Super Saturday named as the greatest sporting moment in British history

Some memorable moments

It was hard to narrow this down to 10 with some iconic moments such as Roger Bannister's sub-four minute mile and Sir Chris Hoy's 2008 triple gold missing out but we've picked out ten of our favourite memories.

10. Ryder Cup – Miracle in Medinah (2012)

This away victory for Europe was special for a number of reasons but the improbable comeback on the final day is what made it so memorable. Jose Maria Olazabal’s team were trailing the American’s 10-6 going into the final day but thanks to Luke Donald, Ian Poulter, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Paul Lawrie all winning their matches, the tables turned.

9. Lennox Lewis undisputed champion (1999)

In March of 1999, Lewis faced WBA and IBF title holder Evander Holyfield in New York City. There was much controversy when the fight was declared a draw. Lewis landed more punches and out-jabbed Holyfield but Judge Eugenia Williams scored the fight in Holyfield’s favour as she said she saw Lewis land fewer punches.

A rematch was ordered and in November of that year, there was no question as the three judges scored the fight unanimously in Lewis’ favour, crowning him the undisputed heavyweight champion of the World. Lewis went on to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

8. Andy Murray wins Wimbledon (2013)

In 2012 former world number one, Andy Murray broke hearts as he cried after losing the Wimbledon final to Roger Federer in 2012. A year later he broke Britain’s 77 year wait for a Men’s Singles Championship winner as he beat Novak Djokovic and made history. Murray left us with many memorable moments and went on to win Wimbledon again in 2016 but nothing will trump that victory on July 7^th 2013.

7. England end Ashes barren spell (2005)

Australia had won eight successive Ashes when they arrived in England for the 2005 series. The England side captained by Michael Vaughan lost the opening test but levelled things up in the second test, winning by two runs. The third test was a draw, England won the fourth by three wickets and bad light forced the final test to end in a draw.

The nation fell in love with Freddie Flintoff who shone throughout the summer to help England to victory. It was hailed as the most thrilling series ever as the outcome of the contest wasn’t decided until the final day of the series.

6. Johnny Wilkinson’s drop-goal for World Cup glory (2003)

Is there anything sweeter than an England team beating Australia? Yes, an England team beating Australia in Australia! It was the Rugby Union World Cup final and scores were level 14-14 forcing extra-time but extra-time was just as close fought as the rest of the match had been and with just over a minute left on the clock, scores were tied at 17-17.

It looked like it was heading to a penalty shoot-out. England won a line-out and moved towards Australia’s area three times. A run by Dawson broke the line and passed to Johnny Wilkinson in drop-goal range and with 28 seconds remaining he kicked it between the sticks, handing England their first ever Rugby World Cup.

5. Kelly Holmes double Olympic Gold (2004)

Was it the former army captain coming from the back of the field to clinch Olympic gold? Or was it the wide-eyed look of disbelief captured by the photographer’s that made this moment one of the most memorable? It was everything. Days after she won the 800m gold by setting a British record, she started the final lap eighth out of 12 in the 1500m event.

Holmes became the first Brit in 84 years to achieve the Olympic middle-distance double. Albert Hill achieved the same feat in 1920 in Antwerp.

4. Lionesses winning Euros (2022)

Football came home! Yes, it took the women to do it but they didn’t make it an easy watch for us! The whole tournament took England by storm as people got swept up in the Euphoria of women’s football. A cagey 1-0 win against Austria opened the Lionesses campaign, but they followed this up by dismantling Denmark 8-0 and Northern Ireland 5-0.

3. Super over at the cricket World Cup (2019)

If you didn’t like cricket before, you did after 2019! With three balls left of England’s innings, Stokes hit it to mid-wicket and came back for two. Martin Guptill threw it to the strikers end in an attempt to run him out, but the ball hit Stokes’ outstretched bat and deflected to the boundary, adding four more runs to the score. England and New Zealand were tied on 241 runs at the end of the match resulting in a super over.

Buttler and Stokes hit 15 without loss before Guptill and James Neesham returned to the crease to face Jofra Archer, requiring 16 to win. New Zealand needed just two from the final delivery. Guptill hit the ball to deep mid-wicket and charged back for the second run Roy's throw in to Buttler was a good one, and Guptill was run out well short of his crease. The super over was tied but England won on their superior boundary count.

2. England win the World Cup (1966)

1. Super Saturday (2012)

In the evening, the stadium was electric and the atmosphere only intensified as poster girl of the games, Jessica Ennis-Hill smashed her own British record to win the heptathlon gold. This was followed by Greg Rutherford securing gold in the long jump with a leap of 8.31m. It was Mo Farah who rounded out the night as he stormed to 10,000m gold.