European Cup
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European Cup
An international competition for club teams from different European countries in a particular sport, especially in football.
Die Mannschaft hat sich dieses Jahr für den Europapokal qualifiziert.
The team qualified for the European Cup this year.
The word is simple in structure: it consists of 'Europa' (Europe) and 'der Pokal' (a cup-shaped trophy). So it literally means 'Europe trophy' or 'competition for the Europe trophy.'
Ein Pokal ist eine Trophäe für den Sieger eines Wettbewerbs.
A cup is a trophy for the winner of a competition.
The verb tells you whether the competition or the trophy is meant. Verbs like 'teilnehmen' (to take part) or 'sich qualifizieren' (to qualify) refer to the competition. Verbs like 'gewinnen' (to win), 'hochheben' (to lift up), or 'überreichen' (to present) refer to the trophy.
Die Mannschaft spielt heute Abend im Europapokal.
The team is playing in the European Cup tonight.
In the context of the competition, the word is often used with prepositions that express participation or qualification: 'im Europapokal spielen' (to play in the European Cup), 'sich für den Europapokal qualifizieren' (to qualify for the European Cup), or 'am Europapokal teilnehmen' (to take part in the European Cup).
Der Verein hat sich zum ersten Mal für den Europapokal qualifiziert.
The club has qualified for the European Cup for the first time.
cup / trophy
'Pokal' and 'Europapokal' can both mean a sports competition or the trophy for the winner. 'Pokal' is general: it can be a prize in many competitions, or the competition itself. 'Europapokal' is more specific: it means an international club competition in Europe or the trophy for it, especially in football. Learners may confuse the words because in both cases a 'Pokal' is won. If the competition is not explicitly European and international, simply say 'Pokal'.
Der Verein träumt davon, in dieser Saison den Europapokal zu gewinnen.
The club dreams of winning the European Cup this season.
Nach dem Turnier hielt die Mannschaft stolz den Pokal in die Höhe.
After the tournament, the team proudly held the trophy up in the air.