VOA标准英语2010年-Spain Wins World Cup

In a foul-plagued World Cup final, Andres Iniesta was the big hero for Spain.  The Barcelona midfielder collected a sliding pass from substitute Cesc Fabregas and shot the ball past Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg in the 116th minute of extra time.

The Dutch tried to slow Spain's passing game with rough, physical play.  English referee¹ Howard Webb, a former policeman, showed eight yellow cards to Dutch players, and Dutch defender² John Heitenga was sent off the field during extra time.  But Spain received its share of yellow cards - five - making this what's being described as "the dirtiest" World Cup final in history.

Spain is only the third team, after Germany and France, to be world and European champion at the same time.  With the World Cup victory, Spain snapped³ the Netherlands' 25-match unbeaten streak⁴. 

Dutch coach Bert Van Marwijk was gracious⁵ in defeat.

"They deserved to win; they were better," he said.  "And in my opinion, Spain is the best team in the world for the last few years.  I like the way they play, and it's a big challenge to play against Spain and beat them."

A crowd of more than 84,000 people attended the World Cup final at Soccer City Stadium.  Overall, more than three million fans attended matches during the month-long tournament, making this the third most well-attended World Cup in history, behind Germany 2006 and the record-setting USA tournament in 1994.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela, left, waves to spectators⁶ next to his wife Graca Machel ahead of the World Cup final soccer match at Soccer City in Johannesburg, 11 July 2010  
  
Before the World Cup final kick off, a colorful 30-minute closing ceremony was held that featured fireworks, lasers, elephants and some of Africa's top singers and dancers.  South Africa's former President Nelson Mandela, who will celebrate his 92nd birthday later this month, made a brief appearance after the ceremony, waving to the crowd from a motorized cart.

German star Thomas Mueller won two of the World Cup's top awards.  The 20-year-old striker received the Golden Boot trophy⁷ as the tournament's top scorer, with five goals and three assists.  Mueller also was named the Best Young Player in the competition.

Uruguay's Diego Forlan, who also had five goals, won the Golden Ball as the World Cup's best player.  Iker Casillas of Spain, who made several outstanding saves in the World Cup final, won the Golden Glove award as the tournament's top goalkeeper.
 

1 referee   

n.裁判员．仲裁人，代表人，鉴定人

参考例句：

• The team was left raging at the referee's decision.队员们对裁判员的裁决感到非常气愤。
• The referee blew a whistle at the end of the game.裁判在比赛结束时吹响了哨子。

2 defender   

n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人

参考例句：

• He shouldered off a defender and shot at goal.他用肩膀挡开防守队员，然后射门。
• The defender argued down the prosecutor at the court.辩护人在法庭上驳倒了起诉人。

3 snapped   

v.猛地咬住( snap的过去式和过去分词 )；（使某物）发出尖厉声音地突然断裂[打开，关闭]；厉声地说；拍照

参考例句：

• The wind had snapped the tree in two. 风把树喀嚓一声刮断了。
• He lost his temper and snapped irritably at the children. 他发火了，暴躁地斥责孩子们。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 streak   

n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动

参考例句：

• The Indians used to streak their faces with paint.印第安人过去常用颜料在脸上涂条纹。
• Why did you streak the tree?你为什么在树上刻条纹？

5 gracious   

adj.亲切的，客气的，宽厚的，仁慈的

参考例句：

• She was a very gracious lady.她是一位非常和蔼可亲的女士。
• She was gracious enough to show us round her home.她彬彬有礼地领我们参观了她的家。

6 spectators   

n.观众，旁观者( spectator的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The spectators were wilting visibly in the hot sun. 看得出观众在炎热的阳光下快支撑不住了。
• The policemen asked the spectators to stand well back. 警察要求旁观者靠后站。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 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。