"For me, the biggest sporting event of the year was the British & Irish Lions beating Australia. There were so many memorable moments on the tour that it was hard to pick just one. The third and deciding Test sticks out because the Lions were missing captain Sam Warburton and the inspirational duo of Paul O'Connell and Brian O'Driscoll, the latter of whom was controversially dropped. Still, the Lions went on to score 41 points - more than they had ever managed in a Test before - to clinch their first series victory since 1997.
"However, my best sporting moment of the year was the opening Test match of the series. Israel Folau announced himself on the scene with a pair of tries, but the real highlights came in the form of scores from George North and Alex Cuthbert. At the end of a brilliant match, Kurtley Beale had two opportunities to score a penalty that would win the game for his side, but he missed both kickable chances and the Lions opened the Test series with a 23-21 win."
Barney Corkhill, Reporter
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"I picked this moment in time because of the impact that it had on the rest of the Tour de France leading up to Paris. The brutal nature of Chris Froome's 'full gas effort' not only blew away his nearest challengers in the general classification in terms of time, but it also seemed to have a psychological impact on the peloton as they struggled to challenge his supremacy afterwards. Such was his effort in the climb to the highest finish of this year's Tour, he needed oxygen for more than five minutes afterwards. Froome became the first Briton to win a stage up to Mont Ventoux, but it was also one of the more imposing displays ever seen on its slopes."
Chris O'Keefe, Reporter
"While Andy Murray winning Wimbledon is the most obvious choice, for me, it's the only choice. You only had to experience the collective adulation on social media to understand the enormity of what the Scot had achieved. He tempted people into his journey with his quarter-final comeback against Fernando Verdasco, before capping off the finest two weeks that he will ever experience during his career by outlasting Novak Djokovic in what is arguably the most memorable game of tennis since the turn of the millennium. If you wasn't a fan of the 26-year-old before Wimbledon, the likelihood is that you were around 5.30pm on Sunday, July 7, 2013."
Darren Plant, Reporter
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"One of the longest waits in British sporting history was brought to an end in July, when Murray became the first British men's singles champion at Wimbledon since 1936. Having lost to Roger Federer in the 2012 final at the All England Club, the Scot faced an equally tough opponent in world number one Djokovic, but British fans remained hopeful that Murray could break the 77-year hoodoo at the second attempt. Having already taken a two-set lead, Murray saw his opponent save three match points from 40-0, but when Djokovic's backhand slammed into the net on the fourth match point, the outpouring of joy and relief around Centre Court was palpable. After a tense three hours of tennis, Britain's wait for a men's champion was finally over."
Steven Toplis, Reporter
"If there was ever a contender for goal of the season, then this was it. Zlatan Ibrahimovic had already found the net twice to give Paris Saint-Germain a comfortable 2-0 lead in their Champions League group match away to Anderlecht, but his third was simply incredible. With the hosts having cleared the ball away from the heart of their penalty area, the enigmatic Swede popped up 30 yards from goal to hit an astonishing half-volley past the helpless Thomas Kaminski and into the top corner. It was one of the cleanest strikes of a football that you are likely to see from a man who makes this sort of thing look as easy as turning on a tap. Bullets have travelled slower. However, Ibrahimovic was not finished there as he scored a fourth goal later on to seal an emphatic 5-0 victory for the French side."
Jack Prescott, London Correspondent
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"Sir Alex Ferguson's final game as Manchester United boss at Old Trafford appeared to be heading for a 1-1 draw against Swansea City in May of this year. Well, that was until centre-back Rio Ferdinand popped up three minutes from time to ensure that the Scot's final home bow ended as so many have done before – with all three points courtesy of a late goal. Javier Hernandez's first-half strike had been cancelled out by Spanish forward Michu, but the 71-year-old's managerial career ended with victory on a day that United lifted the Premier League trophy for the 13th time. United have found it tougher in the league this season with the same group of players, which is an indication of the genius that was Sir Alex. Gone, but never ever forgotten."
Matt Law, La Liga Correspondent
"A few years ago no team could have realistically considered outplaying Barcelona. The tiki-taka style that had been developed at the club was too good for all the rest except on rare - and fortunate - occasions. Between 2009 and 2012, Barca won the Champions League twice and were unlucky to lose the semi-final of the other, but in 2013 they had met their match from Germany. Bayern Munich's style? A combination of tiki-taka and sheer physicality that blew Barca away to the tune of 7-0 on aggregate. The Bavarian giants outclassed the Catalan side twice and were now the team to emulate."
Matt Domm, Reporter
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"On May 26, the Mumbai Indians finally got their name on the Indian Premier League trophy by beating two-time champions Chennai Super Kings in a thrilling final. Mumbai eventually won by a comfortable margin of 23 runs, but that had looked highly unlikely until Kieron Pollard struck an unbeaten 60 off 32 balls to drag his side to a first innings total of 148-9, which was still viewed as below-par in Kolkata. With Chennai boasting some of the world's most potent and explosive batsmen in their side, the Indians knew that they would have to take early wickets in order to stand a chance. Enter Lasith Malinga, who produced some magic with the new ball to dismiss 'Mr Cricket' Mike Hussey and Suresh Raina inside the first over.
"Mitchell Johnson then got rid of Murali Vijay and Subramaniam Badrinath, and, all of a sudden, Mumbai were in the driving seat and Eden Gardens was a deafening cauldron of blue noise. Chennai skipper MS Dhoni produced a batting masterclass to make 63 not out off 45 deliveries, but his contribution was not enough as his side fell way short. Despite the absence of a really dramatic finish, the contest swung back and forth on multiple occasions and, in addition to the 18 wickets, fans witnessed 26 fours and nine maximums. Not bad for three hours of play."
Rob Summerscales, Reporter
"I'm heading across the pond for my best moment of 2013 with some basketball. In the best-of-seven NBA Finals, the wily San Antonio Spurs were just seconds away from clinching a 4-2 series victory when Ray Allen of the defending champions Miami Heat hit one of the all-time great clutch shots. The Heat were three down in the final moments and went to their global superstar LeBron James to tie the game. His three-pointer rimmed out, but the rebound was collected by Chris Bosh and fed to Allen, who kept his composure to sink it from the corner.
"The Heat would go on to win game six and then close out the series in the deciding game seven for a second straight title. Without doubt one of the best ever Finals. As a Spurs fan, typing this still hurts."
Pascal Lemerse, Championship Correspondent
"For me, Murray winning Wimbledon is the greatest sports moment of 2013. Justin Rose's US Open win runs him close, while Arsenal beating Bayern in their own backyard is an obvious highlight. But it has to be Murray. His Wimbledon campaign was epic, but his performance in the final against Djokovic was sublime. He was a man on a mission and his display deserved the reward that it got. Often disliked by 'English' patriots, Murray is frequently judge on a throwaway comment he made as a 19-year-old. He was absolutely brilliant that day and throughout those two weeks, and the country should be proud to embrace his victory. I've grown up watching a lot of tennis and being devastated by the failings of Tim Henman and Murray himself in years gone by. His US Open win in 2012 was fantastic, but his Wimbledon win is something I'll always remember."
Joe McPhee, Production Assistant
"My most memorable sporting moment of 2013 was the retirement of India's Sachin Tendulkar. Not only is the 40-year-old the greatest cricketer of all time, but he is also probably the only sportsman of any country or generation to be genuinely considered as 'God' by his countrymen. Never before and never again will a single sportsman have so much influence or arise so much hope in a country that Tendulkar sparked during his 24-year career."
Subhankar Mondal, Reporter
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"I could have opted for the obvious - Murray's Wimbledon victory, England's Ashes win, the Lions winning their tour of Australia - but, for the sheer elements of passion, pluckiness, underdog spirit and romance, I have chosen Tahiti's Confederations Cup campaign, in particular Jonathan Tehau's goal against Nigeria. By virtue of being the rightful winners of the OFC Nations Cup, the Pacific Islanders, consisting mostly of amateur players, were thrust into a competition that featured some of the greatest sides in the world, played in Brazil, the spiritual home of football. Although they were outclassed in each of their three games, they played with panache and intent, winning the hearts of fans and plaudits from officials.
Tahiti's celebrations upon scoring their first and only goal in a major international tournament were a joy to behold. To them, it was not a consolation goal in a group match - it was akin to winning the World Cup. The spectacle would have made even the most cynical football fan feel a little warm inside. Who said romance in football is dead?"
Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter
"Murray did something that I had accepted probably wouldn't happen in my lifetime during 2013 - he won Wimbledon. Quite rightly, that has been a popular choice among our staff, so I'm going to be different! As a Man United supporter, seeing Manchester City lift the trophy in 2012 (and in the fashion that they won it) was painful to say the least. So, when United went into their home match with Aston Villa in April of this year needing a win to regain the title, there was a real hope that it would be a memorable night. Robin van Persie didn't disappoint as he fired in a first-half hat-trick, one of which was a superb volley from outside of the penalty area. United won the match 3-0, sealing a 20th title and extending our lead in that respect over closest rivals Liverpool to two."
Liam Apicella, Features Editor
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"I remember running off a cricket pitch, with my pads on, to witness Andy Murray end the 77-year wait for a British winner of Wimbledon. I could hear increasingly loud cheers from the pavilion in the final few minutes of my team's innings, so much so that it was apparent a conclusion was close. Even their bowler rushed through the last over so we could charge off the field to join the other spectators! I arrived just in time to see Murray lose three championship points, but it was not another false Wimbledon dawn for the British public as he went on to earn the adoration of a nation who was reluctant to like him before his historic SW19 triumph. I had seen enough of Murray throughout 2012 and 2013 to know that he was capable of winning it, but in the greatest ever era of tennis, with Djokovic still to overcome in the final, it still came as a little bit of a surprise, which is what made it even more memorable. Would it be greedy to expect him to do it next year too?!"
Joe Fish, Reporter
Liam Apicella
