Here are some words and phrases you can hear on languagecaster’s Full Podcast’s Good, Bad and Ugly section – a review of the footballing news. For more English practice check out our worksheets, football glossary and English for football phrases as well as the Learners’ Podcast.

• Back heel: A shot or pass using the back part of the foot

Example: Ibrahimovic’ goal for Inter against Bolgna was described as a flying back heel.

• A piece of cake: An expression that means something is extremely easy.

Example: Ibrahimovic described his goal as a piece of cake.

• To destroy (a team): To defeat soundly, to beat a team by a wide margin

Example: Barcelona destroyed Atletico Madrid 6-1 last weekend.

• the Basque Country: Autonomous region in the north of Spain (San Sebastian and Bilbao are the main cities)

Example: Jose Etxeberria plays for Athletic Bilbao which is based in the Basque Country.

• Elusive: hard to find

Example: Spurs are finding it tough to find that elusive win at the start of the season.

• High-flying: Doing well in the league (not always expectedly so)

Example: High-flying Hull City won for the second time in North London this season after beating Tottenham 1-0 at White Hart Lane.

• Lambasted: Heavily criticised, attacked

Example: The new Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear was lambasted by the press at last week’s press conference.

• Swear word: Rude language

Example: Joe Kinnear used more than 50 swear words in 5 minutes at a journalist last week.

• Debt: To owe money, to be in the red

Example: FA President Lord Triesman felt that the debt among Premier League clubs was extremely dangerous.

• £3 billlion: 3000 million pounds (approximately $5500 million)

Example: It is reported that Premeier league clubs owe more than £3 billion in debts.