Best Announcer Soccer Goals
One of the most ridiculous endings to a soccer game happened over the weekend in the 2nd leg playoff semifinal between Watford and Leicester City. The winner of this tie heads to Wembley for a one game playoff final to advance to the Premier League. Game is tied 2-2 heading to extra time and Leicester is awarded a really, really soft penalty on a semi-dive in the 95th minute. And then this happened:
Yes, the penalty was saved by one Manuel Almunia, last seen on the Arsenal bench a few season ago after an ill-fated stint as the starter. And yes, the storming onto the field is reminiscent of many a college sports event with a last minute winner. Also, the penalty taker was the same guy who dived to earn the PK, so karma and all that. I’ve probably watched this a dozen times the past couple of days and made me think to put together a list of some of the more memorable goal calls of recent years. I left out the Fernando Torres/Gary Neville Orgasm goal both for space and NSFW.
5) Dejan Stankovic/Ray Hudson
The majesterial man who inspired a blog dedicated to his own brilliance. Hudson comments alone could make their own list and Youtube is littered with compilations of his best work, usually around a Messi or Ronaldo goal. I can’t embed this one, but it’s notable both for the commentary and the quality of the goal.
4) Cameron Jerome/Not Bill Raftery
I don’t know the announcer here and the call isn’t particularly memorable (though the goal is likely the best of the season) but it’s impossible for Cameron Jerome to do something like this and not imagine Miracle Covers’ favorite analyst Bill Raftery here.
3) Andrey Arshavin/Martin Tyler
Fun fact: Pat really enjoys shouting ARSHAVIN! at socially awkward moments. I’m pretty sure this was the top highlight of Arshavin’s career at Arsenal.
2)Fabio Grosso/Some Italian Guy
GOLDEGRASSO! GOLDEGRASSO! Italy advanced to the World Cup Final in 2006 because of this goal against host nation Germany. Why as a left back he’s on the right side of the penalty area on a corner kick I do not know.
1) Sergio Aguero/Martin Tyler
I spent this game at a graduation inside a stadium that was not equipped for 30,000 smartphones to be able to stream anything and didn’t find out about this until many hours later. It’s still pretty amazing, though for sheer ridiculousness, I think the Watford goal may have it beat.
