Adidas Has No Letter V for German Shirts

Jun 16, 2026, 16:41
EuropeSports
A2

Adidas Has No Letter V for German Shirts

Adidas 德國球衣缺乏字母 V

Introduction

Adidas has a problem with online orders for German football shirts.

Adidas 在處理德國足球球衣的線上訂單時遇到了問題。

Main Body

People want many shirts for the World Cup. Adidas does not have enough of the letter 'V'. Now, customers cannot buy shirts for players like Kai Havertz online.

許多人想要購買世界盃球衣。Adidas 的字母「V」不足。目前顧客無法在網上購買如 Kai Havertz 等球員的球衣。

This problem also happens for teams from Japan and Belgium. Many people like the blue shirts. They look like old shirts from the past.

這個問題也發生在日本隊和比利時隊的球衣上。許多人喜歡藍色球衣，因為它們看起來像過去的舊款球衣。

Customers can still go to stores. The big Adidas store in Berlin has the letters. Shirts cost 100 euros or 150 euros.

顧客仍然可以前往實體店購買。柏林的 Adidas 大型旗艦店有足夠的字母。球衣價格為 100 歐元或 150 歐元。

Conclusion

Adidas and their partner are working to fix the problem online.

Adidas 及其合作夥伴正努力解決網路端的問題。

Vocabulary Learning

🛒 Talking about 'Having' and 'Not Having'

In this story, we see a common way to talk about things we possess or lack. This is essential for A2 shopping and travel conversations.

The Pattern:

  • Positive: [Person/Company] + has + [Item].
    • Example: Adidas has a problem.
  • Negative: [Person/Company] + does not have + [Item].
    • Example: Adidas does not have enough of the letter V.

Simple Rule: Use "does not have" when you want to say something is missing or sold out.

Quick Word Map: Online orders → Buying on the internet Enough → The right amount Fix → To make something better/correct

Price Point: Notice how we say money: "100 euros".

  • Number →\rightarrow Currency
  • 150 →\rightarrow euros

Vocabulary Learning

problem (n.)
Something that is difficult and needs a solution
Example:I have a problem with my computer.
order (n.)
Something that you buy from a shop or online
Example:I placed an order for a new book.
enough (det./adv.)
As much as you need
Example:I have enough money to buy the shirt.
customer (n.)
A person who buys goods or services
Example:The customer is happy with the service.
partner (n.)
A person or company that works with another
Example:Adidas and their partner are working together.
B2

Supply Chain Issues Affect Customization of German National Team Jerseys

供應鏈問題影響德國國家隊球衣客製化

Introduction

Adidas is currently dealing with a temporary shortage of specific letters for the German national football team's online merchandise.

Adidas 目前正處於德國國家足球隊線上商品中，特定字母暫時短缺的情況。

Main Body

Online orders for jerseys featuring the names of Kai Havertz, Alexander Pavlovic, and Deniz Undav are currently unavailable because the company has run out of the letter 'V'. This problem was caused by an unexpected increase in demand after the squad was announced on May 21 and the World Cup began on June 11. Furthermore, the company emphasized that the retro style of the blue away kits has increased this trend, leading to similar stock shortages for the national teams of Japan, Belgium, and Curacao.

目前無法在線訂購印有 Kai Havertz、Alexander Pavlovic 及 Deniz Undav 名字的球衣，因為公司已耗盡字母 "V"。這個問題是由於 5 月 21 日公布名單以及 6 月 11 日世界盃開幕後，需求量意外增加所導致的。此外，公司強調藍色客場球衣的復古風格加劇了這一趨勢，導致日本、比利時和庫拉蘇國家隊也出現類似的缺貨情況。

However, customers can still buy these jerseys at physical stores. For example, the Adidas flagship store in Berlin continues to offer full customization services, ensuring fans have jerseys before the match against Ivory Coast. From a financial point of view, this operation is very large; Adidas provides equipment for 14 of the 48 participating nations and expects World Cup sales to reach approximately €1 billion. In Germany, these jerseys are sold in two price categories, costing either €100 or €150.

然而，顧客仍可在實體店購買這些球衣。例如，Adidas 在柏林的旗艦店繼續提供完整的客製化服務，確保球迷在對陣象牙海岸的比賽前能拿到球衣。從財務角度來看，這次運作規模龐大；Adidas 為 48 個參賽國中的 14 個國家提供裝備，預計世界盃銷售額將達到約 10 億歐元。在德國，這些球衣分為兩個價格等級，分別為 100 歐元或 150 歐元。

Conclusion

Adidas and its partner, 11teamsports, are now taking steps to fix the problem and make the affected lettering available online again.

Adidas 及其合作夥伴 11teamsports 目前正採取措施解決問題，使受影響的字母能重新在線提供。

Vocabulary Learning

⚡ The 'B2 Shift': From Simple Words to Precise Phrases

At the A2 level, we often use basic verbs like have, make, or do. To reach B2, you need Collocations—words that naturally 'stick together' to make you sound professional and fluent.

🔍 The Discovery

Look at these three expressions from the text. An A2 student would use simple words; a B2 student uses these specific combinations:

  1. "Dealing with..." →\rightarrow (A2: Fixing/Having a problem)

    • Context: "Adidas is currently dealing with a temporary shortage."
    • Why it's B2: It describes the process of managing a difficult situation, not just the result.

  2. "Taking steps to..." →\rightarrow (A2: Trying to)

    • Context: "...are now taking steps to fix the problem."
    • Why it's B2: It shows a planned, organized action. It sounds more executive and decisive.

  3. "From a financial point of view" →\rightarrow (A2: About money)

    • Context: "From a financial point of view, this operation is very large."
    • Why it's B2: This is a 'signpost' phrase. It tells the listener exactly which perspective you are using to analyze the situation.

🛠️ How to Apply This

Instead of saying: "I am trying to learn English because it is good for my job,"

Try the B2 Upgrade: "I am taking steps to improve my English because, from a professional point of view, it is essential for my career."

Quick Logic Check:

  • A2: Simple →\rightarrow General →\rightarrow Basic verbs.
  • B2: Specific →\rightarrow Precise →\rightarrow Collocations.

Vocabulary Learning

merchandise (n.)
Goods that are bought and sold in a store
Example:The stadium sells a wide variety of official team merchandise, including scarves and hats.
unavailable (adj.)
Not able to be used, obtained, or contacted
Example:The hotel was fully booked, so the room we wanted was unavailable.
emphasized (v.)
To give special importance or prominence to something in speaking or writing
Example:The teacher emphasized the importance of arriving on time for the exam.
customization (n.)
The action of modifying something to suit a particular individual's needs or tastes
Example:The software allows for complete customization of the user interface.
approximately (adv.)
Used to show that something is almost, but not exactly, a particular amount
Example:The journey to the city center takes approximately twenty minutes by train.
affected (adj.)
Influenced or hit by an external factor, often in a negative way
Example:Many local businesses were seriously affected by the economic downturn.
C2

Supply Chain Constraints Affecting Specific German National Team Apparel Customization

供應鏈限制影響德國國家隊特定球衣定制

Introduction

Adidas is currently addressing a temporary shortage of specific lettering components for the German national football team's online merchandise.

Adidas 目前正處理德國國家足球隊線上商品中，特定字母組件短缺的暫時性問題。

Main Body

The current unavailability of online orders for jerseys featuring the names of Kai Havertz, Alexander Pavlovic, and Deniz Undav is attributable to a deficit in the inventory of the letter 'V'. This logistical bottleneck is a consequence of an unanticipated surge in demand following the squad nomination on May 21 and the commencement of the World Cup on June 11. The company noted that the retro aesthetic of the blue away kits has contributed to this trend, resulting in similar stock depletion across various sizes for the national teams of Japan, Belgium, and Curacao.

目前無法在線上訂購印有 Kai Havertz、Alexander Pavlovic 及 Deniz Undav 名字的球衣，是因為字母 "V" 的庫存不足。這一物流瓶頸是由於 5 月 21 日公布名單以及 6 月 11 日世界盃開賽後，需求量意外激增所導致。公司指出，藍色客場球衣的復古美學助長了這一趨勢，導致日本、比利時及庫拉索國家隊的各尺寸球衣也出現類似的缺貨情況。

Despite the digital procurement limitations, physical retail outlets remain operational. For instance, the Adidas flagship location in Berlin continues to offer full customization services, ensuring availability prior to the scheduled match against Ivory Coast. From a fiscal perspective, the scale of this operation is significant; Adidas provides equipment for 14 of the 48 participating nations, with projected World Cup turnover approximating €1 billion. In the domestic German market, these garments are tiered into two pricing categories, retailing at €100 and €150.

儘管數位採購受限，實體零售店仍維持運作。例如，Adidas 在柏林的旗艦店繼續提供完整定制服務，確保在預定對陣象牙海岸的比賽前可供應。從財務角度來看，此次規模相當顯著；Adidas 為 48 個參賽國中的 14 個國家提供裝備，預計世界盃營業額約為 10 億歐元。在德國本土市場，這些服飾分為兩個價格等級，零售價分別為 100 歐元與 150 歐元。

Conclusion

Adidas and its partner, 11teamsports, are implementing corrective measures to restore the online availability of the affected lettering.

Adidas 及其合作夥伴 11teamsports 正在採取修正措施，以恢復受影響字母的線上供應。

Vocabulary Learning

The Architecture of Nominalization and 'Corporate Density'

To move from B2 to C2, a student must transition from describing actions to constructing states. The provided text is a masterclass in Nominalization—the process of turning verbs and adjectives into nouns to create a high-density, objective, and authoritative academic tone.

◈ The Anatomy of the 'C2 Shift'

Observe the transformation of simple causal relationships into complex noun phrases. A B2 speaker describes a process; a C2 speaker describes a phenomenon.

B2 (Verb-Centric): "Adidas cannot sell jerseys because they don't have enough 'V' letters, which happened because more people wanted them than expected."

C2 (Noun-Centric): "The current unavailability... is attributable to a deficit in the inventory... This logistical bottleneck is a consequence of an unanticipated surge in demand."

◈ Linguistic Breakdown

  1. The 'Causal Chain' Nouns: Notice how the text avoids using "because" or "so." Instead, it uses nominal anchors:

    • Unavailability →\rightarrow Deficit →\rightarrow Bottleneck →\rightarrow Consequence →\rightarrow Surge.
    • C2 Insight: By using nouns, the writer removes the 'actor' (the people) and focuses on the 'system' (the logistics). This is the hallmark of professional and academic English.

  2. Collocational Precision: The text pairs abstract nouns with high-level modifiers to eliminate ambiguity:

    • Digital procurement limitations (instead of "problems buying online").
    • Corrective measures (instead of "fixing things").
    • Projected turnover (instead of "expected money").

◈ Stylistic Application

To achieve C2 mastery, replace Action Verbs with State Nouns.

  • Instead of: "The company failed to predict the demand..."
  • Use: "The failure to predict the unanticipated surge..."

The Result: The prose becomes denser, more formal, and detached, shifting the focus from who did what to what the situation is.

Vocabulary Learning

attributable (adj.)
Regarded as being caused by a particular factor or event.
Example:The sudden increase in sales is attributable to the successful marketing campaign.
deficit (n.)
A deficiency or lack of a necessary amount of something.
Example:The company faced a significant deficit in skilled labor during the peak season.
bottleneck (n.)
A situation that causes delay in a process or system; a point of congestion.
Example:The shortage of raw materials created a logistical bottleneck that delayed production.
unanticipated (adj.)
Not expected or predicted.
Example:The project faced unanticipated challenges that pushed the deadline back by a month.
depletion (n.)
The reduction in the number or quantity of something until it is exhausted.
Example:The rapid depletion of natural resources is a primary concern for environmentalists.
procurement (n.)
The action of obtaining or acquiring equipment, supplies, or services.
Example:The government has streamlined its procurement process to ensure faster delivery of medical supplies.
turnover (n.)
The total amount of money received by a company through the sale of goods and services during a specific period.
Example:The retail giant reported an annual turnover of over five billion dollars.
corrective (adj.)
Intended to rectify an error or a deficient situation.
Example:The management implemented corrective measures to address the decline in product quality.
Practice All words in a crossword→