Norway's 1981 Soccer Upset Over England Remembered by Iconic Radio Call to Thatcher

In 1981, Norway's football team played England in a high‑profile match. The game ended with Norway delivering a decisive victory over England. The result was hailed as a major upset in European soccer. Norwegian radio broadcasters captured the moment with a vivid commentary. The call famously addressed Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Listeners remembered the phrase describing the win as a “hell of a beating.” The broadcast helped cement the match in Norway’s sporting memory. The upset continues to be cited as an example of an underdog triumph.