Monday 20 September 2010

Famous 5ive: Hattrick Hero's

In honour of Dimitar Berbatov’s treble at the weekend (and less heralded, but far more importantly, James Vaughan’s for Crystal Palace against Portsmouth) this week’s famous 5ive brings you some memorable hattrick hero’s

Rivaldo: Barcelona vs. Valencia (17/06/2001)

Quite simply, the greatest hattrick of all time.

Comparing achievements, and how good something actually is always needs the context in which they take place. On the 17th June 2001, after a largely disastrous season, Barcelona who sat in fifth place, needed a win to qualify for the Champions League, Valencia their opponents on the night occupied fourth and just needed a draw to qualify themselves. With so much on the line, and pressure unbearable, often these games fail to ignite yet this was a fantastic exhibition of breathless end to end football, full of chances and intrigue; even without Rivaldo’s majestic contribution this would have been a great game. It was the Brazilian’s phenomenal contribution which sets this game out as truly unforgettable however.

This was the impressive Valencia side that reached successive Champions League finals, and a Barca team struggling following a series of disastrous and ill thought out signings. The club that we see today needed this qualification, and cometh the hour, Rivaldo stepped up to the plate. In the pantheon of great players, the bandy legged World Cup winner with the rather awkward style seems to be overlooked but on this night he showed why he deserves to go down as one of the best.

His first goal on the night, from near on thirty five yards out was free kick bent into the bottom right hand corner of the goal, hitting the inside of the post, before nestling in the back of the net. An excellent Valencia side fought back though; 1-1. Approaching half-time, and Rivaldo, basically playing his opponents by himself, set the ball up on his left foot with a few feints, controlling a pass on the edge of the box. Hesitating a few moments when time seemed to stand still and then the ball was smacked low ad hard, again finding the corner. Once more Valencia came back; 2-2.

As the game approached its final moments, desperation had set in around the Camp Nou. Resignation that the club was going to miss out on Europe’s premier club competition and resignation that a series of costly blunders on the pitch, in the transfer market and in the boardroom were going to cost the club dear. With three minutes remaining that all changed. The ball was chipped to the outside corner of the box-- where Rivaldo was with his back to goal. Chesting the ball perfectly to himself, it was cushioned in just the right way for him to execute the most jaw dropping of overheard bicycle kicks you are ever likely to see. 3-2 to Barcelona, and an amazing performance from an amazing player.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro9dA0rKLzw

Danny Butterfield: Crystal Palace vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers (02/02/2010)

They say that the perfect hattrick comprises of a right foot finish, a left foot finish and then a goal with your head. Given modern football’s prevalence towards decidedly one footed players it’s difficult to recall too many in recent times, although if you are (un)fortunate enough to be a Crystal Palace fan you don’t have to cast your mind back too far to highlight Danny Butterfield’s memorable three goal trick against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the fourth round of last season’s FA Cup.

Framed against the backdrop of the club’s recent slide into a debilitating period of administration, the replayed cup tie will go down in Palace folklore for the day that Danny Butterfield, a committed, hard working, and actually much underrated full back notched an incredible hattrick in just seven minutes. Given the player had only previously scored seven goals in his 252 appearances for the club it becomes clear just how much of an amazing achievement this really was. Butterfield is sadly no longer with the club, but remains a true hero in Crystal Palace fans hearts, not just for his incredible moment in the sun but also his numerous outstanding contributions during eight seasons at Selhurst Park.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GWYNLvawLw

Ronaldo: Manchester United vs. Real Madrid (23/04/2003)

It’s often rare in modern football to see signs of class, decency and sportsmanship. As rewards have increased to astronomical levels, so too has a ‘win at all costs’ mentality. Showing respect to the opposition doesn’t often seem to be forthcoming. Likewise, in the stands, it seems the abuse and vitriol thrown down from the stands goes up a notch every year, becoming more lurid and reprehensible. In this climate it is very rare to see acknowledgment or respect from supporters of someone who has performed well against their team.

Yet, despite all that, you like to think that most fans will recognise when an opponent has put in an impressive performance and will, even if it’s grudgingly, raise a hand when someone has achieved a remarkable feat, regardless of whether it’s for or against you. You like to think this, not just because deep down you like to think of yourself as a decent chap who see’s the inherent good in humanity, but because there are recent examples of it occurring.

One such event took place on the 23rd April 2003 at Old Trafford. There, the ‘real’ Ronaldo took centre stage, displaying all the skills which made him the greatest striker of his generation. A display of skill, pace, power and poise all highlighted by ruthless finishing was responsible for dumping Manchester United out of the Champions League. When the Golden Boot winner from the 2002 World Cup departed from the pitch in the 67th minute, instead of receiving a hail of abuse, the hattrick hero (or villain in this case) was applauded from the pitch in a fantastic display of sportsmanship and respect for an incredible achievement. See football can be classy...sometimes....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCayNnIEH88

Paolo Rossi: Italy vs. Brazil (05/07/1982)

I mentioned earlier about context making an achievement; scoring a hattrick at the Bernabeu for Real Madrid against Barcelona registering slightly more on the Richter scale than a treble for Kingstonian against Sutton United. And you don’t get much of a higher setting than the context surrounding Paolo Rossi’s legendary match ball winning effort against Brazil in 1982.

Part of me thinks that I shouldn’t have wanted Rossi on this list, given that his hattrick greatly contributed to the elimination from competition of arguably the most exciting team ever seen at the World Cup, but then part of you has to revel in the tale of redemption that comes from the man mired in a match fixing schedule who showed such predatory skills in firing a previously stuttering Azzuri all the way to World Cup glory. Besides, as people who know me will testify, I’ve always had a bit of a love affair with Italian football and so this was obviously going in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTfPOzUc1JI

Sinisa Mihajlovic: Lazio vs. Sampdoria (1998)

If the perfect hattrick is with the left, the right and the head, I’m not sure what you can say about Sinisa Mihajlovic’s effort against Sampdoria in 1998, I mean, they were all with his left foot – what’s so special about that? Well there was something special; indeed something extraordinary about Mihajlovic’s left foot, a combination magic wand and blunderbuss all in one weapon. There was also something special in that this hattrick from the Serb all came from free kicks. Although famed for his ability from the dead ball, it is still a remarkable achievement. I know he’s not exactly known for being the nicest guy around (only the issues of racism and being allegedly mates with war criminals) but when it came to a free kick taker, boy could he hit them. Next time someone tries to tell you David Beckham was good at free kicks, ask them if he ever scored a hattrick of them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyYlxE7ttIk

1 comment:

  1. The Rivaldo hattrick is just unbelievable. As you say, the circumstances really make the difference, and it was such an important game.

    I see you weren't tempted by Michael Owen's hattrick for Liverpool against Spartak Moscow in 2002 however... I think every strike was from inside the six yard box and took at least two deflections on the way in.

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