It's been a hectic year in sport, and nowhere more so than on social media, so here we take a look at how the world's most important sporting events played out online
It's been a hectic year in the world of sport.We've had an incredible World Cup, a forgettable Winter Olympics and more sackings, spats and squabbles than you can shake a hockey stick at. And of course, the world of social media was watching all of it.
It was a steep learning curve for some (ahem, Mario Balotelli) while others have enjoyed the dubious honour of becoming a bonafide 'web sensation' (You wan sum?!).
So, to make sense of it all, I've taken a look back at everything Twitter taught us in the world of sport this year.
1. People really, really loved to tweet about the World Cup
A record 692 million tweets were sent about this year's tournament, with a whopping 35.6 million of those being posted during Germany's 7-1 thrashing of hosts Brazil, so it's no surprise the World Cup made up six of the top ten most tweeted about moments of the year here in the UK.
None were more popular, though, than Mario Balotelli's wonderful quip about the Queen, which was retweeted over 172,000 times.
If we beat Costa Rica i want a kiss,obviously on the cheek, from the UK Queen.
— Mario Balotelli (@FinallyMario) June 19, 2014
2. A new insult
Back in September Rio Ferdinand provided schoolboys everywhere with extra ammunition for their age-old battle to successfully insult each others' mum.
After a Twitter troll aimed a jibe at the former United star's performances, he used the word 'sket' as part of a response many on Twitter found hilarious.
Sadly for Rio, the FA (much like his online adversary) didn't see the funny side. He was handed a three-match ban and a £25,000 fine.
3. Fans are better pundits than pundits
Football fans have always thought they know far more than the pundits on telly, and this year we discovered that they're (sort of) absolutely right. The rise of fan-commentators like Andy Tate, Claude the Gooner and the inimitable Wealdstone Raider brought the full range of footballing emotion to our timelines.
All together now... "You've got no fans".
4. Gary Lineker has the patience of a saint
The football legend-turned-pundit is incredibly popular on Twitter, and counts his followers in the millions. But his celebrity does come with some downsides.
The most annoying of these is, presumably, the tendency of many fans to remind him of his famous on-pitch accident during the 1990 World Cup.
It may have happened 24 years ago, but that's no reason not to carry on going on and on about it forever, according to some fans.
Credit to Gary, though, he's taken it all in good humour - and even managed to get the last laugh when his home team Leicester trounced Manchester United earlier this season.
Shat on Man United!
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 21, 2014
5. Andy Murray is a Scot, not a Brit
The old joke about Andy Murray is that he's Scottish when he loses and British when he wins, but we were finally able to solve his identity crisis earlier this year when he tweeted support for Scottish independence in the run up to the referendum.
Huge day for Scotland today! no campaign negativity last few days totally swayed my view on it. excited to see the outcome. lets do this!
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) September 18, 2014
6. The Arsenal team are selfie-obsessed
Arsenal goalie Wojciech Szczesny sent himself viral back in March when he posted a selfie with teammates Lukas Podolski and Kieran Gibbs as they celebrated a north London derby win on the pitch at White Hart Lane.
The photo went up on Podolski's Instagram feed, which was updated with a few victorious World Cup snaps later in the year.
Sadly for Arsenal fans, there has been a distinct lack of on-pitch selfies since this season started.
7. There is a very good reason why Steven Gerrard isn't on Twitter
Steven Gerrard's new boots revealed.. pic.twitter.com/kga1S4PkNz
— The MANC Bible (@TheMANCBible) April 28, 2014
If Stevie G thought he couldn't possibly feel any worse after his infamous title-challenge-ending slip against Chelsea last season, it's a good job he's not on Twitter.
The Liverpool skipper was mocked mercilessly by rival fans, delighted that the reds' captain had ended their dream of a 19th league title.
Steven Gerrard's heat map from today's match. pic.twitter.com/3xputnVnKJ
— 90thMin ⚽️ (@90thMin) April 27, 2014
EXCLUSIVE: The Steven Gerrard slip from another angle. pic.twitter.com/MKkoYaLtC1
— BBC Sporf (@BBCSporf) April 27, 2014
8. David Moyes didn't know what he was doing...
Hi. I'm David Moyes and I have no idea what I'm doing. pic.twitter.com/vSVmKVq5SR
— Trevinho (@Trevski_LFC) September 3, 2013
...at least, the internet certainly didn't think so. As it became increasingly obvious David Moyes was out of his depth at Manchester United, the web became ever more merciless in mocking him.
Then he got the sack. Then he got mocked some more.
David Moyes is sacked, the world of football reacts... pic.twitter.com/28xexIb4mn
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) April 22, 2014
Can I? pic.twitter.com/R1lx5GjM5I
— Football Funnys (@FootballFunnys) April 22, 2014
David Moyes is now 8/1 from 16/1 to be the next Spurs manager! pic.twitter.com/kEnKUSodgN
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) April 22, 2014
9. Journalists really didn't have very much fun at Sochi 2014
The hacks staying in and around the 2014 Winter Olympics' host city, Sochi, found their hotels had a few, er, quirks. The old-fashioned, strange, and downright dangerous fixtures and fittings were duly documented and collected under the hashtag #SochiProblems.
A lot of complaints about the accommodations. This is the foyer of my apartment. #SochiProblems pic.twitter.com/gKnxCywKF0
— Mark Connolly (@MarkConnollyCBC) February 6, 2014
Hamburger order lost in translation #SochiProblems pic.twitter.com/Bzg2rgBBvk
— Gavin Ward (@GDubF1) October 7, 2014
No flush, must play basketball with used toilet paper. #SochiProblems #Sochi2014 pic.twitter.com/tHus7WfgtH
— Alexander Broad (@alexjbroad) February 4, 2014
But, of course, the biggest gaffe of the games had nothing to do with the hotels...
You had one job ring guy...#SochiProblems #Sochifail pic.twitter.com/JyJzLtVP9P
— SochiFail (@SochiEpicFails) February 8, 2014
10. Royal photobombing is a thing, and it's hilarious
Ahhh The Queen photo-bombed our selfie!! #royalty #sheevensmiled #amazing #Glasgow2014 @Hockeyroos @AusComGames pic.twitter.com/ZMtHYFUqHk
— Jayde Taylor (@_JaydeTaylor) July 24, 2014
For those unfamiliar with the term, 'photobombing' does not involve throwing lots of pictures out of the side of an aeroplane. It's actually the art of being snapped in someone else's photo without their knowledge or consent.
In 2014 it became so popular even the Royal family were at it, as these pictures from the Glasgow Commonwealth games show.
Another amazing royal photobomb at #Glasgow2014 !! pic.twitter.com/Bx4kjjz5Ss
— Commonwealth Games (@thecgf) July 29, 2014
Got to love a royal photobomb! pic.twitter.com/Gcrd0eqSVV
— Chris Hoy (@chrishoy) July 29, 2014
11. Why it is always him
Answer? Because he is always asking for it. 'Super Mario' posted a racially inflammatory picture of the other Super Mario to his Instagram feed earlier this month. The text gave the following description of the pint-sized Nintendo character: "He's an Italian plumber, created by Japanese people, who speaks English and looks like a Mexican."
It finished: "He jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a Jew."
The fiery striker received a one-match ban and £25,000 fine from the FA.
12. Cristiano Ronaldo is social media dynamite
Not content with being a young, good looking millionaire who's won the Champions League, Cristiano Ronaldo also insists on being the best at Twitter.
He has well over 32 million fans on the site, making him the most followed sportsman by far. This year he helped his star-studded Real Madrid side bag 'La Decima' (their 10th Champions League trophy) - and he even scored in the final.
Here he is with his massive... er, statue.
I feel so proud to be honoured with a statue in Madeira. It's a huge joy to share this mome... http://t.co/0PxRpyOc6q pic.twitter.com/afbBvaGQPN
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) December 21, 2014
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