Sir Rols Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 Poor Brazil. I think just about everyone around the world's hearts went out to the Brazilians this week. Even as a Germany supporter watching, it was too gruesome to take much joy in for me. Sport's a cruel bitch. Which got to me to thinking… what’s been the biggest sporting disappointment/despair members ever had here in their lives? I think we had a thread similar to this once, but I couldn't find it. But just thought to let the Brazilians here know that they're not alone in sporting heartbreak. For me, it’s a domestic sports disaster – the Australian Rugby League Grand Final of 1989. I’ve always been a rusted on Tigers supporter in the Rugby League comp here. And in the 80s, they were a team of stars, searching for that first title win since 1969 (another, more happy memorable event for me). They scraped into the Grand Final of ’88 as underdogs, but were promptly dispatched when the opponents, the Canterbury Bulldogs tactically took out their star overseas recruit, Ellery Hanley. A sad loss, but bearable. We'd been chasing the Cinderella ending, but knew we'd be up against the chances. The next year, however, they were all conquering. The Tigers dominated the comp and easily made it into the Grand Final as short priced favourites against the up-and-coming but young Canberra Raiders. This was the moment we Tigers fanatics had been waiting for for 20 years, the icing on the cake. I paid big bucks to the scalpers to get a ticket to the decider/coronation. Destiny was calling, this was a title that was seemingly pre-ordained. And throughout the game, they held the lead. But because of a couple of unlucky mistakes – legendary Tigers captain Wayne Pierce dropping the ball from a pass when the try line was open and undefended before him and wily hooker Benny Elias missing a field goal by millimeters – they didn’t have it dried and dusted. But still they led… until 90 seconds before full time when Canberra ran in an amazing late try and equalized, sending the game into extra time and leaving the Tigers ragged on their feet with some of their best forward playmakers benched prematurely before full time and so out of proceedings. The result was stunning when Canberra snatched the title in a huge upset that still gets recalled here among afficionados as the greatest Grand Final of them all with the underdogs stealing victory in the final seconds. I was absolutely gutted. This couldn’t have happened. This did not go according to the script. I and many other black and gold supporters were inconsolable. It was my hard lesson in the cruelty of sport, and to never, never ever count on a result until the final whistle is blown. It shattered the Tigers – they were just a shadow of their 80’s greatness for years to come. It was only in 2005 that they finally broke through and grabbed their first title again since the 60s – a sweet moment made all the sweeter because of that major heartbreak 16 years earlier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ofan Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 For me it has to be the world junior hockey championships from 2010. Canada was going for their sixth title in a row, and lost in overtime to the US. We've failed to win since then, and haven't even medaled in the last two tournaments. The thing that really sucks is that this tournament has been practically insignificant to other nations until recently, and it's become a holiday tradition in Canada and one of the biggest events of the year. The tournaments in Toronto/Montreal this year, so hopefully there's some success. Canada's failure in the 2006 Olympics in hockey was also brutal, especially losing to the Swiss. As for summer sports, the semifinal of the women's soccer tournament in London 2012 was gutting. Christine Sinclair put on one of the greatest footballing performances of all time, scoring three goals and giving Canada the lead twice over the mighty US team. We should have won too, if it weren't for being cheated by the officials, so losing in extra time made it even more dissapointing. It was a shame to watch such a great and courageous performance ruined by an incompetent referee. And last years Game 7 in the Stanley cup playoffs where the Leafs have up a 3 goal lead with 10 minutes left to lose to Boston in overtime. That one really hurt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olympic Fan Darcy Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 Hmmm. Tough picking just one. I'm quite a big NRL fan and support the Brisbane Broncos of course. I remember feeling crushed during the 2009 NRL season when the Broncos made the semi-finals/preliminary finals. And they got smashed by Melbourne Storm 40-10 and in the end they went on to win the final. I guess I did feel better the next year when all of Australia found out that they had breached their salary cap significantly for over 5 years and were stripped of basically anything they had won through that duration and were fined massively and were deducted all points during the 2010 season. Another big failure, the 2012 Olympics men 4x100 freestyle relay. Australia came first in the heats and I think the majority of sporting fans would agree, we expected the team (mostly James Magnussen) to take out gold or at least a medal! But then they came 4th in the final, crushing Australia. It wasn't his only failure at the games, he didn't qualify for the final in the 50m freestyle and came 2nd in the 100m freestyle even though he was tipped as our future for swimming and nicknamed the missile. As if this wasn't embarrassing enough there were reports of hazing and bullying from the more mature swimming athletes towards the younger athletes and even towards women. And then there was the whole stillnox scandal which again Magnussen was caught up in. Hopefully they can fix this in 2016! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
intoronto Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 "And last years Game 7 in the Stanley cup playoffs where the Leafs have up a 3 goal lead with 10 minutes left to lose to Boston in overtime. That one really hurt. " The 2012 semifinal against the USA as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Rols Posted July 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 Another big failure, the 2012 Olympics men 4x100 freestyle relay. Australia came first in the heats and I think the majority of sporting fans would agree, we expected the team (mostly James Magnussen) to take out gold or at least a medal! But then they came 4th in the final, crushing Australia. It wasn't his only failure at the games, he didn't qualify for the final in the 50m freestyle and came 2nd in the 100m freestyle even though he was tipped as our future for swimming and nicknamed the missile. As if this wasn't embarrassing enough there were reports of hazing and bullying from the more mature swimming athletes towards the younger athletes and even towards women. And then there was the whole stillnox scandal which again Magnussen was caught up in. Hopefully they can fix this in 2016! You know, I've never seen that race. I was lucky enough to be in the air between Sydney and London at the time and missed it, and haven't felt the need to "catch up" since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athensfan Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 The Americans' various dropped batons in Olympic relays. Women's team gymnastics Olympic final in 2008. McKayla Maroney's vault final in London. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TorchbearerSydney Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 Australia failing (with 20 mins to go) to qualify for the 1998 World Cup. After a 1:1 draw in Tehran, Australia was 2:0 up in Melbourne with 20 minutes to play. They seemed destined for the World Cup for the first time in 24 years. Iran scored twice, and Australia missed out on 'away goals' rule.... ARRGGHH! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olympic Fan Darcy Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 You know, I've never seen that race. I was lucky enough to be in the air between Sydney and London at the time and missed it, and haven't felt the need to "catch up" since. Probably a good thing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Team USA Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 I said this earlier the 2010 Olympics Gold Medal Hockey Final was very devastating because after they tied it I thought they would win. Domestically when the 49ers lost their playoff games the past few yrs it was sad but easy to get over because their was always next season. Summer Olympics related it was sad when the USA lost and Michael Phelps did not get another gold medal etc. Like I've said before I went on a cruise the 2nd week of the olympics and never watched any part of that week nor have I watched the Closing Ceremony so that year was not very special to me (Sorry I enjoyed the small parts I watched). It did suck to not watch it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baron-pierreIV Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 I guess Lance Armstrong's fall from grace for he was such a champion for cancer causes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexjc Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 Rugby World Cup 1991. Semi final, All Blacks knocked out by the Wallabies at Lansdowne Rd, Dublin. Thoroughly deserved, as the nation and the team it self had been strutting around for three years showing off and should've seen it comming in the pre tournament Bledesloe Cup. We were all left as dumbstruck as Brazil was this week. Played the 3rd/4th against Scotland, beat them and then headed home in shame. Press tore them apart. What a fall from pride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTHarner Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 The Seahawks losing Super Bowl XL to the Steelers, of course all is well now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob2012 Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 The 2012 Champions League final.... (and the three months prior to it) http://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/may/20/harry-redknapp-spurs-europa-league Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olympian Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 Super Bowl 42, New England Patriots minutes away from a perfect season Vancouver Canucks losing to Boston Bruins in the 7th game of 2011 Stanley Cup Boston Red Sox 2011 season collapse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athensfan Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 Lindsey Jacobellis' premature victory celebration is another low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ofan Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 Lindsey Jacobellis' premature victory celebration is another low. I get the sense that you're not a major sports fan if this is your biggest low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baron-pierreIV Posted July 12, 2014 Report Share Posted July 12, 2014 xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faster Posted July 12, 2014 Report Share Posted July 12, 2014 Lets see here. 2002 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Colorado was up 3-2 in the series lost Game 6 and then lost Game 7 7-0 compounded by the next year blowing a 3-1 lead to Minnesota. Super Bowl 42 and 46. More so 42. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krow Posted July 12, 2014 Report Share Posted July 12, 2014 Michael Phelps did not get another gold medal oh yeah, i was really crying over that one. he rubs me the wrong way. fist of all: his mom. oh boy. but then in his quest to become quantifiably the best athlete ever, he comes across really humble braggy and arrogant. like i guess he's coming back for rio now? after telling NBC he for sure would not be? meanwhile usain bolt was all hell yeah i'm coming back. see, that i like. also, this has nothing to do with disappointments but i really like missy franklin. i guess i was kind of disappointed that nobody but me cared that the chinese used 14 year old gymnasts in 2008. the gymnastics federation, the acronym escapes me and i'm going to be lazy and un-faster like and not google it and pretend i knew it all along, sure as hell did not care at all. that one girl had to say ON TELEVISION that she was 14 when competing for them to do anything, and they didn't even take her medal away because of "insufficient evidence," but they did take away another girl's so i guess that's something. oh, btw, the acronym is IGF according to wikipedia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athensfan Posted July 12, 2014 Report Share Posted July 12, 2014 I get the sense that you're not a major sports fan if this is your biggest low. That wasn't my only post in this thread. I said it was "another low." And it was. It was shameful. I tend to be more disappointed by prolonged droughts (the Dodgers' recent lack of a championship), doping (Lance Armstrong, Marion Jones), quitters (Mary Decker). The fact that I think Jacobellis' foolish showboating is very disappointing conveys nothing on the subject of which sports I follow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob2012 Posted July 12, 2014 Report Share Posted July 12, 2014 Jacobellis' arrogance was a facepalm moment for US Winter sports fans, sure. But to be honest, whenever I see it I'm not overwhelmed by a sense of sporting tragedy. I mean, it's funny...really, it is funny. And she only had herself to blame. Not that I want to take anything away from your dissapoinment Athensfan. Who we support and why is an emotional, subjective thing. Nobody has the right to tell you you're not a major sports fan because that was a particular low for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchy Posted July 12, 2014 Report Share Posted July 12, 2014 The 2011 Rugby World Cup final. I've lost count of the number of penalties the filthy Sath Afreekan referee failed to award us! The Guardian was moved to print the following article: http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/oct/23/rugby-world-cup-final-france It concluded: In everything they subsequently did they were bold, they were brave, and they were nobody's idea of losers, even when the winners were queueing up to receive their medals. They were France, recalled to life, and you had to love them for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexjc Posted July 12, 2014 Report Share Posted July 12, 2014 The 2011 Rugby World Cup final. I've lost count of the number of penalties the filthy Sath Afreekan referee failed to award us! You do realise it was revenge being acted out because of the foward pass missed by the Welsh ref in the 2007 QF match? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athensfan Posted July 13, 2014 Report Share Posted July 13, 2014 Jacobellis' arrogance was a facepalm moment for US Winter sports fans, sure. But to be honest, whenever I see it I'm not overwhelmed by a sense of sporting tragedy. I mean, it's funny...really, it is funny. And she only had herself to blame. Not that I want to take anything away from your dissapoinment Athensfan. Who we support and why is an emotional, subjective thing. Nobody has the right to tell you you're not a major sports fan because that was a particular low for you. I agree it doesn't qualify as "tragedy." For tragedy you have to look at the likes of Dan Jansen or the Georgian luger. For me it does qualify as "disappointment." I guess it was funny, but it also reinforced some of the most negative stereotypes about Americans in a pretty humiliating way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ofan Posted July 13, 2014 Report Share Posted July 13, 2014 I agree it doesn't qualify as "tragedy." For tragedy you have to look at the likes of Dan Jansen or the Georgian luger. For me it does qualify as "disappointment." I guess it was funny, but it also reinforced some of the most negative stereotypes about Americans in a pretty humiliating way. What I meant by my earlier comment about you as a sports fan was that this is a pretty weak example of a sports disappointment. I think that disappointment falls along the lines of a massive allegiance to a certain club or national team or athlete, and having that athlete or team suffer a devastating loss. Something that really breaks your heart. Jacobellis' situation was comical and not what I would define as a "disappointment". This debate actually raises an interesting point. I've always wondered whether or not an American sports fan can ever truly suffer a massive sports "tragedy" on an international level. With so many medals won, there's nothing that really separates one winner from the other. If you lose in one event, you guys will just make up for it in another. For the countries that don't win quite as many medals, like Canada, Brazil or New Zealand in the summer, or Australia and Britain in the winter, each medal is special, and as a result, each loss by a favourite is gut wrenching. These countries supporters don't have the luxury of looking forward to 50 other medals. I think American sports fans are spoiled in international events because they have an embarrassment of riches. I truly believe that for this reason you cannot suffer a massive sports disappointment at an Olympics. And I think that the weak examples that AthensFan gave support my theory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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