Top turnarounds in sport

Top turnarounds in sport
By Catherine Hardy  with The Telegraph, Hall of Famers.

Everyone loves it when someone beats the odds.

Everyone loves it when someone beats the odds.

Barcelona’s comeback to beat PSG on Wednesday night was the biggest ever turnaround in European club football history.

To mark the occasion, Euronews has pulled together a list of some of the most memorable sporting comebacks of all time.

Horse-racing – Red Rum

Having overcome a life-threatening bone disease by being ridden in the sea, trainer Ginger McCain’s Grand National legend came from 30 lengths behind to beat the favourite Crisp on the run-in at Aintree in 1973.

At the last fence before home, Rummy was 15 lengths behind the top-weight Australian chaser but made up the ground at a fast clip and pipped Crisp at the post by three-quarters of a length.

It was the first of the legendary horse’s three National wins.



Golf – Nick Faldo

Nick Faldo went into the final round of the 1996 US Masters trailing Greg Norman by six strokes.

Defying all expectations, Faldo produced a flawless round of 67 and clinched the trophy.



Sailing – The Americas Cup

Billed as one of the greatest sporting turnarounds of all time, Team Oracle USA proved the impossible was possible in 2013.

The team, including the UK’s Ben Ainslie, didn’t let their 8-1 deficit get them down.

The team went on to win the next eight consecutive races and claim victory in the first-to-nine series.



Watch the video here

Athletics – Lasse Viren

The Flying Finn fell in the 12th lap of the 10,000 metres at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

However, he got back to his feet and caught up with the leading pack, eventually winning the race in 27:38:40, which is still a record time at the stadium.

Rugby – France v New Zealand 1999

Leading 24-10 early in the second half of the World Cup semi final, the mighty All-Blacks looked to be a shoo-in for the final.

But French determination meant the All Blacks snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. France closed the gap to 24-22 before going on to win 43-31.



Watch the video here

Football – Africa Cup of Nations

Host-nation Angola were 4-0 up with little over ten minutes remaining of the first game of the 2014 ACON.

Ten minutes and four goals later, Mali had snatched a point.



Tennis – Henri Cochet

In the 1927 Wimbledon Final, Frenchman Henri Cochet was 2 sets to 0 down against American Bill Tilden.

Cochet eventually won not just the next six consecutive games to win the set, but also the last two sets to win the match.

In the final he also came back from 2 sets to 0 down and saved six match points to beat compatriot, Jean Borotra.