As 2018 draws to a close and we wait in that weird time between Christmas and the new year, it's time to look back on the past twelve months of sporting glory, heartbreak and success. With a summer that seemed to last six months after winter finally arrived in march, English sport was at the forefront of everyone's minds this year.
These following moments are sure to live long in the memory of all that experienced them live.
Would It Come Home?
Prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup, England supporters were almost finished with their support of the national side. Despite qualifying easily, the Euro 2016 knockout by Iceland and not getting out of the group at the 2014 World Cup had left the public struggling to get excited.
A last minute win over Tunisia to open to campaign followed up by a demolition of first time qualifiers Panama 6-1, combined with the perfect summer weather dragged the good mood up. After finishing second in the group, Colombia awaited first up in the knockouts.
This, however, was here it truly began. Captain Harry Kane's penalty, his sixth of the tournament, had England in the last-8. Well, until Colombia equalized deep into injury time. Extra-time couldn't find a winner and penalties, England's long-time nemesis were called.
I don't think anyone will forget the extraordinary Jordan Pickford and finally, Eric Dier, a second-half sub, slotting the winner past David Ospina.
Sweden were dispatched 2-0 and only Croatia stood in the way of the best tournament since '66.
Croatia remained in the way. Kieran Trippier's early free-kick, perhaps too early, had everyone believing. Football really was coming home. It ended there. Mario Mandzukic and Ivan Perisic finished the young side off in extra-time, breaking the hearts of millions of people sat watching at home.
Gareth's boys may not have won it, but for a few short weeks, football might have been coming home.
Goodbye Alastair Cook
Comfortably England's greatest ever Test run scorer. Captain of some of the greatest moments in England cricketing history and career highs that will leave Alastair Cook remembered by all cricket fans after making his mark on history.
It was only fitting then, that on his last Test, he would finish they way he started. A century on debut in India back in 2006 was the first of his 32, but he wasn't done yet.
A first innings score that had everyone thinking he was going to do it first attempt, ended on 71. But there's always another go. On what was accepted as 'Cook's Test', he made his way to an unprecedented 33rd Test match century. An emotional standing ovation that seemed to go on for hours was the least that the adoring English public could give to one of the greatest players to have ever played the game.
It was the perfect way for a top-class sportsman to finish his career as one of the greatest of his generation.
Five of the Best for Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton was already considered by many to be one of the best F1 drivers of all-time, but in 2018 he made sure that no one could question the fact. Heading into the 2018 season, Hamilton and his main rival Sebastian Vettel were each owners of four prior Drivers Championship titles, and it looked almost certain that one of them would end the year with a fabulous fifth.
After a strong start to the year from Vettel, it was Hamilton who ultimately took a stranglehold on the championship and showed far greater consistency from race to race. He wrapped up his win with two races to spare by finishing fourth at the Mexican Grand Prix in late October, and joined Brazilian F1 legend Juan Manuel Fangio on five world titles.
All of that means that only all-time great Michael Schumacher has won the championship on more occasions than Hamilton, with his record-setting seven crowns in the 1990s and 2000s. At just 33 years of age, however, Hamilton certainly has the time to equal or maybe even better the German’s tally.
England win Commonwealth Games Gold
Going into the Commonwealth games, England's main aim was to create history and reach the final.
In doing so, they were the first side to contest it, other than Australia and New Zealand who had each reached the final each Games since 1998.
But the Roses created an even bigger upset. A last-minute goal from Helen Housby saw England record their first win over Australia and their first ever Commonwealth Gold medal.
And what an upset it was, as a last-gasp goal from Helen Housby saw England record their first win over overwhelming favourites Australia since 2013.
Tyson Fury's Comeback
A former WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion, Fury returned to the ring having spent two and a half years away from Boxing. During that time he overcame depression, accepted a two-year doping ban and had to shed 10 stone in weight.
After two routine wins, the 30-year-old challenged unbeaten American Deontay Wilder for the WBC belt and nearly pulled off a stunning victory.
In one of the most thrilling heavyweight contests for years, Fury was floored in the ninth round and brutally dropped in the 12th, but somehow regained his feet to see out the fight. It was scored a draw, with many experts ringside believing the Briton was unlucky not to get the decision.
These following moments are sure to live long in the memory of all that experienced them live.
Would It Come Home?
Prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup, England supporters were almost finished with their support of the national side. Despite qualifying easily, the Euro 2016 knockout by Iceland and not getting out of the group at the 2014 World Cup had left the public struggling to get excited.
A last minute win over Tunisia to open to campaign followed up by a demolition of first time qualifiers Panama 6-1, combined with the perfect summer weather dragged the good mood up. After finishing second in the group, Colombia awaited first up in the knockouts.This, however, was here it truly began. Captain Harry Kane's penalty, his sixth of the tournament, had England in the last-8. Well, until Colombia equalized deep into injury time. Extra-time couldn't find a winner and penalties, England's long-time nemesis were called.
I don't think anyone will forget the extraordinary Jordan Pickford and finally, Eric Dier, a second-half sub, slotting the winner past David Ospina.
Sweden were dispatched 2-0 and only Croatia stood in the way of the best tournament since '66.
Croatia remained in the way. Kieran Trippier's early free-kick, perhaps too early, had everyone believing. Football really was coming home. It ended there. Mario Mandzukic and Ivan Perisic finished the young side off in extra-time, breaking the hearts of millions of people sat watching at home.
Gareth's boys may not have won it, but for a few short weeks, football might have been coming home.
Goodbye Alastair Cook
Comfortably England's greatest ever Test run scorer. Captain of some of the greatest moments in England cricketing history and career highs that will leave Alastair Cook remembered by all cricket fans after making his mark on history.
It was only fitting then, that on his last Test, he would finish they way he started. A century on debut in India back in 2006 was the first of his 32, but he wasn't done yet.A first innings score that had everyone thinking he was going to do it first attempt, ended on 71. But there's always another go. On what was accepted as 'Cook's Test', he made his way to an unprecedented 33rd Test match century. An emotional standing ovation that seemed to go on for hours was the least that the adoring English public could give to one of the greatest players to have ever played the game.
It was the perfect way for a top-class sportsman to finish his career as one of the greatest of his generation.
Five of the Best for Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton was already considered by many to be one of the best F1 drivers of all-time, but in 2018 he made sure that no one could question the fact. Heading into the 2018 season, Hamilton and his main rival Sebastian Vettel were each owners of four prior Drivers Championship titles, and it looked almost certain that one of them would end the year with a fabulous fifth.
All of that means that only all-time great Michael Schumacher has won the championship on more occasions than Hamilton, with his record-setting seven crowns in the 1990s and 2000s. At just 33 years of age, however, Hamilton certainly has the time to equal or maybe even better the German’s tally.
England win Commonwealth Games Gold
Going into the Commonwealth games, England's main aim was to create history and reach the final.
In doing so, they were the first side to contest it, other than Australia and New Zealand who had each reached the final each Games since 1998.
But the Roses created an even bigger upset. A last-minute goal from Helen Housby saw England record their first win over Australia and their first ever Commonwealth Gold medal.And what an upset it was, as a last-gasp goal from Helen Housby saw England record their first win over overwhelming favourites Australia since 2013.
Tyson Fury's Comeback
A former WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion, Fury returned to the ring having spent two and a half years away from Boxing. During that time he overcame depression, accepted a two-year doping ban and had to shed 10 stone in weight.
After two routine wins, the 30-year-old challenged unbeaten American Deontay Wilder for the WBC belt and nearly pulled off a stunning victory.
In one of the most thrilling heavyweight contests for years, Fury was floored in the ninth round and brutally dropped in the 12th, but somehow regained his feet to see out the fight. It was scored a draw, with many experts ringside believing the Briton was unlucky not to get the decision.
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