2006年VOA标准英语-World Cup Semifinals an All European Line-up（在线收听）

By Parke Brewer
Dortmund
03 July 2006

The World Cup semifinals are set to begin Tuesday in Germany. VOA Sports Editor Parke Brewer reports the four teams still in the hunt for the championship are all European.

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World Cup 2006   
  
The last time the final four of the World Cup was all European was in 1982, when Italy, France, Poland and West Germany made it to the semifinals. This time it's Italy, France, host Germany and Portugal.

The first semifinal Tuesday night local time is in Dortmund between Italy and Germany. The home country probably could not have asked for a better venue, as the national team's record there is 13 wins, one draw and no losses.

German midfielder Philipp Lahm, said that is a confidence booster.

"I look forward to playing in the Dortmund stadium where the German team has not lost recently," said Philipp Lahm. "It gives us confidence for the game."

Though many followers, including the home team fans, did not think the Germans could get this far in the World Cup, a win over Italy will put them in their second straight final. Italy last reached the title game in 1994 in the United States.

The other semifinal between Portugal and France will be played in Munich on Wednesday.