Do you speak football?

Amusing slang phrases used by Russian football fans.

Балабол /bahlah’bol/ football commentator.

Sounds similar to the English ‘blah blah blah’, so it is easy to guess the etymology of the word.

Судью на мыло /sood’yoo nah ‘mylah/

An expression of dissatisfaction with a referee’s job or decision. Literally, it means ‘referee to soap’.

Кузьмич /kuz’mich/

A loyal grown-up fan who does not actively participate in fans’ events and activities.

Горчичник /gahr’chichnik/ yellow card

Literal translation is mustard plaster!

Шведка/’shvetkah/ outer side of the foot

Девятка /di’vahtkah/

A slang word for upper left and right corners of the football goal post. Literal translation is ‘a nine’.

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