'Your boys took a hell of a beating' - England and Norway's football rivalry

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. 'Your boys took a hell of a beating' - England and Norway's football rivalryImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Erling Haaland has scored seven goals in four games at the World CupByPhil McNulty Chief football writer in AtlantaPublished1 hour agoEngland and Norway renew a rivalry better known for one famous piece of commentary rather than football when they meet in the World Cup quarter-finals in Miami on Saturday. It was 45 years before Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland were illuminating the current tournament that a Norwegian by the name of Bjorge Lillelien delivered the speech that has assumed legendary status. Norway, nowhere near the dangerous force they are now in September 1981, had just beaten an England side boasting players of the class of Bryan Robson, Glenn Hoddle, Kevin Keegan and Trevor Francis 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier.

The win was a seismic shock, regarded as a national embarrassment for England and Norway's greatest triumph at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo. Lillelien was not going to let the opportunity to pile on the agony for England pass him by as he directed a message aimed at the country's political and sporting figures - especially then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. A reserved man in private, he warmed up by accusing Polish referee Jerzy Kacprzak of being "close to receiving English citizenship" by playing what he felt was too much added time as Norway protected their lead.

The Details

When Kacprzak finally blew the whistle, Lillelien was ready to let rip on the airwaves as the main radio commentator for the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, known as NRK. A slightly edited version of his wonderfully excitable commentary is: "Lord Nelson. Sir Winston Churchill.

We have beaten all of them. "And then came Lillelien's most famous words. We have a message for you.

We have knocked your boys out of the World Cup. As they say in your language, in the boxing bars around Madison Square Garden New York, your boys took a hell of a beating. "He then repeated for good measure: "Your boys took a hell of a beating.

What Experts Say

"The last line, in particular, has been repeated – and altered to suit the occasion – ever since Lillelien delivered it. England did, contrary to Lillellen's claim, qualify for the 1982 World Cup in Spain, but no matter. Social media did not exist in 1981.

The impact and traction of his commentary, had it happened now, would be mind-boggling. Lillelien, who was a hugely popular figure, died six years later aged 60, but has been immortalised by those words, which he always insisted were spontaneous, not prepared. The emotional speech has been preserved forever by the wonders of YouTube, helped by Lillelien, fluent in English, switching from his native tongue when he said: "Maggie Thatcher.

" and "your boys took one hell of a beating.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.