Aug 23rd, 2017

Aug 23rd, 2017

When executed correctly, the panenka can be just as effective as blasting a ball into the top corner of the net as far as penalty shots go. When they're not they can go horribly, horribly wrong as this poor bloke found out from the Romanian league.

Juventus Bucresti midfielder George Calintaru was plying his trade in Liga 1, the first tier football competition in Romania, when he stepped up to take a crunch penalty against Steaua Bucharest.

The equation was simple. Slot the goal, become a hero and save the match as Juventus was trailing 2-1 at that stage and the penalty strike was officially the last play as the match was in the 95th minute.

Calintaru tried to be cute and try a panenka, a subtle touch underneath the ball aimed at the centre of the goal that is designed to fool the goalkeeper into going one way, but unfortunately it was a little too cute.

Calintaru's shot landed straight into the arms of the goalkeeper prompting plenty of joy from Steaua players and not too much sympathy from his own teammates.

A few players were happy to console him but there were just as many who wanted to confront him, push him while one even slammed his water bottle down in disgust. It would be fair to say that's probably the last time Calintaru will try the panenka.