By Chris Wright
No explanation needed we hope; this one does exactly what it says on the tin…
10. Schwalbe: Literally translates as “swallow” and used to mean a deliberate dive complete with arched back, spread wings, tucked legs, double pike and a twist.
9. Eigentor: We know it’s no less literal that its English equivalent, ‘own goal’, but it all sounds so much more stark and solitary in the German vernacular.
8. Fallrückzieher/Flugkopfball: Translate in typically literal German fashion as “falling back execution” and “flying head ball” – or ‘bicycle kick’ and ‘diving header’ as we might have it.
7. Anschlusstreffer: Or ‘Prequaliser’ once Anglicised – an optimistic term used when a team pulls one back after being two goals down, as in: ‘the prequel to the equaliser’ (thanks to football parlance guru @FootballCliches for the tip-off).
6. Ampelkarte: A ‘traffic light’ card, i.e, a second yellow followed by a red.
5. Bombenschuss/Sonntagsschuss: As ably demonstrated by Ritchie De Laet above, the phrase is used to denote a difficult or flukey shot from long distance which, if you’re lucky, may well result in a…
4. Traumtor: Meaning ‘wonder goal’; the German equivalent of ‘golazo’ and a wonderful word to yell while rattling a 30-yard beauty into the carpark for your Sunday League team.
3. Hexenkessel: “Witches cauldron”, and used a term for an intimidating stadium atmosphere.
2. Raumdeuter: Means ‘space interpreter’ and is usually used as a nickname for Thomas Muller (seen above, pulling off a textbook ‘flugkopfball‘) as he’s a dab hand at finding himself a pocket to work in.
1. Wembley-Tor: Translates, as you may have guessed, as ‘Wembley goal’ and used to denote a dubious goal in reference to Geoff Hurst’s goalline-tickling third against West Germany in the 1966 World Cup Final.
Honorary mentions…
‘Doppelpass’: A quick one-two.
‘Viererpack’: When a player scores four goal in one game.
‘Joker’: Goalscoring super sub.
‘Elfmeter’: Lovely word for a penalty kick.
‘Arschkarte’: Translates as ‘arse card’ – according to urban legend, it’s a term formerly used for the red card. Since yellow and red cards couldn’t be distinguised on black-and-white televisions, the yellow card was held in the referee’s chest pocket while the red was always ‘pulled from his backside’ (via @hansolofsven).
Any more German crackers you’ve picked up along the way? Feel free to share ’em down below…