15 Hilarious Soccer Phrases From Around the World
Updated: Oct. 02, 2018
Got World Cup fever? The language-learning experts at Babbel have compiled a list of the funniest soccer phrases you might hear if you’re catching the action on an overseas broadcast.
Spanish soccer phrases you should know
“No meter un gol ni al arcoíris”
English translation: “Failing to score a goal, even into a rainbow”
Used when: An offensive player misses a shot into an open goal so badly that even if the goal had been the size of a rainbow, they still would have missed.
“Dar un baño”
English translation: “Give someone a bath”
Used when: Your team completely dominates its opponents, beating them to every ball and outmuscling them in every tackle.
…in Polish
“Sędzia kalosz”
English translation: “The referee is a rubber boot.”
Used when: A ref makes a bad call, or is deemed to be biased.
…in French
“Planter sa tente”
English translation: “Put up your tent”
Used when: A player remains stationary offside.
“Nettoyer les toiles d’araignées”
English translation: “Clean the spider webs”
Used when: A player rifles the ball into the back of the net (specifically the top-corner of the goal).
Here are the 10 French phrases everyone should commit to memory!
German soccer phrases you should know
“Gras fressen”
English translation: “Eat grass”
Used when: A team fights hard for victory, without playing “pretty” football; the level of their passion and commitment to the cause being so fanatic that they’re prepared to “eat the grass” from the pitch.
“Was für eine Gurkentruppe”
English translation: “What a team of cucumbers”
Used when: A team isn’t playing well and is struggling to make tackles.
…in Swedish
“Att vara naken med målvakten”
English translation: “To be naked with the goalkeeper”
Used when: A player is goal hanging.
“Zlatanera!”
English translation: “To be like Zlatan Ibrahimović”
Used when: A player dominates an opponent in a manner that’s worthy of Sweden’s all-time top goalscorer, Zlatan Ibrahimović.
…in Italian
“Tiro Telefonata”
English translation: “Telephoned shot”
Used when: There’s a terrible shot at goal—one that’s so predictable, the striker could have telephoned the goalie beforehand to inform him exactly where he was going to shoot.
Don’t miss the 12 Italian phrases everyone should know how to use.
Portuguese soccer phrases you should know
“Levar um frago”
English translation: “Get a chicken”
Used when: When a goalkeeper makes an obvious mistake.
…in Danish
“Svanens død”
English translation: “Swan’s death”
Used when: A player simulates falling as if they’ve been fouled.
…in Russian
“мышелов” (myshelov)
English translation: “Mouse hunter”
Used when: A goalie can’t make a save.
“горчичник” (gorchichnik)
English translation: “Mustard plaster”
Used when: A yellow card is thrown.
“Судью на мыло!” (Sud’yu na mylo!)
English translation: “Turn the ref into soap!”
Used when: The ref has made a bad call.
Take care when travelling abroad: These 17 English words have totally different meanings in other languages!
