Own goal
Encyclopedia
An own net occurs in goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team. It is usually accidental, and may be a result of an attempt at defensive play that failed or was spoiled by opponents.
The term has become a metaphor
for any action that backfires upon a person.
, resulting in a goal being scored for the opposition.
The fact that the defending player touches the ball last does not automatically mean that the goal is recorded as an own goal. Only if the ball would not have gone in the net but for the defending player would an own goal be credited. Thus a shot which is already "on target" would not be an own goal even if deflected by the defender. Then the attacker is awarded the goal, even if the shot would have otherwise been easily saved by the goalkeeper. Some scorers will give credit to the attacker if the defender's mistake caused the own goal, similar to ice hockey.
An own goal cannot be scored directly (i.e. without any other player touching the ball) from an attacking throw-in or a defending free kick (a corner kick
will be awarded to the attacking team if so should happen), and under certain other circumstances, for example, directly from a corner kick
.
The defending player who scored the own goal is personally "credited" with the goal as part of the statistical abstract of the game.
, mainly due to the belief that the player credited with the goal had his/her shot deflected. Occasionally, it is also credited to the closest player to the goal from the other team if he is determined to have caused the opposing player to shoot it into the wrong net. On seven occasions in the NHL
, players have shot the puck into their own empty net, either late in the game or because of a delayed penalty call. This was the situation which resulted in Billy Smith
of the New York Islanders
as the first goalie receiving credit with a NHL
goal scored.
and NCAA
rules, the goal is credited to the player on the scoring team who is closest to the rim. Under FIBA rules, the player designated captain is credited with the basket. In NFHS (National Federation of High Schools -- United States), the two points are merely listed for the team, as a footnote.
, or rouge. A true "own goal," in which the team place kicks or drop kicks the ball through their own goal posts (which has never happened at any level in football history), is treated as any other backward kick in most leagues' rule books. Backward kicks are treated as fumble
s, and as such, a backward kick through the back of the end zone, including through the goal posts, would be scored a safety.
In the final minutes of a game, a team may take a deliberate safety in order to get the free kick, rather than punting from the end zone. In 2003, the New England Patriots
came back to win a Monday Night Football game after giving a safety that put them three points behind.http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?id=1653659
match. It is common for a defender or goalkeeper to block a shot on goal, causing it to go over the crossbar, scoring a point, but this is never considered an "own point".
A defending player will choose to concede a rushed behind when the risk of the opposition scoring a goal (worth six points) is high. The team which concedes the rushed behind then retains possession of the ball, kicking in
as normal. It is impossible for a team to concede an "own goal" worth six points.
Many football observers dislike the practice of deliberate rushed behinds. The two main issues are that defenders are given too easy an option of alleviating pressure in defence, and the defending team is then given control of the ball via the kick-in. The idea of a rushed behind registering three points (awarded on the scoreboard as three behinds) instead of just one has been trialled in the NAB Cup, and the idea of awarding a free kick to the opposition was trialled in the 2009 NAB Cup. After the 2009 NAB Cup, the rule of awarding a free kick for a deliberate rushed behind, unless under pressure from the opposing team, was immediately implemented for regular season play. This came after Hawthorn rushed a record 11 rushed behinds against Geelong in the 2008 AFL Grand Final, and eventually won the premiership by 26 points.
The term has become a metaphor
Metaphor
A metaphor is a literary figure of speech that uses an image, story or tangible thing to represent a less tangible thing or some intangible quality or idea; e.g., "Her eyes were glistening jewels." Metaphor may also be used for any rhetorical figures of speech that achieve their effects via...
for any action that backfires upon a person.
Association football
In association football (soccer), an own goal occurs when a player causes the ball to go into his or her own team's goalGoal (sport)
Goal refers to a method of scoring in many sports. It can also refer to the physical structure or area of the playing surface where scoring occurs....
, resulting in a goal being scored for the opposition.
The fact that the defending player touches the ball last does not automatically mean that the goal is recorded as an own goal. Only if the ball would not have gone in the net but for the defending player would an own goal be credited. Thus a shot which is already "on target" would not be an own goal even if deflected by the defender. Then the attacker is awarded the goal, even if the shot would have otherwise been easily saved by the goalkeeper. Some scorers will give credit to the attacker if the defender's mistake caused the own goal, similar to ice hockey.
An own goal cannot be scored directly (i.e. without any other player touching the ball) from an attacking throw-in or a defending free kick (a corner kick
Corner kick
A corner kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football. It was first devised in Sheffield under the Sheffield Rules 1867...
will be awarded to the attacking team if so should happen), and under certain other circumstances, for example, directly from a corner kick
Corner kick
A corner kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football. It was first devised in Sheffield under the Sheffield Rules 1867...
.
The defending player who scored the own goal is personally "credited" with the goal as part of the statistical abstract of the game.
Other sports
When they occur in other sports, own goals are not "credited" in the same manner as in football, but instead credited towards the attacker whose attempt forced the defensive error.Ice hockey
If a goal is scored by a player on the defending team, credit for the goal goes to the last player on the other team to have touched the puckHockey puck
A puck is a disk used in various games serving the same functions as a ball does in ball games. The best-known use of pucks is in ice hockey, a major international sport.- Etymology :The origin of the word "puck" is obscure...
, mainly due to the belief that the player credited with the goal had his/her shot deflected. Occasionally, it is also credited to the closest player to the goal from the other team if he is determined to have caused the opposing player to shoot it into the wrong net. On seven occasions in the NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
, players have shot the puck into their own empty net, either late in the game or because of a delayed penalty call. This was the situation which resulted in Billy Smith
Billy Smith (ice hockey)
William John Smith, better known as Billy Smith, is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender and is best known for winning four Stanley Cups with the New York Islanders and being the first goalie to be credited with a goal....
of the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
as the first goalie receiving credit with a NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
goal scored.
Basketball
When accidentally scoring at an opposing team's basket (basketball's equivalent of an "own goal"), the goal is credited to an offensive player. In NBANational Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
and NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
rules, the goal is credited to the player on the scoring team who is closest to the rim. Under FIBA rules, the player designated captain is credited with the basket. In NFHS (National Federation of High Schools -- United States), the two points are merely listed for the team, as a footnote.
American football
When a ball-carrier is tackled or exits the field of play within the end zone being defended by his team, the result is a safety and the opposing team is awarded two points, and receives the ball after a free kick taken at the twenty-yard line. In Canadian football, if this occurs as a result of a kick, the kicking team is awarded one point, scored as a singleSingle (football)
In Canadian football, a single is awarded when the ball is kicked into the end zone by any legal means, other than a successful field goal, and the receiving team does not return, or kick, the ball out of its end zone...
, or rouge. A true "own goal," in which the team place kicks or drop kicks the ball through their own goal posts (which has never happened at any level in football history), is treated as any other backward kick in most leagues' rule books. Backward kicks are treated as fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
s, and as such, a backward kick through the back of the end zone, including through the goal posts, would be scored a safety.
In the final minutes of a game, a team may take a deliberate safety in order to get the free kick, rather than punting from the end zone. In 2003, the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
came back to win a Monday Night Football game after giving a safety that put them three points behind.http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?id=1653659
Gaelic football
Gaelic footballers can play the ball with their hands; therefore, they have a much greater degree of control over the ball and thus, own goals are much rarer than they are in soccer. However, they are known to occur, such as one scored by Paddy Andrews in a 2009 O'Byrne CupO'Byrne Cup
The O'Byrne Cup is a Gaelic football competition organised by the Leinster GAA. The competition is named after Matt O'Byrne, a former Wicklow GAA club officer. Participants include the twelve county teams and four colleges. The O'Byrne Cup 2011 champions are Kildare, who beat Louth in the final by...
match. It is common for a defender or goalkeeper to block a shot on goal, causing it to go over the crossbar, scoring a point, but this is never considered an "own point".
Australian rules football
As a legitimate defensive play, an Australian football defender may concede an "own score." Such a score, referred to as a rushed behind and statistically credited to no player (scoresheets will simply include the tally of rushed behinds), results in the opposition team earning one point.A defending player will choose to concede a rushed behind when the risk of the opposition scoring a goal (worth six points) is high. The team which concedes the rushed behind then retains possession of the ball, kicking in
Kick-in
In the sport of Australian rules football, a kick-in occurs when an opposition team scores a behind, with a defender kicking the ball out from the defensive goalsquare. The team kicking in may elect any one of its players to take the kick-in. The man on the mark stands five metres in front of the...
as normal. It is impossible for a team to concede an "own goal" worth six points.
Many football observers dislike the practice of deliberate rushed behinds. The two main issues are that defenders are given too easy an option of alleviating pressure in defence, and the defending team is then given control of the ball via the kick-in. The idea of a rushed behind registering three points (awarded on the scoreboard as three behinds) instead of just one has been trialled in the NAB Cup, and the idea of awarding a free kick to the opposition was trialled in the 2009 NAB Cup. After the 2009 NAB Cup, the rule of awarding a free kick for a deliberate rushed behind, unless under pressure from the opposing team, was immediately implemented for regular season play. This came after Hawthorn rushed a record 11 rushed behinds against Geelong in the 2008 AFL Grand Final, and eventually won the premiership by 26 points.
Association football
- 1888: The first own goal ever registered in The Football LeagueThe Football LeagueThe Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
was scored by Aston VillaAston Villa F.C.Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
's Gershom CoxGershom CoxGershom Cox was a professional footballer who played as a full-back for Aston Villa from 1888 to 1893.-Career:...
in a match against Wolverhampton WanderersWolverhampton Wanderers F.C.Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
. - 1967: Gary SprakeGary SprakeGareth Sprake is a Welsh former professional footballer. A goalkeeper, he played for Leeds United and Birmingham City and also won 37 caps for Wales....
, goalkeeper for Leeds United, scored an own goal in a 2–0 defeat to LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
whilst attempting to throw the ball to a defender. - 1976: Chris NichollChris NichollChristopher John "Chris" Nicholl is an English-born former Northern Ireland international footballer.-Playing career:Nicholl was born in Macclesfield...
scored all four goals in a 2–2 draw between Aston VillaAston Villa F.C.Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
and Leicester CityLeicester City F.C.Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
on 20 March 1976. - 1978: Ernie BrandtsErnie BrandtsErnstus "Ernie" Wilhelmus Johannes Brandts is a former Dutch football defender, who played for PSV Eindhoven, Roda JC Kerkrade, MVV Maastricht and De Graafschap....
was the first and only player in the FIFA World CupFIFA World CupThe FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
to score for both teams in one match, doing so for NetherlandsNetherlands national football teamThe Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
against ItalyItaly national football teamThe Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
. - 1991: Lee DixonLee DixonLee Michael Dixon is a former English professional footballer born in Manchester.He formed part of the Arsenal defence from the late 1980s, through till 2002. He was capped 22 times for England, scoring once....
, defender for ArsenalArsenal F.C.Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, scored in his own net in a 2–1 defeat against Coventry CityCoventry City F.C.Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
by lobbing goalkeeper David SeamanDavid SeamanDavid Andrew Seaman MBE is a former English football goalkeeper who played for several clubs, most notably Arsenal. He retired from the game on 13 January 2004, following a recurring shoulder injury...
whilst attempting to pass the ball to him. - 1994: In the preliminary round of the 1994 Caribbean Cup, BarbadosBarbados national football teamThe Barbados national football team, nicknamed Bajan Pride, is the national association football team of Barbados and is controlled by the Barbados Football Association. It has never qualified for a major international tournament...
deliberately scored an own goal in a successful attempt to advance to the final stage by forcing golden goalGolden goalThe golden goal is a method used in association football, field hockey, ice hockey and korfball to decide the winner of games in elimination matches which end in a draw after the end of regulation time. It is a type of sudden death. Golden goal rules allow the team that scores the first goal during...
extra time against GrenadaGrenada national football teamThe Grenada national football team is the national team of Grenada and is controlled by the Grenada Football Association. It is affiliated to the Caribbean Football Union of CONCACAF. The team is nicknamed The Spice Boys, a reference to the export of nutmeg from the country...
, as an unusual tournament rule awarded a two goal victory to a team that won in extra time. Needing a two goal victory to advance, Barbados found themselves up 2–1 with three minutes left in regulation time. After Grenada realised what had happened, they in turn tried to score against their own net while Barbados defended both goals for the final three minutes of the match. Barbados won the game in extra time and advanced to the next round. - 1994: Andrés EscobarAndrés EscobarAndrés Escobar Saldarriaga , nicknamed "The Gentleman of Football", was a Colombian footballer who was shot and killed in Medellín. It is widely believed that he was murdered due to his own goal in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, which supposedly would have caused gambling losses to several powerful drug...
, a ColombianColombian peopleColombian people are from a multiethnic Spanish speaking nation in South America called Colombia. Colombians are predominantly Roman Catholic and are a mixture of Europeans, Africans, and Amerindians.-Demography:...
defenderDefender (association football)Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, scored an own goal that ultimately contributed to a 2–1 loss to the United StatesUnited States men's national soccer teamThe United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
and his country's elimination from the 1994 FIFA World Cup1994 FIFA World CupThe 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
. Escobar apparently became a scapegoatScapegoatScapegoating is the practice of singling out any party for unmerited negative treatment or blame. Scapegoating may be conducted by individuals against individuals , individuals against groups , groups against individuals , and groups against groups Scapegoating is the practice of singling out any...
for Colombia's defeat, and his own goal is believed by many to be the motiveMotive (law)A motive, in law, especially criminal law, is the cause that moves people to induce a certain action. Motive, in itself, is not an element of any given crime; however, the legal system typically allows motive to be proven in order to make plausible the accused's reasons for committing a crime, at...
for his murder just a couple of weeks later. - 1995: Stan Van Den Buys scored three own goals in one match while playing for Germinal Ekeren; his team lost the match 3-2 to AnderlechtR.S.C. AnderlechtRoyal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
. - 1996: Nicola CaricolaNicola CaricolaNicola Caricola is a former Italian footballer who played as a sweeper.On the club level, Caricola played for Bari , Juventus , Genoa , and Torino . He finished out his career with the MetroStars of Major League Soccer, playing with them during the league's inaugural season in 1996...
, whose own goal started the "Curse of Caricola" for the MetroStars of the MLSMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
. - 1998: Tom Boyd of ScotlandScotland national football teamThe Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
scored an own goal which turned out to be the winner for BrazilBrazil national football teamThe Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
in the opening game of the 1998 FIFA World Cup1998 FIFA World CupThe 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
when the ball ricocheted off the Adam's apple of his goalkeeper Jim LeightonJim LeightonJames "Jim" Leighton MBE is a Scottish former football goalkeeper. Among the clubs he played for are Aberdeen , Manchester United, Arsenal, Dundee and Hibernian.-Club:...
and hit Boyd as he was moving towards it. - 1998: In the last group match of the 1998 Tiger Cup1998 Tiger CupThe 1998 tournament was held in Vietnam. Group A's matches were played in Ho Chi Minh City with Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Philippines. Group B's matches were played in Hanoi with Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Laos.-Controversy:...
, ThailandThailand national football teamThe Thailand national football team represents Thailand in international football competition and is governed by the Football Association of Thailand. The team has a history of success in Southeast Asian competition, with three ASEAN Football Championship titles and nine senior-level Southeast...
and IndonesiaIndonesia national football teamThe Indonesia national football team represents Indonesia in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Indonesia . Prior to independence in 1945, the team competed as the Dutch East Indies national football team. Under this name, Indonesia was the first Asian team to...
were assured of qualifying for the semi-finals, but both teams knew that the winner would face hosts Vietnam, while the loser would face Singapore, who were perceived to be easier opposition. After the first half saw barely any attempt to score, the score was 2–2 after 90 minutes, but during injury time, and despite two Thai defenders attempting to stop him, Indonesian defender Mursyid EffendiMursyid EffendiMursyid Effendi is an Indonesian former footballer who played as a defender.-Career:Effendi played club football for Persebaya Surabaya and Persiku Kudus.He also earned a total of five caps for the Indonesian national team.-Own goal:...
'deliberately' scored an own goal, thus handing Thailand a 3–2 victory. FIFAFIFAThe Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
fined both teams $40,000 for "violating the spirit of the game", while Effendi was banned from domestic football for one year and banned from international football for life. Both teams would end up losing their semi-finals, rendering the own goal meaningless. - 1998: Andoni ZubizarretaAndoni ZubizarretaAndoni Zubizarreta Urreta is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a goalkeeper.The all-time most capped player for the Spanish national team for several years, he played with individual and team success for Athletic Bilbao and FC Barcelona , appearing in more than 950...
, SpainSpain national football teamThe Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
's goalkeeper, scored an own goal during Spain's 1998 FIFA World Cup1998 FIFA World CupThe 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
defeat to NigeriaNigeria national football teamThe Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
by deflecting a cross into his own net. Although the goal was officially credited by FIFA to Nigerian player Garba LawalGarba LawalGarba Lawal is a football midfielder from Nigeria. He is currently a contracted player-assistant manager with Lobi Stars F.C..-Career:...
who crossed the ball, it is still considered to be an own goal. Spain exited the Cup in the first round and Zubizarreta retired shortly afterward. - 1999: Frank SinclairFrank SinclairFrank Mohammed Sinclair is an English-born Jamaican footballer who plays for Hendon in the Isthmian League Premier Division.-Chelsea:...
scored two own goals in three games in 1999 whilst playing for Leicester CityLeicester City F.C.Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
and later scored an infamous own goal in a game against MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough F.C.Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
. - 2001: In the 2001 UEFA Cup Final2001 UEFA Cup FinalThe 2001 UEFA Cup Final was an association football match between Liverpool of England and Alavés of Spain on 16 May 2001 at the Westfalenstadion, Dortmund, Germany. The showpiece event was the final match of the 2000–01 edition of Europe's secondary cup competition, the UEFA Cup. Liverpool were...
, with the score tied at 4-4 in the 27th minute of extra time, Deportivo AlavésDeportivo AlavésDeportivo Alavés, S.A.D., usually abbreviated to Alavés, is a Spanish football club based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Basque Country. Founded in 1921, it plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at the 19,500-seater Estadio Mendizorrotza....
defender Delfí GeliDelfí GeliDelfí Geli i Roura is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a right defender.-Club career:...
scored an own golden goalGolden goalThe golden goal is a method used in association football, field hockey, ice hockey and korfball to decide the winner of games in elimination matches which end in a draw after the end of regulation time. It is a type of sudden death. Golden goal rules allow the team that scores the first goal during...
to gift LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
immediate victory. - 2002: Graham AlexanderGraham AlexanderGraham Alexander is a Scottish international footballer who plays for Preston North End. He is naturally a right back, but has recently been deployed in defensive midfield, as he did early on in his career with Scunthorpe. He is currently the third oldest player to score in Premier League history...
, a Preston North EndPreston North End F.C.Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
defender, scored an own goal when goalkeeper Teuvo MoilanenTeuvo MoilanenTeuvo Moilanen is a former Finnish football goalkeeper. He has represented Ilves, FF Jaro and FC KooTeePee in the Finnish top division Veikkausliiga. His later clubs include Preston North End and Heart of Midlothian F.C. and brief loan spells in Scarborough F.C. and Darlington F.C...
allowed his pass to slip under his foot in a crucial league game against Norwich CityNorwich City F.C.Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
. (Moilanen had also previously scored a 91st minute own goal himself while playing for FinlandFinland national football teamThe Finland national football team represents Finland in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Association of Finland....
in a final 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifying1998 FIFA World Cup qualification-Qualified teams:The following 32 teams qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup: - qualified automatically as hosts - qualified automatically as defending champions-Notes:...
match against HungaryHungary national football teamThe Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
after a Finnish defender hit a goal line clearance against him, giving the playoff spot to Hungary instead of Finland.) - 2002: In a matchAS Adema 149–0 SO l'EmyrneThe world record for the highest scoreline in football , recognised by The Guinness Book of Records, is 149-0, set on 31 October 2002. AS Adema, of Toamasina in Madagascar, beat their arch-rivals Stade Olympique de L'Emyrne as the result of a pre-determined protest by SOE over refereeing...
in MadagascarMadagascarThe Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
's THB Champions LeagueTHB Champions LeagueThe THB Champions League is premier football league in Madagascar. The competition is played in a round-robin format between the 32 qualifying clubs from the 22 regional leagues in the country. In each of the four rounds, the teams are divided into groups of four teams, with each team playing the...
, AS AdemaAS AdemaAS ADEMA Analamanga is a Malagasy football club based in Ivato, Madagascar near Antananarivo. They have won the THB Champions League championship on two occasions, in 2002 and 2006...
defeated SOE AntananarivoSOE AntananarivoStade Olympique de l'Emyrne Antananarivo is the football section of a Malagasy sports club based in Antananarivo, Madagascar. They won the THB Champions League in 2001 and were runners-up in the Coupe de Madagascar in 2003....
by 149–0 when SOE scored 149 own goals to protest a refereeing decision in the previous game. - 2002: Peter EnckelmanPeter EnckelmanPeter Enckelman is a Finnish football goalkeeper who currently plays for St. Johnstone in the Scottish Premier League.-Aston Villa:...
, then goalkeeper for Aston VillaAston Villa F.C.Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
, scored an own goal during a Birmingham derby in 2002 after miskicking a throw-inThrow-inA throw-in is a method of restarting play in a game of Association football.-Procedure:The throw-in is taken from the point where the ball crossed the touch-line. The throw-in is taken by the opponents of the player who last touched the ball when it crossed the touch-line, either on the ground or...
from Olof MellbergOlof MellbergErik Olof Mellberg is a Swedish international footballer currently playing for Olympiacos in the Greek Superleague. He generally plays as a central defender or right-back.-Early years:...
. - 2002: Sweeper Jeff AgoosJeff AgoosJeffrey Alan "Jeff" Agoos is a retired American soccer defender, and one of the all-time appearance leaders for the United States national team....
scored in his own net in the United States' match against PortugalPortugal national football teamThe Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
during group play in the 2002 FIFA World Cup2002 FIFA World CupThe 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
from a cross by Beto Severo. This would have been Beto's second goal. The U.S. still won 3–2 in a surprising result. - 2005: Jonathan WoodgateJonathan WoodgateJonathan Simon Woodgate is an English footballer who plays for Stoke City in the Premier League.Woodgate started his football career at Leeds United where he established himself in the starting eleven. However, Woodgate was sold to Newcastle United for £9 million in January 2003. He impressed...
, in his first game for Real MadridReal Madrid C.F.Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
after his recovery from injury, scored an own goal in a game in which he later received a red cardMisconduct (football)Misconduct in association football is any conduct by a player that is deemed by the referee to warrant a disciplinary sanction in accordance with Law 12 of the Laws of the Game. Misconduct may occur at any time, including when the ball is out of play, during half-time and before and after the...
. He then went on to score another own goal two games later in a friendly against Real ZaragozaReal ZaragozaReal Zaragoza, S.A.D. is a Spanish association football team from Zaragoza in Spain. Founded on 18 March 1932, Real Zaragoza have spent the majority of their 78 year history in the Spanish top-flight. Real Zaragoza are Spain's 9th highest ranked team in overall league points... - 2006: Chris BrassChris BrassChristopher Paul "Chris" Brass is an English former footballer and manager. He is currently assistant manager at Scunthorpe United.-Career:...
scored an own goal whilst attempting an overhead clearance for BuryBury F.C.Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
against DarlingtonDarlington F.C.Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
where he accidentally kicked the ball into his face, nearly breaking his nose in the process, deflecting into his own net. - 2006: Gary NevilleGary NevilleGary Alexander Neville is a former English footballer. He is England's most capped right-back and was Manchester United's club captain for five years....
scored a bizarre own goal in a match between CroatiaCroatia national football teamThe Croatia national football team represents Croatia in international football. The team is controlled by the Croatian Football Federation, the governing body for football in the country, and has been managed since 2006 by former player Slaven Bilić...
and EnglandEngland national football teamThe England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
in a qualifier for Euro 2008. He passed the ball back to goalkeeper Paul RobinsonPaul Robinson (goalkeeper)Paul William Robinson is an English footballer who plays for Blackburn Rovers as a goalkeeper in the Premier League. He had also been an England international and he earned 41 caps between 2003 and 2007 before his retirement from international football in August 2010.He joined Leeds United at 16...
who then miskicked the ball thanks to a bobble on the pitch causing it to bounce over his foot and roll into the back of the net. - 2008: John Arne RiiseJohn Arne RiiseJohn Arne Semundseth Riise is a Norwegian footballer who currently plays as a left wing-back for Fulham and the Norwegian national team. Riise spent seven years playing for Premier League side Liverpool before moving to Roma in 2008...
scored an own goal in the Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
semi-final first-leg. It was scored with effectively the last touch of the game and gave ChelseaChelsea F.C.Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
a precious away goalAway goals ruleThe away goals rule is a method of breaking ties in association football and other sports when teams play each other twice, once at each team's home ground. By the away goals rule, the team that has scored more goals "away from home" will win if scores are otherwise equal...
and 1–1 draw against LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
at AnfieldAnfieldAnfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
. Chelsea later went on to win the second-leg 3–2 after extra time and progressed through to the Champions League final2008 UEFA Champions League FinalThe 2008 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match that took place on Wednesday, 21 May 2008 at 20:45 CEST . The match was played at the Luzhniki Stadium, in Moscow, Russia, to determine the winner of the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League...
along with Liverpool's bitter rivals Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
. - 2009: Emre ToramanEmre ToramanEmre Toraman , is a Turkish football player currently playing for Kayseri Erciyesspor in the TFF First League.-External links:* * *...
, a defensive midfielder for EskişehirsporEskisehirsporEskişehirspor is a football club in Eskişehir, Turkey. Also known as Kırmızı Şimşekler or The Star of Anatolia. The club was founded in 1965 and started a football revolution in Anatolia. Eskişehirspor started a long term stay in the first league in Turkey when they were founded. This term lasted...
, scored two own goals during a home match against BursasporBursasporBursaspor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Bursa. Formed in 1963, Bursaspor are nicknamed the Yeşil Timsahlar...
on 15 March 2009, causing his team to lose 2–1. - 2009: Damien DuffDamien DuffDamien Anthony Duff is an Irish footballer who plays for Premier League team Fulham and the Republic of Ireland national football team. With Ireland he has participated in the 2002 FIFA World Cup and helped his team qualify for UEFA Euro 2012...
's own goal against Aston Villa caused Newcastle UnitedNewcastle United F.C.Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
to be relegated to the Football League ChampionshipFootball League ChampionshipThe Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
on the final day of the 2008–09 Premier League season. - 2009: In a 5–3 loss to Borussia MönchengladbachBorussia MönchengladbachBorussia Mönchengladbach is a German association football club based in Mönchengladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia. The team plays in the Bundesliga and is one of the country's most well-known, well-supported, and successful teams. Borussia Mönchengladbach has over 40,000 members and is the sixth...
, Hannover 96Hannover 96Hannoverscher Sportverein von 1896, commonly referred to as Hannover 96, Hannover or simply 96, is a German association football club based in the city of Hanover, Lower Saxony.-Foundation to WWII:...
scored six goals including an own-goal treble (two from Karim HagguiKarim HagguiKarim Haggui is a Tunisian football defender. He currently plays for Hannover 96.- Early career :Haggui started his career in 1998 with AS Kasserine in his home town, eventually moving to Etoile du Sahel two years later and starting his professional career there in 2003...
and one from Constant Djakpa). - 2010: During a 2010 World Cup qualifier2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)The European zone of qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup saw 53 teams competing for 13 places at the finals. The qualification process started on 20 August 2008, after UEFA Euro 2008, and ended on 18 November 2009. The qualification process saw the first competitive matches of...
match between GeorgiaGeorgia national football teamThe Georgia national football team is the national association football team of Georgia and is controlled by the Georgian Football Federation. The Georgian team's first match took place in 1990, while Georgia was still part of the Soviet Union. The team have attempted to qualify for each major...
and ItalyItaly national football teamThe Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
on 5 September 2009, Kakha Kaladze scored two own goals to give Italy a 2–0 victory. - 2010: During a 2010 World Cup qualifier2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)The European zone of qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup saw 53 teams competing for 13 places at the finals. The qualification process started on 20 August 2008, after UEFA Euro 2008, and ended on 18 November 2009. The qualification process saw the first competitive matches of...
match between PolandPoland national football teamThe Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
and SlovakiaSlovakia national football teamThe Slovakia national football team represents Slovakia in association football and is controlled by the Slovak Football Association , the governing body for football in Slovakia. Slovakia's home stadium is Štadión Pasienky and their head coach is Vladimír Weiss...
on 14 October 2009, Seweryn GancarczykSeweryn GancarczykSeweryn Daniel Gancarczyk is a professional Polish football player for Lech Poznań who plays as a left sided defender.- Career :Gancarczyk started to play football in his early teens, in junior teams of Podkarpacie Pustynia...
scored an own goal that qualified Slovakia to the World Cup finals for the first time. - 2010: In his testimonial matchTestimonial matchA testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
between LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
and EvertonEverton F.C.Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
, Jamie CarragherJamie CarragherJames Lee Duncan "Jamie" Carragher is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League side Liverpool...
scored an own goal by taking a penalty for Everton, the team he supported as a child.
Ice hockey
- On 18 April 2010, in game 3 of the conference quarterfinals between the San Jose SharksSan Jose SharksThe San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
and the Colorado AvalancheColorado AvalancheThe Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
, San Jose defenceman Dan Boyle attempted a pass from an improbable angle to San Jose goaltender Evgeni NabokovEvgeni NabokovEvgeni Viktorovich Nabokov is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender who is playing for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League .Nabokov was selected by San Jose in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft...
, which was intended for Joe ThorntonJoe ThorntonJoseph Eric Thornton is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and captain of the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League . He was selected first overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft and went on to play seven seasons with the club, five as its Captain. During the...
. Nabokov, who was totally unprepared for a shot on goalShot on goalIn ice hockey, a shot on goal is a shot that will enter the goal if it is not stopped by the goaltender. A shot on goal must result in either a goal or a save....
, froze as the puck slid between his legs. Ryan O'ReillyRyan O'Reilly (ice hockey)Ryan O'Reilly is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing with the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League. Ryan's older brother, Cal, plays for the Phoenix Coyotes.-Playing career:...
was credited with the goal. This gave Colorado a 2-1 series lead. San Jose ultimately won the series 4-2. - On 18 March 2010, Greg Westlake of the Canada men's national ice sledge hockey teamCanada men's national ice sledge hockey teamThe Canadian national ice sledge hockey team is the ice sledge hockey team representing Canada. The team is since 2003 overseen by Hockey Canada, a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation, and participates in international competitions...
missed his defenceman on a pass in the offensive end while trying to tie the game in the last minute of the 2010 Paralympics semi-final, and sent the puck into the empty Canadian net. - On 24 November 2008, Ryan O'ByrneRyan O'ByrneRyan David O'Byrne is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League .-Amateur:...
of the Montreal CanadiensMontreal CanadiensThe Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
shot the puck into an empty net as Montreal's goaltender Carey PriceCarey PriceCarey Price is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League . Price was the Canadiens' first round selection in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft...
had left the ice for an extra attacker on a delayed penalty to the New York IslandersNew York IslandersThe New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. This goal tied the game 3–3 and the Islanders ultimately won the game in a shootout. - Goaltender Marc-André FleuryMarc-Andre FleuryMarc-André Fleury is a French Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League...
of the Pittsburgh PenguinsPittsburgh PenguinsThe Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
had a shot from Henrik ZetterbergHenrik ZetterbergHenrik “Zäta" Zetterberg is a Swedish professional ice hockey center and alternate captain currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...
of the Detroit Red WingsDetroit Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
go between his legs and stop short of the goal in the third period of Game 6 of the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals2008 Stanley Cup FinalsThe 2008 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven playoff series that determined the National Hockey League champion for the 2007–08 season. As a culmination of the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Western Conference champion Detroit Red Wings defeated the Eastern Conference champion Pittsburgh...
. Believing the puck was loose behind him (which it was), he fell backward to cover the puck, and accidentally pushed it into the goal, giving the Red Wings what turned out to be the game- and Stanley Cup-winning goal. This was the second year in a row that the cup winning goal was an own goal scored by a goaltender. - On June 6, 2007, during Game 5 of the 2007 Stanley Cup Final against the Anaheim DucksAnaheim DucksThe Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Chris PhillipsChris PhillipsChris Phillips is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . He has been a member of the Ottawa Senators for his entire career, which began with the 1997–98 season. He also serves as their alternate captain and is regarded...
, defenceman for the Ottawa SenatorsOttawa SenatorsThe Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, tossed the puck into the skates of Senator goaltender Ray EmeryRay EmeryRay Emery , often nicknamed Razor or Sugar Ray, is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender, currently with the Chicago Blackhawks. He formerly played for the Anaheim Ducks, Philadelphia Flyers, and the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League and Atlant Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey...
and the puck was deflected into the net in the second period. The goal made it a 3–1 lead for the Ducks and would stand up as the Stanley CupStanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
championship clinching goal for the Ducks. Travis MoenTravis MoenTravis Moen is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League . Although he was born in Swift Current, he grew up in Stewart Valley, Saskatchewan...
was credited as the goal scorer, despite having left the ice shortly before the goal was scored. - On April 27, 2004, during 2004 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships2004 Men's World Ice Hockey ChampionshipsThe 2004 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held April 24-May 9, 2004, in Prague and Ostrava, Czech Republic. Games for this Ice Hockey World Championships tournament were played at Sazka Arena and ČEZ Aréna...
, Japanese player Nobuhiro Sugawara scored own goal after getting pass from Danish forward Morten Green. The result of this game determined their final standing in Group C of the Championships. - Sergei GoncharSergei GoncharSergei Viktorovich Gonchar is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League...
, another NHL defenceman, not only deflected his own un-pressured outlet pass off the back of Olaf KölzigOlaf KölzigOlaf Kölzig is a retired German professional ice hockey goaltender and associate goalie coach for the Washington Capitals. With the exception of 8 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning, he played his entire 14 year career with the Capitals...
's skate on November 14, 2003 while a member of the Washington CapitalsWashington CapitalsThe Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
, but redirected an opposition player's cross-ice pass five-holeFive-holeThe "five-hole" is a nickname for the space between a goaltender's legs in ice hockey. If a player scores by shooting the puck into the goal between the goaltender's legs, he is said to have scored "through the five-hole," or to have "gone five-hole."-Origin:...
on Marc-André FleuryMarc-Andre FleuryMarc-André Fleury is a French Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League...
on November 13, 2006 as a Pittsburgh PenguinPittsburgh PenguinsThe Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
. - Defenceman Marc BergevinMarc BergevinMarc Bergevin is a retired French Canadian professional hockey defenceman. He is the current assistant General Manager of the Chicago Blackhawks.-Playing career:...
of the St. Louis Blues grabbed the puck and accidentally threw it into his own net during the 2000 Stanley Cup Playoffs2000 Stanley Cup PlayoffsThe 2000 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , began in April, and concluded in June. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions ...
. This act tied Game 2 at 1–1 and the Blues went on to lose the game 4–2 to the San Jose SharksSan Jose SharksThe San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Ultimately, the Sharks upset the Presidents Trophy-winning Blues by taking the series 4–3. - The Detroit Red WingsDetroit Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
' Paul CoffeyPaul CoffeyPaul Douglas Coffey is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey defenceman in the National Hockey League. Known for his speed and scoring prowess, Coffey ranks second all-time among NHL defencemen in career goals, assists, and points, behind Ray Bourque.-Playing career:Coffey was drafted 6th...
accidentally swiped the puck into the Wings' own net during Game 1 of the 1996 Western Conference Finals against the Colorado AvalancheColorado AvalancheThe Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
. The goal proved costly as it forced the Wings to tie the game late to force overtime, where they would eventually lose. Colorado won the series 4–2 and later went onto win the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals1996 Stanley Cup FinalsThe 1996 Stanley Cup Final NHL championship series was contested by two teams that had not existed three seasons before, the Colorado Avalanche and the Florida Panthers. The Avalanche won the Cup in a four game sweep to win the franchise's first Stanley Cup, in their first season in Denver since...
. - Steve SmithJames Stephen SmithJames Stephen Smith , better known as Steve Smith, is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and current assistant coach of the Edmonton Oilers. He played in the National Hockey League from 1984–85 to 2000–01...
, an NHL defenceman, accidentally scored on his own net against the defending Stanley CupStanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
champion Edmonton OilersEdmonton OilersThe Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
in the 1986 NHL Divisional Finals. In the third period of the seventh and deciding game against the arch-rival Calgary FlamesCalgary FlamesThe Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
, with the score tied 2–2, he attempted a pass from behind his own net that hit goaltender Grant FuhrGrant FuhrGrant Scott Fuhr is a Canadian former ice hockey goaltender in the National Hockey League and currently the goaltending coach for the Phoenix Coyotes. In 2003, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame...
and deflected into the net. The goal, credited to Calgary forward Perry BerezanPerry BerezanPerry Edmund Berezan is a former National Hockey League centre. He was drafted in the third round, 55th overall, by the Calgary Flames in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft....
, stood up as the game winner and eliminated the Oilers from the possibility of a three-peatThree-peatThree-peat is a contraction of the words three and repeat, which has been trademarked for commercial use by retired basketball coach Pat Riley; the active trademarks in force are registered under numbers 1552980, 1878690, and 1886018...
.
Basketball
- It is not unheard of in the NBA for a basketball to ricochet off the body of a defender and be angled into the basket. In this case, the closest offensive player will be awarded the basket, as mentioned above.
- In a game between the Toronto Raptors and the Sacramento Kings on February 7, 2010, Chris Bosh was defending under the net and accidentally deflected a ball back into the basket.
- In a game between the Boston Celtics and the Chicago Bulls on April 13, 2010, Rasheed Wallace mishandled a rebound of a Brad Miller shot and the ball went in the basket.
- In the 2010 NBA Finals between the Celtics and the Lakers, Pau Gasol made an own goal during the 5th game at Boston.
- Center Darko Milicic tipped the ball into his own basket on a jump ball in a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Washington Wizards on January, 13.
Floorball
- During the 2007-08 Men's EuroFloorball Cup Finals2007-08 Men's EuroFloorball Cup FinalsThe 2007–08 Men's EuroFloorball Cup Finals took place in Vantaa, Finland, from 9 to 13 January 2008. Allmänna Idrottsklubben Innebandyförening, better known simply as AIK, won the EuroFloorball Cup for the second year in a row after narrowly defeating Warberg IC 2–1 in sudden victory overtime.The...
, the 5th place match featured three own goals. FinnishFinlandFinland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
team SSV Helsinki would score two own goals during regulation time, but would still go on to win the match as their opponents, Swiss team SV Wiler-Ersigen, would score an own goal 15 seconds into sudden victory overtime.