i've always found this stuff fascinating. it's amazing how many myths there are around the founding of sports. virtually none of them are from the countries who take credit for their invention...

FOOTBALL
Obviously it's widely-accepted that the English invented football, but whilst it's true that Englishmen were responsible for founding of lots of the historical teams abroad, and we did have the first organised league, varieties of football were actually played in Greece and China long before they found their way to England.

CRICKET
Originated from a French game called 'baton', then much later came to the UK via Lancashire, though it's wrongly credited as having its British origins from the South Downs.

TENNIS
France.

BASEBALL
Actually a British invention, with the first game thought to have been played in Yorkshire.

RUGBY
Georgia. 'Lelo Burti', medieval folk sport played since the 11th century. The Webb-Ellis stuff's all myth, i'm afraid.

SNOOKER
France again. 14th century.

GOLF
Scotland is widely-accepted as being the Home of Golf, but the game can actually be traced back to Utrecht, Holland in the very early 17th century.

BADMINTON
India.

BOXING
Egypt (though ultimately people have always punched eachother in the face).

HOCKEY
Holland again.

No worries, lads. Glad to brighten up your day with a bit of pub ammo.