Football Glossary

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T

center;”> Table: The table shows the position of the teams in each division. Example: The end of the season table showed that Manchester United were first followed by Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal. (a/to) Tackle: To take the ball / possession from an opponent (fair tackle/hard tackle/ sliding tackle) Example: Roy Keane was an all-round midfield player, he could tackle, pass, organise his team and shoot. (to) Take apart: When a team easily beats an opponent (crush, heavily defeat, hammer) Example: Spain took Russia apart 3-0 in the semi-final of the European Championships while Holland took France and Italy apart in their earlier group matches (EFF: summer podcast 5). (a) Tap in: A simple chance to score usually from close distance. Example: Torres’ shot was saved by the keeper but the ball ran loose to Gerrard who had a simple tap in to score. (to) Tap up: To illegally or secretly, approach another team’s player, and try to persuade them to join your club. Example: Tottenham have accused Manchester United of tapping up their player. They think Manchester United didn’t follow the rules about buying a player and met Berbatov secretly (EFF: Podcast 1 – 2008-9). Target man: A big strong centre forward that can hold up the ball and wait for colleagues to support him – usually good in the air. Example: John Carew at Aston Villa is a good example of a target man, big, strong and holds the ball up well. Team: A group of 11 players form one team Example: In the Premier League 20 teams play against each other twice a season. (to be) Thrashed: to be beaten badly, to lose by a lot of goals Example: Saudi Arabia were thrashed 8-1 in the World Cup by Germany in 2002. (a) Throw-in: When the ball leaves the pitch at the side one team can restart the game by throwing the ball in Example: Bolton use the throw-in to great effect as an attacking tactic. Tier: level, rank, division Example: AFC Liverpool have joined the tenth tier of the football league pyramid along with FC United and AFC Wimbledon. (to) Top it all (off): to make something better, to improve a great situation, to add the final touch Example: To top it all off, Real Madrid demolished their rivals Barcelona 4-1 on Wednesday night to claim the Spanish title. Top of the table clash: A match between two sides from the top of the league, two of the best teams in the division. Example: Last season’s top of the table clash between Chelsea and Manchester United was a fiery affair indeed. Trophy: Cup, award, prize Example: Arsenal Ladies team won two trophies last season – the FA Cup and the Championship. (a) Turn up (for the books): a surprise, unexpected Example: The Spanish giants, Barcelona, have to qualify for this season’s Champions League which is a real turn up for the books. Two-footed tackle: A dangerous tackle using both feet that is ‘over the ball’. A red card offence. Example: The two-footed tackle is now illegal in football. (a) Two-horse race: When two teams are closely battling it out for the title (also three-horse race) Example: last season’s Premier League was a two-horse race between Chelsea and Manchester United.

Back to Top UEFA Cup UEFA: The European football organisation Example: Michel Platini is the head of UEFA. UEFA Cup: A club competition for European clubs though not as prestigious as the Champions League. Example: Zenit St Petersburg defeated Rangers in the final of the 2008 UEFA Cup final. Under-21: European international tournaments for players under the age of 21. The Olympics allows players that are under 23. Example: Argentina’s U-21 teams have supplied many full internationals over the years unlike England Underachievers: This is used to describe something or someone that fails to achieve or reach their potential. In football we use this expression when a player or team does not do as well as expected beforehand. Example: Spain finally shook off the term underachievers when they won the European Championship in 2008 (summer podcast 1: 2008). Underdog: The team that no one expects to win (opposite of favourites), usually popular with fans. Example: Championship side Cardiff were the underdogs against Premier League side Portsmouth in last season’s FA Cup final. (to be) Under fire: This means to be under pressure, to be criticized and in danger of losing your job. In the football world, the phrase is usually used with managers or referees for decisions they have made or poor performances they have had, but it is sometimes used with players. Example: England’s goalkeeper, Robinson, is under fire after his poor performance against Germany (EFF: podcast 3). Under par (also below par): A below average performance, a poor display compared to the usual standard Example: Liverpool put in another under par performance against Aston Villa this Sunday. Unsettled: When a player is unhappy at a club and wants to move somewhere else Example: Unsettled striker Dimitar Berbatov wants to leave Spurs to play Champions League football.

V

Venue: The place where the game is played Example: The venue for the Champions League final 2008 was Moscow. Versus: Against (sometimes written vs e.g. Celtic vs Rangers) Example: Tottenham versus Arsenal is always a tempestuous affair. Victory: When a team wins: the opposite of a loss or a defeat Example: Derby County only recorded one victory during the 2007-8 Premier League season. An unwanted record. Volley: To strike the ball while it is in mid-air Example: Carlos Tevez’ volley against Manchester United kept West Ham in the top flight last season.