\n<\/p>\n
Upea leijonaselostusura on nyt ohi.<\/p>\n
Antero Mertaranta<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n 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, \u201cI was still quite naive when I was a commentator at the 1995 championships,\u201d as noted in the book Se on siin\u00e4<\/em> by Juha Veli Jokinen<\/strong>.<\/p>\n 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. \u201cI didn\u2019t meet anyone. I didn\u2019t congratulate the players, nor did I touch a drink from the mini-bar to celebrate,\u201d he recalled. Instead, he grabbed a detective novel and immersed himself in a thrilling crime story.<\/p>\n Mertaranta’s vivid commentary was rich with metaphor and creativity. When Ville Peltonen<\/strong> scored to give Finland a 3-0 lead, he famously described the Swedish defense as \u201cbeing at a kebab kiosk.\u201d His most iconic phrase from those gold-medal games is likely \u201cse on siin\u00e4,\u201d which translates to \u201cthat\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFinland wins the World Championship. Finland takes the gold. That\u2019s it. That\u2019s it,\u201d Mertaranta stated, explaining that the phrase emerged when \u201cthe games started going well.\u201d He remarked that this catchphrase effectively summarizes situations, whether positive or negative.<\/p>\n Surprisingly, Mertaranta refrained from using this statement frequently afterward, admitting, \u201cWith great reluctance, I said \u2018se on siin\u00e4\u2019 in one advertisement, but not elsewhere. I could have made millions repeating it.\u201d<\/p>\n During his peak popularity, Mertaranta hosted a light-hearted TV quiz show called Se on siin\u00e4<\/em> on Yle\u2019s second channel, where he often engaged with regular contestants Risto Kaskilahti<\/strong> and Jukka Laaksonen<\/strong>. He recounted a moment when a critic dismissed the show with a simple, \u201cYeah, it was there,\u201d indicating the mixed reviews it received.<\/p>\n 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<\/em> on TV5, where he interviewed prominent Finnish sports figures like Minna Kauppi<\/strong>, Marja-Liisa Kirvesniemi<\/strong>, and others.<\/p>\n Does the phrase \u201cSiin\u00e4 on paikka. Miksi et lauo?\u201d sound familiar? In 1999, the band A-tyyppi crafted a danceable, catchy song titled Ihanaa, Leijonat, ihanaa<\/em>, incorporating Mertaranta\u2019s inspired commentary. The catchy chorus celebrates Finland\u2019s hockey team, framing the struggles in a light-hearted way with lyrics like, \u201cEven if it hurts, it doesn\u2019t matter. Wonderful, Lions, wonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n This statement originates from the 1998 World Championship game against Canada, where Finland equalized just 11 seconds before the final whistle. Mertaranta passionately exclaimed, \u201cNow we shout. Finland ties the game 3\u20133. Wonderful, Lions, wonderful,\u201d capturing the exhilarating moment.<\/p>\n Mertaranta isn\u2019t just a commentator; he is also a musician who plays drums in the band Anza Mertaranta Allstars, named after Ringo Starr<\/strong> and His All-Stars Band. During a summer 2011 interview, he reflected, \u201cIn the past, Ringo only accepted the best in his group. Here, the best have accepted me.\u201d<\/p>\n The band released an album titled Jyt\u00e4\u00e4, poppia ja rautalankaa<\/em> in 2009, performing around thirty gigs a year. \u201cThat\u2019s a good number for us,\u201d Mertaranta remarked.<\/p>\n During the 1999 World Championships, Finland faced an uphill battle against Russia, trailing 3\u20130 before climbing back into the game. In the final minutes, coach Hannu Aravirta<\/strong> sent key players onto the ice to push for a goal. Mertaranta was on the edge of his seat, urging, \u201cShoot, Helminen, shoot!\u201d as excitement filled the air. He narrated the tense moment beautifully as Helminen made an ultimate pass to Karalahti for the tying goal.<\/p>\n Another unforgettable moment was when Mikael Granlund<\/strong> scored an incredible goal against Russia in the semifinals in 2011. Mertaranta was overwhelmed with delight, repeatedly exclaiming, \u201cDid you see the goal he scored?\u201d His vibrant commentary elevated the intensity of the moment, capturing the essence of Finnish pride as the team secured the win.<\/p>\n Mertaranta often speaks of \u201cmagical glasses,\u201d a metaphor for the clarity and perspective he gains in the commentary box. When asked if he genuinely wears such glasses, he reassured fans, \u201cThey have been thrown away. They were used a long time ago during my commentary of the English league.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nThe Iconic Exclamation: \u201cSe On Siin\u00e4\u201d<\/h2>\n
This Ascent to TV Fame<\/h2>\n
The Spring Hit: \u201cIhanaa, Leijonat, Ihanaa\u201d<\/h2>\n
The Musician: A Drummer at Heart<\/h2>\n
Memorable Game Moments<\/h2>\n
The Enchantment of His Commentary Style<\/h2>\n
The Legacy of Antero Mertaranta<\/h2>\n