Moments of skill and invention are often the highlights of games. Sometimes, however, they can be completely overshadowed by an extraordinary miss.
By Conor Hogan
These mistakes show athletes to be human. They make you exclaim “I could’ve scored that” or prominent Premier League managers say, “Sandra Redknapp could’ve scored that.”
They are the only times while watching television that you can be certain that the team would have actually been better off if you had been playing for them yourself.
Scotland would’ve beaten Norway if you were playing, Dallas would’ve beaten Edmonton if you were playing (even though you can’t skate), and you’d have never have been stupid enough to do what Mike Clayton (the golfer not the award winning George Clooney movie) did.
Below you will see misses that completely defy logic, all of which looked far easier to score.
Patrik Stefan (Dallas Stars v Edmonton Oilers)
The Czech Ice-hockey player managed to fall and miss an open goal in the last seconds of the game. Unluckily for him, Ales Hemsky immediately scored for Dallas at the other end with the final puck of the game.
Commentator Ray Ferraro said, “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen. Patrik Stefan, you should be embarrassed for what you just did; that does not belong in the National Hockey League!”
Mike Clayton (Golfer)
In this clip below, the Australian golfer manages to accidently break almost every rule in golf. Has to be seen to be believed.
Juan Manuel Leguizamón (London Irish v Wasps)
The Argentinian managed to drop the ball as he jumped over the line to score a try. Astonishing. He was blessed that London Irish eventually won the game, as at this point in the match the scores were locked at 13-13.
Rocky Baptiste (Harrow Borough v Waltham Abbey)
This miss in an Isthmian Premier League match by a 37-year-old journeyman has been proven by scientists to be the absolute worst miss in the history of mankind. Since this video was first posted on YouTube in November 2009 it has garnered over four million hits.
Ilija Sivonjic (Dinamo Zagreb v Cibalia Vinkovci)
The unlucky 22-year-old Croatian managed to miss from less than three inches in a match in October 2009. It ended in a draw. Zagreb have since shipped him out on loan.
Chris Iwelumo (Scotland v Norway)
This miss was so bad that the Scottish radio commentary actually thought it went in. The more you watch it, the funnier it gets. “He missed that, Oh my God what happened there.â€
Ronny Rosenthal (Liverpool v Aston Villa)
The Israeli was an excellent striker, and the first foreign player ever to be bought by an English club for more than a million pounds. He is mostly remembered for this, however.
Diego Forlan (Man Utd v Juventus)
The winner of the Golden ball hasn’t been able to stop scoring since moving to Spain in 2004. At Old Trafford, however, he couldn’t buy a goal, and his miss against Juve was probably the worst of all.
