Ernst Huberty, longtime host of ARD’s “Sportschau,” died Monday. In 1970, he commented on the game of the century.

“Sportschau” pioneer Ernst Huberty is dead. Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) announced that the television journalist and soccer commentator died Monday at the age of 96. “We sadly bid farewell to Ernst Huberty. As “Mr. Sportschau,” as the audience affectionately called him, he was the first presenter to decisively shape this program: pleasantly unagitated and with great seriousness. Ernst Huberty will be remembered forever not only as the host of “Sportschau,” but also as a sports reporter legend,” said WDR Director-General Tom Buhrow.

Ernst Huberty hosted the first “Sportschau” on ARD on June 4, 1961, and was its face for 21 years until 1982. He also remained in the memory of many TV viewers for his commentaries on the so-called match of the century between Germany and Italy in the 1970 World Cup semifinals in Mexico or the legendary water battle in Frankfurt between Germany and Poland in the 1974 World Cup.