Sits down to write a review of 2020 [shivers]. This year has been difficult to say the least, but despite some of the biggest sporting events being cancelled 2020 has provided memorable action and drama that only sport can provide. All the credit must go to the players themselves for entertaining us, organisers for putting safe procedures in place and the broadcasters for bringing us these moments under trying circumstances.
We thought we would reminisce on the craziest sporting year and get some of our regular contributors to give us their highlights. Here’s January-June.
JANUARY
Who knew what was to come later on in the year when thousands of raucous darts fans crowded into Alexandra Palace to see Peter Wright win the PDC World Darts Championship, defeating Michael Van Gerwen 7-3 in the final. The tournament had seen Fallon Sherrock create history in becoming the first female player to win a match at the World Championship. Her run to the third round included a memorable win over the 11th seed Mensur Suljovic.
However, the world was stunned by the tragic death of basketball legend Kobe Bryant who was among nine others killed in a helicopter crash in California. The whole of the sporting community mourned the loss of an icon, a five-time NBA champion and one of the best players to ever play the game.
Other headlines
- Novak Djokovic wins his 8th Australian Open and 17th grand slam title
- England complete 3-1 test series win over South Africa. The second test at Cape Town saw another inspirational performance from Ben Stokes with both bat and ball.
FEBRUARY
Kieran Makin 2020 Highlight - Tyson Fury stops Deontay Wilder to win the WBC Heavyweight title
“This fight seems a lifetime ago, however, it will live long in the memory as the crowning moment of arguably the greatest comeback in the history of boxing.
For me, Tyson Fury was robbed in the first fight against Deontay Wilder. I had him winning on points after a slick box and move performance orchestrated by Ben Davison.
The judges saw it differently that night and scored the bout a majority draw – Wilder saved by an explosive combination that almost knocked out the Gypsy King in round 12.
This time around under new trainer SugarHill Steward, a whole new destructive approach was taken by Fury as he bullied and broke down Wilder. He used his superior size and reach to smother Wilder before doing the damage with powerful hooks to body and head.
As a staunch boxing fan, this was one of my favourite fight nights ever.”
Harry Reynolds 2020 Highlight – Patrick Mahomes inspires Chiefs Super Bowl win
“Tom Brady has been the name in American Football over the past two decades, but in 2020 we saw a passing of the baton.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is now lighting up the sport and got his first ring by leading an incredible fourth quarter comeback against the San Francisco 49ers to win 31-20. He threw for two touchdowns and 286 yards as the Chiefs won their first Super Bowl in 50 years.
The 49ers had led 20-10 in the third quarter after Raheem Mostert’s touchdown, but that would be their final scoring play. The Chiefs responded with Travis Kelce finding the end zone, followed by two from Damien Williams to round off a truly incredible game.”
MARCH
Into March and it’s the case of before and after as sport first saw the effects of the global Coronavirus pandemic. Serie A matches were called off along with Ireland’s Six Nations match with Italy.
On March 12th, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta tested positive for Covid-19 and the FA announced the postponement of all professional football matches a day later.
The European Championships and then the Olympics were the major events to bite the dust.
Then just days before the national lockdown, the 2020 Cheltenham Festival took place which provided some memorable finishes.
A photo was required to separate Melon and Samcro in a thrilling Marsh Novices Chase with the latter prevailing for trainer Gordon Elliott. But no photo was required when Al Boum Photo notched up back-to-back Gold Cups despite a late run from Santini.
However, it is another dramatic finish that gets Harry Reynolds’ vote for moment of the year.
Harry Reynolds 2020 Highlight- Champ wins the RSA Novice Chase
“We saw one of the most thrilling races in recent memory in the RSA, a three-mile event for novice chasers.
Two fences from home, Champ looked to have less than no chance, with Minella Indo and Allaho a long way clear of Nicky Henderson’s charge under jockey Barry Geraghty.
He then fell out the back of the screen, and even his trainer admitted that all hope of victory was effectively gone.
However, he incredibly summoned a miraculous second wind and managed to mow down the front pair, riding at what would be his final Cheltenham festival.
The roar from the crowd as Champ got going really sticks in the memory, and hopefully it won’t be too long until we can experience that again.”
APRIL
Not much sport to write about here…
But instead of the Grand National at Aintree, the Virtual National went ahead which saw an average audience of 4.3 million tune in. 18-1 shot Potters Corner took the spoils with bookmarkers donating profits to NHS Charities Together.
The telly box provided the rest of the entertainment with the ESPN documentary The Last Dance becoming essential lockdown viewing, profiling the famous Chicago Bulls team of the 1990’s and Michael Jordan’s rise to fame.
MAY
What did we all do in May then? Not a lot I don’t think. We were becoming a bit sick of repeats of classic sport, although the Sky Sports Watchalongs were good fun in reliving Headingley 2019 and Edgbaston 2005.
Oh yes come to think of it, some of us started watching the Bundesliga to feed the football fix. Unfortunately, the league was largely sewn up even before Bayern Munich beat Dortmund in ‘Der Klassiker’ to win yet another title.
JUNE
June 1st saw the eagerly anticipated return of sport in the UK, but all behind closed doors. It was Newcastle’s all-weather meeting that was allowed a rare moment in the spotlight along with Snooker’s Championship League event.
Horse Racing took centre stage again with Royal Ascot ran with no spectators. It served us some great performances, including Hollie Doyle netting her first Royal meeting winner on Scarlet Dragon. The highlight was Stradivarius’ 10 length victory to win his third Ascot Gold Cup, cementing himself among the staying greats. His jockey Frankie Dettori would be leading jockey which included a treble on the final day of the meeting.
Away from the action, sport stood united in supporting the Black Lives Matter movement following the death of George Floyd with players across all sports taking the knee.
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford’s inspirational campaign for free school meals forced a Government U-turn covering the cost of lunches for 1.3 million eligible children over the summer holidays.
Football came back and the Premier League resumed in typically controversial fashion. The first game saw Aston Villa draw 0-0 with Sheffield United, but the Blades had a goal somehow not given by the seemingly fool proof goal line technology despite the Villa goalkeeper clearly carrying the ball over the line.
But it was on 25th June 2020, the moment Liverpool fans had waited 30 years for.
Chris Coughlin 2020 Highlight – Liverpool’s first Premier League title
"My sporting moment of the year has to be when Chelsea beat Manchester City meaning Liverpool were crowned champions of England for the first time in 30 years.
Prior to project restart, Liverpool had produced the most dominant top-flight season in history with 82 points from a possible 87, having fallen short by a point the previous season.
Of course health and safety is ultimately much more important than sport, but it was a huge relief when it was confirmed that the season would be completed.
The trophy presentation (not until July) was bittersweet given there were no fans inside Anfield, but there can be no doubt the Liverpool squad of 2019/20 will be part of club legend forever.
Other Headlines
- Matchroom Boxing returned with ‘Fight Camp’ in Eddie and Barry Hearn’s back garden
- The WSL was curtailed with Chelsea crowned champions and the Scottish Premiership title went the way of Celtic
Look out tomorrow for part 2 covering the second half of the year and plenty more of our other pundit highlights!
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