Top Sports Moments: 1-5

So, Euro 2008 is on, which means I'm getting all pumped up for soccer- so in the spirit of that, I thought I'd bring you some important, meaningful sports moments from my life thus far, for your viewing pleasure:

1. The Hand of God Goal, 1986 Semi-Finals of the World Cup: This has entered English lore and has been impressed upon me as one of the many reasons England has to beat Argentina whenever they play them. I was, of course, 3 at the time, but being English and visiting relatives, whenever this is mentioned, the inevitable 'we was robbed' or 'he cheated' is tacked on afterwards.



2. That said, however much I hate Maradona and Argentina, even I am forced to admit that the goal he scored after The Hand of God goal was down right awesome. He shreds England's back line like he's a rock going through a wet paper bag. Impressive stuff.



3. England vs. Argentina 1998: the best game of any sport I have seen in my entire life. There's so much of a rivalry, so much of a grudge between the two teams- and in this game, both teams came out onto the field and played at a blistering pace, not giving an inch for the full 90 and the 30 of overtime before England cracked in penalties. Amazing thing is: England went a man down because of that idiotic penalty Beckham got. Argentina went a man down- and they still played, full-speed, balls to wall soccer. I think by the end of it, I was biting my nails, my Mom was biting her nails- and incredibly my Dad (not the soccer nut of the family) was on the couch as well. Just unbelievable stuff.



4. Holland vs. Argentina 1998: Revenge is sweet, however, as I was pleased to watch Holland take down Argentina under the leadership of Dennis Bergkamp and this kick-ass goal. I can't remember if this is the goal I'm thinking about or not- it's the crucial one to be sure, but another one I seem to recall is Bergkamp going up for the ball, kicking it down- around an Argentine defender, coming back down, getting it and smacking it in for the goal. Amazing stuff, but then again, whether this is the right goal or not, Bergkamp is still awesome.



5. Linford Christie wins the 100m Gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics: I was in my Grandmother's living room when this happened- in Britain no less, and it was a major deal. Christie was not only old, but he was British and he had won gold- and Britain at the Olympics doesn't do that too often these days. Torvil and Dean did it in 1984 (another sports moment) but this was one I saw.