defender
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defender
A player in a team sport such as soccer or handball whose main task is to prevent attacks by the opposing team and defend their own goal.
Der Abwehrspieler konnte den Schuss des Stürmers im letzten Moment blocken.
The defender was able to block the striker's shot at the last moment.
The word is transparently composed of 'Abwehr' (defense) and 'Spieler' (player). So it is literally a player who is responsible for defense.
Ein guter Abwehrspieler muss schnell und zweikampfstark sein.
A good defender has to be fast and strong in one-on-one challenges.
The first part of the word, 'die Abwehr' (the defense), is derived from the verb 'abwehren' (to fend off). This verb means to stop or push back an attack or a danger.
Die Mannschaft konnte den Angriff erfolgreich abwehren.
The team was able to fend off the attack successfully.
Typical actions of a defender are described with verbs and phrases such as 'einen Angriff stoppen' (to stop an attack), 'den Gegner blocken' (to block the opponent), 'den Ball erobern' (to win the ball), or 'eine Grätsche machen' (to make a sliding tackle).
Der Abwehrspieler eroberte den Ball und leitete einen Gegenangriff ein.
The defender won the ball and launched a counterattack.
defender / defense attorney
'der Verteidiger' and 'der Abwehrspieler' often mean the same role in sports: a player who stops the opponent's attacks and protects their own goal. 'Verteidiger' is especially common in soccer. 'Abwehrspieler' is a bit more descriptive and makes the task directly clear. In many sports situations, you can use both words interchangeably, as long as you are not talking about the other meanings of 'Verteidiger', for example in court.
Der Abwehrspieler klärte den Ball, bevor der Stürmer schießen konnte.
The defender cleared the ball before the striker could shoot.
Am Samstag fehlte der wichtigste Verteidiger der Mannschaft.
On Saturday, the team's most important defender was missing.