Upsets are what make sports truly great. They give sports it’s romance, it heightens the excitement and allows all fans the chance to dream.
Even the smallest and most unlikely of underdogs, they always have a chance of pulling off a miracle. And lets face it, we all love cheering for the underdog.
With the Memphis Grizzles on the verge of an historic upset in the NBA Playoffs, here’s what I consider to be the five biggest upsets in sporting history.
5. Socceroos beat England 3-1
On the 14th of February 2003, the Socceroos shocked England, and recorded perhaps the biggest upset in soccer history.
A shocked crowd watched on at Upton Park, as the Socceroos stormed to a much-deserved 2-0 lead, thanks to goals from Harry Kewell and Tony Popovich.
Little known English-man Francis Jeffers pulled a goal back for England in the 69th minute, before a late goal from Brett Emerton put the match beyond all doubt, just six minutes from time.
Not only was the match significant for the Socceroos, but it also marked the dawn of the Wayne Rooney era for England, as he became the youngest ever player to represent the Three Lions, at just 17 years of age.
4. The Golden State Warriors dispatch the Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks entered the 2007 NBA Playoffs, on the back of one of the most successful seasons, in recent NBA history.
They dominated the league, amassing an astonishing 67 wins over the 82 game season, and were the number one seed in the NBA Playoffs.
Their match-up with the eighth seed Golden State Warriors was expected to be a walkover for the Mavericks.
Six games later, the Golden State Warriors had made history, becoming the first ever number eight seed to eliminate their much-heralded opponent.
The frenzied home crowd – at the Oracle Arena – fuelled Golden State to a sensational win, which to this day remains the only time in history in which the number one seed has been eliminated in the first-round of the playoffs.
3. James “Buster” Douglas KOs “Iron” Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson went into his World Heavyweight Title defense – in February 1990 – undefeated and it didn’t look like anyone would change that anytime soon.
The self-proclaimed “Baddest Man on the Planet” was expected to punish and brutalize his unheralded opponent, with “Buster” Douglas entering the fight a 42-1 underdog.
In fact, many pundits even viewed the fight as a “tune-up”, with a showdown between Evander Holyfield looming on the horizon for “Iron Mike.”
Yet, in the tenth round, Douglas shocked the world, flooring Tyson with a vicious right hand, which was also the first time Tyson had been knocked down in his career.
With that, “Buster” Douglas became the undisputed World Heavyweight Champion.
2. The USA defeats the USSR
The 1980 Winter Olympics took place right in the middle of the Cold War, between the worlds two superpowers, the USA and the Soviet Union.
The two sides were set to face in the semi-finals of the Ice Hockey tournament, with the Soviets heavily-favoured.
The US team was made up of college and amateur players and seemed no match for the might of the Soviet squad, who had claimed eight of the last nine gold medals in the sport.
Yet on this day, the US team somehow managed to pull off what many consider to be the greatest upsets in sporting history, in a match that is now known as “The Miracle on Ice.”
Adding to the upset, was the fact that the two sides met in an exhibition match, earlier in 1980, and the Soviet’s crushed the young US side 10-3.
It’s been said that by many that if this match was played 100 times, the Soviet Union would win 99 times, but the encounter on the 22nd of February, 1980, was that one time when the US somehow found a way to win.
Sport Illustrated declared the win the greatest sporting moment of the 20th century, and the result has inspired a Hollywood movie about the 1980 team.
American commentator Al Michaels’ famous call of “Do you believe in miracles” has become engrained in American Sporting legend, as the result was not only seen as a victory on the ice, but a victory for American society against the Soviet threat.
1. Upset upsets Man ‘O War
Champion thoroughbred Man ‘O War is considered to be one of the greatest racehorses of all time. His career record stand at 20 wins and only 1 defeat, with the only defeat coming in an upset loss in the 1919 Stanford Memorial.
Man ‘O War’s conqueror not only inflicted the only defeat on an illustrious career, but it is also believed by many to have coined the very term “upset.”
The 100-1 underdog Upset entered the 1919 Stanford Memorial, given no chance at all to win the prestigious race. However, as we now know, the thoroughbred raced to a historic victory.
Man ‘O War continued his amazing career after the race, which led to the champion being named the best racehorse of the 20th century.
Yet, in that race at the Stanford Memorial, Upset won the day, and successfully pulled off one the very best upsets in sporting history.
Swampy
Guest
Red Sox Yankees was huge for many many reasons. I can't imagine a less likely upset than Buster Douglas. NC State winning the NCAA tourney. Greece winning Euro football. The WC has been full of them in early rounds. Greece beating the USA in the basketball WC. Anyone beating Phil Taylor... -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Phil Coorey
Roar Pro
Then you have to add the Suns victory over Port as they were 11 to 1! But yeah - 1995 was insane
Stevo
Guest
First match of the 95 origin series does it for me. I've never seen an origin game with odds like that, NSW were 9/1 on. And the odds weren't much different for the second game either. The FA cup is also litered with some great upsets, moreso because you can have amateur teams come up against professional teams.
Norm
Guest
Balmain Tigers beating Souths in the 1969 RL G/F.
Mick
Guest
I would not have that Australia v England match in there, in was only a friendly when there were supposed to be alots of substitutions at half time. Australia beat Argies at the SFS in 1988 (if I remember correctly) as well as France & Brazil at Confeds cup in 2001 which I rate higher. Some the big football upsets would be N. Korea v Italy which was mentioned earlier, West Germany beating Hungary in the 1954 world cup final, Uruguay v Brazil 1950 WC, Senegal v France 2002,
Liam
Guest
We almost expect that now!
mushi
Guest
In American sports I’d take: - the Red Sox from 3 games down against the Yankees, that was historic - The NY Giants win over the undefeated Patriots, that was historic You’d have to put the Nuggets over the Sonics as more historic than the Warriors over the Mavs, I’d also put the 1995 origin series up there for rugby league. The Griz also aren’t on the verge of a historic upset. It last happened a few years back so if history is defined by 4 year long eras then yep, otherwise nope.
clipper
Guest
especially since Greece were at $300 to win at the start of the tournament - I put a $5 joke bet on it and came away with $1500!
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Here are a few others from the football world, in no particular order; a) 2009 FIFA Confed Cup Semi-Final: Spain 0 – 2 USA (Bloemfontein) Spain were European Champions and were on a 15-game winning streak and undefeated in their previous 35 matches b) 1998 English FA Cup Final Wimbledon 1 - Liverpool 0 (Wembley) Liverpool were newly crowned champions of England and Wimbledon were "the Crazy Gang", who had been playing Division 4 football 5 years previous. c) 1966 FIFA World Cup North Korea 1 – 0 Italy (Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough) Italy, who were twice World Champions, played their final Group game needing only a draw to qualify for the knock-out stage. North Korea were playing their 1st FIFA WC and needed to win to qualify. d) 1990 FIFA World Cup Argentina 0 - 1 Cameroon (San Siro, Milan) Argentina were the World Champions and Cameroon ended this match with only 9 men!
Corbett78
Guest
The warriors-mavericks upset was the only time an 8 seed beat a 1 seed in a 7 game series. The 8 seeded Denver nuggets upset the top seeded Seattle in the mid 90s in a 5 game series -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Uncle Phil
Guest
Wasn't that soccer match vs England a "friendly" come warm up match, if so should not even be considered. If not please ignore. Remember the Mike Tyson one though, that was a huge shock....even taking into consideration that his life was staring to fall apart.
Mattay
Guest
Can we all agree that as far as soccer upsets go, Australia beating England and Germany in a friendly pales into insignificance compared to Wimbledon beating Liverpool in the 1988(?) FA Cup Final, Greece winning Euro 2004 or Denmark winning Euro 1992.
gb
Guest
Whilst perhaps not in the same league as the top 5 from above, the Wallabies losing to Tonga in 1973 could be considered a pretty big upset. And howabout the Gold Coast Suns beating Port Adelaide during the long weekend. For me, James "Buster" Douglas knocking out Mike Tyson tops my list. To this day i can still remember the shock in seeing Iron Mike hitting the canvas. After that knockdown his life spiralled out of control..
Willy
Guest
Wests Tigers v Saint George Illawarra Dragons in 2005. A team brimming with Origin and Test stars v a team of no names and kids. One of the all time great games. Or how about that Origin that Fatty coached during Super League?
Tom
Guest
What about the NY Giants knocking off the undefeated New England Patriots at the Superbowl a couple of years ago?
Jamesb
Guest
How about each time the mighty AB's get knocked out of a RWC.
kovana
Guest
France in 1999 RWC defeating NZ in the Semi final. Came from behind to win. Epic.
Liam
Guest
absolutely, there are literally countless upsets. Bradbury winning the gold medal, Giants beating the Patriots in the Superbowl, the Bulldogs ruining Essendon's undefeated year in 2000...so so many!
sheek
Guest
There are so many, aren't there. Your mention of Upset (both the horse & meaning of the word) reminds of another horse that found its way into the Aussie lexicon. In the 1920s there was a horse called Drongo who was, well, not very good. He didn't win any races & was considered a bit of a no-hoper. Consequently, anyone called a 'drongo' obviously was considered to be pretty useless.....
Liam
Guest
Good point, but I think we can all agree that the Socceroo's are a much more formidable international squad, compared to what they were in 2003. We're a top 20 team in the world now, we should be competing and sometimes beating the big powerhouses, because of that improvement, the 2003 result was a much bigger shock. Well at least in my opinion.