• $
  • €
  • ₽
  • ₺
  • £

Icelandic commentary goes viral after island's historic win

Icelandic commentary goes viral after island's historic win
28.05.2020 18:02
It's an assault on the aural senses as a voice, breaking and screeching with joy, bears witness to a moment of history for a small island nation.

Gudmundur Benediktssor is the commentator and his cacophonous stream of consciousness in describing how Iceland secured a remarkable 2-1 win over Austria thanks to Arnor Ingvi Traustason's last-minute goal has been heard millions of times around the world.

The win was Iceland's first at a major tournament and ensured its progression to the knockout stages of Euro 2016.

A former international player himself, Gudmundur Benediktsson's narration is full of unbridled joy and at one point the 41-year old commentator, who is also KR Reykjavík's assistant manager, says: "Never, ever have I felt so good."

It's a commentary that brought back memories of Bjørge Lillelien's famous "Maggie Thatcher, your boys took a hell of a beating!" rant, after watching his Norwegian compatriots secure a famous 2-1 win over England in 1981.

If your Icelandic isn't quite up to scratch, The Reykjavik Grapevine has kindly translated Benediktsson's not so mellifluous meltdown in full:

"It's all open! Theodór Elmar is alone here on their side of the pitch. They are three on two! Emmi (short for Elmar)! Go into the box! Go into the box! EMMI!

Ahhh... Yes... Yes... Yes... YES... YES... Jarghaah... we are winning this! We are through to the final 16! We are through to the final 16! We are winning Austria!

The voice has gone! But that doesn´t matter! We have qualified! Arnór Yngvi Traustason scores! Iceland two Austria one! Þvílíkt og annað eins*! Þvílíkt og annað eins!

What? The final whistle has been blown here, and never, ever have I felt so good! Arnór Yngvi Traustason securing our first victory! Never lost!

Don't forget... never lost! But the first victory a fact! Iceland two Austria one! Thanks for coming Austria! Thanks for coming!"
(*"Þvílíkt og annað eins" is hard to relate in meaning, but a direct translation would be: "Such things and other alike.")

(CNN)

www.ann.az
Facebook
Go
Similar news
Similar news
Lionel Messi retires from international football
Sport 11:00
Lionel Messi retires from international football
UEFA Nations League Matchday 4: Azerbaijan secures win over Lithuania
Sport 16:00
UEFA Nations League Matchday 4: Azerbaijan secures win over Lithuania
FIFA President Gianni Infantino arrives in Tashkent ahead of U-20 World Cup 2027
Sport 14:30
FIFA President Gianni Infantino arrives in Tashkent ahead of U-20 World Cup 2027
Dates announced for postponed Qarabag and Sabah matches
Sport 16:30
Dates announced for postponed Qarabag and Sabah matches
Nakhchivan athlete arrested on fraud charges
Sport 17:00
Nakhchivan athlete arrested on fraud charges
Azerbaijani chess player Hikmat Ismayilov crowned French champion
Sport 17:30
Azerbaijani chess player Hikmat Ismayilov crowned French champion
Five Baku schools shift to remote learning for Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Sport 16:30
Five Baku schools shift to remote learning for Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Formula 1 to shorten Grand Prix race distance from 2027
Sport 09:30
Formula 1 to shorten Grand Prix race distance from 2027
Draw held for 2026/27 Azerbaijan Cup season
Sport 15:33
Draw held for 2026/27 Azerbaijan Cup season
Anews TV

Our official Youtube channel

Subscribe