Sporting glory 2005: Agony and ecstasy in search for triumph

Steven Gerrard (left) raises the European Cup trophy in front of his team-mates as confetti rains. Picture / Reuters

The picture of AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini told the story.

Head down, his right hand was tearing off a loser's medal that did not appear destined for his neck at halftime in the European Cup final.

AC Milan had led Liverpool 3-0 at the break in the match at Istanbul. With their team completely outplayed, Liverpool fans were not only having to contemplate an agonising second half, a loss was also likely to send their star midfielder Steven Gerrard, desperate for silverware, to another club.

Yet Liverpool mounted the most fantastic of comebacks, to lift the cup for the fifth time.

They fired in three goals between the 54th and 59th minute. And it had to be Gerrard who started the comeback, with a headed goal.

Erratic goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek did the job for Liverpool in the penalty shoot-out, and all of Liverpool launched into celebrations.

This was, for many, the international sporting highlight of the year.

Another serious contender was the much-anticipated Ashes series which may have turned on a turned ankle.

Glenn McGrath stood on a cricket ball while playing rugby during the opening-day warm-ups before the second test at Edgbaston, Australia having won the first test at Lord's.

McGrath's absence was crucial as England rallied to win a thriller by two runs, the closest result in Ashes history. England went on to a 2-1 series victory, breaking Australia's winning run since 1989.

And England had a Botham-like cricketing hero in Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff.

Two other British soccer stories also dominated. The tempestuous Roy Keane left Manchester United after a glittering career. The player regarded as the most dominant in the history of the Premiership had never been shy in slamming team-mates who he believed were not up to the job.

But when he did so again, on the club's TV channel, it signalled the end was in sight. The interview wasn't shown, but was revealed by a newspaper. Keane ended up with Celtic.

And the death of the legendary Irish footballer George Best, aged 59, touched many hearts. Best lost his long fight with alcoholism at the end of 2005, bringing back a flood of memories about the slight Manchester United star with a unique talent and a pop star lifestyle.

The grainy film clips only told some of the soccer story. Those who actually saw Best's deeds will never forget them.

Normal transmission resumed in golf. Tiger Woods continued his relentless pursuit of Jack Nicklaus' record of winning major titles by snaring another two. His win in the British Open took him to 10, eight behind Nicklaus, and also meant he joined the Golden Bear as the only player to have won every major at least twice.

Closer to home, a much less anticipated golfing story emerged. Robert Allenby, despite battling a hand injury, became the first player to win Australia's triple crown in one season, claiming the Open, PGA and Masters titles in consecutive weeks over November and December.

Dumped All Black coach John Mitchell broke new ground by being appointed coach of Australia's new Super 14 team in Perth, but the man who helped end his New Zealand reign struck stony ground.

Australian rugby coach Eddie Jones was fired after a run of disastrous defeats. A crestfallen Jones, his dream of winning the 2007 World Cup already snatched away, doggedly declared he wanted to coach the Wallabies again one day. Don't count on it, Eddie.

And the international rugby coaching rollercoaster didn't end there. David Nucifora, the title-winning coach dumped by the Brumbies, was appointed the Blues' new Super 14 coach.


Golf facts

10
major titles for Tiger Woods, now just
8
behind Jack Nicklaus. They are the only golfers to win all
4
majors at least twice