Norwegian goalkeeper Tore Antonsen celebrates after beating England in a World Cup qualifier in Oslo in September 1981. Photo: Getty Images/Bob Thomas
The soundtrack of our sporting lives does not come from a ball bouncing across a net, leather hitting willow, or even the roar of a crowd. It comes to us through the voices of the men and women tasked with conveying drama and excitement through television commentary. Some of these commentators have become household names, beloved (or not) comrades during some of the most exciting and heartbreaking moments in our sporting history.
Sometimes they got the moment very, very right, creating microphone magic that lives on in our collective memory. You can't plan them or script them, and there is a strange alchemy of what works and what doesn't. But they've all achieved cult status: let us know your favorites below, or remind us of the ones we've forgotten.
10. «Good luck, mate»
Jack Carnham on Cliff Thorburn's 147 break
It took Ronnie O'Sullivan five minutes and 20 seconds. Cliff Thorburn, aka “The Mill,” took much longer. But this only added to the tension at the 1983 World Championships, when the Canadian made a maximum break of 147 points. When he eventually settled down at the black table (with his compatriot Big Bill Werbeniuk peeking out from behind another table like a curious, shy bear), commentator Jack Carnham addressed the millions watching: «Good luck, mate.» Cliff sank it.
9. “I can’t talk! I can't talk!'
Wayne Mardle on Michael Smith's nine-darter finish
Wayne Mardle completely loses the plot at the start of 2023 when he describes the greatest stage of darts ever played in the 2023 World Darts Final between Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith. Both finished with nine darts: «Michael can miss and Michael can hit — I've never seen anything like it!» – when MVG missed take 12, Smith checked him and Sky's Mardle, broadcasting the original YouTube commentary «I can't talk» about a rugby league game, screamed himself hoarse.
8. “What a hit, son. What a hit!”
Andy Gray on Steven Gerrard
Liverpool v Olympiacos at Anfield in the Champions League, December 2004. Future Telegraph Sport columnist Jamie Carragher puts the ball in play, Neil Mellor knocks it down and Steven Gerrard delivers the sweetest of strikes to give the Reds the lead. Andy Gray: “Oh, you're beautiful! What a hit, son! What a hit!”
7. “And honestly, who cares?”
Barry Davis at the Olympic Hockey Games
A familiar voice in an unfamiliar setting: Barry Davis, 1988 men's Olympic hockey final. Great Britain vs West Germany. GB hasn't beaten an old foe in hockey for 30 years. Imran Sherwani scored Britain's third goal to make it 3-0 and the Teutonic sticks were in disarray. Barry: “Where, oh, where were the Germans? And honestly, who cares?
6. “Maggie Thatcher, can you hear me?”
Bjorge Liljelen on Norway's victory over England
“We beat England 2-1 in football. This is absolutely incredible. We beat England! England, home of giants. Lord Nelson, Lord Beaverbrook, Sir Winston Churchill, Sir Anthony Eden, Clement Attlee, Henry Cooper, Lady Diana. We defeated them all. We defeated them all. Maggie Thatcher, can you hear me? Maggie Thatcher, I have a message for you. Your boys have suffered greatly. Your boys have suffered greatly.”
Bjorge Lileljen, Norwegian football commentator in 1981 after Norway beat England 2-1. The performance of «Sir Anthony Eden» and «Lady Diana» is among the funniest lines ever recorded.
5. 'It's coming back for Jonny Wilkinson…'
Ian Robertson on England's Rugby World Cup victory
With the 2003 Rugby World Cup final ending 17–17, it's a huge moment England's second-half arrival and a big moment for BBC 5 Live commentator Ian Robertson. “This is the one, he's coming back for Jonny Wilkinson… He's challenging World Cup glory… Done! Everything is over! He did it!» All this happened against the backdrop of shouts from commentator and Wilkinson mentor Rob Andrew.
4. “Some people on the field…”
Kenneth Wolstenholme on England's victory at the World Cup
Kenneth Wolstenholme on England's victory at the World Cup
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The greatest moment in English football, brilliantly voiced by Kenneth Wolstenholme with his immortal, unscripted line. «Some people on the field… they think it's over… it's over now!» The moment Geoff Hurst crashed into the net with his left foot and unstoppable left-foot shot was like a Swiss watch. On ITV's coverage of the 1966 World Cup final between England and West Germany, Huw Jones said: «Seconds pass while Martin Peters goes forward, which is to say when Geoff Hurst goes forward he can do it three times.» He has. He has. That's all. That's all.» Somehow it's not quite right, is it?
3. “With minimal boundaries”
Ian Smith on England's victory at the Cricket World Cup< br />This is perhaps the most exciting final in a cricket match of all time, and given the occasion, certainly the most memorable and impressive. England v New Zealand in the 50-over World Cup final at Lord's in 2019, Sky's brilliant commentator — and of course former Kiwi Test player — Ian Smith was poised for a thrilling climax.
“This is the moment: Archer turns to Guptill. Two to win. Guptill will insist on two. It's time for them to go. This… the shot must hit the goalkeeper! HE GOT IT! England won the World Cup by the narrowest of margins. With minimal reserves. Absolute ecstasy for England, agony, agony for New Zealand…»
He later said: “You could commentate on sports your whole life and never get a moment like this. I think my voice will remain there forever. It's an honor. I hope I understood everything correctly.»
2. “Just look at his face!”
Barry Davis on Franny Lee
Another entry from BBC presenter Barry Davies, again, this time with Frannie Lee. In December 1974, Lee received the ball from Derby teammate David Nish at Maine Road, but the ball deflected off a defender. Great Partridge-esque commentary from Bazza: “Interesting… very interesting!” (as the ball hit the net) and then “Oh, look at his face! Just look at his face!” This must have been the inspiration for the phrases “he must have a leg like a traction engine” and “the goalkeeper has a football pie all over his shirt.”
1. “There are no more worlds to conquer”
Sid Waddell on Erica Bristow
“When Alexander the Great was 33 years old, he cried salty tears because there were no more worlds to conquer. Eric Bristow is only 27.» The poetry of darts doyen Sid Waddell after Bristow won his first world title in 1980 — a moment that unfortunately cannot be reproduced on YouTube, although Waddell was asked to recreate it later (see below).
Waddell also delighted listeners with lines such as “The atmosphere is so tense that if Elvis walked in with a helping of chips, you could hear the vinegar sizzling on them”; «It's like trying to pin down a kangaroo on a trampoline» and «this is the greatest comeback since Lazarus.»
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