“You Won What?!” – 4 Unlikely European Cup Medal Winners
1. Nigel Spink
With 10 minutes on the clock left in the 1982 final, substitue Aston Villa goalkeeper Spink would have been forgiven if he was found showered, changed and at the bar with a pint in hand – at the end of the day, he had only pulled on the gloves once in the 5 years he had spent at the club.
Jimmy Rimmer, Villa’s first choice, came off injured and Spink helped maintain a clean sheet as they won 1-0. Funnily enough, he went on to play over 400 times for Villa after that.
2. Jonathan Greening
During his stints at West Brom and Middlesbrough, the midfeilder was hardly setting the world alight, but when he found himself on Manchester United’s books in 1999, he bagged himself a trio of medals. “I felt a bit of a fraud” he admitted, and I can understand that, he hadn’t played a single minute of United’s European campaign that season.
3. Djimi Traore
This may be a little harsh considering that when Liverpool historically came back from the dead to sink Milan in 2005 – they were peppered with “are you sure?” players such as a broken Hamann and Spanish defender Josemi. However, Djimi bagged his medal that year even though he is remembered more famously for scoring a bizarre own goal in the FA Cup against Burnely the same year.
4. Nuno Espirito Santo
When Jose Mourinho guided Porto to European glory in 2003/04, not only did he upset every bookie across the globe, but also handed reserve ‘keeper Nuno a medal as the perhaps ‘more talented’ players from around Europe looked on in astonishment.
Submitted by Football Friends
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liam
May 28, 2011 at 11:01 am
a broken hamann? are you sure? Didi was a legend for Liverpool and pulled out an absolute masterclass in the second half of that game, and was largely responsible for the unbelievable comeback. Leg-end
Jb
May 28, 2011 at 11:38 am
Talking about european cups I have read that Liverpool have won 19 cups the first one was when they started off under another name does that not count if not why ?
AJ
May 28, 2011 at 11:39 am
Spunk came on for Rimmer with ten minutes GONE not ten minutes left. He was also man of the match in most folks eyes. A world class performance.
Steff the Villan
May 28, 2011 at 2:02 pm
Beat me to it AJ, Mr Fisher may I suggest you brush up on your research skills. Funnily enough an excellent keeper, a keeper who played a major part in Villa lifting the Cup, and a major player for Villa for seasons to come.
shaz
May 28, 2011 at 12:21 pm
spunk and rimmer aj? u sure that was the names? or were you thinking about something else? :p
Steve
May 28, 2011 at 4:40 pm
Didi not only gave a second half master class, he also played most of extra time with a broken bone in his foot. Most of the worlds imports tend to roll around on the floor as soon as someone else brushes past them. Not Didi, a total Liverpool legend just like gerry Byrne in the 60’s who played nearly the entire fa cup final with a broken collar bone without an opponent knowing about it.
These are the type of players we like to see at Liverpool, they represent the true working class spirit and wear the shirt with pride. Players like those guys would die for the cause.
ds
May 28, 2011 at 4:52 pm
He wrote broken Didi because of the broken bone.
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