Upea leijonaselostusura on nyt ohi.
The Rise of Antero Mertaranta: A Commentary Legend
Antero Mertaranta became a household name in Finland with the unforgettable victory of the national ice hockey team during the first World Championship in 1995. His distinctive, passionate voice added a unique flair to the game, making him a beloved sports commentator across the nation.
Initially, Mertaranta began his career in sports broadcasting on a local radio station in Lahti in the 1980s. In the early 1990s, he transitioned to Yle, Finland’s national public broadcasting company. Reflecting on his early days, Mertaranta shared, “I was still quite naive when I was a commentator at the 1995 championships,” as noted in the book Se on siinä by Juha Veli Jokinen.
After Mertaranta delivered an exhilarating commentary during the gold medal final, he chose not to join the celebrations with the team or the media. Instead, he retreated to his hotel room. “I didn’t meet anyone. I didn’t congratulate the players, nor did I touch a drink from the mini-bar to celebrate,” he recalled. Instead, he grabbed a detective novel and immersed himself in a thrilling crime story.
The Iconic Exclamation: “Se On Siinä”
Mertaranta’s vivid commentary was rich with metaphor and creativity. When Ville Peltonen scored to give Finland a 3-0 lead, he famously described the Swedish defense as “being at a kebab kiosk.” His most iconic phrase from those gold-medal games is likely “se on siinä,” which translates to “that’s it.”
“Finland wins the World Championship. Finland takes the gold. That’s it. That’s it,” Mertaranta stated, explaining that the phrase emerged when “the games started going well.” He remarked that this catchphrase effectively summarizes situations, whether positive or negative.
Surprisingly, Mertaranta refrained from using this statement frequently afterward, admitting, “With great reluctance, I said ‘se on siinä’ in one advertisement, but not elsewhere. I could have made millions repeating it.”
This Ascent to TV Fame
During his peak popularity, Mertaranta hosted a light-hearted TV quiz show called Se on siinä on Yle’s second channel, where he often engaged with regular contestants Risto Kaskilahti and Jukka Laaksonen. He recounted a moment when a critic dismissed the show with a simple, “Yeah, it was there,” indicating the mixed reviews it received.
The show ran for eight years from 2001 to 2009, and in the last decade, he made a comeback by hosting another program titled Mertaranta ja legendat on TV5, where he interviewed prominent Finnish sports figures like Minna Kauppi, Marja-Liisa Kirvesniemi, and others.
The Spring Hit: “Ihanaa, Leijonat, Ihanaa”
Does the phrase “Siinä on paikka. Miksi et lauo?” sound familiar? In 1999, the band A-tyyppi crafted a danceable, catchy song titled Ihanaa, Leijonat, ihanaa, incorporating Mertaranta’s inspired commentary. The catchy chorus celebrates Finland’s hockey team, framing the struggles in a light-hearted way with lyrics like, “Even if it hurts, it doesn’t matter. Wonderful, Lions, wonderful.”
This statement originates from the 1998 World Championship game against Canada, where Finland equalized just 11 seconds before the final whistle. Mertaranta passionately exclaimed, “Now we shout. Finland ties the game 3–3. Wonderful, Lions, wonderful,” capturing the exhilarating moment.
The Musician: A Drummer at Heart
Mertaranta isn’t just a commentator; he is also a musician who plays drums in the band Anza Mertaranta Allstars, named after Ringo Starr and His All-Stars Band. During a summer 2011 interview, he reflected, “In the past, Ringo only accepted the best in his group. Here, the best have accepted me.”
The band released an album titled Jytää, poppia ja rautalankaa in 2009, performing around thirty gigs a year. “That’s a good number for us,” Mertaranta remarked.
Memorable Game Moments
During the 1999 World Championships, Finland faced an uphill battle against Russia, trailing 3–0 before climbing back into the game. In the final minutes, coach Hannu Aravirta sent key players onto the ice to push for a goal. Mertaranta was on the edge of his seat, urging, “Shoot, Helminen, shoot!” as excitement filled the air. He narrated the tense moment beautifully as Helminen made an ultimate pass to Karalahti for the tying goal.
The Enchantment of His Commentary Style
Another unforgettable moment was when Mikael Granlund scored an incredible goal against Russia in the semifinals in 2011. Mertaranta was overwhelmed with delight, repeatedly exclaiming, “Did you see the goal he scored?” His vibrant commentary elevated the intensity of the moment, capturing the essence of Finnish pride as the team secured the win.
The Legacy of Antero Mertaranta
Mertaranta often speaks of “magical glasses,” a metaphor for the clarity and perspective he gains in the commentary box. When asked if he genuinely wears such glasses, he reassured fans, “They have been thrown away. They were used a long time ago during my commentary of the English league.”
Throughout his illustrious career, Mertaranta has created a unique blend of sports commentary, television, and music, captivating audiences and becoming a cherished figure in Finnish media. His legacy will undoubtedly live on in the hearts of fans and through the memories he has carved into the fabric of Finnish sports culture.