Football Language: Old Big Ears

In this short football language post, we explain the meaning of the phrase, ‘Old Big Ears’. This is a phrase used to talk about a famous trophy. If you have questions or comments, email us at: admin@languagecaster.com.

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This is the nickname for the Cup that is awarded to the Champions League winners, formerly the old European Cup. The handles of the trophy are very large and curve up making the shape of ears, hence the name Old Big Ears. Before 2009, if a club had won Old Big Ears five times, they got to keep the original and a new one was made. Now, the original is always kept by UEFA and a replica, that’s a copy, is given to the winning team.

Example: For the Blaugrana (Barcelona), it has been a joyride over the last decade in which they have lifted the ‘Big Ears’ (as the Champions League trophy is famously called by fans) three times. (New York Times 6 June 2015).

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