Fölmli tries a Madjer at Switzerland-Finland

Svenja Fölmli attempted a technical gesture as difficult as it is audacious Thursday against Finland (1-1): a Madjer. Here is where his name comes from.

The Swiss team has perfectly started its decisive group match against Finland on Thursday evening in Geneva. The Helvetians have clearly dominated the first 25 minutes, before giving in the field. In this start of the meeting, they had several opportunities to open the scoring. Including one on a brilliant inspiration from the attacker Svenja Fölmli, in the 13th minute. We rewind.

The omnipresent Iman Beney overflows on his right side and manages to focus on Fölmli, in the sixteen meters. Reading perfectly the trajectory of this fast balloon which shaves the ground, the Lucernoise – back to goal – tries a heel with his right foot, on her first touch of the ball. Unfortunately, its very daring and spectacular technical gesture – which requires excellent coordination – has not been rewarded at its fair value, the leather spinning right next to the Finnish cage post.

“Oh if it fits, it’s beautiful!” The Madjer! ”, Embramed the RTS commentator, Frédéric Scola live. “Very nice gesture!” Said the consultant, Sandy Maendly.

Like the Panenka, Madjer is a technical gesture that owes its name to the surname of its inventor. A gesture so mythical that it therefore goes into common language. This is even more true with the Panenka, than no one – including the media and experts – writes with a capital “P”.

If we look at the references on the web, the Madjer has not yet completely reached this status since it keeps its capital “M”. But in short, the principle is the same as with the panenka, this daring way of drawing a penalty with a pitcher in the middle of the cage, made for the first time by the Czechoslovak Antonin Panenka in the 1970s.

The Madjer arrived later. May 27, 1987 in Vienna, precisely. That day, FC Porto faces Bayern Munich in the Champions League final. The Portuguese equalize at 1-1 in the 79th minute, thanks to a goal from Rabah Madjer. The Algerian, back to goal, deceives the Munich goalkeeper of a heel. “A curiosity and a great novelty in the conventional world of football,” recalls RMC Sport. The Madjer was born.

The striker as rascal as there will later explain his gesture:

For the record, Porto ended up winning (2-1) and won his first Champions League.

Like Madjer in 1987, Svenja Fölmli chose the best solution on Thursday, to try to conclude this action.

This daring attempt is also a sign of an attacker with confidence (even if she has not yet marked in this euro). A good omen before the quarter -final next Friday in Bern, against Spain or Italy.