penalty
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penalty
In soccer, a penalty kick awarded as punishment for a serious foul in the penalty area. The ball is kicked from a spot that is eleven meters from the goal.
In der letzten Minute des Spiels gab der Schiedsrichter einen umstrittenen Elfmeter.
In the last minute of the game, the referee awarded a controversial penalty.
The word 'Elfmeter' (penalty) is made up of 'elf' (eleven) and 'Meter' (meter). It literally describes the distance from which the penalty kick is taken: the penalty spot is exactly eleven meters from the goal.
Der Ball liegt auf dem Elf-Meter-Punkt bereit.
The ball is ready on the penalty spot.
In soccer, there are fixed verbs used with 'Elfmeter' (penalty): the referee 'gibt' (awards) or 'pfeift' (calls) it. A player 'schießt' (takes/shoots) or 'verwandelt' (converts) it, and the goalkeeper 'hält' (saves) it.
Der Stürmer hat den entscheidenden Elfmeter sicher verwandelt.
The striker confidently converted the decisive penalty.
In colloquial language, especially in conversations about soccer, 'der Elfmeter' (the penalty) is often shortened to 'der Elfer' (the pen).
Das war ein klarer Elfer, der Schiri hätte pfeifen müssen!
That was a clear pen; the ref should have blown the whistle!
A related important term is 'das Elfmeterschießen' (penalty shootout). This is the method used to decide a match if it is still tied after extra time.
Deutschland hat das Finale im Elfmeterschießen gewonnen.
Germany won the final in a penalty shootout.
penalty
In soccer, Elfmeter and Penalty can refer to the same direct shot at goal after a rule violation. Elfmeter is clearly specific to soccer and to a shot from eleven meters. Penalty is broader and also refers to a direct chance to shoot at the goal in other sports, such as ice hockey.
Nach dem Foul im Strafraum verwandelt die Stürmerin den Elfmeter sicher.
After the foul in the penalty area, the striker confidently converts the penalty.
Nach dem Foul fährt die Eishockeyspielerin allein zum Penalty auf das Tor zu.
After the foul, the ice hockey player skates in alone to take the penalty shot.
