2012 is now alive and well, and after a week of Premier League unpredictability, controversy involving an English Rugby player, and domination from Djokovic, it seems as if nothing has changed. But lest we forget, 2011 was a fantastic year for sport, and here are 11 of its greatest features:
1: DOMINATION: In a fashion totally at odds to that of the continental currency, two Europeans enjoyed years of crushing domination. Sebastian Vettel obliterated his rivals with a, well, drive-away victory. 11 wins, 15 poles, and hegemony so extensive that the season’s most exciting moments were the battles between the various also-rans. In tennis Novak Djokovic’s triumph was less expected but almost more magnificent due to the calibre of opposition he swept aside. Three Grand Slam titles and two pulsating semi-finals against Roger Federer were among the highlights. What odds on Hamilton and Murray doing the same?
2. POLITICAL WRANGLING: It has been a year of anguish for sports various governing bodies. The RFU has led the way with its World Cup debacle, and dossier leaking, player-protecting, ball-tampering antics. FIFA and its ever-autocratic leader Sepp Blatter has not been far behind. 2011 began with Qatar being awarded the world cup, and ended with Blatter’s bizarre views on racism, with a catalogue of electoral incompetence in between. When also considering the various dramas in US sport, plus scheduling controversies within the ICC and ATP, then sporting misdemeanour really has matched that of the wider world.
3. SCANDAL At a lower level scandal has also been rife. Football had Ryan Giggs not so well gagged disreputability, the sexism of Sky’s Andy Grey and Richard Keys, and then racism from Messrs Suarez and Terry, and its defence by Blatter. Elsewhere we saw a trackside punch-up between two athletics team-mates, and a very public breakup between Tiger Woods and his caddy. Yet worst of all there was the moronic behaviour of England’s Rugby finest as they lurched from one catastrophe to the next. With dwarf-gate, ferry-gate, maid-gate and a generous barrelling of beer-gate, we had it all.
4. BALLOTELLI. And lest we forget this man deserves a whole chapter to himself. After embroiling in training ground fights, dart-throwing antics, and a bizarre back heal in front of an open goal, the Italian enhanced his already notorious reputation. Yet another side to his personality has emerged. Yes he set off fireworks in his bathroom, but he also helped a bullied school boy and gave away money on the street. His question of ‘why always me’ is simple. He is young and has an unbridled capacity for attention. But he is also a talented if precocious player. An idiot yes, but an increasingly loveable one and if nothing else ‘Ladotelli’ has added humour to the Premier League.
5. STRUGGLING OLYMPIC STARS. The ultimate test will be next year, but Beijing’s two greatest heroes both showed glimpses of fragility in 2011. OK, save one false start, Usain Bolt was unbeaten, and he still won two World Championship titles. But the emergence of Yohan Blake is certainly a threat and next year should be thrilling. Michael Phelps now has a formidable rival, not in Ian Thorpe, but in teammate Ryan Lochte, who won five World gold’s to Phelps’ four, including both of their head to heads. British stars were not immune to these tremors either. Sir Chris Hoy and Victorian Pendleton both lost World Titles, while Sailing supreme Ben Ainslie did likewise albeit only after confrontation and disqualification.
6. BRITISH SUCCESS however, remained plentiful and particularly in endurance events. Kerry-Anne Payne and Becky Adlington ensured a golden swimming double, the latter after a thrilling duel with Danish rival Lotte Friis. In Triathlon, Alistair Brownlee and Helen Jenkins became World Champions in Olympic disciplines, while Chrissie Wellington was one of numerous other global winners. Mo Farah’s stunning ascent to stardom saw three British Records before gold and silver in Daegu, while Mark Cavendish was simply magnificent throughout the year. A Tour de France green jersey and a World Championsip gold were his greatest accolades as he won Sports Personality with a whopping 49% of the vote.
7. GOLFING GREATNESS from various British stars. Like the buses, after no Major winners since 1999 two came along at once. Rory McIlroy recovered from the low of the Masters to triumph in the PGA before Darren Clarke crowned his career by winning the Open. After five victories Luke Donald also became the first player to top money lists both sides of the Atlantic, with, with Donald, Lee Westwood and McIlroy completing an all British 1-2-3 in the rankings. Add to that a thrilling Solheim Cup win for Europe and the emergence of young star Lauren Taylor and it really was a stunning year.
8. TEST CRICKET cannot be left out as well. By January 1st we had already retained the Ashes but we subsequently won down-under for the first time in 24 years with a crushing Sydney victory. A 4-0 thrashing of World Champs India (including Sachin ’99 hundreds’ Tendulkar) was to follow as England topped the World Test standings. Cook, Bell and Pietersen are among the best batsman, while Swann and any number of seamers far-and away the best bowlers, with keeper Matt Prior completing a supreme line-up. The 50 over format remains elusive, but it is Test cricket which remains the games pinnacle and England are its clear leaders.
9. ANTIPODEAN RENNOVATION. After the low of Sydney Australia slowly recovered to beat India, while Casey Stoner, Sally Pierson and their Four Nations winning Rugby League team have added some gloss. Yet it is New Zealand who should be really happy after finally winning their first World Cup since 1987. They may have been largely outplayed in the final against the French but they won, and they won with a fourth choice fly-half, while also staging a tournament which was attractive, successful and welcoming.
10. TRAGEDY is unfortunately a given in life and sport, but 2011 did have more than its fair share. The death of Gary Speed baffled and bemused and was a tremendous loss to football and to Wales, with whom he promised so much. The motorcycle deaths of Dan Wheldon and Mario Simoncello were tragic and beg questions over the safety of motor sport, while the demise of Olympic Marathon champion Sammy Wanjiru brings a stark reminder of the perils of fame and fortune. The deaths of Ballestrios, Socrates, Cooper and others lacked the tragedy but not the sadness. Long may they all be remembered.
11. PREMIER LEAGUE: But we must end on a high. And despite national inconsistency and Champions League failure the top flight has been only too exciting in 2011, with last season ending in the most pulsating relegation battle ever. This campaign has seen the emergence of a Manchester civil war. City have the better team on paper, as their 6-1 thrashing at Old Trafford showed. United however have the managerial genius of Sir Alex barely dimmed after 25 years at the helm. Both ended 2011 with losses and the reminder that in the Premier League, the unexpected must always be expected.
More of the same we hope in 2012.
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