The Ryder Cup, Mayweather Jr v Hatton and other great USA v Europe sporting contests
This week sees the start of the Ryder Cup, as Europe attempt to defend their crown at the Medinah course in Chicago, so with Europe and America preparing to do battle on the greens, we decided to whet your appetite with a handful of clashes between American and a European opposition.
USA 1-1 England – 2010 World Cup
It was the first time the USA and England faced each other in a football match for two years, and heading into the fixture, all signs pointed to a resounding England victory. With the British media handing Fabio Capello's men three points before a ball had been kicked, there was a feeling of impending disaster, which Rob Green duly delivered. The gaffe-prone goalkeeper spilled a Clint Dempsey shot, ensuring the points would be shared.
2004 4x100m Olympic sprint final – Athens
Perhaps the greatest moment in British Olympic sprinting history (if you discount Linford Christie's 100m gold in 1992), Great Britain beat a field which included the odds-on American favourites to grab gold in the final which would shock the world.
Sergio Garcia v Tiger Woods - 1999 PGA Championship
Held at Medinah, the 81st PGA Championship would go down in history as one of the most memorable, thanks in part to the incredible battle between Tiger Woods and a 19-year-old Sergio Garcia. The pair would push each other, showing some unbelievable recovery shots along the way, but it was Woods who would come out on top, winning his first PGA Championship and second major by just one stroke.
Tiger Woods' impressive recovery shot
Sergio Garcia's equally impressive recovery shot
Floyd Mayweather Jr v Ricky Hatton – 2007
Billed as the biggest fight of the year, Floyd Mayweather and Ricky Hatton squared off for the WBC welterweight title under the bright lights of Las Vegas. Both unbeaten, someone's 'O' had to go, and it would be Hatton who would end up on the canvas, following a vicious left hook from Mayweather in the 10th round.
USA v Spain Olympic basketball final – London 2012
In a repeat of the 2008 Olympic final, a Pau Gasol Spanish side would have a second crack at dethroning the USA 'Dream Team' at the London Olympic Games. In what would be a closely-fought contest, the star studded US team would come out on top, defending their crown once again.
USA win 33rd Ryder Cup – Justin Leonard v Jose Maria Olazabal 17th hole – 1999
Held at Brookline, in Massachusetts, the 1999 Ryder Cup would end up the closest winning margin by any side, with the US pipping Europe 14 ½ to 13 ½. Remembered mostly for the 17th hole battle between Justin Leonard and Jose Maria Olazabal, it would go down in history as a classic. Leonard had promised a 'massive putt' and he duly delivered, guaranteeing at least a draw and prompting jubilant scenes among the crowd.
What are some of your favourite US v Europe clashes? Have your say on the topic by commenting below...