2006年VOA标准英语-Italians Celebrate World Cup Win

By Sabina Castelfranco
Rome
10 July 2006

Huge celebrations are being held in Italy after the national team's victory over France at the World Soccer Cup championship in Germany.

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Italian soccer fans cheer and wave their flags by the Vittoriano Unknown Soldier monument in Rome, early Monday   
  
Italians woke up this morning, exhausted¹ from the partying but ecstatic and proud about their team's victory over France in Berlin. Many say they did not go to bed and still cannot believe it.

Hundreds of thousands of delirious² fans celebrated³ much of the night and woke up to newspaper headlines reading: "Italy of Champions" and "It's all true. World Champions." It was Italy fourth world cup win, second only to Brazil.

Within minutes of a tense penalty shootout, jubilant Italians across the nation took to the streets to celebrate. They yelled from atop their cars waving the Italian tricolor as fireworks were being set off in the piazzas⁵. Many jumped into the fountains. Others stripped off their clothes. 

Italian soccer fans celebrate in the streets of Turin, early Monday  
  
Italians had been waiting for this cup for 24 years.

This young Italian says it is difficult to describe her feelings. She says the win is incredible, especially for young people, because it is the first World Cup win for them.

Some clashes with police were reported in a central Rome piazza⁴, near the French embassy.

The victorious⁶ Italian team will be returning Monday. The mayor of Rome said this city would be giving the players the tribute they deserve, at a massive celebration Monday at Circus Maximus. More than a million people are expected to join.

Italian politicians have united in showering praise on the Italian team. The prime minister said it was a victory won after a fight until the last drop of blood. The Italian president thanked the team for restoring a sense of national pride.

Italians love soccer, the national sport, and their team's victory brought fans much needed relief and joy after a massive match-fixing scandal involving top league clubs.

1 exhausted   

adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的

参考例句：

• It was a long haul home and we arrived exhausted.搬运回家的这段路程特别长，到家时我们已筋疲力尽。
• Jenny was exhausted by the hustle of city life.珍妮被城市生活的忙乱弄得筋疲力尽。

2 delirious   

adj.不省人事的，神智昏迷的

参考例句：

• He was delirious,murmuring about that matter.他精神恍惚，低声叨念着那件事。
• She knew that he had become delirious,and tried to pacify him.她知道他已经神志昏迷起来了，极力想使他镇静下来。

3 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

4 piazza   

n.广场；走廊

参考例句：

• Siena's main piazza was one of the sights of Italy.锡耶纳的主要广场是意大利的名胜之一。
• They walked out of the cafeteria,and across the piazzadj.他们走出自助餐厅,穿过广场。

5 piazzas   

n.广场，市场( piazza的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• In the cities of Italy, piazzas are the acknowledged centers of local activity. 在意大利的城市里，广场是公认的群众活动中心。 来自互联网
• Alleyways wind through the city like a maze, opening up into surprising, sunny fountained piazzas. 小巷子像迷宫一般蜿蜒穿过这座城市，出现在令人惊讶、绚烂的喷泉广场上。 来自互联网

6 victorious   

adj.胜利的，得胜的

参考例句：

• We are certain to be victorious.我们定会胜利。
• The victorious army returned in triumph.获胜的部队凯旋而归。