Quoted from another source but a legend in athletics betting in Europe
I had to post this as I remember reading about this guy many years ago
Anders 'Massa' Ljungberg
07-04-1944 15-06-2001
The world of international sports betting is mourning one of its creators, Anders Ljungberg, who has now
left us after a few weeks? illness. Anders, nicknamed 'Massa' ever since he wagered an entire year?s student
grant on a trotting horse called 'Massachusetts' in Stockholm in the '60s, was the world?s foremost
athletics odds compiler.
Anders spent his early years training to be a middle distance runner, but discovered poker, billiards and
pinball before he could make a name for himself on the track. His interest in Track & Field, however,
never left him. In 1972, upon being shown the prices that U.K. bookmakers were offering on the runners
in the 1972 Olympic games, (with Lasse Viren 6/1 and 9/1 for the 5000m & 10000m, and many other
equally generous prices), 'Massa' fell about laughing. It took several pints of lager to convince him that he
had, indeed, not taken it in wrong, nor misunderstood it all - it was true! He had no money ? a state of
affairs that we punters are all too familiar with ? so he invited a number of more 'fortunate' gamblers to
participate, in what became one of the most expensive raids on the British betting industry to date.
Legends still remain about the fearless Swedes within Ladbrokes, Hills and Corals. 'Massa' did it again in
1976, the bookmakers had not learnt their lesson - and that cost them even more. After this, betting on
athletics was virtually dead ? no bookmaker wanted to touch it. After a few years in the wilderness,
Anders came to London in the early ?80s to help with the pricing up of athletics, skiing, tennis and much
more, for the recently opened SSP International. This gave the U.K. Bookmakers the courage to try again
in '82, this time with more caution, since they now had Anders? prices to compare with.
Anders enjoyed the London life, with its horse racing, sports broadcasts, pubs and many bookmakers.
'Massa' always enjoyed playing tricks of deception on the 'opposition', and there were times when he
offered deliberately generous odds on athletes and, after advertising them in the 'Post' and the 'Life'
(hoping that some bookmakers would use them), found that this was indeed the case! Such occasions
brought a smile to his face, and some extra pounds to his pocket. Anders stayed with us, working to the
last, always conscientious, and always alert. He will be sorely missed by all of his friends and colleagues.
Anders leaves his wife, daughter and granddaughter, and many, many
friends.
[This message has been edited by Ian (edited 06-19-2001).]
I had to post this as I remember reading about this guy many years ago
Anders 'Massa' Ljungberg
07-04-1944 15-06-2001
The world of international sports betting is mourning one of its creators, Anders Ljungberg, who has now
left us after a few weeks? illness. Anders, nicknamed 'Massa' ever since he wagered an entire year?s student
grant on a trotting horse called 'Massachusetts' in Stockholm in the '60s, was the world?s foremost
athletics odds compiler.
Anders spent his early years training to be a middle distance runner, but discovered poker, billiards and
pinball before he could make a name for himself on the track. His interest in Track & Field, however,
never left him. In 1972, upon being shown the prices that U.K. bookmakers were offering on the runners
in the 1972 Olympic games, (with Lasse Viren 6/1 and 9/1 for the 5000m & 10000m, and many other
equally generous prices), 'Massa' fell about laughing. It took several pints of lager to convince him that he
had, indeed, not taken it in wrong, nor misunderstood it all - it was true! He had no money ? a state of
affairs that we punters are all too familiar with ? so he invited a number of more 'fortunate' gamblers to
participate, in what became one of the most expensive raids on the British betting industry to date.
Legends still remain about the fearless Swedes within Ladbrokes, Hills and Corals. 'Massa' did it again in
1976, the bookmakers had not learnt their lesson - and that cost them even more. After this, betting on
athletics was virtually dead ? no bookmaker wanted to touch it. After a few years in the wilderness,
Anders came to London in the early ?80s to help with the pricing up of athletics, skiing, tennis and much
more, for the recently opened SSP International. This gave the U.K. Bookmakers the courage to try again
in '82, this time with more caution, since they now had Anders? prices to compare with.
Anders enjoyed the London life, with its horse racing, sports broadcasts, pubs and many bookmakers.
'Massa' always enjoyed playing tricks of deception on the 'opposition', and there were times when he
offered deliberately generous odds on athletes and, after advertising them in the 'Post' and the 'Life'
(hoping that some bookmakers would use them), found that this was indeed the case! Such occasions
brought a smile to his face, and some extra pounds to his pocket. Anders stayed with us, working to the
last, always conscientious, and always alert. He will be sorely missed by all of his friends and colleagues.
Anders leaves his wife, daughter and granddaughter, and many, many
friends.
[This message has been edited by Ian (edited 06-19-2001).]
