Antero Mertaranta

Lauri Antero Johannes Mertaranta (b. January 17, 1956 in Hyvinkää, Finland) is a Finnish sportscaster and TV personality.

Antero Mertaranta is best known for his energetic announcing in IIHF World Championships ice hockey games, especially when Finland's team is playing. Besides ice hockey Mertaranta has also been announcing soccer, athletics and Finnish baseball. Mertaranta himself played Finnish baseball in his youth.

In 2001 Mertaranta began hosting a sports quiz show named "Se on siinä", named after one of his most famous catchphrases: "Se on siinä" (That's it!).

Before his sportsreporter career Mertaranta worked as a music teacher and fireman. He plays drums in a band called Anza Mertaranta Allstars. The band planned for an album release in 2005 but is yet to release its debut album.

Highlights

* Announced the Finnish broadcast of FIFA World Cup 1998 final
* Has announced the Finnish broadcast of IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships finals from 1994 and counting.
* Has recorded two smash hit records. Ihanaa Leijonat, Ihanaa (with A-Tyyppi) in 1999 and Pedon Ulvontaa in 2003.

External links

[http://slapshot.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/11/the-danny-gallivan-of-finland/ New York Times - The Danny Gallivan of Finland]