Our reflection on 2022 continues as we look back at some of the biggest sporting moments across the world.
The first ‘normal’ year since the COVID-19 pandemic produced some iconic moments, shocking scandals, and unforgettable victories.
The FIFA World Cup is a huge story, of course, but the winner (as of yet) is yet to be decided. In the meantime, let’s take a look back at…
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Chelsea’s Unstable Year
Speak to any Chelsea fan about 2022 and they’ll most likely tell you about the rollercoaster ride they’ve been on over the past 12 months. Though the year started well for The Blues as they topped the Premier League, things quickly started to unravel after their penalty shootout loss to Liverpool in Febuary’s Carabao Cup final.
Things then started to go haywire at Stamford Bridge as long-time owner Roman Abramovich sold the club following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that same month. Geopolitical issues off the pitch combined with a slump in form on it, and within eight weeks, Chelsea again lost to Liverpool on penalties, this time in the FA Cup final - the club’s third FA Cup final loss in as many years.
If that wasn’t bad enough, Thomas Tuchel was sacked on 7 September following an indifferent start to the new season. The misfiring duo of Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku also departed in the summer, compounding Chelsea’s issues in front of goal.
New boss Graham Potter is clearly sowing the seeds of a revival at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea seem lightyears away from the side that won the Champions League just 18 months ago.
Norway Shine At Winter Olympics
The 2022 Winter Olympics, hosted in Beijing, was a rip roaring success across the board - the only negative being the lack of spectators due to COVID-19 protocols.
The games featured athletes performing at the top of their game, and it was Norway who took center stage with 16 gold medals and 37 in total.
Hosts China finished in third place, whilst Haiti and Saudi Arabia made their Winter Olympics debuts.
Real Madrid Overcome The Odds
Real Madrid’s humiliating loss to Sheriff Tiraspol on 28 September 2021 seemed to cement their status as a spent force in Europe. After three Champions League titles in a row, their once-great squad had been ravaged by departures, retirements, and absences.
It seemed inconceivable, then, that Madrid would see off PSG, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Liverpool, but the legendary club managed to find a way past all of them.
Madrid’s penchant for late goals and shocking turnarounds saw them defeat City despite being 3-1 down in the 88th minute. In the final against Liverpool on 28 May, Carlo Ancelotti’s men relied upon a superb Courtois goalkeeping performance to keep the red-hot Mohammed Salah at bay and condemn Liverpool to Champions League heartbreak.
Frenchman Karim Benzema won the 2022 Ballon D’or for his performances in delivering his club’s 14th Champions League title.
Vince McMahon’s Scandal
Though Vince McMahon’s WWE is predetermined, and more theatre than sport, it can’t be argued that his approach to business has had a huge influence on companies like UFC.
The eccentric billionaire grabbed headlines after a hush-money scandal forced him out of World Wrestling Entertainment after 40 years at the helm. McMahon, who helped create stars like Hulk Hogan and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, announced his retirement on Twitter in mid-July 2022, sending social media into a frenzy.
Hamilton’s Woeful Year
2022 has not been a year to remember for one Lewis Hamilton, who has endured the poorest 12 months of his historic career.
Hamilton ended the season in P6 without registering a single win, and his alleged drop in quality is something plenty of people have been talking about.
Whether Hamilton’s woes will continue in 2023 remains to be seen, and I’d bet my bottom dollar the legend is doing all he can to rectify his issues on the track.
Djokovic And Rybakina Claim Wimbledon
The UK was baking in the summer heat during 2022’s edition of the Wimbledon Championships - an event that seems like a lifetime ago when considering the cold snap that is currently bracing the nation.
The final Wimbledon of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign was a stunning event, and both singles titles were won by Novak Djokovic and Elena Rybakina respectively.
The iconic tennis tournament was perfect viewing on a hot summer’s day, and, despite the controversy surrounding Djokovic earlier this year, the Serbian was a deserved winner, and his skills on the court can never be in doubt.
Lionesses Bring Football Home
England finally got their hands on a major footballing trophy this year as the Women’s team won Euro 2022 by defeating Germany at Wembley.
A sold-out crowd at the world’s most famous football stadium witnessed the cathartic scenes in the final, as, for the first time, a womens’ football tournament captivated the nation.
The victory went a long way in healing the pain experienced by the mens’ team almost exactly a year before at Euro 2020.
2023 will surely deliver some iconic sporting moments, too, but this year remains one of the most notable years in modern sports history.
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