Martin Tyler, Gary Neville, Ian Darke, Andy Gray, Jon Champion, Ray Hudson. Those are just a few of the world's great soccer commentators. Sure, all of these names belong to English personalities, but there are talented commentators all around the world able to capture - and often enhance - great moments with their words. When tensions are running high and we’re on the edge of our seats, these men act as our tour guides through the ups and downs of a football match.
So, what are some of the greatest calls in the sport? Let’s have a look:
10. Andy Gray Calls Steven Gerrard's Wonder Goal Against Olympiakos
“Ohhhhhhhh ya beauty, what a hit son, what a hit!"
Steven Gerrard scores a wonder goal against Olympiakos to secure Liverpool’s spot in the knockout stage of the 2005 Champions League season.
9. Jack van Gelder Calls Dennis Bergkamp's 1998 World Cup Goal
“Dennis Bergkamp! Dennis Bergkamp! Dennis Bergkamp! Dennis Bergkamp! Dennis Bergkamp! AHHHHHH! Dennisss Bergkaaaaaaannnhhh!”
Dennis Bergkamp’s 89th minute goal against Argentina in the quarterfinals of the 1998 World Cup.
8. Martin Tyler and Gary Neville Call Didier Drogba's Equalizer In The 2012 Champions League Final
"Drogbaaa!!! And he pulled the rabbit out of the hat again! Can you believe it? Chelsea just won't let go of the Champions League."
Didier Drogba scores an 88th minute equalizer to send Chelsea and Bayern Munich into extra time in the 2012 Champions League final. Chelsea went on to win in penalties, with guess who, Didier Drogba netting the clinching PK (see below...).
7. Martin Tyler and Gary Neville Call Didier Drogba's Championship-Winning Penalty Kick In 2012
"HE'S DONE IT! The greatest night in the history of Chelsea Football Club! European Champions! They've beaten Bayern in their own backyard! They've found the Holy Grail after adventure frought with danger! And, Drogba may never play for Chelsea again, he'll never be forgotten.”
6. Clive Tyldesley Calls 16-Year-Old Wayne Rooney's Goal That End's Arsenal's Winning Streak
“Remember the name… Wayne Rooney.”
Wayne Rooney becomes the (then) youngest player to ever score a premiership goal. Everton beat Arsenal, ending the Gunners 30-game win streak.
5. Martin Tyler Calls Sergio Aguero’s 94th Minute Championship-Winning Goal For Man City
“Agueroooooo! I swear you'll never see anything like this ever again ! But watch it! Drink it in! They’ve just heard the news at the Stadium of Light. Two goals in added time for Manchester City to snatch the title away from Manchester United”
With Manchester United’s 1-0 victory over Sunderland secured, the simultaneous match going on in the Eithad meant City had to beat Queens Park Rangers to win the league. With the score deadlocked 2-2, Man United fans thought they had won the league. That is, until Sergio Aguero’s 94th minute championship-winning goal.
4. Ian Darke Calls Abby Wambach's Life-Saving Equalizer In The 2011 Women's World Cup
“Rapinoe gets the cross in. It's towards Wambach. O CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?! Abby Wambach has saved the USA’s life in this World Cup!”
Abby Wambach scores a a 122nd minute equalizer in the 2011 Womens World Cup quarterfinal versus Brazil. The United States Women's National Team went on to win in overtime.
3. Ian Darke Calls Landon Donovan's Goal To Send The USMNT To The Knockout Stage In 2010
“Oh, are things on here for the USA? Can they do it here? Cross, and Dempsey is denied again, and Donovan has scored! Oh, can you believe this? Go, go, USA! Certainly through! Oh, it's incredible! You could not write a script like this!”
The United States needed a victory and three points against Algeria to reach the knockout stage of the 2010 World Cup. Knotted at 0, Landon Donovan went on to score the biggest goal in the history of the United States Men's National Team.
2. Fabio Caressa Calls Fabio Grosso's Last Minute Goal That Sends Italy To The 2006 World Cup Final
“GOOOOOOOL! GOOOOOOOOOL! GOOOOOOOOOL! GROSSO!!! GROSSO!! GOL DI GROSSO!”
With the score tied 0-0 in the 119th minute, Fabio Grosso curled a whipping shot from 16 yards out past German keeper Jens Lehman to send Italy to the 2006 World Cup final, which they eventually won.
1. Kenneth Wolstenholme Calls England's 1966 World Cup Win Over West Germany
"And here comes Hurst, he’s got…some people are on the pitch…they think it’s all over…it is now!! It’s four!"
Kenneth Wolstenholme's matter-of-fact call transposed over England's finest hour in the World Cup - their 1966 win over West Germany - makes for a magic moment.
If you liked this, you might also like:
