der  Anschlusstreffer

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈanʃlʊsˌtʁɛfɐ/

🎯 What does 'der Anschlusstreffer' mean?

Der Anschlusstreffer is a term used in sports, especially football (soccer), for a goal scored by the team that is currently losing, which reduces the opponent's lead. It's essentially a goal that brings the scoreline 'closer together' or 're-establishes the connection' (der Anschluss = the connection). An Anschlusstreffer can increase the tension in the game and give the scoring team hope for an equalizer or even a win.

For example: If Team A is leading 2-0 and Team B scores a goal to make it 2-1, this goal is der Anschlusstreffer.

🚨 It is not an Ausgleichstreffer (equalizer goal) and usually not just an Ehrentreffer (consolation goal scored when the deficit is very large and insurmountable).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Anschlusstreffer

The word "Anschlusstreffer" is a masculine noun. The article is der.

Declension (Singular)

Declension (Plural)

📝 Example Sentences

• Kurz vor der Halbzeitpause fiel der erlösende Anschlusstreffer zum 1:2.
  (Shortly before halftime, the relieving Anschlusstreffer was scored, making it 1-2.)
• Mit dem Anschlusstreffer keimte neue Hoffnung bei den Fans auf.
  (With the Anschlusstreffer, new hope arose among the fans.)
• Der Stürmer bejubelte seinen wichtigen Anschlusstreffer.
  (The striker celebrated his important Anschlusstreffer.)
• Nach dem Anschlusstreffer drängte die Mannschaft auf den Ausgleich.
  (After the Anschlusstreffer, the team pushed for the equalizer.)

🗣️ Usage in Context

The term "der Anschlusstreffer" is used almost exclusively in a sports context, primarily in football (soccer), but also in other team sports like handball or ice hockey.

• Typical Situation: A team is trailing by at least two goals (e.g., 0-2, 1-3) and scores a goal to reduce the deficit (to 1-2, 2-3).
• Function: It signals a potential turning point in the match, increases excitement, and motivates the trailing team and their supporters.
• Distinction from other terms:
  • Ausgleichstreffer: Goal that levels the score (e.g., makes it 2-2).
  • Führungstreffer: Goal that puts a team in the lead (e.g., the 1-0 goal or the 3-2 goal after 2-2).
  • Ehrentreffer: Consolation goal scored when the deficit is large and the game is effectively decided (e.g., the 1-5 goal). In contrast, the Anschlusstreffer implies a realistic chance to still turn the game around.

🧠 Mnemonics

Article Mnemonic (der): Think of der player who scores der goal to make the vital connection (Anschluss). Goals/hits ('Treffer') are often associated with male agents ('he scored').

Meaning Mnemonic: Anschluss (connection, joining) + Treffer (hit, goal) = A goal that re-establishes the connection to the opponent's score, closing the gap.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different terms:

• Ehrentreffer: Consolation goal, scored when the game is already decided.
• Doppelpack / Hattrick: Two or three goals by one player in a match, regardless of the score's context.

😂 A Little Joke

(DE) Fragt der Trainer seine Mannschaft nach dem 0:3 zur Halbzeit: "Männer, was brauchen wir jetzt dringend?" Ruft der Stürmer: "Einen Anschlusstreffer!" Trainer: "Richtig! Und danach?" Stürmer: "Noch einen Anschlusstreffer!" Trainer: "Sehr gut! Und danach??" Stürmer: "Äh... den Ausgleichstreffer?" Trainer: "Nein! Danach brauchen wir dringend einen neuen Stürmer!"

(EN) The coach asks his team at halftime, down 0-3: "Men, what do we urgently need now?" The striker shouts: "An Anschlusstreffer!" Coach: "Correct! And after that?" Striker: "Another Anschlusstreffer!" Coach: "Very good! And after that??" Striker: "Uh... the equalizer?" Coach: "No! After that, we urgently need a new striker!"

📜 A Short Poem

(DE)
Zwei Tore hinten, die Zeit verrinnt,
die Hoffnung schwindet, kaum noch Wind.
Doch dann ein Pass, ein Schuss, ein Knall,
der Anschlusstreffer – Jubel überall!
Der Gegner wankt, das Spiel wird heiß,
vielleicht gelingt noch der Ausgleich – wer weiß?

(EN Translation)
Two goals behind, the time ticks low,
Hope starts to fade, winds cease to blow.
But then a pass, a shot, a crack,
The Anschlusstreffer – bringing hope back!
The foe now stumbles, the game's alight,
An equalizer still in sight?

❓ Riddle

(DE)
Ich falle oft, wenn Hoffnung schwand,
verkürze den Abstand, Hand in Hand.
Bin nicht der Ausgleich, nicht die Führung klar,
doch mache das Spiel wieder wunderbar spannend, fürwahr.

Was bin ich?

(EN)
I often arrive when hope seems lost,
Reducing the distance, whatever the cost.
I'm not the leveler, nor the goal that leads,
But I make the game thrilling, planting comeback seeds.

What am I?

Solution: Der Anschlusstreffer

🧩 Trivia & Word Composition

Word Composition:

The word "Anschlusstreffer" is a compound noun, made up of:

• Der Anschluss: Meaning here 'connection', 'catching up', 'reducing the gap'.
• Der Treffer: Meaning 'hit' or, in this context, 'goal' in sports.

Together, the meaning is: A goal that establishes a connection to the opponent's score or reduces the deficit.

Trivia: The psychological impact of an Anschlusstreffer, especially when scored just before halftime or late in the game, is often considered crucial and can shift the momentum significantly.