Source: Daily_Mail
THE LIST: Sportsmail's top 50 most entertaining teams in history - Nos 40-31
HAVE YOUR SAY... Who are the most entertaining team in sporting history? As the artists of Arsenal and Barcelona face off in the Champions League quarter-final, Sportsmail celebrates the great sporting teams who put the aestheticism above efficiency. But who are your favourites? Jonah Lomu's All Blacks of 1995? The Harlem Globetrotters? Or someone even more mouthwatering? TELL US WHAT YOU THINK What is more important: playing with style or winning at any cost?[LNB]Asthe artists of Arsenal and Barcelona face off in the Champions Leaguequarter-final, Sportsmail celebrates the great sporting teams who putaestheticism above efficiency.[LNB]Thankfully, most of our top 50show that entertainment can go hand in hand with success, but this ismost definitely a catenaccio free zone.[LNB]Here is one table whereArsene masters Mourinho, and Jonah Lomu's All Blacks win someconsolation for somehow not winning the 1995 World Cup.[LNB]We'recounting down 10 each day till our No 1 is revealed on Friday and, asever, let us know your favourite entertainers of all time.[LNB]Read Nos 50-4140 Austria Wunderteam 1930sThe Austrian national side were the most celebrated club in European football during the 1930s.[LNB]And it's easy to understand why. They beat Germany by scores of 5-0 and6-0, there was a 6-0 victory over Switzerland, and a 8-2 victory overthat other powerhouse of world football, Hungary.[LNB]Under the stewardship of manager Hugo Meisl, they won the CentralEuropean International Cup (forerunner of the European Championship)and they took the silver medal at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin.[LNB] Celebrated: Austria's 'Wunderteam' [LNB]39 Manchester City 1968The future may look rosy over at Eastlands, what with themoneyed men pumping untold millions into the club, but there was a timewhen City were the best team in the land, long before the richesarrived.[LNB]Under Joe Mercer the club enjoyed a period fans call the Glory Era.City were the most exciting team in the land with players such as MikeSummerbee and Colin Bell helping bring the title to the blue half ofthe city for only the second time.[LNB]The title was secured on the last day of the season with a 4-3 win atNewcastle United, forcing Manchester United into second place.[LNB] Title toast: Manchester City players celebrate after clinching the title in 1968 [LNB]38 Melbourne Storm (2006-09)A remarkable story as the Storm only came into existence in 1998. Theyhave been NRL Grand Finalists for the last four years, winning in 2007and 2009.[LNB]And the team includes Billy Slater, Greg Inglis and Cameron Smith, whoare, arguably, three of the best players in world rugby league at themoment.[LNB] Fabulous: Billy Slater and Greg Inglis celebrating after a Melbourne try against North Queensland in 2008[LNB]37 France 1984Les Blues won their first international tournament in 1984 and cementeda number of the players in the annals of footballing greats.[LNB]Luis Fernandez, Alain Giresse, Jean Tigana and, of course, Michel Platini dominated the tournament from start to finish.[LNB]Platini bagged nine goals as the French beat Denmark, Belgium and Portugal 3-2 in a memorable semi-final.[LNB]A 2-0 win over Spain in the final set up an almighty celebration in Paris.[LNB] Kings of Europe: French coach Michel Hidalgo is carried off the field by defenders Yvon LeRoux and Manuel Amoros after victory over Spain in the final of the 1984 European Championship[LNB]36 Ajax 1995The first of two famous Ajax sides to feature in our List, this was theteam of Patrick Kluivert, Edgar Davids, Frank Rijkaard and MarcOvermars.[LNB]Louis van Gaal's side were Holland's very own 'Invincibles,' finishing the 1994-95 season unbeaten, and winning the Eredivisie title by acomfortable seven points.[LNB]And after an unbeaten run in the group and knockout stages they also became European champions after a 1-0 victory over ACMilan.[LNB] Dutch delight: Ajax Amsterdam players celebrate after winning the World Club Championship in Tokyo[LNB]35 Lions 1997Tours of South Africa were always hotly awaited but this was the firstin 17 years after the end of apartheid - and just two years after theSpringboks had won the World Cup.[LNB]The South African media and supporters didn't give the Lions a hope,they rated them as 'nothing more than rank underdogs, a nice bunch ofblokes who were making a bit of history and, in so doing, winningfriends rather than matches.'[LNB]But the team, coached by Ian McGeechan and captained by Martin Johnson, weren't prepared to roll over.[LNB]Tries from Matt Dawson and Alan Tait plus the trusty boot of NeilJenkins won the first Test.[LNB]More dead-eye kicking from Jenkins in the second encounter, andthat drop goal from Jeremy Guscott, sealed a famous series win.[LNB] In full flow: Matt Dawson charges past a tackle by Andre Joubert during the second Test between South Africa and the Lions in 1997[LNB]34 New York Yankees 1961Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris were sensational for the Yankees in 1961, hitting home runs with an abandon rarely seen in the sport.[LNB]Such was their prowess they became known as the M&M Boys and on thelast day of the season Maris hit home run number 61, surpassing BabeRuth's record of 60 in a single term.[LNB]Unsurprisingly, the Yankees went on to win their division pennant and, later, the World Series.[LNB] Legends: Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris[LNB]33 Manchester United 1999In all Sir Alex Ferguson's time at Old Trafford, this will surely be the season he remembers with the most affection.[LNB]United won the title back from Arsenal, but had to wait until theirlast day 2-1 victory over Tottenham to confirm the championship.[LNB]There were wins over Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal in a titanic semi-final before FA Cup success against Newcastle at Wembley. It all came down to the Champions League, and a night of extraordinary drama in Barcelona.[LNB]United sealed their memorable treble with two injury time strikes against Bayern Munich, and the unique treble was complete. [LNB] Unforgettable: Manchester United players and manager Sir Alex Ferguson celebrate after winning the European Cup in 1999[LNB]32 Leeds Rhinos (2007-09) One of the great rugby league sides beat Australia's finest to become the World Champions in February 2008.[LNB]And in October later that year, they retained their Super League crownby defeating St. Helens to became the first Leeds team to winconsecutive titles and only the second in Super League history.[LNB] Glory: Leeds celebrate their Super League Grand Final success in 2008[LNB]31 Barcelona 1992 Barcelona had been experiencing something of a lull after successive unsuccessful season in the league forced the Catalans to change managers once again.[LNB]In 1988, Johann Cruyff was selected to become the club's manager and the move to bring in the Dutch manager heralded a famous period - the Dream Team.[LNB]Cruyff led the likes of Josep Guardiola, Ronald Koeman, Michael Laudrup, Rom?o and Hristo Stoichkov to four successive league titles between 1991 and 1994.[LNB]And they won the Champions League with that extra time free-kick from Koeman against Sampdoria at Wembley.[LNB] Catalan joy: Michael Laudrup, Andoni Zubizarreta and Juan Antonio Goicoechea celebrate with the European Cup at Wembley in 1992[LNB]The best of the rest of The ListSportsmail'stop 50 Premier League players of the decadeSportsmail'stop 50 last-gasp goals in British footballSportsmail'stop 50 footballers never to play at the World CupSportsmail's top 50 sporting feuds of all timeSportsmail's 50 great sports photographsSportsmail'stop 50 commentators of all timeSportsmail'stop 50 sporting venuesSportsmail'stop 50 performers of the season so farSportsmail'stop 50 all-time managers in BritainSportsmail'stop 50 goal poachersSportsmail'stop 50 footballing traitorsSportsmail'stop 50 FA Cup heroesSportsmail'sgreatest Wembley finals in historySportsmail'stop 50 biggest hitters in cricketSportsmail'stop 50 British & Irish LionsSportsmail'stop 50 Ashes heroes [LNB]
