Celebrating in style

Following the acrobatic antics of Nigeria's Julius Aghahowa, BBC Sport Online's Paul Fletcher recalls a few of the greatest goal celebrations.

The goal was not spectacular - but the celebration certainly was.

Nigeria's Julius Aghahowa scored the only goal of the game as the Super Eagles beat Algeria 1-0 in an African Nations Cup match.

In an exhibition of athleticism more suited to the gymnastics arena than the football pitch, Aghahowa executed six flips and a double somersault.

The celebration took him from the edge of the Algerian penalty area to the half-way line - and is definitely something youngsters should not try at home.

Let's get ready to tumble

Having said that, for the last 10 years Peter Beagrie has been expressing his delight at scoring by treating crowds in England to a well executed somersault.

And Michael Owen has taken to a scratchy version of his own.

But both have been put in the shade by the exploits of the athletic African.

However, he is by no means the first player to leave the celebration lingering in the mind long after the memory of the actual goal has faded.

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Roger Milla's hip shake

Celebrating in style is not new - but it was Roger Milla who turned it into an art form.

At the 1990 World Cup in Italy, the Cameroon striker showed the world how a well rehearsed manoeuvre can add to the goal-scoring experience.

Get off me and I'll shake those hips

After scoring - and Milla did so twice after coming off the bench against Romania as Cameroon became the first African team to reach the World Cup quarter-finals - the veteran forward headed for the corner flag.

Several pulsating moments of limbo hip-jiggling followed as Milla weaved his way around the flag in his own inimitable style.

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Lee Sharpe sings Elvis

There was once a time when Lee Sharpe was one of the most coveted wingers in England, winning trophies with Manchester United and operating on one wing while Ryan Giggs flew down the other.

The Birmingham-born wide man also went a long way to proving once and for all that the King is indeed alive and well.

Any requests before Lee leaves the building?

Perhaps inspired by Milla, Sharpe celebrated by making his way towards the nearest corner flag and using said implement as a microphone.

Complete with strained facial expressions and a dramatic bend of the knees, Sharpe would treat his adoring public to a quick rendition of one of his favourite Elvis tunes.

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Bebeto's cradle

Rarely has the arrival of a new child been celebrated with such style and in front of such a wide audience.

Brazilian star Bebeto broke the deadlock in the crunch game against Holland during the 1994 World Cup in the USA.

Bebeto's baby bonanza

The forward sprinted to the touchline and made the shape of a cradle with his arms, which he rocked gently from side to side.

He was promptly joined by several of his team-mates who all formed their own cradles in honour of baby Bebeto.

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Gazza's dentist's chair

A pre-tournament trip to Hong Kong by the England team ahead of Euro 1996 made the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

The English newspapers were plastered with photographs of drunken antics involving a so-called dentist's chair, copious amounts of tequila and numerous footballers.

So, prior to England's match with Scotland, Paul Gascoigne had a quiet word with his team-mates.

Gazza is served a well earned drink

The joker in the pack had decided that whoever scored during the match would be treated to their very own version of the now infamous chair.

The script went to plan, Gazza scored a wonderful solo goal and promptly slid on the Wembley turf and awaited his soaking - which arrived from a water bottle held by Teddy Sheringham and Steve McManaman.

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Aylesbury's ducks

Milla shook his hips, Sharpe sang Elvis and Gazza had a drink with the lads.

But the players of Rymans League Aylesbury United came to popular attention by waddling like ducks.

Aylesbury went on something of an FA Cup run in 1995 and reached the third round.

By now this would probably have faded into memory had their players not performed one of the best choreographed celebrations ever seen.

The team formed an orderly line, got down on their knees and waddled along the Loftus Road pitch, much to the bemusement of the QPR supporters.

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Emile Heskey spins the vinyl

Heskey and a few mates took a trip to dance paradise Ayia Napa for their holidays in the summer of 2000 - and came back with their heads full of the island's favourite garage tunes.

Inspired by the DJ's who ply their trade by mixing records together, Heskey took to trotting away from goal after scoring with one hand forming a headphone and another spinning the vinyl.

MC Emile on the decks

The England striker completed the simulation by nodding his head along to an imaginary tune.

Heskey struck a chord with a generation of clubbers but a later attempt at mimicking a golf putt did not go down quite so well.

Alas, neither the 'DJ' or the 'Putter' have been seen much of late - something to do with Heskey's miserable strike-rate in front of goal.