“Goal, goal, goal—I’m going crazy”

Even after the arrival of television, radio remained ever-present and thus highly influential. At the 1978 men’s football World Cup in Córdoba, Austria scored a decisive goal against Germany. The jubilation on the radio became part of a national memory culture.

It originates from the sports reporter Edi Finger senior, who commentated the whole match live on the radio. Twice in a row he enthusiastically shouts: “Goal, goal, goal—I’m going crazy!” The television footage, when broadcast later, was combined with this radio commentary.  

Find out more about the Cordoba Victory of 1978. 

The commentary by reporter Edi Finger senior has become legendary, thanks in particular to his emotional celebration of the goals. He mentions all the colleagues involved in the broadcast (using the typically Austrian custom of putting professional titles before their names). 

Live broadcast of the World Cup match between the Austrian and German national men’s football teams in Córdoba (Argentina), 1:07 min, 21 June 1978, Österreichischer Rundfunk ORF 

It’s rare in this World Cup to see in the closing phase, in the final minutes, such great commitment by both sides. You also have to say to the German team—respect, respect for this aggressive performance, for this great technique and for these great tactics! And now [incomprehensible] bring in one more hopeless-seeming ball—pass over to the left. There’s applause. Krankl comes past, this time into the penalty area—shot... goal, goal, goal, goal, goal, goal! I’m going crazy! Krankl shoots and it’s 3:2 for Austria! Ladies and gentlemen, we’re embracing each other; Colleague Rippel, Certified Engineer Posch—it’s kisses all round. 3:2 for Austria thanks to a great goal by our Krankl. He’s outplayed everyone, ladies and gentlemen. And hang on just a little longer, hang on just a little longer, then maybe we can permit ourselves a glass of wine. You’re lucky to have experienced this! Now I’ve stood up and there’s loads of South Americans shouting “goal!”. I think we’ve beaten ’em now!