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Discussion - underdogs and dark horses

Discussion - underdogs and dark horses

In this discussion, you are going to share your ideas about underdogs and dark horses.

An underdog in a sporting competition is a competitor that nobody thinks will win. At the start of the season, nobody thought that Leicester City had a chance. They were probably the lowliest underdog in the league. This is what makes their success so remarkable. 

A dark horse in sports is an unknown team, or a team with unknown strengths that goes on to surprise people by winning or doing better than everyone expected. 

Both of these expressions are used to talk about people in general. Underdogs are the people in society that nobody expects to be successful. Dark horses show surprising strengths, skills or intelligence that nobody ever imagined.

Stories about dark horses and underdogs are inspiring because they show us that everyone has a chance to win or be successful.

Discuss

Can you share stories of underdogs or dark horses from your country? 

You can write about sport, or school, or any other time when you have been surprised by someone.

Do you think underdog stories are interesting?

How do you feel when small teams defeat the champions?

Do you feel sorry for the big teams?

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Comments

Ahmed Adam Mamado's picture
Ahmed Adam Mamado
24/03/2017
SD
2903
points

Underdog stories are not only interesting but also inspiring just like Leicester City. When an underdog wins over a bigger team i always enjoy it, and i don't have any sympathy with the favorites


Ahmed Adam Mamado's picture
Ahmed Adam Mamado
24/03/2017 15:18
Sudan
Liverpool
2903

Underdog stories are not only interesting but also inspiring just like Leicester City. When an underdog wins over a bigger team i always enjoy it, and i don't have any sympathy with the favorites

Ahmed Adam Mamado's picture
Ahmed Adam Mamado
24/03/2017
SD
2903
points

In June 2011 at the Sudanese Certificate Examinations (SCE) that’s equivalent to Secondary School Certification in other countries.
A classmate of mine made the biggest shock in our school history. Once he was about to be expelled from school because of his extremely bad results and absence.
There were monthly exams which he had to pass, but he always failed. No one expected him to succeed, instead many people suggested him to leave school and look for something else, they told him that (for you, school is time-wasting!).
And then just before the final exam the (SCE) we had a (Camping) which aims to help the students whom are weak-legs, but he wasn’t there, again he was absent.
He scored 89% at the (SCE) and left all the people in our school rubbing their eyes in disbelieve including me! . even there was a student who all our teachers were sure that his name and result will be announced in the national TV and radio at the Conference of announcing the First 100 students of 2011 in Sudan, he only got 87%.

It wasn’t a fairytale, It was a story that I had witnessed
This boy was the biggest Dark Horse ever in our school’s history!


Ahmed Adam Mamado's picture
Ahmed Adam Mamado
24/03/2017 15:07
Sudan
Liverpool
2903

In June 2011 at the Sudanese Certificate Examinations (SCE) that’s equivalent to Secondary School Certification in other countries.
A classmate of mine made the biggest shock in our school history. Once he was about to be expelled from school because of his extremely bad results and absence.
There were monthly exams which he had to pass, but he always failed. No one expected him to succeed, instead many people suggested him to leave school and look for something else, they told him that (for you, school is time-wasting!).
And then just before the final exam the (SCE) we had a (Camping) which aims to help the students whom are weak-legs, but he wasn’t there, again he was absent.
He scored 89% at the (SCE) and left all the people in our school rubbing their eyes in disbelieve including me! . even there was a student who all our teachers were sure that his name and result will be announced in the national TV and radio at the Conference of announcing the First 100 students of 2011 in Sudan, he only got 87%.

It wasn’t a fairytale, It was a story that I had witnessed
This boy was the biggest Dark Horse ever in our school’s history!

sabanoleg
19/11/2016
UA
2337
points

In 1997 Champions League group stage match Dynamo Kyiv versus Barselona 3-0.It was amazing match.Manager Valeriy Lobanovsiy.


sabanoleg
19/11/2016 09:07
Ukraine
Arsenal
2337

In 1997 Champions League group stage match Dynamo Kyiv versus Barselona 3-0.It was amazing match.Manager Valeriy Lobanovsiy.

Martinr35's picture
Martinr35
16/11/2016
MK
528
points

Underdog stories are interesting because they give you inspiration to move ahead. I feel great and I always support the smallest team when it's playing against some champion. No I don't feel sorry for them because they know well how to get out from that situation and get stronger.


Martinr35's picture
Martinr35
16/11/2016 08:42
Macedonia
Chelsea
528

Underdog stories are interesting because they give you inspiration to move ahead. I feel great and I always support the smallest team when it's playing against some champion. No I don't feel sorry for them because they know well how to get out from that situation and get stronger.

davilillons
29/07/2016
ES
951
points

I'm from Spain. Six or seven years ago, Alcorcon c.f.,which they played in 2nd divsion b, won to Real Madrid 4-0 in Royal cup.
I love that a small team defeat a great team because they appear in a lot of newspapers and medias. this is very important for them.
I don't feel pity for big teams because everybody deserve one joy from time to time.
Correct me, please!


davilillons
29/07/2016 18:12
Spain
Arsenal
951

I'm from Spain. Six or seven years ago, Alcorcon c.f.,which they played in 2nd divsion b, won to Real Madrid 4-0 in Royal cup.
I love that a small team defeat a great team because they appear in a lot of newspapers and medias. this is very important for them.
I don't feel pity for big teams because everybody deserve one joy from time to time.
Correct me, please!

assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
27/07/2016
PS
3705
points

Hellas Verona in 1986 made a big surprise when they won the Italian League,in the time that Juventus,Napoli and Inter were the best in Italy.


assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
27/07/2016 13:10
Palestinian Territory
Liverpool
3705

Hellas Verona in 1986 made a big surprise when they won the Italian League,in the time that Juventus,Napoli and Inter were the best in Italy.

assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
27/07/2016
PS
3705
points

No i do not feel except Liverpool.


assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
27/07/2016 13:07
Palestinian Territory
Liverpool
3705

No i do not feel except Liverpool.

assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
27/07/2016
PS
3705
points

I feel happy but not when Liverpool loses.


assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
27/07/2016 13:07
Palestinian Territory
Liverpool
3705

I feel happy but not when Liverpool loses.

assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
27/07/2016
PS
3705
points

The uderdog stories are really amazing,they give small teams the hope to make the dream a truth.


assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
27/07/2016 13:06
Palestinian Territory
Liverpool
3705

The uderdog stories are really amazing,they give small teams the hope to make the dream a truth.

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
26/07/2016
ME
3557
points

Few days ago one team from my country played against Genk. They were underdogs and had lost 1st match 2-0. All the odds were against them in the replay. But they managed to win with the same score this time and the match went to the penalties.


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
26/07/2016 21:37
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

Few days ago one team from my country played against Genk. They were underdogs and had lost 1st match 2-0. All the odds were against them in the replay. But they managed to win with the same score this time and the match went to the penalties.

Rich's picture
Rich
26/07/2016
ES
594
points

I checked this match out and saw that Budućnost lost the penalty shoot-out. That must have been a sickener! Are they your local team?


Rich's picture
Rich
26/07/2016 22:36
Spain
Liverpool
594

I checked this match out and saw that Budućnost lost the penalty shoot-out. That must have been a sickener! Are they your local team?

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
26/07/2016
ME
3557
points

Usually I don't feel sorry for the big teams. You have to win constantly to stay at the top.


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
26/07/2016 21:30
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

Usually I don't feel sorry for the big teams. You have to win constantly to stay at the top.

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
26/07/2016
ME
3557
points

I feel good. I like to watch football. The gap between the clubs has never been bigger, but sometimes we see surprises. That gives us hope. Leicester did it and made huge number of PL fans happy.


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
26/07/2016 21:29
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

I feel good. I like to watch football. The gap between the clubs has never been bigger, but sometimes we see surprises. That gives us hope. Leicester did it and made huge number of PL fans happy.

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
26/07/2016
ME
3557
points

Underdog stories are very interesting. It is always nice to see that some teams can beat others who invest milions to buy best players while the other side is trying to get out the best of young players.


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
26/07/2016 21:24
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

Underdog stories are very interesting. It is always nice to see that some teams can beat others who invest milions to buy best players while the other side is trying to get out the best of young players.

emad moussa's picture
emad moussa
08/07/2016
EG
225
points

well i think underdog stories are interesting because it is the nature no one win all the time every has a hope to win so it makes us interesting .


emad moussa's picture
emad moussa
08/07/2016 21:17
Egypt
Arsenal
225

well i think underdog stories are interesting because it is the nature no one win all the time every has a hope to win so it makes us interesting .

englishman
21/06/2016
DZ
1734
points

Yes I think that underdog stories are interesting because they made success.
it's logical that small ones replace the champions.
No at all.


englishman
21/06/2016 11:20
Algeria
Manchester City
1734

Yes I think that underdog stories are interesting because they made success.
it's logical that small ones replace the champions.
No at all.

haydi's picture
haydi
31/05/2016
TN
3189
points

When small teams defeat the champions, I feel happy for underdogs. If that small team is mine, I will jump for joy. May be next season, the Newcastle United will be on cloud nine when they will be promoted. I hope so!


haydi's picture
haydi
31/05/2016 15:11
Tunisia
Newcastle United
3189

When small teams defeat the champions, I feel happy for underdogs. If that small team is mine, I will jump for joy. May be next season, the Newcastle United will be on cloud nine when they will be promoted. I hope so!

haydi's picture
haydi
31/05/2016
TN
3189
points

the Newcastle United fans will be on cloud nine when they will be promoted.


haydi's picture
haydi
31/05/2016 16:39
Tunisia
Newcastle United
3189

the Newcastle United fans will be on cloud nine when they will be promoted.

haydi's picture
haydi
31/05/2016
TN
3189
points

Yes, I believe in underdog stories. They're interesting and inspiring. Such stories may influence positively many people from around the world, people that are poor or unlucky or having problems or some conditions, etc.


haydi's picture
haydi
31/05/2016 15:06
Tunisia
Newcastle United
3189

Yes, I believe in underdog stories. They're interesting and inspiring. Such stories may influence positively many people from around the world, people that are poor or unlucky or having problems or some conditions, etc.

kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
20/05/2016
GH
4779
points

City campus of university of ghana is assumed to be an underdog in the school's league competition. Commonwealth Hall is assume to be one of the best teams. City campus beat commonwealth hall to their their amazement in both home and away matchespecially within the 2015/16 league season. At this stage the entire school had a different perception now about city campus. City campus finished 4 in a league of 14 teams.


kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
20/05/2016 12:57
Ghana
Manchester United
4779

City campus of university of ghana is assumed to be an underdog in the school's league competition. Commonwealth Hall is assume to be one of the best teams. City campus beat commonwealth hall to their their amazement in both home and away matchespecially within the 2015/16 league season. At this stage the entire school had a different perception now about city campus. City campus finished 4 in a league of 14 teams.

kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
20/05/2016
GH
4779
points

Underdog stories are interesting because it gives hope.
I fee excited when small teams defeat champions because it awakenspeaks the champions out of their sleep and complecenay.
I sometimes feel sorry for big teams when they are defeated by small teams because it's an embarrassing experience.


kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
20/05/2016 12:50
Ghana
Manchester United
4779

Underdog stories are interesting because it gives hope.
I fee excited when small teams defeat champions because it awakenspeaks the champions out of their sleep and complecenay.
I sometimes feel sorry for big teams when they are defeated by small teams because it's an embarrassing experience.

haydi's picture
haydi
31/05/2016
TN
3189
points

I disagree with you kwesimanifest, I don't feel sorry for the big teams, even a little bit. It's ok to try the taste of defeat for some time!


haydi's picture
haydi
31/05/2016 14:53
Tunisia
Newcastle United
3189

I disagree with you kwesimanifest, I don't feel sorry for the big teams, even a little bit. It's ok to try the taste of defeat for some time!

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