England vs Norway football rivalry echoes legendary commentary

England and Norway renew a rivalry better known for one famous piece of commentary than for football when they meet in the World Cup quarter-finals in Miami on Saturday. In September 1981, Norway, then far from the formidable side they are today, beat an England team featuring Bryan Robson, Glenn Hoddle, Kevin Keegan and Trevor Francis 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo. The win was a seismic shock and considered a national embarrassment for England.

Norwegian commentator Bjørge Lillelien of NRK seized the moment to taunt English political and sporting figures, especially Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. His famous words: 'Lord Nelson. Lord Beaverbrook. Sir Winston Churchill. Sir Anthony Eden. Clement Attlee. Henry Cooper. Lady Diana. We have beaten all of them. Maggie Thatcher, can you hear me? We have a message for you. We have knocked your boys out of the World Cup. Maggie Thatcher, as they say in your language in the boxing bars around Madison Square Garden New York, your boys took a hell of a beating.'

Although England did qualify for the 1982 World Cup, Lillelien's commentary became immortal. He died six years later at age 60, but his words live on via YouTube. His son Marius later said his father was a different person off air, preparing like an artist for a concert. Former Norway striker Egil Ostenstad, who played in the Premier League, noted that Lillelien was untypically Norwegian in showing emotion.

Close to 100 Norwegians have played in English football since the Premier League began, including Jan Åge Fjørtoft, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Martin Ødegaard and Erling Haaland. The men's sides have never met in a major tournament; Saturday will be their first meeting in 12 years. The women's teams met in the 2015 World Cup round of 16, with England winning 2-1. Lillelien's commentary is sure to be mentioned amid the action in Miami.