4 footballing terms which were named after players

#2 The Panenka Penalty

Antonin Panenka

If any footballing move underlines sheer chutzpah, it is the Panenka penalty kick, named after Czech footballer, Antonin Panenka.

Usually penalty-kicks are golden opportunities for scoring goals, and players want to score off them without much fuss. They usually tend to blast the ball past the goalkeeper to the top-corner of the net to ensure safety.

However, Panenka dared to think differently and chipped it over the diving goalkeeper to score a goal in Euro 1976. The goalkeeper was prepared for a more forceful shot, and could only watch helplessly as the ball floated over him and into goal.

In terms of sheer nerve and confidence, the Panenka penalty beats everything else. It might not be advisable for footballers, but is fun for spectators undoubtedly. Players like Zinedine Zidane, Andrea Pirlo, and Memphis Depay have scored from penalties by replicating the Panenka kick.