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Soccer is the most popular sport and part of its appeal is the drama and unpredictability every time two teams take to the field. Of course, the best teams win the majority of games but sometimes there is a shock and that is the beauty of the beautiful game. Anything can happen.
Gamers who enjoy casino games like poker, pursuits including sports betting and aviator mz know all about odds. The game of Aviator, for example, requires players to bet on a virtual plane's flight path and bow out before it comes to a stop. Therefore, it is important to develop a strategy based on previous flights so that you don't call it too early but not too late either. Taking advantage of offers like free bets and spins means you can practice making the right call without the usual risks involved with playing for real. Of course, there are always surprises around the corner and that is certainly the case when it comes to soccer too and so the same strategic planning is required. This article will profile the biggest shocks and greatest fairytale stories so that you can appreciate that fairytales do happen.
Leicester City Lift Premier League Trophy
When Claudio Ranieri took charge at the King Power Stadium back in 2015, the Foxes had just put on an impressive run to avoid the drop the season before. Heading into the next campaign, Leicester were one of the favorites to be relegated and a 5000-1 shot for the title but something special happened.
With Jamie Vardy leading the line, early goals meant he was chasing down the record for consecutive strikes in the English top-flight. The striker pulled it off and the momentum built saw Leicester rack up the wins. With Kasper Schmeichel in goal, Wes Morgan and Robert Huth at the back, those solid foundations were built on by midfielder Danny Drinkwater and winger Riyad Mahrez who continued to tee up Vardy.
In February 2016, the Foxes defeated Liverpool at home before going to Manchester City and winning again. From that moment, hope turned into belief and Leicester kept winning to finish top ahead of nearest challengers Tottenham and Chelsea. It is widely considered one of the biggest shocks in the history of the Premier League and beyond.
Greece Euro 2004 Triumph
When Euro 2004, Greece were not fancied to advance from the group stage let alone win the entire tournament. The odds for a Greek triumph were as high 150-1 and, drawn against Spain, Portugal and Russia, nobody picked them out as dark horses. It was expected they may get a point or two, even a surprise win but they would be packing to go home ahead of the knockout stages.
In the first game of the competition, Greece pulled off an incredible 2-1 win over hosts Portugal before holding Spain to a draw. The four points saw the Greeks advance ahead of the Spaniards purely on the basis of scoring more goals.
Paired against the mighty France in the quarter-finals, the defending champions no doubt following their Euro 2000 triumph, Greece were again huge underdogs but went through courtesy of a second half header by centre forward Angelos Charisteas. With confidence building, Otto Rehhagel's side beat Czech Republic in the semi-finals with a silver goal through defender Traianos Dellas.
Already a monumental achievement, Greece headed into the final to face a team they had already defeated; Portugal. However, with the likes of Luis Figo, Deco and Cristiano Ronaldo in the team, surely the host nation would get revenge and lift the trophy? It wasn't the case as Charisteas popped up again to score the winning goal and seal one of the most incredible triumphs in international football tournament history.
Argentina Losing to Saudi Arabia
As Lionel Messi converted from the penalty spot after just ten minutes, Argentina beating Saudi Arabia seemed a foregone conclusion at the 2022 World Cup. The Green Falcons had never had the best tournament record and Messi and his team-mates were heavily backed to win the group stage encounter and go on to lift the famous prize.
However, somehow, Saudi Arabia found two goals in the second half through Saleh Al Shehri and Salem Al Dawsari and hung on to record one of the most memorable surprises in World Cup history. This was an historic moment for the AFC side. Despite the setback, Argentina and Messi recovered to win the tournament, beating France in the final.
San Marino Finally Taste Victory
The 5th of September 2024 will remain a key date in the history of San Marino, both for the national team and for the county. It was on this day that the team secured a first victory in 20 years. San Marino had not won in 140 matches when they came up against Liechtenstein in the Nations League.
It was the first competitive victory recorded for a country which had lost all but ten of its previous 206 fixtures. With a population of just 33,000, it was an incredible achievement and Nicko Sensoli's winning strike sent the footballing world into delirium with fans all over the world tuning in to witness the special moment.
Notable Surprises
There have been countless shocks int he world of soccer and that's what keeps supporters coming back for more. In 2009, Wolfsburg clinched the Bundesliga title in Germany despite a slow start. Going on an incredible winning run, they pipped to Bayern to top spot.
Who can forget, also, Hereford United, the non-League team, knocking Newcastle United out of the FA Cup in 1972? In 2013, Wigan Athletic lifted the trophy against all the odds with a stunning Wembley victory over Manchester City.
For fans predicting the outcome of games and aviator mz gaming, the idea of a minnow shocking one of the big boys adds an extra layer of excitement to the action out on the pitch.
