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Sport News 24/7Betfair's Moments of the Decade: Part One
/ Editor / 13 December 2009 / Leave a comment
With the noughties drawing to a close the editors asked Betting.Betfair's finest for their moments of the decade as well as a top tip for 2010. As you'd expect, the responses are diverse, fascinating and likely to cause much debate. We'll be publishing them all between now and Christmas so please join in by adding your own moment at the bottom. Here is part one.
Paul Jacobs
Jockey Andrew Thornton has suffered some terrible injury blows down the years and trainer Robert Alner had tragically been involved in a serious accident that year, so Miko de Beauchene's victory in the 2007 Welsh National was a sweet moment for all concerned.
Tip for 2010: Winner of his only start at Goodwood by six lengths, Workforce looks an exciting prospect for next year's 2,000 Guineas and Derby.
Mike Norman
Middlesbrough's UEFA Cup semi-final victory over Steau Bucharest was incredible. Trailing at one stage 3-0 on aggregrate, Boro produced 60 minutes of magical, emotionally-charged football to turn the tie around and reach the club's first ever European final. The atmosphere was electric and the noise deafening; it was a night that I will never forget.
Tip for 2010: Back Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League Relegation market. Gary Megson's strugglers are a one-man team in my opinion, and when that man (Kevin Davies) is unavailable or out of form then Bolton cannot score goals.
Nick Shiambouros
My greatest sporting moment of the decade is unequivocally Game 7 of the ALCS between the Tampa Rays and the Boston Red Sox.This historic game was played at Tropicana Field on October 18th 2008 and I was lucky enough to attend. The Rays came from behind and beat the Sox to earn a place in the World Series. This was a game for the ages and one that I will never forget.
Tip for 2010: Boston Celtics to win the NBA Championship.
Sean Calvert
Goran Ivanisevic winning the Wimbledon title in 2001 is an iconic moment in tennis history and one of my favourite sporting memories of all time. It was a moment that brought a tear to the eye of this cynical hack, as the hugely talented and popular Croatian could barely hold his racquet to serve out the final game for victory against the unfortunate Pat Rafter.
Tip for 2010: Back to lay on Novak Djokovic to win the Australian Open at [8.2]. Much will depend on the draw, but the Serbian has to be the value as things stand and his price will tumble if he avoids Roger Federer.
Robin Keck
With the decade only 74 days old I watched in awe as Istabraq claimed his third Champion Hurdle. My 'moment of the decade' though was in Simon Holt's commentary which has stayed with me ever since: "...Istabraq strikes the front with just his favourite hill to climb". I have no idea if Simon had prepared to say the line before the race but the concept of a horse having a favourite hill just makes me smile
Tip for 2010: Diamond Harry to win the World Hurdle.
Steve Rawlings
Massive and sudden swings in the market are commonplace in golf and the events of July 20th 2003 demonstrate this perfectly. I was consumed by shock, then disbelief, and subsequently sadness, as Thomas Bjorn, with The Open Championship at his mercy, took three shots to get out of the greenside bunker on the 16th at Sandwich. A bogey followed at the 17th, and his chance of glory and my sizeable wager were lost. I've since discovered the pink button, but Thomas still hasn't recovered.
Tip for 2010: Phil Mickelson to win the US Open
