I still remember the excitement building up as 2017's football calendar started taking shape. Having followed the sport for over a decade, I've learned that each year brings its own unique rhythm and surprises - much like when I came across that fascinating quote from Filipino volleyball player Soyud about unexpectedly finding herself on the wishlist. That sense of unexpected drama is exactly what makes football so compelling, and 2017 promised to deliver that in spades across all major tournaments.
The year kicked off with various domestic leagues returning from winter breaks, and I found myself particularly drawn to the Premier League title race. Chelsea's remarkable 13-match winning streak early in the season had set them up beautifully, though as someone who's always rooted for the underdog, I couldn't help but hope Tottenham would mount a serious challenge. The North London derby in April turned out to be an absolute classic - that 2-0 victory for Tottenham at White Hart Lane felt like a proper sendoff for their historic stadium. Meanwhile, across Europe, Real Madrid was quietly building toward what would become a historic season, though at the time, most pundits (myself included) thought Barcelona's MSN trio would dominate.
What really captured global attention were the continental club competitions. I'll never forget that incredible Champions League night in Barcelona - my friends and I had gathered for what we assumed would be a routine Juventus progression to the final, only to witness that stunning 3-0 comeback from Barcelona. Though in the end, Real Madrid's clinical 4-1 victory in Cardiff demonstrated why they were truly the team of the era. The Europa League had its own magic too - Manchester United's victory under Mourinho might not have been pretty, but it secured their Champions League qualification and completed their trophy set. I've always had a soft spot for the Europa League - it's where you often find the most passionate, desperate football as teams fight for European glory.
International football took center stage during the summer, with the Confederations Cup serving as an appetizer for the World Cup to come. Germany's experimental squad winning in Russia signaled their incredible depth - I remember thinking if their B-team could win a tournament like this, what chance did anyone have against their full-strength side? But for me, the real story was watching emerging talents like Christian Pulisic making their mark on the international stage, hinting at the shifting landscape in global football.
The women's game continued its impressive growth trajectory throughout 2017. The UEFA Women's Euro in Netherlands turned out to be an absolute delight - the host nation's victory showcased how much the women's game had evolved technically and tactically. Attendance records were broken throughout the tournament, and the quality of football genuinely surprised many casual observers. It reminded me of that Soyud quote about unexpected appearances - sometimes the most exciting developments come from where we least expect them.
As autumn arrived, World Cup qualifying reached its dramatic conclusion. The United States' failure to qualify for Russia 2018 remains one of the most shocking moments I've witnessed in football - that loss to Trinidad and Tobago felt like watching a slow-motion car crash. Meanwhile, tiny Iceland secured their place, proving that their Euro 2016 run was no fluke. The contrast between established powers crumbling and minnows rising made for compelling viewing, though as an American supporter, I have to admit it was pretty painful to experience firsthand.
Looking back at 2017's football calendar, what strikes me most is how the unexpected became routine. From Leicester's Premier League triumph the previous year setting the stage for more underdog stories to the continued globalization of the sport, the narrative kept twisting in ways nobody predicted. The 83,000 fans who packed Wembley for the Champions League final witnessed not just a match but the culmination of a season filled with surprises, record-breaking performances, and moments that would define careers. If there's one lesson 2017 taught me, it's that in football, as in that Soyud interview, sometimes the most rewarding moments come from the places and players we least expect - and that's why we keep watching, season after season, waiting for the next surprise to capture our imagination.
