特别广播英语第 255 课：World Cup Fever Hits Asia 世足热蔓延全亚-3

A famous Scottish coach, when asked if he really thought soccer was a matter of life and death, replied, “no, it's more important than that.” 当一位著名的苏格兰教练被问到他是否真的认为足球是生死攸关的事，他回答：“不，它比生死重要。

He was joking, of course, but there is no denying the passion with which soccer fans all around the world follow their favorite teams. ”当然他是在开玩笑，但是世界各地的球迷追随他们喜爱球队的热情是无可否认的。

For many, losing a big match is a fate worse than death. 对许多人来说，输掉一场重大的比赛是比死亡还要悲惨的命运。

Brazil's defeat on home soil in the 1950 World Cup final, for instance, was described as a national tragedy. 举例来说，巴西在1950年世界杯足球赛中主场的失败，被形容为国家的惨剧。

When the Italian team returned home after losing a game to North Korea in 1966, they were pelted with tomatoes by disappointed fans. 当1966年意大利队输掉对朝鲜的球赛回国后，被失望的球迷们用西红柿扔掷。

At World Cup 2002, Asian soccer fans are likely to be every bit as enthusiastic as their European and South American counterparts. 在2002年世界杯足球赛中，亚洲的球迷很可能和他们欧洲和南美的同道中人一样热情。

Judging from the overwhelming ticket sales in Japan and South Korea, organizers are confident that the tournament will be one of the best-attended World Cups in history. 从日本和韩国疯狂的入场券销售来判断，主办单位有信心这届比赛将成为历史上票房最好的世足赛之一。