The story behind a commentary for the ages
Bjørge Lillelien’s famous rant after 1981 clash stemmed from Norwegian obsession with English football ‘A week ago we thought it couldn’t get bigger than Norway-brazil, but there you go’ 11 Jul 2026 - THE GUARDIAN / Sport Lars Sivertsen What do Lord Nelson, Lord Beaverbrook, Sir Winston Churchill, Sir Anthony Eden, Clement Attlee, Henry Cooper and Lady Diana have in common? On 9 September 1981 they were all beaten by Norway. At least that is according to the iconic Norwegian radio commentator Bjørge Lillelien. His triumphant, giddy and slightly unhinged rant after Norway beat England 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier has gone down in Norwegian folklore. It has also attained something of a cult status abroad, with the Observer declaring it in 2002 the greatest bit of commentary ever. “We have beaten England! England, the birthplace of giants!” Lillelien enthused, before listing some of said giants. Henry Cooper may seem an odd man out among the various statesmen and Lady Di, but then Lilleli...