# What are the best matches and bouts in the different sports? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 24, 2015, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-matches-and-bouts-in-the-different-sports/720754 "2015-05-24T23:03:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2015, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-matches-and-bouts-in-the-different-sports/720754/1 "2015-05-24T23:03:22Z")
Whether it’s basketball, baseball, boxing, MMA, judo, sumo, karate, wrestling, hockey, tennis, racing, rugby, football, football or cricket, yes, even cricket or any other sport you care to choose, what are the most interesting/exciting matches or bouts in their history? Please mention what makes them interesting as well enough detail to track them down. ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-matches-and-bouts-in-the-different-sports/720754/2 "2015-05-25T00:42:33Z")
Rugby: All Blacks v Wallabies Tri-Nations 2000 - the full match [is here.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDfkCftBurQ) ETA: What makes it interesting? A smashing start by one side, a great comeback by the other, lots of tries and lead changes, decided in extra time. Oh and the largest crowd for a rugby international ever. Lots of all time great players as well. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-matches-and-bouts-in-the-different-sports/720754/3 "2015-05-25T01:18:34Z")
[2008 Men’s final at Wimbledon](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/zoom-page/) Federer vs. Nadal It’s rare that near universal agreement happens on these kind of things, but within 24 hours, almost everyone declared it the greatest tennis match of all time. Two top players in history both playing at their top form and battling it out like never seen before. It’s the best sports match I’ve watched live on TV in my life. [Here is an article written not too long after.](http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/GREATEST-MATCH-EVER-3277989.php) John McEnroe declared it the greatest match of all time as well and almost did so while it was taking place. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-matches-and-bouts-in-the-different-sports/720754/4 "2015-05-25T03:49:49Z")
Cricket: [Australia v RSA,](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_Cricket_World_Cup_2nd_semi-final) WC SF 1999 Soccer: 1970 WC SF,[Italy v W Germany](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy_v_West_Germany_%281970_FIFA_World_Cup%29) 1982 WC SF. [France v W Germany](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Germany_v_France_(1982_FIFA_World_Cup)) Why are Semi Finals always better matches then Finals. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-matches-and-bouts-in-the-different-sports/720754/5 "2015-05-25T06:51:33Z")
1981 Headingly No other explanation needed ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-matches-and-bouts-in-the-different-sports/720754/6 "2015-05-25T07:07:26Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > 1981 Headingly > > No other explanation needed Match Fixing. :p:D Seriously that match has an iconic status in the English pysche. I don’t understand. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-matches-and-bouts-in-the-different-sports/720754/7 "2015-05-25T08:18:42Z")
In baseball, I’d say the sixth game of the 1975 World Series between the Reds and the Red Sox. The game had several lead changes, spectacular defensive plays and one of the most memorable walk-off home runs ever. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-matches-and-bouts-in-the-different-sports/720754/8 "2015-05-25T09:59:36Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Match Fixing. :p:D > > Seriously that match has an iconic status in the English pysche. I don’t understand. Oh I think you understand well enough! You are just trying to block it out. Thinking on it further though, you could make a case that it wasn’t the very best game though it was an astonishing result. Certainly some of the others mentioned already have greater claim. (Though it burns me to say it…Aus v RSA 1999) ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-matches-and-bouts-in-the-different-sports/720754/9 "2015-05-25T13:20:51Z")
There have been a lot of great Football games in general and several great Super Bowls in particular but arguably the best was Super Bowl 52 where the Giants beat the up until then undefeated Patriots. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-matches-and-bouts-in-the-different-sports/720754/10 "2015-05-25T15:02:40Z")
The love for the World Cup semi-final in 1999 between Australia and South Africa has always baffled me. I saw the game and was happy that, with the tie, Australia made the final but if it wasn’t for Allan Donald’s stupidity I don’t think it would rate in the top 20 games played. Really it was a litany of mistakes that got progressively worse. Australia had 4 ducks and a 1 on their scorecard. South Africa had 2 ducks, 3 other single figure scores and 3 run outs in their innings. In the second last over Elworthy was given run out in a very dubious third umpire decision. Reiffel then dropped a catch from Klusener and in the process knocked it over the boundary for 6. And all that led up to the last batting pair being unable to score a single with 4 balls to play. Certainly exciting but only made so by some very ordinary cricket. However Botham’s Ashes of 1981 was littered with legendary performances. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-matches-and-bouts-in-the-different-sports/720754/11 "2015-05-25T15:09:47Z")
The 1991 World Series between Minnesota and Atlanta is often cited as one of the greatest championship matches ever played in any sport. I am a fan of neither team and was utterly riveted. It was an astounding series. ---
**Author:** ![Teuton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teuton/32/3864_2.png) [@Teuton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teuton)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-matches-and-bouts-in-the-different-sports/720754/12 "2015-05-25T15:16:26Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > Oh I think you understand well enough! You are just trying to block it out. > > Thinking on it further though, you could make a case that it wasn’t the very best game though it was an astonishing result. Certainly some of the others mentioned already have greater claim. (Though it burns me to say it…Aus v RSA 1999) Another Test match that may have overtaken the 1981 Ashes game is the 2005 Ashes test at Edgbaston, which England won by 2 runs to square a series they would then go on to win. Taking a “test series” as a contest, rather than the individual games, I’d put the 2005 Ashes as the greatest I’ve ever seen. I’m too young to remember the '81 Ashes series, though. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-matches-and-bouts-in-the-different-sports/720754/13 "2015-05-25T16:23:07Z")
What about Ian Thorpe’s defeat to Peter Vandenhoogenban in the 2000 Olympic 200m final. That was quite a performance. Nadal v Djoker in 2012 Australian Open. Ali-Frazier III. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-matches-and-bouts-in-the-different-sports/720754/14 "2015-05-25T16:47:25Z")
I have to think that Super Bowl XLIII is one of the best, if not the best, Super Bowls. A 100-yard interception return at halftime from James Harrison swung 14 points on the scoreboard, the Cardinals came back from 10-down to take the lead, culminating with a 64-yard Larry Fitzgerald reception with 2:37 left, and the Steelers responded with an amazing toe-tap touchdown from Santonio Holmes. Even then the Cardinals had a chance, but LaMarr Woodley sacked Kurt Warner and caused a fumble which the Steelers recovered. The Cardinals had the Steelers beat in every statistical metric except the scoreboard, and by a lot. Yes, I’m biased, but it was a great game by anybody’s standards. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-matches-and-bouts-in-the-different-sports/720754/15 "2015-05-25T17:02:35Z")
> [@Teuton](#): > > Another Test match that may have overtaken the 1981 Ashes game is the 2005 Ashes test at Edgbaston, which England won by 2 runs to square a series they would then go on to win. > > Taking a “test series” as a contest, rather than the individual games, I’d put the 2005 Ashes as the greatest I’ve ever seen. I’m too young to remember the '81 Ashes series, though. That’s a sound call, and fitting that the defining image of that series is Flintoff being genuinely consoling to Brett Lee. My daughter had the good grace to make an appearance that summer, right in the middle of the Ashes and so gifted me several weeks of uninterrupted cricket viewing due to paid parental leave. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-matches-and-bouts-in-the-different-sports/720754/16 "2015-05-25T17:46:29Z")
I hope you have inculcated in her the ins and outs of her heritage and birthright? Also from 2005, has anyone mentioned Istanbul 2005 yet? ALthough like the 1999 SF, it was more a case of some very poor soccer then skill. ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-matches-and-bouts-in-the-different-sports/720754/17 "2015-05-25T20:55:53Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > …Also from 2005, has anyone mentioned Istanbul 2005 yet? ALthough like the 1999 SF, it was more a case of some very poor soccer then skill. That’s one that sticks in my mind. I was watching it round an Italian mate’s house and felt like leaving at half time. I’m obviously glad I didn’t. Even at 3-3 I’d have put my house on Shevchenko to score from Dudek’s parry. One of those moments when you think ‘I’ve watched football all my life and I thought I’d seen everything…’ Then I saw Ibrahimovic’s goal against England… ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-matches-and-bouts-in-the-different-sports/720754/18 "2015-05-25T21:29:17Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > I hope you have inculcated in her the ins and outs of her heritage and birthright? I’m thankful that she was too young to remember those glory days, imagine if she’d thought that 2005 represented the natural order of things? Decades of misery would then lay in wait. I did make sure that both my kids watched the world cup last year and I pride myself somewhat in talking down England’d prospects (we were mildly entertaining but never good enough) and bigging-up Germany. They were my pick from the start and I enjoyed watching them as much as any other team I can remember. Those first 20 minutes against Brazil were as brutally brilliant as anything I’ve seen. ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-matches-and-bouts-in-the-different-sports/720754/19 "2015-05-25T21:45:31Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > …Those first 20 minutes against Brazil were as brutally brilliant as anything I’ve seen. That was just stunning. Blitzkrieg football. ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-matches-and-bouts-in-the-different-sports/720754/20 "2015-05-25T21:49:40Z")
Yesterday was a pretty good day for English cricket though surely? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-matches-and-bouts-in-the-different-sports/720754.md?page=2)