This was a week for the big boys. They showed us that form is temporary but class is permanent, that the cream will always rise to the top, that the business end of the season is upon us and that the world of sport loves a good cliche. So here’s our countdown:
1) Golf – Tiger Woods produced a Tigerish performance to overhaul Padraig Harrington and win the World Golf Championship at Firestone. It all happened at the par-five 16th hole where Woods struck a magical 8 iron to give himself a birdie and the lead, after the Irishman carded a disastrous triple bogey. Luckily for the rest of us we’ll get to see the two of them pair up at the USPGA Championship on Thursday.
That 8 iron…
2) Cricket – Australia levelled the Ashes series in emphatic fashion on Sunday afternoon by inflicting an ‘innings and 80 runs’ defeat (that’s huge if you’re not much of a cricket fan) on England. Plenty of great moments from the Aussies but we’ll go for Marcus North’s century as our favourite.
3) X-Games – Travis Pastrana is an X Games legend. Unfortunately even legends get it wrong occasionally, as happened with this Toilet Paper Roll attempt at X Games XV. Incredibly, Pastrana picks himself up and gives a pretty amusing interview. That is a tough man.
4) Football – Chelsea and Manchester United proved that they could be playing a game of tiddlywinks and the competition would still be fierce, when they contested the FA Community Shield on Sunday. The game was a feisty encounter with an incident between Michael Ballack and Patrice Evra becoming the main talking point. Ultimately it was Chelsea who triumphed after the game went to penalties which the London club won 4-1. Get ready for another intense Premier league season.
5) Tennis – Juan Martin Del Potro defended his Washington title and continued to back up the hype around his tennis potential by beating Andy Roddick in the Legg Mason Classic.
What do you think? Are we wrong and have we missed something?
10 Comments 
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TS449 on 10.08.2009 16:08
League one kick off has to be up there.
Norwich getting hammered by Colchester at home 7 – 1… Swindon being done 5 – 0 by Gillingham – more exciting than the Man on one Legg Mason Classic.
Rebecca on 10.08.2009 16:08
That toilet paper roll fall looked seriously painful – ouch
LaureusTeam on 10.08.2009 16:08
Thanks TS449, we try to keep a bit of balance. In future, let us know if you want anything to be included before Monday and we’ll do our best to get it up there.
Alan White on 10.08.2009 17:08
On Friday night Australia managed to restrict England, chasing 51, to 35 in their final innings thanks to a brilliant spell of bowling from Mitchell Johnson. A sensational performance. Admittedly it was on the X-Box, but it still took utmost powers of concentration.
Doug on 11.08.2009 09:08
I saw you guys handed out a Laureus at the X Games to Kelly Slater. Well done!
SD on 11.08.2009 11:08
Football and Cricket boring… what about ballet or figure skating?
LaureusTeam on 11.08.2009 11:08
SD, if you have any figure skating moments you’d like to tell us about, by all means put them down.
We’re not convinced ballet is a sport.
James Schad on 11.08.2009 13:08
I did 3 sets of 8 squats at 82.5kg last night, before doing some benches, just for the beach! It’s so cool at the gym.
Rasha on 11.08.2009 17:08
Intense is an understatement to say the least! I can foresee the toughest and most brutal season in years.
ManU wanting to prove that they were not a one man show, and that there’s still life after Ronaldo’s exit. An argument, that was somehow countered in their gritty performance at the FA Community Shield.
Chelsea with their bitter defeat against Barca in this years Champions League semifinal and the high caliber of champions and immense experience in there squad will definitely be in the mix of eventual contenders.
Liverpool under Rafa Benitez have been improving from year to year, yes it’s been 20 years, but who knows this could very much be the year they break the jinx.
Arsenal, if they can stay healthy are more than capable of mounting a serious challenge, especially with the amount of talent at there disposal.
Other clubs capable of reshuffling the odds are Man City whom they vastly improved there squad from last year, yet they need more than one full season to gel. Everton with David Moyes at the helm are capable of beating any of the big 4 on there day. Finally, Zola’s passion and popularity within his team will be contagious, i expect them to be this season’s darkhorse.
Let’s see what transpires at the end of what is expected to be another breathtaking Barclays Premier League!
tomsoper on 17.08.2009 11:08
Good selection Laureus team. Having been on holiday it’s a useful way to catch up on the week’s best sporting moments. Keep it up.