PHOTO: Youtube
It is one of the most famous commercials on Swedish television.
Now the truth about Eric Cantona’s commercial for Stryktipset is revealed.
And how much Manchester United’s big star got for his television effort.
We all recognize the scene. It’s black and white, Eric Cantona lays on the ball on the penalty spot and flips up the collar in a characteristic way – today it is Swedish television history.
Persuaded Cantona
It was in 1996 that Tipstjänst had the grand idea to attract one of the Premier League’s biggest stars to film a commercial for the popular Stryktipset, see it below. A record budget was invested in the project and the assignment landed in the lap of Tour Ågren.
He turned to the biggest club Manchester United, through one of their lawyers he got contact information for an older nephew of the big star Cantona.
“He was very nice and even though there were many and long discussions about price and content, it was clear that Eric liked the idea, the product and the thought. The deal must have gone back and forth a hundred times – I had negotiated with Floyd Patterson before and it was child’s play compared to this. In the end, we agree on a compensation of around SEK 1.2 million, as I recall. Certainly a record at the time,” says Ågren about the negotiations in the newly released book “1X2 – Stryktipset od resen mot 13 rätt” by the authors Daniel Björklund and David Stark (Pug Publishers).
Got “starstruck”
However, there was a bit of a problem when Manchester United did not allow filming at Old Trafford. But instead, the Swedish TV team and the Frenchman had to film everything at Burnley’s home ground, Turf Moor, which was one and a half miles outside Manchester.
READ MORE: Here is the reason why there are exactly 13 matches on Stryktipset
The Swedish team then became quite “starstruck” when they met Eric Cantona before the recording.
“There sat Cantona in a fashionable blue-striped shirt, smiling and shaking hands while saying in French English: ‘Hello maestro’. ‘Maestro! You were really proud. Then it turned out that he called everyone in our team maestro'”, says Mikael Friberg who was one of the brains behind the commercial in the book.
The ironing tip’s advertisement
The Manchester United star was then unexpectedly skilful as he pitched his script flawlessly during filming.
“Hello! So you like to bet on English soccer. Let me give you some advice. When United plays at home… One. When Manchester United plays away… Two. The X’s? Leave them to the other teams. How do I know? Because I know. It is my job to know. Wuuuaaaw (roars to the goalkeeper). Remember – luck has nothing to do with it”, became the famous words that millions of Swedes heard.
READ MORE: Glenn Hysén’s favorite team in England is NOT actually Liverpool
But what many don’t know is that Cantona managed to smash a camera used for the famous shot at the end of the commercial, watch it below. The actor’s performance for Stryktipset not only left a deep impression on the Swedish people, but became a fond memory for the Frenchman as well.
“Tipstjänst’s Leif Andersson brought a bag with Ironing Tips products – sweaters, pens, caps – which Cantona happily accepted. And a coupon that he actually filled in. He was better at playing football than playing football, we can reveal,” write Björklund and Stark in the book about Stryktipset’s history.
“In connection with a super cup final in Monaco, journalist Patrick Ekwall visits a bar in the harbor and who is sitting there but Cantona with ‘Tipset – more than just luck’ on his shirt”.
Remember this old commercial? Share the article and show others!
Watch the video:
Share