The best sports broadcasters capture a moment of drama with iconic words that can be heard for decades. Here are 10 of the best commentary lines over the years, writes Nicholas Gleeson.
In sport, commentary is an art. While some may think it easy to describe blow by blow what is happening on the field, commentary is so much more.
When done properly, it should add excitement, capture emotion and bring fans together in some of the biggest moments on the grandest stages. Here is a selection of the best commentary moments in the history of televised sport.
“AGÜEROOOOO!!!”
The race for the 2012/13 English Premier League went right down to the wire, with Manchester United and Manchester City both in with a chance on the final day. Manchester United did all they could, winning their fixture, meaning City too would have to win to lift the Premier League trophy for the first time.
But going into stoppage time, against Queen’s Park Rangers, City were level and all hope seemed lost. Until Sergio Agüero agged the winning goal with the last attack of the game. All commentator Martin Tyler could do was exclaim the striker’s surname, “Agüerooooo!!!!!”. The goal’s importance and Tyler’s iconic reaction will live long in the memory of football fans around the globe.
TSHABALALA SUPER STRIKE
The 2010 World Cup was the first iteration of the tournament to be held on the African continent. In its opening game, hosts South Africa faced off against Mexico in front of 94 000 fans at Soccer City. Bafana Bafana would strike first through a brilliant effort from Siphiwe Tshabalala, a moment that commentator Peter Drury himself later stated “transcended sport”.
As Tshabalala ran to the corner flag to celebrate with his teammates, Drury exclaimed, “Goal, Bafana Bafana! Goal for South Africa! Goal for all Africa! Jabulile, rejoice!” And rejoice Africa did.
MAPIMPI MAGIC
In 2019, South Africa had proved doubters wrong and made it to the Rugby World Cup final where they faced England, who were favoured to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy. The game was a tightly contested affair, with no tries scored until Makazole Mapimpi produced a moment of magic, setting up and scoring a brilliant try to put the Springboks firmly in front.
Marking the first ever South African try in a World Cup final, the late isiXhosa commentator Kaunda Ntunja perfectly captured the pure joy and celebration felt by fans of the green and gold. “It’s a thing of beauty! The bottles are popping! Champagne! Shampopo! Shampizi! There are bubbles flowing everywhere!”
ENGLAND’S GOLDEN MOMENT
With England and West Germany tied at 2–2 after the end of regulation time, the 1966 World Cup final was decided in extra time. Geoff Hurst scored in the 101st minute to give England the lead, with West Germany struggling to find an equaliser.
As the clock wound down to the f inal seconds, commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme perfectly punctuated the end of the match that English fans has been waiting for. “Some people are on the pitch…they think it’s all over…it is now,” he said, just as Geoff Hurst thumped the ball into the top left corner for his third of the match, to actually end it. The timing of Wolstenholme’s words could not have been better and immortalised the greatest moment in English football history.
“DOWN GOES FRAZIER”
On 22 January 1973, two giants of heavyweight boxing, George Foreman and Joe Frazier, met to decide the heavyweight title of the world. Frazier, the champion going into the fight, was favoured to retain his title. With just over 90 seconds gone in the first round, Foreman landed a right uppercut, sending Frazier to the canvas.
“Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!” exclaimed commentator Howard Cosell, equally as amazed as the crowd. Frazier continued relentlessly and won the fight via second-round TKO to become the heavyweight champion. Cossell’s words ushered in a new champion and era in the sport and have remained as iconic to this day.
“ANKARA MESSI”
At just 19, Lionel Messi produced a piece of pure magic against Getafe in the Copa de Rey semi-final – an iconic goal, accompanied by an equally iconic piece of commentary. Commentator Joaquim Maria Puyal could only say “Still Messi” in Catalan as the maestro dribbled half the length of the pitch, dodging defenders and slotting the ball in the back of the net. Messi’s name would be called relentlessly by commentators for years to come, but none did it like Puyal.
“MAGGIE THATCHER, CAN YOU HEAR ME?”
In 1981, Norway did the impossible: beat England at their own game in a World Cup qualifier in Oslo. After f inding themselves 1–0 down in the early stages of the game, the Norwegians fought back to take the lead and hold on for a shock victory. Norwegian commentator Bjorge Lillelien, speaking to the British Prime Minister, asked, “Maggie Thatcher, can you hear me? Maggie Thatcher, I have a message for you. Your boys took a hell of a beating. Your boys took a hell of a beating.”
IT’S COMING BACK FOR JONNY WILKINSON
In the final moments of the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final, England needed a miracle. As they trundled up the field, flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson positioned himself for a drop goal with 35 second left on the clock; one last shot at glory, immortalised by commentator Ian Robertson. “This is the one, its coming back for Jonny Wilkinson… He drops for World Cup glory…It’s up. It’s over. He’s done it.” Robertson gave England’s greatest rugby moment the emotion and passion it deserved.
ALI BACK ATOP THE WORLD
In October 1974, 32-year-old Muhammad Ali fought George Foreman to try claim back the World Heavyweight title. In a shock victory, the legend returned to the peak of his sport, his emphatic triumph brought to life by the words of Harry Carpenter. “Suddenly Ali looks very tired indeed, in fact Ali, at times now, looks as though he can barely lift his arms up… Oh he’s got him with a right hand! He’s got him! Oh you can’t believe it. And I don’t think Foreman’s going to get up. He’s trying to beat the count. And he’s out! OH MY GOD he’s won the title back at 32! Muhammad Ali!”
QUICK WITTED SLO MO
Well known in South Africa for popularising the term “Laduma” in South Africa football with his own twist, Zama Masondo is a commentating legend and icon. The Zulu speaker used the phrase “ngonyawo lonwabu,” meaning “by the foot of the chameleon” during slow motion replays in a perfect piece of comparison to explain to viewers what the television was showing. This line of his became an iconic and a staple of his commentating vocabulary that will remain in the hearts and minds of South African football fanatics.
