Synonymous with British culture itself, many international sports such as football (soccer), rugby, cricket and many others can trace their roots back to the UK before they were exported to all corners of the world.
One of the most iconic soccer fixtures, England versus Germany, will take place tomorrow as part of the European Championships. Originating in the 1930s, this rivalry puts national pride at stake while bringing supporters of both teams together and each country to a standstill.
A source of national pride
Historically, the first game of football was recorded by William Fitzstephen during his visit to London in 1170. The sport then continued to grow in popularity with the first organized official football club being founded in Sheffield, South Yorkshire in 1857 – there are now over 40,000 registered football clubs in England to date!
The first official international match took place in 1872 between England and Scotland signalling the dawn of the modern game adored by millions worldwide. The rest is history.
Get involved
Soccer lingo isn’t always easy – we’ve hand-picked some common terms below to help you keep up with your new friends at the pub:
Back-of-the-net: A commentator favorite to describe the ball crossing the line and hugging the net, in other words, a goal.
Bicycle kick: The movement by a player where they jump up, throw both feet in the air and hit the ball in a pedaling motion to send the ball in the opposite direction they’re facing. Also known as the overhead kick.
Boot it: An instruction given by the teammates of a player for them to kick the ball with full power to get it away.
Box-to-box player: A player that can successfully play both sides (defensive and offensive) of the game.
Brace: A word to describe the achievement of a player that scores two goals in one game. “Scoring a brace” is the way to go when using it in a sentence.
Class act: A player/manager that deserves praise especially with their attitude and manners off the field.
Need more help? Here’s a handy guide.
This sport might now be enjoyed across the globe but in the UK, arguably more than anywhere else, soccer is considered to be much, much more than a pastime. So if you’re ever struggling to meet friends – simply choose a team to support, head to your local pub and soak in the unique atmosphere only a soccer match can create!
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