November 14, 2014

FIFA Goal of the Year nominees:
(Where "year" is October 2013 to September 2014.)

posted by grum@work to soccer at 09:44 AM - 11 comments

The most famous one of those is the Van Persie header. It's probably the one that made me leap out of my chair the furthest during the World Cup.

The most mind-blowing one is the Zlatan body-twisting back-heel one. I really don't understand how his brain can figure out the physical requirements for half of the highlight reel goals he scores.

The most technically amazing one is the Stephanie Roche goal, which is also the furthest away from even getting noticed if it wasn't for YouTube. Three touches without it hitting the ground, and putting it inside the post? That's some serious skill.

Just a reminder of the insanity that is Zlatan's 2013 winner.

posted by grum@work at 09:52 AM on November 14, 2014

I think the Miami NFL team should remove the dolphin from their helmet and put the mid-flight van Persie on it instead.

posted by beaverboard at 11:11 AM on November 14, 2014

That Zlatan goal, (and most of his others), should always be shown with commentary, simply because it's great to hear other people react to unbelievable things.

This guy laughing is my favourite one for that goal.

OH HO HO!

posted by Mr Bismarck at 01:04 PM on November 14, 2014

James Rodriguez gets my vote, with Tim Cahill second.

posted by rcade at 02:11 PM on November 14, 2014

Of course, we all know the real goal of the year was scored by Ipswich Town's Under 14 academy team.

Or, to give them their proper name, Bluecelona.

posted by Mr Bismarck at 04:09 PM on November 14, 2014

OH HO HO!

Joe Hart is the gift that keeps on giving!

posted by bender at 05:37 PM on November 14, 2014

Those 14 year olds showed some terrific one touch football. Sign them up for Liverpool!

posted by billsaysthis at 07:15 PM on November 15, 2014

Ah, the Paul Mariner route to oblivion, then.

posted by owlhouse at 12:32 AM on November 16, 2014

As the sole Ipswich fan around here, I'm honour bound to point out Mariner went the other way - south - to Arsenal. Our biggest deal with Liverpool was for Johnny Wark.

Of course, Wark's biggest deal was when he signed for a German Prison Camp to star in the movie Escape To Victory, with some lesser known footballers like Sylvester Stallone. And Pele.

posted by Mr Bismarck at 01:49 AM on November 16, 2014

I know about Paul Mariner, Mr B. I once saw him turn out for the Gooners.

It's just that ex-Town boys never seem to do well once they leave Portman Road.

/Terry Butcher was in the movie, too. His tackling should have scared the shit out of Hollywood tough guys like Stallone.

posted by owlhouse at 06:34 AM on November 16, 2014

Escape To Victory

To match the target market's enthusiasm, it was Victory! in the US.

posted by yerfatma at 01:10 PM on November 17, 2014

You're not logged in. Please log in or register.