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Juan Mata Manchester Utd

Podcast 24

Podcast 24

Premier League badge.

In this week's podcast, Jack and Rich talk about superstitions and strange pre-match routines that both Premier League players and fans have. The language focus is conditional sentences and we have a new riddle in our 'What's my Team?' competition.

How to enter the competition?

  1. Press play on the podcast below

  2. Listen to Sophie, who is this week's Premier League fan.

  3. Guess Sophie's favourite team.

  4. Write your answer in the comments section at the bottom of this page.

  5. If you are not logged in or a registered member, you can register for free in the top right corner 

How much did you understand?

In this podcast, Rich and Jack spoke about superstitions, luck and beliefs. Try the activities below to see how much you learned:
 

"The Liverpool players believe in their new manager."

"We’re going to speak about some of the things that Premier League footballers do to bring them luck."

Activity 1: In this activity, match the words from the podcast to the correct definition.
Were any of the words we used in the podcast new for you?
 

Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge has a strange pre-match routine - he always walks onto the pitch backwards!

In the podcast, Jack and Rich used different conditional sentences. Have a look at the sentences and activities below to help you understand. If you want to know more, take a look at the grammar pages on our Learn English website.

"When Manchester Utd’s Juan Mata gets ready for the match, he always  puts on his left boot first and walks on the pitch with his right foot."

"If they don’t do their pre-match routines, they will have bad luck or their team will lose."

Activity 2: In the podcast, Rich and Jack used a few conditional sentences. Have a look at the activity and see if you can match the parts of each sentence together.
How well do you know your conditionals?
 

Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's superstitions include hopping before he comes onto the pitch. 

If the listening was a bit difficult, you can listen again and read the transcript at the same time.
Listen to the podcast and read at the same time.

Jack: Hello my name’s Jack and welcome to this week’s Premier Skills English podcast.

Rich: Hi everyone. I’m Rich and every week we talk about football and help you with your English.

Jack: This week, we’re going to talk about some strange routines called superstitions, the language focus is conditional sentences and later Rich will make another Premier League prediction.

Rich: And you have another chance to win a Samsung Galaxy tablet in our ‘What’s my Team?’ competition.

Jack: What was the answer to last week’s riddle Rich?

Rich: Ah, yes. Last week it was Kingsley ... his favourite Premier League team is Watford.

Jack: We had lots of correct entries so congratulations to everybody who got it right. I think this one was a little more difficult and we probably had a few people googling Elton John’s favourite team or the club whose nickname is the Hornets.  

Rich: Yes, most clubs have a few famous fans. Did you know that Prince William was an Aston Villa fan, that Sylvester Stallone was an Everton fan or Usain Bolt a Man Utd fan? 

Jack: I didn’t know about Sylvester Stallone, no. 

Rich: We have selected a winner at random from the correct answers...

Jack: and the sixth winner of the What’s my team? competition is Haydi a Newcastle Utd fan from Tunisia. Congratulations Haydi, we’ll be in contact with you this week.

Rich: Well done Haydi! Later on in the podcast, you can listen to this week’s What’s my team riddle. 


Jack: Last week, you made a prediction about the Chelsea - Liverpool match. How did you do this time?

Rich: I know, I was wrong again, but this time I was happy I was wrong because Liverpool got a fantastic 3 points and Jurgen Klopp got his first Premier League win as Liverpool boss.

Jack: You should really support your team a bit more Rich. A few of our listeners actually predicted a Liverpool win.

Rich: Well done to Mkoriev and Ruslanjon from Uzbekistan, GalaUA and Alex from Ukraine, Wutyee Nandar from Myanmar, Verdmead96 from Poland and August1994 from Iran.

Jack: Most people predicted a Chelsea win or a draw like Rich, so congratulations to you!

Rich: Last week we spoke about some expressions that use ‘run’  and it was great to see some of you using these expressions in your comments.

Jack: For example, we learnt that football runs in Ayan Red Devil’s family.

Rich: And sport also runs in Natka’s family from Russia, but it’s not football, it’s cycling.

Jack: And moving away from sport; teaching runs in Nyinyi’s family in Myanmar and also in Rafael24’s family in Ecuador.

Rich: We also had a great comment from Besian in Kosovo. He wants to know if we can send the competition winner’s email after posting the podcast.

Jack: He thinks this will make the announcement more exciting because nobody will know if they have won or not!

Rich: Besian - we think you are right so from now we will only send the winner the email 24 hours after the podcast has been posted!

Jack: Sorry if we haven’t had time to mention your comment, but please continue to write to us with any your comments or questions and we’ll get back to you.


Jack: Last weekend there was a big win for Arsenal, Manchester City got a last minute winner against Norwich and Leicester City continued their amazing season with a 3-2 win away at West Brom. 

Rich: Do you know that Leicester striker, Jamie Vardy, has scored in 8 consecutive Premier League matches. Only Ruud van Nistelrooy, who scored in 10, has ever done this in the Premier League.

Jack: He must be wearing his lucky boots!

Rich: I’m not so sure it’s luck. Luck is when good things happen to you by chance, I think it’s Jamie Vardy’s hard work and talent that means he’s the Premier League’s top scorer.

Jack: You’re probably right, but today we’re going to speak about some of the things that Premier League footballers do to bring them luck. These  things are sometimes called superstitions.

Rich: A superstition is a belief in a supernatural cause, something that can’t be explained by science.

Jack: And if you believe in superstitions, you are superstitious. Superstitious people might wear certain colours or have a lucky number because they believe it brings them luck.  Lots of Premier League players believe in superstitions and do special things before the match to bring them luck.

Rich: And sometimes these superstitions become part of a routine - and sometimes they can seem a bit strange

Jack: Did you know that Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge always walks on the pitch backwards at the beginning of the match?

Rich: I did know that yes. It’s a superstition and he believes it brings him good luck. When Manchester Utd’s Juan Mata gets ready for the match, he always puts on his left boot first and walks on the pitch with his right foot.

Jack: Jack Grealish at Aston Villa always wears his socks rolled down, and Kolo Toure at Liverpool is always the last on to the pitch.

Rich: Once when he was at Arsenal, Toure’s teammate, William Gallas, was getting some treatment from the physio at half-time. Toure waited for Gallas because he wanted to be the last on the pitch. When they got to the pitch they realised they were late and Toure was given a yellow card for walking on the pitch without the referee’s permission.

Jack: But some players might take their superstition too far. Arsenal’s Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain says before he comes on the pitch he hops three times on his left leg, then does two small hops followed by one big hop. He says he doesn't know why he does it but he does it every time. 

Rich: So superstitions don’t always bring good luck and sometimes they can seem a little strange, but it’s not only players that have superstitions, fans are often very superstitious, too.

Jack: Clothes are a common superstition. I’ve met fans who have lucky T-shirts, socks and even pants! If they’re not wearing their lucky clothes, their team will certainly lose.

Rich:  And if you’re watching the match at home, I’ve heard of some fans who always sit in the same chair and in the same position.

Jack: When we were talking about the players’ superstitions we used a lot of conditional sentences.

Rich: For example, I said earlier; “When Manchester Utd’s Juan Mata gets ready for the match, he always  puts on his left boot first and walks on the pitch with his right foot.”

Jack: This is an example of the zero conditional and is used when something is always true.

Rich: Let’s look at another example - the players believe that if they don’t do their pre-match routines, they will have bad luck or their team will lose.

Jack: This is an example of the first conditional which we use for situations that are possible to happen in the future.

Rich: If you want to learn more about different conditional sentences, there are some activities below and there is also a link to our Learn English website on the right of the page.

Jack: If you have any match day superstitions or routines, we would love to hear them!

Rich: Right, I think it’s time for this week’s competition: ‘What’s my Team?’


Rich: Here is what you have to do. Listen to a Premier League fan, who will talk about their favourite team and then write the name of the team  in the comments section on the Premier Skills English website.
  
Jack: And for each of the 20 podcast competitions the lucky winner will receive a fantastic Samsung Galaxy Tablet. We wish you the best of luck!
 
Rich: Right, so this week, our Premier League fan is Sophie. Listen to Sophie’s riddle and try to work out what’s her team?

Sophie: We had a great season last year and surprised a lot of Premier League teams - we even qualified for Europe! We were the only Premier League team on the south coast of England until Bournemouth got promoted last season. This has created a bit of a rivalry but we love the competitive spirit! Come on you Saints!

Jack: Shall we give everyone a clue? Well, they won their local derby last weekend so I’m sure Sophie is very happy this week. Now, it’s time for your prediction Rich. Let’s see if you can improve on your recent predictions!


Rich: The big match this weekend is the North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. Arsenal are doing well at the moment and have won their last five Premier League matches, scoring 16 goals. And if Arsenal win, they can go back to the top of table. They’ve also already beaten Spurs this season - in the League Cup. Tottenham are doing pretty well but unless Harry Kane has a fantastic game I can’t see them winning at  the Emirates Stadium. Final score: Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham. 

Jack: Thanks a lot Rich! Predicting an Arsenal win, means Spurs will definitely win this weekend! If you’ve got a prediction for these matches let us know in the comments section below.

Rich: That’s it for today - we’ve run out of time! Thanks for listening. And don’t forget to write your answers to the competition, and any questions you have about the website or football English in the comments below.

Jack: Don’t forget if you sign in, you can score points to see if you can get your club, your country and your name to the top of our leaderboard.

Rich:  Bye for now and enjoy your football.

 

The answer to last week's 'What's my Team?' competiton was Watford. Congratulations Haydi from Tunisia! Your prize is on its way!

Quiz

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What do you think?

Rich and Jack spoke about some strange pre-match routines or superstitions that Premier League players have.
Which player has the strangest superstition?
Do people in your country have superstitions?
Do you do anything to bring your team luck?
 
Rich predicts that Arsenal will beat Tottenham 3-1 in the North London Derby. Do you agree?
 

Remember to write your competition answers in the comments section below. Good luck!

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Comments

gil_foot
08/09/2022
FR
566
points

I wear my jersey's team to bring them luck :)


gil_foot
08/09/2022 15:47
France
Arsenal
566

I wear my jersey's team to bring them luck :)

gil_foot
08/09/2022
FR
566
points

Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain has the strangest superstition compared to other players.


gil_foot
08/09/2022 15:46
France
Arsenal
566

Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain has the strangest superstition compared to other players.

gil_foot
08/09/2022
FR
566
points

Sophie's favorite team is Southampton :)


gil_foot
08/09/2022 15:45
France
Arsenal
566

Sophie's favorite team is Southampton :)

hsn's picture
hsn
11/06/2021
TR
5560
points

WHAT DO YOU THINK?
1- Jack Grealish
2-Some of people generally women-:) have superstitions in my country. For instance; when you want a scissor, people put it on a thing close you instead of giving it to your hand.
3- I'm not superstitious person-:) When humans weren't able to describe things that happens, superstitious comes true.Only hard work and dedication bring us “luck”. When something happens by "luck" I believe that it's a prize from our creator even in the football.
Sophie’sTeam—SOUTHAMPTON
PHRASE
• Hopping exercises give sense of balance and improve legs calves.
P.S.
• In my opinion science can explain everything which happens in the nature. Only time is needed for this.


hsn's picture
hsn
11/06/2021 10:15
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5560

WHAT DO YOU THINK?
1- Jack Grealish
2-Some of people generally women-:) have superstitions in my country. For instance; when you want a scissor, people put it on a thing close you instead of giving it to your hand.
3- I'm not superstitious person-:) When humans weren't able to describe things that happens, superstitious comes true.Only hard work and dedication bring us “luck”. When something happens by "luck" I believe that it's a prize from our creator even in the football.
Sophie’sTeam—SOUTHAMPTON
PHRASE
• Hopping exercises give sense of balance and improve legs calves.
P.S.
• In my opinion science can explain everything which happens in the nature. Only time is needed for this.

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
16/07/2020
UA
6578
points

I have got a very strange but, it seems, gainful superstition : strong will, faith and perseverance are always going to bring a man good luck. :-)


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
16/07/2020 04:40
Ukraine
Liverpool
6578

I have got a very strange but, it seems, gainful superstition : strong will, faith and perseverance are always going to bring a man good luck. :-)

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
16/07/2020
UA
6578
points

The strangest superstition here in Ukraine might be knocking a wooden thing to get a result. I myself do this at times.


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
16/07/2020 03:30
Ukraine
Liverpool
6578

The strangest superstition here in Ukraine might be knocking a wooden thing to get a result. I myself do this at times.

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
16/07/2020
UA
6578
points

The Liverpool players believed in their new manager not in vain.


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
16/07/2020 03:23
Ukraine
Liverpool
6578

The Liverpool players believed in their new manager not in vain.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
06/05/2020
TR
6539
points

Sophie's favourite team is Southampton and the clue was the Saints :)


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
06/05/2020 08:19
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

Sophie's favourite team is Southampton and the clue was the Saints :)

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
06/05/2020
TR
6539
points

Arsenal is always better than Spurs but I thought it was going to be a draw


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
06/05/2020 08:18
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

Arsenal is always better than Spurs but I thought it was going to be a draw

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
06/05/2020
TR
6539
points

I always wear my United shirt with my lucky number 7 at the back when I watch the games at home :)
That brings luck


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
06/05/2020 08:17
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

I always wear my United shirt with my lucky number 7 at the back when I watch the games at home :)
That brings luck

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
06/05/2020
TR
6539
points

I think every country have their superstitions


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
06/05/2020 08:16
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

I think every country have their superstitions

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
06/05/2020
TR
6539
points

Daniel Sturridge because it doesn't make any sense lol
And Kolo Toure who got a silly yellow card


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
06/05/2020 08:15
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

Daniel Sturridge because it doesn't make any sense lol
And Kolo Toure who got a silly yellow card

englishman
26/08/2019
DZ
1734
points

ok


englishman
26/08/2019 13:40
Algeria
Manchester City
1734

ok

englishman
26/08/2019
DZ
1734
points

ok


englishman
26/08/2019 13:39
Algeria
Manchester City
1734

ok

wsanta's picture
wsanta
08/05/2019
AR
5086
points

My superstition in football is when my team is being attacked I make the sign of the horns in both hands so I muffle (i want to say "mufo") to the rival


wsanta's picture
wsanta
08/05/2019 13:01
Argentina
Leeds United
5086

My superstition in football is when my team is being attacked I make the sign of the horns in both hands so I muffle (i want to say "mufo") to the rival

Fabiola Saldaña
19/03/2019
MX
8
points

Nice activities ;)


Fabiola Saldaña
19/03/2019 14:49
Mexico
Manchester United
8

Nice activities ;)

evearleth27
19/03/2019
MX
10
points

The team Premier League badge is the principals in the competition, therefore is my favorite, i feel that will win.


evearleth27
19/03/2019 14:47
Mexico
Manchester United
10

The team Premier League badge is the principals in the competition, therefore is my favorite, i feel that will win.

abigail780
19/03/2019
MX
2
points

The team Premier League badge is the principals in the competition, therefore is my favorite, i feel that will win.


abigail780
19/03/2019 14:16
Mexico
Leicester City
2

The team Premier League badge is the principals in the competition, therefore is my favorite, i feel that will win.

Emilio el guapo
19/03/2019
MX
3
points

I feel, the Arsenal is the best british soccer team!!!


Emilio el guapo
19/03/2019 14:16
Mexico
Arsenal
3

I feel, the Arsenal is the best british soccer team!!!

Joshua Almeida
05/12/2018
IN
22
points

Sophie's favorite team is Southampton F.c.
Juan Mata, Kolo toure have strange superstitions.
I live in India, so yes superstition is quite a thing here.
I do pray during the lineup and while entering the pitch i do jump like C.Ronaldo
Don't agree to Rich's scoreline or the prediction, it's a tottnham win.


Joshua Almeida
05/12/2018 08:22
India
Manchester United
22

Sophie's favorite team is Southampton F.c.
Juan Mata, Kolo toure have strange superstitions.
I live in India, so yes superstition is quite a thing here.
I do pray during the lineup and while entering the pitch i do jump like C.Ronaldo
Don't agree to Rich's scoreline or the prediction, it's a tottnham win.

MES's picture
MES
31/01/2017
AM
684
points

I must be more attentive the next time


MES's picture
MES
31/01/2017 17:09
Armenia
Manchester United
684

I must be more attentive the next time

MES's picture
MES
31/01/2017
AM
684
points

oh no, something went wrong this time


MES's picture
MES
31/01/2017 17:07
Armenia
Manchester United
684

oh no, something went wrong this time

kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
26/07/2016
GH
4779
points

I really don't do anything to bring my team luck
We play our best and hope for the best


kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
26/07/2016 11:09
Ghana
Manchester United
4779

I really don't do anything to bring my team luck
We play our best and hope for the best

kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
26/07/2016
GH
4779
points

Yes people have wired superstitious beliefs in handkerchiefs tied around their arms or on their legs


kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
26/07/2016 11:08
Ghana
Manchester United
4779

Yes people have wired superstitious beliefs in handkerchiefs tied around their arms or on their legs

kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
26/07/2016
GH
4779
points

Chamberlain


kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
26/07/2016 11:05
Ghana
Manchester United
4779

Chamberlain

HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
02/03/2016
TR
1761
points

kolo toure
yes
yes I wear white shirt.


HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
02/03/2016 22:41
Turkey
Leicester City
1761

kolo toure
yes
yes I wear white shirt.

haydi's picture
haydi
12/02/2016
TN
3189
points

Hi Rich, Jack, I’m focusing on responding questions and doing grammar exercises in each podcast, I have just notice that for the sixth question (Who does Jack think will win the North London Derby?), the response is (Spurs), but when listening to conversation, I see that Rich predicted a Final score: Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham.
It’s just a mistake, or it’s me who did not understand ?


haydi's picture
haydi
12/02/2016 19:08
Tunisia
Newcastle United
3189

Hi Rich, Jack, I’m focusing on responding questions and doing grammar exercises in each podcast, I have just notice that for the sixth question (Who does Jack think will win the North London Derby?), the response is (Spurs), but when listening to conversation, I see that Rich predicted a Final score: Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham.
It’s just a mistake, or it’s me who did not understand ?

admin's picture
admin
12/02/2016
GB
560
points

Hi Haydi

It's a little complicated. You see, I think that Rich is very bad at making predictions. Usually, he gets it wrong. So when he predicted an Arsenal win, I responded that meant Spurs would probably win. My prediction was that Rich would be wrong, and as an Arsenal fan, I was a little upset with Rich.

Well done for working your way through the materials - you have a great attitude.

Thanks

Jack 


admin's picture
admin
12/02/2016 23:24
United Kingdom
Arsenal
560

Hi Haydi

It's a little complicated. You see, I think that Rich is very bad at making predictions. Usually, he gets it wrong. So when he predicted an Arsenal win, I responded that meant Spurs would probably win. My prediction was that Rich would be wrong, and as an Arsenal fan, I was a little upset with Rich.

Well done for working your way through the materials - you have a great attitude.

Thanks

Jack 

haydi's picture
haydi
13/02/2016
TN
3189
points

thank you a lot Jack, I see now. Yes, I'm working hard and I aim to pass IELTS exam, may be, one day!


haydi's picture
haydi
13/02/2016 11:26
Tunisia
Newcastle United
3189

thank you a lot Jack, I see now. Yes, I'm working hard and I aim to pass IELTS exam, may be, one day!

assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
05/01/2016
PS
3705
points

No,i do not because every thing is a destiny.I do not belief that there is called luck.


assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
05/01/2016 18:41
Palestinian Territory
Liverpool
3705

No,i do not because every thing is a destiny.I do not belief that there is called luck.

michelterzikhan's picture
michelterzikhan
20/11/2015
AM
615
points

Saints are Tottenham


michelterzikhan's picture
michelterzikhan
20/11/2015 16:05
Armenia
Chelsea
615

Saints are Tottenham

ANTONIO CONTRERAS
12/11/2015
PT
29
points

I think Daniel sturridge has the strrangest superstition.I don`t know any people in my country that have superstitions.I think, sometimes ,if I,m go for a walk , when I come back ,our team won.


ANTONIO CONTRERAS
12/11/2015 16:19
Portugal
Arsenal
29

I think Daniel sturridge has the strrangest superstition.I don`t know any people in my country that have superstitions.I think, sometimes ,if I,m go for a walk , when I come back ,our team won.

Rich's picture
Rich
12/11/2015
ES
594
points

Welcome to Premier Skills English Antonio! You are the first learner to score points for Angola!! Rich - The Premier Skills English Team


Rich's picture
Rich
12/11/2015 16:45
Spain
Liverpool
594

Welcome to Premier Skills English Antonio! You are the first learner to score points for Angola!! Rich - The Premier Skills English Team

Desada
10/11/2015
AL
1
points

Sophie's favourite team is Southampton.
Good luck guys!!*-*


Desada
10/11/2015 17:24
Albania
Chelsea
1

Sophie's favourite team is Southampton.
Good luck guys!!*-*

gunner_uz
09/11/2015
UZ
108
points

The competition answer is supposedly Southampto!


gunner_uz
09/11/2015 20:48
Uzbekistan
Arsenal
108

The competition answer is supposedly Southampto!

Ana1's picture
Ana1
09/11/2015
RS
82
points

Saints is nickname for Southampton .


Ana1's picture
Ana1
09/11/2015 17:18
Serbia
Manchester United
82

Saints is nickname for Southampton .

Ivan Nak
08/11/2015
MK
60
points

Southampton F.C. is my answer of this week competition.
"Go Saints ". Hope that "Saints" will bring me luck this week and win this awesome competition.
You are giving me a chance to win something that I can not afford to buy.
Thanks for all what you are doing for football fans.


Ivan Nak
08/11/2015 21:33
Macedonia
Manchester City
60

Southampton F.C. is my answer of this week competition.
"Go Saints ". Hope that "Saints" will bring me luck this week and win this awesome competition.
You are giving me a chance to win something that I can not afford to buy.
Thanks for all what you are doing for football fans.

Rich's picture
Rich
12/11/2015
ES
594
points

Thanks for your message of support Ivan! Rich - The Premier Skills English Team


Rich's picture
Rich
12/11/2015 08:25
Spain
Liverpool
594

Thanks for your message of support Ivan! Rich - The Premier Skills English Team

Dusan.K's picture
Dusan.K
08/11/2015
MK
14
points

'What's my Team?' competition answer is: Southampton F.C.


Dusan.K's picture
Dusan.K
08/11/2015 19:09
Macedonia
Sunderland
14

'What's my Team?' competition answer is: Southampton F.C.

Abdallah
08/11/2015
KW
1814
points

Good goal Kane :)


Abdallah
08/11/2015 16:44
Kuwait
Chelsea
1814

Good goal Kane :)

Oshani's picture
Oshani
08/11/2015
LK
1
points

Sophie's favourite team is Southhampton.


Oshani's picture
Oshani
08/11/2015 15:33
Sri Lanka
Newcastle United
1

Sophie's favourite team is Southhampton.

VerdMead96's picture
VerdMead96
08/11/2015
PL
146
points

Congratulations, Haydi! From players mentioned in the podcast I think that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has the strangest superstition. Talking about other superstitions, during the 1998 FIFA World Cup Laurent Blanc had a strange ritual of kissing Fabien Barthez's head just before the kick-off. He believed that it would bring his team luck and I would say it actually worked because France won the trophy. Later he was also doing it while playing for Man Utd. In Poland we have some superstitions as well. For instance when you see a chminey sweep you have to grasp one of your buttons because it is believed to bring you good luck. We are also very superstitious about the number 13, especially Friday the 13th, which is believed to bring bad luck. Currently I'm a student and superstitions are also popular among us. Plenty of us fold the last page of our index books since it is believed to protect us from giving up or being expelled from the university. To bring my team luck I usually wear United's jersey or scarf during a match. I agree with Rich's prediction, both teams play attractive and effective football but for now Arsenal is just too strong for Spurs.


VerdMead96's picture
VerdMead96
08/11/2015 14:18
Poland
Manchester United
146

Congratulations, Haydi! From players mentioned in the podcast I think that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has the strangest superstition. Talking about other superstitions, during the 1998 FIFA World Cup Laurent Blanc had a strange ritual of kissing Fabien Barthez's head just before the kick-off. He believed that it would bring his team luck and I would say it actually worked because France won the trophy. Later he was also doing it while playing for Man Utd. In Poland we have some superstitions as well. For instance when you see a chminey sweep you have to grasp one of your buttons because it is believed to bring you good luck. We are also very superstitious about the number 13, especially Friday the 13th, which is believed to bring bad luck. Currently I'm a student and superstitions are also popular among us. Plenty of us fold the last page of our index books since it is believed to protect us from giving up or being expelled from the university. To bring my team luck I usually wear United's jersey or scarf during a match. I agree with Rich's prediction, both teams play attractive and effective football but for now Arsenal is just too strong for Spurs.

haydi's picture
haydi
15/11/2015
TN
3189
points

thank you VerdMead96.


haydi's picture
haydi
15/11/2015 20:43
Tunisia
Newcastle United
3189

thank you VerdMead96.

Rema's picture
Rema
09/11/2015
RS
538
points

I can remember that ritual between Blanc and Barthez. I can add one more superstision to Blanc: before the matches he used to listen to Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.” Also I found that John Terry has a lot of superstisions(always sits in the same place on the bus, always listens to the same CD en route to the stadium, and he always ties a band three times on his socks). Paul Ince had a similar superstision with Kolo Ture, he was always the last guy to leave the locker room. We can see uncountable much examples of superstitious players and managers but one of this superstitions really caught my eye. Management team at the Zimbabwe club Midland Portland Cement told their squad to bathe in the Zambezi river near Victoria Falls with intention to “cleanse the team of bad spirits”. Swimming on that place is banned due to it’s strong currents and the little matter of it being heavily populated by hippos and crocodiles. Some 16 players went into the river, but sadly only 15 came out, as one of the players disappeared and was thought to have drowned. (according to http://bleacherreport.com/).
I saw here in comments that we have in Serbia a lot of similar superstitions with foreign countries and I wonder who are innovators of this superstitions?


Rema's picture
Rema
09/11/2015 21:01
Serbia
West Ham United
538

I can remember that ritual between Blanc and Barthez. I can add one more superstision to Blanc: before the matches he used to listen to Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.” Also I found that John Terry has a lot of superstisions(always sits in the same place on the bus, always listens to the same CD en route to the stadium, and he always ties a band three times on his socks). Paul Ince had a similar superstision with Kolo Ture, he was always the last guy to leave the locker room. We can see uncountable much examples of superstitious players and managers but one of this superstitions really caught my eye. Management team at the Zimbabwe club Midland Portland Cement told their squad to bathe in the Zambezi river near Victoria Falls with intention to “cleanse the team of bad spirits”. Swimming on that place is banned due to it’s strong currents and the little matter of it being heavily populated by hippos and crocodiles. Some 16 players went into the river, but sadly only 15 came out, as one of the players disappeared and was thought to have drowned. (according to http://bleacherreport.com/).
I saw here in comments that we have in Serbia a lot of similar superstitions with foreign countries and I wonder who are innovators of this superstitions?

Natka
10/11/2015
RU
279
points

Rema! What a horror story you've told. A lot of superstitions people have, I am too sometimes superstitious but to bath in a river with crocodiles.....? It's a crime, isn't it?


Natka
10/11/2015 16:06
Russia
Chelsea
279

Rema! What a horror story you've told. A lot of superstitions people have, I am too sometimes superstitious but to bath in a river with crocodiles.....? It's a crime, isn't it?

Rema's picture
Rema
10/11/2015
RS
538
points

Hi Natka- I'm sorry if I scared you. For me that's certainly a crime and at least one bizarre story(or like you said horror story) , but I don't know anything about Zimbabwe's law so I can't judge in this case ;)


Rema's picture
Rema
10/11/2015 23:32
Serbia
West Ham United
538

Hi Natka- I'm sorry if I scared you. For me that's certainly a crime and at least one bizarre story(or like you said horror story) , but I don't know anything about Zimbabwe's law so I can't judge in this case ;)

louma
08/11/2015
DZ
6
points

i think that Jach Gealish has the strangest superstition because it is wierd to a football player who doesn't pull his socks up for example in our coutry Algeria many footbalers have a superstitions of calling someone presious to their heart just before the game for example mothers,rothers,wives,children...and if my team plays i will do my est to bring them luck just with prayers and supponting them;also Rich predicts that Arsenal will beat Tottenham3-1 in the North London Derby yes i do agree with him.


louma
08/11/2015 13:58
Algeria
Chelsea
6

i think that Jach Gealish has the strangest superstition because it is wierd to a football player who doesn't pull his socks up for example in our coutry Algeria many footbalers have a superstitions of calling someone presious to their heart just before the game for example mothers,rothers,wives,children...and if my team plays i will do my est to bring them luck just with prayers and supponting them;also Rich predicts that Arsenal will beat Tottenham3-1 in the North London Derby yes i do agree with him.

nyinyi's picture
nyinyi
08/11/2015
MM
257
points

Kolo Toure has the strangest superstitions.
I haven't anything yet.But I noticed my friends who are Man-U's fans that they never wore team's jarsey when we watch our team's match. They told me if they wore our team would be lost.


nyinyi's picture
nyinyi
08/11/2015 13:51
Myanmar
Manchester United
257

Kolo Toure has the strangest superstitions.
I haven't anything yet.But I noticed my friends who are Man-U's fans that they never wore team's jarsey when we watch our team's match. They told me if they wore our team would be lost.

Rema's picture
Rema
08/11/2015
RS
538
points

I watched some match facts: 'Tottenham have only won once at Arsenal in 25 matches in all competitions since May 1993 (D9, L15).' I think this time will be draw 2:2. Also, for me is interesting the story how Jack concludes that the Spurs going to win :)


Rema's picture
Rema
08/11/2015 13:41
Serbia
West Ham United
538

I watched some match facts: 'Tottenham have only won once at Arsenal in 25 matches in all competitions since May 1993 (D9, L15).' I think this time will be draw 2:2. Also, for me is interesting the story how Jack concludes that the Spurs going to win :)

Sher Zada's picture
Sher Zada
08/11/2015
PK
87
points

Arsenal


Sher Zada's picture
Sher Zada
08/11/2015 05:02
Pakistan
Norwich City
87

Arsenal

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1Alex_from_Ukraine6578
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Goals

Practise your listening skills.

Learn some new football vocabulary. 

Practise some conditional sentences.