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Sky Sports turns 25: Remembering Europe's 'Miracle at Medinah'

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Watch the best of the action from the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah.

We continue to celebrate Sky Sports' 25th birthday this week, by looking back at some of the most memorable moments from the last quarter of a century.

One highlight was Europe staging the greatest fightback in Ryder Cup history to retain the trophy with a one-point victory at Medinah.

The United States started Sunday's singles needing just four-and-a-half points to reclaim the trophy, but Europe's heroes won eight of the 12 matches and halved the last to leave the home team shell-shocked.

MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30:  Martin Kaymer of Europe is congratulated after making the putt that retained the Ryder Cup on the the 18th green in his match
Image: Martin Kaymer holed the putt which saw Europe retain the trophy

Luke Donald set the tone for the day with victory over Bubba Watson in the opening match, and Europe won the next four to turn the scoreboards into a sea of blue.

It was Martin Kaymer who collected the crucial 14th point when he held his nerve to sink a knee-knocking six-foot putt to secure a one-up victory over luckless veteran Steve Stricker.

The 39th contest looked set to end 14-14 with Francesco Molinari one down after 17 to Tiger Woods, who then missed a three-footer for par and generously conceded the hole to the Italian - the only halved match of the week. 

25 years...25 moments
25 years...25 moments

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Donald's 2&1 win over the Masters champion was swiftly followed by a crushing 5&3 victory for Paul Lawrie over FedEx Cup champion Brandt Snedeker.

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Poulter on song again

Ian Poulter then claimed a remarkable 12th win from 15 Ryder Cup matches when he edged out Webb Simpson on the last.

MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 29:  Ian Poulter of Europe reacts after a birdie on the 17th hole during day two of the Afternoon Four-Ball Matches for The 39th Ry
Image: Poulter's putt late on Saturday kept Europe's hopes alive

Poulter had rescued Europe from the brink of despair the previous day when he birdied the last five holes to earn him and Rory McIlroy an amazing win over Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson in the final fourball of the day. That helped Europe cut the overnight deficit to 10-6 when all was beginning to look lost.

McIlroy was involved in more drama on Sunday as he got his tee-time mixed up and arrived at Medinah just 10 minutes before his match with Keegan Bradley. It made no difference as he beat the American 2&1.

Justin Rose produced the finish of the day as he birdied the last two holes - nailing a 50-footer at 17 - to snatch a one-hole victory over Phil Mickelson.

MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30:  Francesco Molinari (L) and Jose Maria Olazabal celebrate after Europe defeated the USA 14.5 to 13.5 to retain the Ryder Cup du
Image: Francesco Molinari and Jose Maria Olazabal celebrate after the victory

Dustin Johnson finally got a point on the board for the home side as he beat Nicolas Colsaerts, and 2010 hero Graeme McDowell slumped to defeat to Zach Johnson.

Jason Dufner held off a spirited fightback from Peter Hanson, but Lee Westwood looked back to his best in a 3&2 win over Matt Kuchar and Sergio Garcia pipped Jim Furyk at the 18th after the American bogeyed the last two holes.

All eyes turned to Kaymer's battle with Stricker as they arrived on the 17th tee all square, and the German rattled in a tricky four-footer for par to take the lead.

USA 13.5 Europe 14.5

USA

Tiger Woods
Bubba Watson
Jason Dufner
Keegan Bradley
Webb Simpson
Zach Johnson
Matt Kuchar
Phil Mickelson
Steve Stricker
Jim Furyk
Brandt Snedeker
Dustin Johnson

Captain: Davis Love

Europe

Rory McIlroy
Justin Rose
Paul Lawrie
Graeme McDowell
Francesco Molinari
Luke Donald
Lee Westwood
Sergio Garcia
Peter Hanson
Martin Kaymer
Nicolas Colsaerts
Ian Poulter

Captain: Jose Maria Olazabal

Kaymer's birdie putt at 18 raced six feet past the hole, and Stricker piled on the pressure when he sank a brave par putt from 10 feet.

But Kaymer was up to the task as he found the centre of the cup to ignite the European celebrations, and Woods' concession moments later was the final act of an enthralling stage in Chicago.

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