There is a lot to soak in from an action-packed 2018. We saw some incredible performances, shock upsets and enough controversies to keep fans glued to the TV (or phone) screens.
From the FIFA World Cup to the Formula One championship, there was something to entertain fans across the globe. Needless to say, there can’t be a consensus regarding what was the most memorable moment of the year.
So Sport360 asked its writers to name their picks for the top moment of the year. Enjoy…
BRENDON NETTO
Eagles’ Super Bowl win
Not only did the Philadelphia Eagles upset the odds by beating New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, they did so under the leadership of back-up quarterback Nick Foles. Carson Wentz’s stand-in rose to the occasion at Super Bowl 52, going toe-to-toe with Tom Brady and coming out on top. He even scored from an outrageous trick play before half-time. A 41-33 win crowned the Eagles champions for the first time since 1960.
MATT MONAGHAN
Maradona’s interview
Diego Maradona has rarely been lost for words. But an interview with ESPN Mexico saw the usual contortionist skills applied to his facial muscles, rather than the football, as he hilariously spent more than 10 seconds concocting an answer to an inane question. This shouldn’t detract, however, from excellent work at Dorados, whom he took to the brink of promotion. Some retort for a farcical end to his Fujairah adventure.
AJIT VIJAYKUMAR
Burns’ try disaster
Never celebrate before you win. It’s a simple rule and the importance of that was made amply clear to Bath full-back Freddie Burns who celebrated prematurely while completing what would have been a late match-winning try in their Champions Cup match against Toulouse. Before he could finish the job, Maxime Medard tapped the ball out of Burns’ hand. A great lesson for every athlete out there – it is never over until it is over.
NIALL McCAGUE
Ireland’s win over the All Blacks
It had been a long time coming but Ireland finally beat the All Blacks on home soil in November to cap off a remarkable year. Joe Schmidt’s side added to their Grand Slam triumph and first series win in Australia since 1979 in June as they sent out a warning before the Rugby World Cup. The win over the All Blacks provided confirmation of the team’s world class ability and adds belief ahead of September’s showpiece.
SOORAJ KAMATH
Ana Hegerberg creates history by winning the Ballon d’Or Feminin
As a woman, making a name for herself in a sport where the men get most of the recognition was never going to be easy. But Hegerberg believed in her dreams and created history by becoming the first woman to win the Ballon d’Or Feminin. The 23-year-old has won plenty of silverware in her career, but clinching the prestigious individual award is sure to sit top of her achievements to date.
ASHISH PETER
Sandpapergate
Shockwaves reverberated around the cricketing world as a bizarre press conference unfolded at Newlands. It was an incident that shook Australian cricket to the core. It saw star batsman Steve Smith lose out on international cricket for a year with David Warner copping the same punishment. The ball-tampering saga has forced Australian cricket to introspect as they look to overhaul their dressing room culture.
CHRIS BAILEY
Sophia Florsch’s crash
It was literally car crash television. We never see the cannon, but can only assume it is there as Sophia Floersch’s car hurtles into view before punching a hole into a stand. Then come the waves of guilt as a witness to someone’s final moments – how can someone survive that? – but somehow, the teenager cheated death. She emerged from her Formula 3 car conscious, if with a (fully treatable) spinal fracture. Now she can continue pursuing her F1 dream, but wow – that was some early claim to fame.