Sprechen Sie Fußball?
In this section I hope to flag up a few footballing terms that English speaking people listening to German commentaries may come across but don't normally crop up in the average German evening class! This is very much a work in progress and, is in no way whatsoever complete, but I'll add things as I come across them and when I have time. Native German speakers, please drop me a line if you have any corrections . . . . . .
Abseits - offside Abwehr - the defense Alter Schwede - an equivalent to "Wow!" or "What the heck!?!" if something surprises you. Ampelkarte - a red following a second yellow. A "traffic light card" Auswärtssieg - an away win Blütenweiße Weste (Weste) - a clean sheet Doppelpack - a brace Doppelpass - a one-two Ecke - corner Eigentor (EM) - Own goal Englische Woche ("English week") - a week where teams play both in the week and at the weekend Feld - the pitch Freischuss - A free kick Freundschaftsspiel - A friendly |
Gäste - visiting team Gelbe Karte - yellow card Hertha BSC - the finest team in Germany! Hinrunde - the first half of the season before the Christmas/winter break Jungs - lads / guys / boys Kampfgeist - fighting spirit Kantersieg - a walkover or whitewash Kopfball - header Länderspiele - An international match Latte - crossbar Mannschaft - team Mauer - a defensive wall set up for a free kick Die Nationalmannschaft - The national team Netz - net Notbremse - a "professional foul" |
Pfosten - post Rote Karte - red card "Rote Laterne" - the team at the foot of the table, in last place carries the "Red Lantern". Rückrunde - he secnd half of the season, after the Christmas/winter break Schwalbe ("swallow", as in the bird) - an obvious dive Sonntagsschuss - a blasted shot from distance Spitzenreiter - front runner Strafraum - penalty area Strafpunkt - penalty spot Tor - goal Viererkette - the back four Zweikampf - a dual or struggle between two players |
Aufzugsmannschaft / Fahrstuhlmannschaft - a "yoyo team", one that goes up and down between two leagues from season to season. A West Ham of the German leagues (sorry Hammers).