PA Wire / PA Images
PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images
Biggest upset of the year? There was only one winner. Some bookies were offering as much as 66/1 on a Japanese victory, their first in the Rugby World Cup since 1991.
Japan’s incredible 34-32 win against the Springboks was the biggest upset in the tournament’s history and brought the Rugby World Cup to life well ahead of schedule.
2. Serena Williams v Simona Halep
Julio Cortez
Julio Cortez
Williams looked a class above the rest going into this year’s US Open on the back of four successive Grand Slam successes.
Bidding to be the first woman to win all four Grand Slams in a calendar year for 27 years, Williams looked certain to make the final when she was drawn against Roberta Vinci, an unseeded Italian ranked No43 in the world.
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However, Vinci saw off Williams in three sets before eventually losing to compatriot Flavia Pennetta in the final.
3. Chelsea v Bradford
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
At 2-0 down away to the Premier League leaders very few would have given Bradford City a hope of salvaging a result in this fourth-round FA Cup tie.
But a Jon Stead header on 41 minutes gave them a glimmer of hope and three goals in the final 20 minutes completed a remarkable comeback.
4. Ireland v Germany
Peter Morrison
Peter Morrison
Despite being under the cosh for the majority of the game, Ireland somehow snuck a crucial win at home against world champions Germany.
Shane Long’s 70th-minute strike sent a packed Aviva Stadium into raptures, the defence held strong and Ireland secured a famous victory.
5. Bangladesh v England
James Elsby
James Elsby
While England were on the ropes after World Cup defeats in the pool stages to Australia and New Zealand, they were expected to see off Bangladesh to progress to the knockout stages.
It wasn’t to be though for Eoin Morgan’s side as their opponents won by 15 runs to advance from the first round for only the second time.
6. Melbourne Cup
Andy Brownbill
Andy Brownbill
Prince of Penzance was the first horse since World War II to win the Melbourne Cup from a three-figure price.
Paying 100/1, Michelle Payne’s mount made headlines across the world not only for lining the bookies’ pockets but also for it being the first victory for a female jockey in the lucrative race.
Six sporting upsets we didn't see coming in 2015
1. Japan v South Africa
Biggest upset of the year? There was only one winner. Some bookies were offering as much as 66/1 on a Japanese victory, their first in the Rugby World Cup since 1991.
Japan’s incredible 34-32 win against the Springboks was the biggest upset in the tournament’s history and brought the Rugby World Cup to life well ahead of schedule.
2. Serena Williams v Simona Halep
Williams looked a class above the rest going into this year’s US Open on the back of four successive Grand Slam successes.
Bidding to be the first woman to win all four Grand Slams in a calendar year for 27 years, Williams looked certain to make the final when she was drawn against Roberta Vinci, an unseeded Italian ranked No43 in the world.
However, Vinci saw off Williams in three sets before eventually losing to compatriot Flavia Pennetta in the final.
3. Chelsea v Bradford
At 2-0 down away to the Premier League leaders very few would have given Bradford City a hope of salvaging a result in this fourth-round FA Cup tie.
But a Jon Stead header on 41 minutes gave them a glimmer of hope and three goals in the final 20 minutes completed a remarkable comeback.
4. Ireland v Germany
Despite being under the cosh for the majority of the game, Ireland somehow snuck a crucial win at home against world champions Germany.
Shane Long’s 70th-minute strike sent a packed Aviva Stadium into raptures, the defence held strong and Ireland secured a famous victory.
5. Bangladesh v England
While England were on the ropes after World Cup defeats in the pool stages to Australia and New Zealand, they were expected to see off Bangladesh to progress to the knockout stages.
It wasn’t to be though for Eoin Morgan’s side as their opponents won by 15 runs to advance from the first round for only the second time.
6. Melbourne Cup
Prince of Penzance was the first horse since World War II to win the Melbourne Cup from a three-figure price.
Paying 100/1, Michelle Payne’s mount made headlines across the world not only for lining the bookies’ pockets but also for it being the first victory for a female jockey in the lucrative race.
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NEVER SAW IT COMING STONE COLD STUNNER underdog story Upset