Q 01/05

Which singer missed a staged penalty at the USA 94 opening ceremony, yet the goal still split on cue?

A) Diana Ross

B) Whitney Houston

C) Gloria Estefan

D) Tina Turner

Answer · why

A) Diana Ross

Diana Ross sent the ball wide from a few yards while lip-syncing 'I'm Coming Out' at Soldier Field in Chicago. The rigged goal broke apart as planned,...

Q 02/05

What did seagulls following the trawler expect, in Eric Cantona's cryptic 1995 press-conference riddle?

A) Herring

B) Bread

C) Sardines

D) Anchovies

Answer · why

C) Sardines

Sardines were the punchline of a line that baffled the press room: seagulls follow the trawler because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea...

Q 03/05

Which Puccini aria, in Luciano Pavarotti's recording, became the BBC's theme for Italia 90 and a UK number two?

A) O mio babbino caro

B) Nessun dorma

C) E lucevan le stelle

D) Che gelida manina

Answer · why

B) Nessun dorma

Nessun dorma turned a 1972 Pavarotti recording of Turandot's big tenor aria into a pop hit, climbing to number two on the UK singles chart. Its closin...

Q 04/05

Footix, the France 98 mascot, was which animal, chosen because it is one of France's national symbols?

A) A frog

B) A poodle

C) A boar

D) A cockerel

Answer · why

D) A cockerel

A cockerel was the choice because the Gallic rooster has stood for France since the Revolution. Footix wore a blue body with a red comb and yellow bea...

Q 05/05

Lord Justice Taylor's 1990 report into the Hillsborough disaster required top-division English grounds to become what?

A) All-seater

B) Fully fenced

C) Alcohol-free

D) Floodlit

Answer · why

A) All-seater

All-seater grounds were the report's headline demand, and league rules gave the top two divisions until August 1994 to comply. The terraces went, and ...