Euro 24 Football Language Phrase (Day 17): Overhead kick
In this football language post we look at the phrase ‘overhead kick‘ after England’s late equaliser against Slovakia from the 2024 Euros. Don’t forget we have hundreds more explanations of football language in our football glossary and we also have a page full of football cliches. If you have questions or comments about this or any other phrase then email us at: admin@languagecaster.com.
Overhead Kick
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England left it very late to score an equaliser against Slovakia in their last-16 match and this goal sent the game into extra time. The equaliser was an overhead kick from their star player Jude Bellingham after a flick on at the near post. To score an overhead kick a player is usually not facing the attacking goal but instead has their back to the goal and when the ball is in the air they volley it over their head so that the ball travels towards the net. These types of goals are rare but they are also spectacular as a player has to show lots of different techniques to score: balance, composure, flexibility and accuracy. This kind of shot, sometimes called a bicycle kick, is often difficult to save as the keeper cannot see the ball and can be wrongfooted and this is wha happened to the Slovak keeper in the final minute of the game.
- Example: But when Marc Guéhi flicked on a long Kyle Walker throw‑in, with stoppage time almost up, Bellingham had found the space in front of the penalty spot and he leapt into the overhead kick (Guardian.co.uk, June 30 2024)
Related Vocabulary
- Day 1 – Kickstart their campaign
- Day 2 – Lay down a marker
- Day 3 – Power home a header
- Day 4 – A screamer
- Day 5 – Snatch a last gasp win
- Day 6 – Sweep home
- Day 7 – Rocket
- Day 8 – String of chances
- Day 9 – Own goal
- Day 10 – Sucker punch
- Day 11 – Best third-place sides
- Day 12 – Rank outsider
- Day 16 – Whimper
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