2006年VOA标准英语-Spain, Ukraine, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia Vie for W

By David Byrd
Washington
25 May 2006

The World Cup football (soccer) tournament's Group-H features four teams that have never won the trophy¹ - Spain, Ukraine, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia. The Spanish team is favored reach the second round, and Ukraine is most likely to be the other team to make it out of the group at next month's World Cup in Germany.

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Spain's world cup team   
  

Spain reached the quarterfinals of the 1994 World Cup, but its performance since then has been disappointing. The Spaniards failed to get out of the first round in 1998 and then lost to South Korea four years ago in a controversial quarterfinal match that featured three disallowed² goals. In qualifying for this World Cup, the Spaniards finished second in their European group behind Serbia with five wins and five draws. Spain then had to win a two-leg playoff against Slovakia to book its place in Germany.

International football expert commentator³ Derek Rae says the Spaniards have the potential to advance - and the potential to crash again in Germany.

"We're wondering 'is this going to be the year for Spain?' Luis Aragones the coach is a bit of a volatile⁴ figure but he has an excellent group of players at his disposal," he says. "And at every position he really has multiple options. So I think Spain has to be taken seriously." 

Ukraine's world cup team  
  
Ukraine was the first team to qualify for the World Cup and is making its first appearance in the tournament since the breakup of the former Soviet⁵ Union. The Ukrainians boast Andriy Shevchenko, arguably one of the best strikers in the world. But Ukraine and Spain know they may have a challenge in Group H opponent Tunisia, the African Cup of Nations champion. Derek Rae says that Tunisia could surprise the favorites but he is not expecting much from Saudi Arabia.

"You look at Tunisia and you see a side really without major, major weaknesses. And I think they can give Spain and Ukraine something to think about. I don't think that is beyond the realm of possibility," he says. "The other side in that group, Saudi Arabia, have rarely made an impact in previous appearances in the World Cup finals. Last time around they looked out of their depth, frankly⁶, and I am not expecting miracles from them in this World Cup."

Saudi Arabia did go unbeaten in qualifying, allowing only one goal in six games to finish atop its Asian group ahead of 2002 semifinalist South Korea. However, Saudi Arabia's high point so far has been its debut⁷ in the 1994 tournament, where it made the second round in the United States. Since then, "the Falcons⁸" have disappointed fans, managing only a draw against South Africa in 1998 and five defeats, including an 8-0 loss to this year's host Germany four years ago.

1 trophy   

n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品

参考例句：

• The cup is a cherished trophy of the company.那只奖杯是该公司很珍惜的奖品。
• He hung the lion's head as a trophy.他把那狮子头挂起来作为狩猎纪念品。

2 disallowed   

v.不承认（某事物）有效( disallow的过去式和过去分词 )；不接受；不准；驳回

参考例句：

• The judge disallowed that evidence. 法官驳回那项证据。 来自辞典例句
• Her claim was disallowed on the ground(s) that she had not paid her premium. 她要求赔款遭到拒绝，原因是她事先没有交纳保险费。 来自辞典例句

3 commentator   

n.注释者，解说者；实况广播评论员

参考例句：

• He is a good commentator because he can get across the game.他能简单地解说这场比赛，是个好的解说者。
• The commentator made a big mistake during the live broadcast.在直播节目中评论员犯了个大错误。

4 volatile   

adj.反复无常的，挥发性的，稍纵即逝的，脾气火爆的；n.挥发性物质

参考例句：

• With the markets being so volatile,investments are at great risk.由于市场那么变化不定，投资冒着很大的风险。
• His character was weak and volatile.他这个人意志薄弱，喜怒无常。

5 Soviet   

adj.苏联的，苏维埃的；n.苏维埃

参考例句：

• Zhukov was a marshal of the former Soviet Union.朱可夫是前苏联的一位元帅。
• Germany began to attack the Soviet Union in 1941.德国在1941年开始进攻苏联。

6 frankly   

adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说

参考例句：

• To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说，我一点也不赞成这个主意。
• Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说，我不反对改革。

7 debut   

n.首次演出，初次露面

参考例句：

• That same year he made his Broadway debut, playing a suave radio journalist.在那同一年里，他初次在百老汇登台，扮演一个温文而雅的电台记者。
• The actress made her debut in the new comedy.这位演员在那出新喜剧中首次登台演出。

8 falcons   

n.猎鹰( falcon的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Peregrine falcons usually pluck the feathers and strip the flesh off their bird prey. 游隼捕到鸟类猎物时，通常是先拔掉它们的羽毛，再把肉撕下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Though he doubted the wisdom of using falcons, Dr. de la Fuente undertook the project. 虽然德·拉·富恩特博士怀疑使用游隼是否明智，但他还是执行了这项计划。 来自辞典例句