The beautiful game played beautifully

The 2009-10 Champions League saw many superb goals and several wonderful games, with perhaps the best occurring at the Nou Camp, in Barcelona’s 4-1 defeat of Arsenal. When these football giants were drawn against each other, purists licked their lips in anticipation at the prospect of two teams who play the game in the right way locking horns on the pitch.

A 2-2 draw in the first leg left the tie evenly poised, but the Spanish giants romped home with some sublime play. The highlight was the performance of the mercurial Lionel Messi. The Argentinean striker was relatively quiet in the first match, but in Spain he scored all four goals for his side, one of which was a deft chip over Manuel Almunia that will be talked about for many years to come.

Mickelson triumphs at Augusta

On a swelteringly hot afternoon in April, Phil Mickelson produced some stunning golf to snatch the Masters from under the nose of Britain’s Lee Westwood. Firing a final round 67, the American won with a four-round score of 16 under par, three shots ahead of the Briton. It was a pulsating last day, with sporting legends Anthony Kim, Fred Couples, Tiger Woods and KJ Choi all in the mix, too.

Fabulous French take the title

The 2010 Six Nations Championship was a feast of rugby from start to finish full of memorable moments. There were fine performances from several players, but it was the French who really caught the eye. Their breathtaking pace was enough to secure wins in all five of their matches, with only the Welsh coming anywhere an upset. Their 20-26 defeat in Cardiff was the only real scare for Les Bleus.