‘Maggie Thatcher, can you hear me?’ The story behind the iconic Norway v England commentary

Bjørge Lillelien’s famous rant after 1981 clash stemmed from Norwegian obsession with English football

British prime minister Margaret Thatcher looking pensive. Pic: Hulton Archive/Getty Images.

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.