos’ World Cup Loss to Italy
It was a major event, and whilst it was most probably the most heartbreaking moment for any sporting fan, it was by far the most talked about event that Australia endured in sports this year.
After advancing to the second round after drawing with Croatia in one of the strangest matches the World Cup had seen (three yellow cards to one player, and fights breaking out all over the field), Australia had a major fight on their hands going up against soccer juggernauts of Italy.
The match itself was a hard fought contest, with both sides unable to grab the upper hand throughout the 90 minutes. Even with Italy’s defender Marco Materazzi being sent off in the 51st minute, the Socceroos could not break through the barrier to earn a goal against the 10-men Italian squad.
It went down to injury time, and with both sides seemingly playing for extra time, most fans and supporters were absolutely stunned in literally the dying seconds of the game when the unthinkable happened, a penalty.
Fabio Grosso was advancing into the penalty box, with Lucas Neill trying to slide in and nock the ball out of his control. However Neill missed, and whilst he missed everything, it seemed that Grosso seemed to make contact with him and trip over, causing a penalty.
Francesco Totti dashed the Socceroos chances in advancing even further, notching the goal in the final minute of the game, with in fact the final kick of the Socceroos’ World Cup campaign.
Whilst it was a heart-breaking moment for all soccer fans watching around the nation, and even when chests were beaten and teeth were gnashed at the dubious penalty decision, it has now become for the wrong reasons the most memorable Australian sporting moment of 2006.
But it was probably one of the best ways that the Socceroos could exit. Instead of falling apart against the experienced and talented opponents, they squared up against them for the full ninety minutes, and if it was not for a controversial penalty against them, they could have gone even further.
Plus it does help that Italy won the World Cup, emphasising that the seemingly green Socceroos could match it up against the world’s best.
Congratulations to the Socceroos for earning the number one spot, and being awarded the Sporting Mind Australian Sporting Moment for 2006. Lets just see if they can wow us again in 2010 in South Africa.
For all my readers, I must thank you for staying with throughout the year. 2006 was a massive year for sport, not only in Australia but around the world, and I am grateful that I have been able to commentate on it for so long.
Have a great new years eve, and I will see you in 2007.
Until next time, sports minds.
#5. Australia’s defeat of England at the second Test in Adelaide
After Australia won the first Test in one of the most anticipated Ashes series for generations, many thought that Adelaide was turning into an anti-climax.
For four days, all the signs were there for a drawn Test. England had batted for most of the first two days play, to score a respectable 6/550 dec, and Australia responded to batting just as long to notch up 513 runs. With the full 2nd Innings remaining and only a day and a session remaining of play, it was certain that the 2nd Test would be drawn.
But Australia stuck back, and essentially turned the game on its heel. Warne, who had notched an terrible 1/167 in the first innings, turned it around in his second attempt to grab four wickets for just 49 runs. England, who started the final day on 1/59, dropped the ball in a major way, and with key players such as Flintoff, Pietersen, Cook, and Giles unable to notch a double-digit figure, collapsed all out for 129.
With one session remaining, and Australia aiming for 168 runs, every run was vital. Langer was unable to get past six, Martyn, in what was his final first-class match, could only grab five, but the batters were able to stay the course.
In the end it was the next generation batsmen, Hussey and Michael Clarke, who got the final runs needed to earn the victory. It was a fantastic match from the Australian squad, and was what the squad needed to grab the psychological advantage going into the third Test, which ultimately retrieved the Ashes for them. The Adelaide Test was vital for the Australian squad, the Ashes series, and for all the cricket fans around the world.
#4. West Coast Eagles winning the AFL Premiership by one point
The AFL Grand Final in 2006 was one of the closest victories that the game of Australia Rules of Football had seen in over 100 years.
The two sides, the West Coast Eagles and the Sydney Swans, were playing in a replay of the 2005 final. Both sides had been worthy foes of each other for a number of years, with a number of memorable games.
And 2006 Grand Final was not different. The game swayed from one side to another, and whilst the West Coast Eagles had the upper hand at half time, the Sydney Swans came back in the third quarter, and at the start of the final quarter, there was only 11 points difference.
The final quarter was a hard fought contest, and with both sides trying to get the upper hand, it ended up for the final five minutes, and the West Coast Eagles grabbing the much needed goal in the 24th minute to grab the victory, by a single point.
It was the second closest game in the history of the sport, with only the 1977 Grand Final draw, and the second ever Grand Final in 1899 being as close. But after a great campaign between two of the strongest sides the competition has seen for some time, it was a perfect ending to a sensational season by West Coast and Sydney
#3. Socceroos’ defeat of Japan in the World Cup
The bronze spot goes to Socceroos fairy-tale start to their World Cup campaign in Germany.
After their qualification penalty kick last November being named the biggest sporting moment of 2005, their World Cup campaign was always going to grab the heart of the nation.
But no one could anticipate how much the general public would begin supporting their boys. Many supporters would wake up in the middle of the night to watch the game, and city centres around the nation had fans crammed in during the cold hours to watch the game on big screens.
With their first World Cup since the 70s grabbing the attention of the public, facing up against Japan in their first match was always going to be a major event.
It started quite slowly, with Japan earning a seemingly dubious goal in the first half. For the majority of the match, it would look like Australia would not be able to break their goalless World Cup curse, until youngster Tim Cahill was substituted into the game.
With only 6 minutes left of regular play, Cahill tied up the game from a loose ball in the penalty spot. A few minutes later, he scored again from 18 yards to earn Australia the lead.
But they did not stop there, with the star of November, John Aloisi, grabbing the final goal in injury time to finish the match 3-1 for Australia.
It was the first ever World Cup victory that Australia had experienced, not to mention the first ever goals scored in their campaign. For many of their supporters, it made their wait worth it, and more so, it gave Australia the edge in the competition to make it to the 2nd round of the competition. We will all wait to see how the next World Cup campaign will kick off, with the sudden celebrity status most players have at the moment
Opals Win World Basketball Championship
The top two spots of the Sporting Moments of 2006 were separated by a single vote, and whilst both were vastly different in comparison.
With so many world championships occurring in 2006, the World Cup, the Commonwealth Games, the World Baseball Classic, the women’s World Basketball championships did seem to go through unnoticed.
But even so, it was a massive day for the Australian basketball fans. The Opals, lead by WNBA and WNBL star Lauren Jackson, were trying to stake a bigger claim in the world standings.
Always a major player in the world of basketball, the Opals always seemed to not be able to grab that final glory that they deserved. That all changed in September, when they were able to defeat Russia 91-74 for the championship.
The Opals went through the tournament undefeated, and after knocking out their arch nemesis, USA, in the semi-finals to advance to the Championship match, it would seem that they could go all the way.
With the able bodied Russia squad in their way of victory, it was always going to be a challenge. But Jackson, and tournament MVP Penny Taylor both seriously contributing to the victory, they were able to upset the favourites, and claim the world championship they have richly deserved for years.
Whilst many people did miss the championship, due to it being played during the finals series of both the NRL and AFL, it was still a major event for Australian sports. It was the first time we were able to upstage America in one of their signature sports, plus be able to effectively show off the talent that emerges from our shores in ability and athleticism.
Congratulations must go to the Opals, and hope that they see that it was a close call from Sporting Mind in being the biggest Australian Sporting Event of 2006.
With that said, it is time to reveal the number one Australian sporting event of 2006, congratulations to….
#1. Socceroos’ World Cup Loss to Italy
It was a major event, and whilst it was most probably the most heartbreaking moment for any sporting fan, it was by far the most talked about event that Australia endured in sports this year.
After advancing to the second round after drawing with Croatia in one of the strangest matches the World Cup had seen (three yellow cards to one player, and fights breaking out all over the field), Australia had a major fight on their hands going up against soccer juggernauts of Italy.
The match itself was a hard fought contest, with both sides unable to grab the upper hand throughout the 90 minutes. Even with Italy’s defender Marco Materazzi being sent off in the 51st minute, the Socceroos could not break through the barrier to earn a goal against the 10-men Italian squad.
It went down to injury time, and with both sides seemingly playing for extra time, most fans and supporters were absolutely stunned in literally the dying seconds of the game when the unthinkable happened, a penalty.
Fabio Grosso was advancing into the penalty box, with Lucas Neill trying to slide in and nock the ball out of his control. However Neill missed, and whilst he missed everything, it seemed that Grosso seemed to make contact with him and trip over, causing a penalty.
Francesco Totti dashed the Socceroos chances in advancing even further, notching the goal in the final minute of the game, with in fact the final kick of the Socceroos’ World Cup campaign.
Whilst it was a heart-breaking moment for all soccer fans watching around the nation, and even when chests were beaten and teeth were gnashed at the dubious penalty decision, it has now become for the wrong reasons the most memorable Australian sporting moment of 2006.
But it was probably one of the best ways that the Socceroos could exit. Instead of falling apart against the experienced and talented opponents, they squared up against them for the full ninety minutes, and if it was not for a controversial penalty against them, they could have gone even further.
Plus it does help that Italy won the World Cup, emphasising that the seemingly green Socceroos could match it up against the world’s best.
Congratulations to the Socceroos for earning the number one spot, and being awarded the Sporting Mind Australian Sporting Moment for 2006. Lets just see if they can wow us again in 2010 in South Africa.
For all my readers, I must thank you for staying with throughout the year. 2006 was a massive year for sport, not only in Australia but around the world, and I am grateful that I have been able to commentate on it for so long.
Have a great new years eve, and I will see you in 2007.
Until next time, sports minds.
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