There are always highs and lows in any sporting year, and 2021 was never short of incident.
From Chelsea winning the Champions League, to Manchester City running away with the Premier League, football was once again the biggest draw as fans were finally allowed back inside stadiums the world over after Covid restrictions.
There was also a huge scare after Christian Eriksen's collapse on the pitch when Denmark played Finland at Euro 2020. Thankfully, the midfielder continues to recover and hopes to play again.
There were other stories worthy of Hollywood scripts - British teenager Emma Raducanu going through the qualifiers and on to win the US Open; Rachael Blackmore becoming the first female jockey to win the Grand National; Max Verstappen's final lap manoeuvre in Abu Dhabi to become world Formula One champion.
Not to mention a postponed Olympic Games like no other in Tokyo.
A selection of the top sporting memories of 2021 can be seen in the gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.
Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
england euro squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton)
Defenders: John Stones (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Reece James (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
Juventus v Napoli, Sunday, 10.45pm (UAE)
Match on Bein Sports
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Engine: 3.0-litre supercharged V6
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Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.4L / 100kms
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Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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