"Welcome to the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany?"
Seventeen years after the fall of the Berlin wall, a reunified Germany will throw open its doors to the world. Germany 2006 will be a place where people from all around the world will be welcomed by friends, in the spirit of the striking slogan chosen by the organisers: Die Welt zu Gast bei Freunden.
The tournament is being held on the finest stage in the world, one whose symbolism far transcends the boundaries of sport. Hark back to Germany‘s triumph at the 1954 FIFA World Cup in Switzerland, which sealed the country’s return to the international fold in the most beautiful manner possible.
In 2006, Germans will have the opportunity to rectify certain clichés and preconceived ideas. The world will have the chance to see what a fantastic country Germany truly is: the beauty and diversity of its landscapes, its rich cultural heritage and the intelligence and good humour of its people.
As for the legendary German work ethic and organisational skills, I am pleased to say those perennial qualities are alive and well - and we at FIFA are only too happy to take advantage of them.
For at all levels, the overall investment in any World Cup tournament is immense. The event is financially supported by the German state, but also by the “L?nder” and the Host Cities. I would like to take this opportunity to offer my heartfelt thanks to all those who are currently working with such passion and commitment to make the occasion a memorable one.
Today‘s efforts will bear fruit tomorrow. German football, for example, will boast twelve spanking new or vastly improved stadiums in 2006. The whole German population too will benefit in terms of better transport and reception infrastructures.
Football clubs, schools and people all over the land have really got behind this great event, providing further proof, if any were needed, of the prominent role football plays in all our lives. In this respect I would like to congratulate the German Football Association for inviting people from all walks of live to take part in this great event.
Needless to say, none of this comes as a surprise and I am well aware of the loyalty of the Deutscher Fussball-Bund* and its President, my good friend Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder. They enjoy my complete confidence in their ability to organise a tournament every bit as good as in 1974.
Like Mexico, Italy and France, Germany is now organising its second FIFA World Cup. The first saw the great Franz Beckenbauer lift the trophy as captain of the winning team. Today, he presides over the Local Organising Committee in the run-up to a tournament which has changed considerably down the years: back in 1974, only sixteen sides took part, including the now-defunct German Democratic Republic (GDR) and Zaire. The latter were the only representative from the African continent and conceded fourteen goals with no reply.
The 2006 tournament will be a vastly different affair. Thirty-two teams will have qualified, including five from Africa, all of whom now perform at a far higher level. Just remember how Senegal upset the odds in Korea and Japan in 2002. The same can be said for Asian teams, who produced a semi-finalist last year, something which would have been unthinkable back in 1974!
These performances bear witness to FIFA‘s efforts in the last quarter of a century to help the nations of the football world to compete on an equal footing. I will have the immense pleasure of welcoming you amongst my friends in Germany. We look forward to seeing you in 2006 to celebrate this unity!
Joseph S. Blatter
FIFA President
2006德國世界杯歡迎你
推倒柏林墻的17年后，一個重新統(tǒng)一的德國向世界打開了他的大門，德國世界杯將成為全世界各國球迷歡聚一堂、結(jié)交朋友的場所，這就是賽事組織者選擇比賽口號的精髓：Die Welt zu Gast bei Freunden（歡聚德國 結(jié)緣天下）。
本屆世界杯將在全世界的賽場進行，它的象征意義已經(jīng)遠(yuǎn)遠(yuǎn)超越體育的界限。如同返回到1954年德國在瑞士贏得世界杯的成功，它標(biāo)志著一個國家可以以一種美的姿態(tài)回到世界大家庭。
2006年，德國人將有機會改變某些陳腐之詞和先入為主的觀念，整個世界也有機會親眼目睹一個想象中的國家最真實的一面：它美麗多姿的風(fēng)景、豐富的文化遺產(chǎn)和智慧幽默的人民。
這個傳奇德國保持著傳統(tǒng)的道德倫理和嚴(yán)格的組織作風(fēng)，我很高興地說那些固有的優(yōu)秀品質(zhì)現(xiàn)在依然很好地保持著——國際足聯(lián)也很高興有機會充分利用這一點。
不管在哪一種水平上，每屆世界杯比賽都能得到極好的投資。這項賽事不僅有德國各州的資助，同時也得到來自“Lander（國家）”和主辦城市的資助。我很高興利用這個機會表達我衷心的感謝，感謝那些熱情工作的人們，感謝那些愿意帶給我們難忘回憶的人們。
今天的努力將在明天收獲豐碩的成果。在2006年，德國足球?qū)樗?2個嶄新或大量改良的體育場而自豪，德國人民也將受益于更好的交通和接待等基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施。
無論有任何考驗、任何需要，德國的足球俱樂部、學(xué)校以及全體德國人民都會全力支持這項在我們心目中最盛大的足球賽事。從這一方面來說，我要祝賀德國足協(xié)能有來自社會各階層的熱情人民參與到這項盛會中來。
毋庸置疑，我也十分清楚德國足球聯(lián)盟及其主席，我的好朋友格哈德·邁爾·沃菲爾德的盡職盡責(zé)。憑借他們的才干，我有全部的信心，相信他們能夠組織出如同1974年世界杯一樣完美的賽事。
和墨西哥、意大利、法國一樣，德國現(xiàn)在已經(jīng)是第二次主辦世界杯比賽，第一次德國世界杯上我們看到弗朗茨·貝肯鮑爾作為冠軍球隊的隊長高高舉起冠軍獎杯，現(xiàn)在他負(fù)責(zé)主持的德國組委會正在為世界杯熱身，當(dāng)然現(xiàn)在的世界杯和當(dāng)年的世界杯相比已經(jīng)有了很大的變化：回到1974年，只有16支球隊參加比賽，包括現(xiàn)在以后不存在的前民主德國（GDR）和扎伊爾。后者是來自非洲國家的代表，不過在世界杯上他們14次被攻破大門而自己卻沒有一個進球。
2006 年世界杯就完全是另外一個樣子了，有32支球隊最后進入決賽圈，其中包括5支來自非洲的球隊，他們現(xiàn)在的水平早已有了很大提高?；貞浺幌?002年日韓世界杯上塞內(nèi)加爾如何成為黑馬，可以說這種情況同樣發(fā)生在韓國隊身上，去年世界杯上他們更打入半決賽。有些事情在1974年真是無法想象的！
這些成績見證了國際足聯(lián)在最近四分之一個世紀(jì)中所作出的努力——幫助足球世界中的各國球隊在同一起點上進行比賽。我將非常高興地歡迎大家來德國，來到我的朋友們中間，我們期待著能在2006年看到您，來一起歡慶這舉世矚目的盛典?！ ?BR>
Seventeen years after the fall of the Berlin wall, a reunified Germany will throw open its doors to the world. Germany 2006 will be a place where people from all around the world will be welcomed by friends, in the spirit of the striking slogan chosen by the organisers: Die Welt zu Gast bei Freunden.
The tournament is being held on the finest stage in the world, one whose symbolism far transcends the boundaries of sport. Hark back to Germany‘s triumph at the 1954 FIFA World Cup in Switzerland, which sealed the country’s return to the international fold in the most beautiful manner possible.
In 2006, Germans will have the opportunity to rectify certain clichés and preconceived ideas. The world will have the chance to see what a fantastic country Germany truly is: the beauty and diversity of its landscapes, its rich cultural heritage and the intelligence and good humour of its people.
As for the legendary German work ethic and organisational skills, I am pleased to say those perennial qualities are alive and well - and we at FIFA are only too happy to take advantage of them.
For at all levels, the overall investment in any World Cup tournament is immense. The event is financially supported by the German state, but also by the “L?nder” and the Host Cities. I would like to take this opportunity to offer my heartfelt thanks to all those who are currently working with such passion and commitment to make the occasion a memorable one.
Today‘s efforts will bear fruit tomorrow. German football, for example, will boast twelve spanking new or vastly improved stadiums in 2006. The whole German population too will benefit in terms of better transport and reception infrastructures.
Football clubs, schools and people all over the land have really got behind this great event, providing further proof, if any were needed, of the prominent role football plays in all our lives. In this respect I would like to congratulate the German Football Association for inviting people from all walks of live to take part in this great event.
Needless to say, none of this comes as a surprise and I am well aware of the loyalty of the Deutscher Fussball-Bund* and its President, my good friend Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder. They enjoy my complete confidence in their ability to organise a tournament every bit as good as in 1974.
Like Mexico, Italy and France, Germany is now organising its second FIFA World Cup. The first saw the great Franz Beckenbauer lift the trophy as captain of the winning team. Today, he presides over the Local Organising Committee in the run-up to a tournament which has changed considerably down the years: back in 1974, only sixteen sides took part, including the now-defunct German Democratic Republic (GDR) and Zaire. The latter were the only representative from the African continent and conceded fourteen goals with no reply.
The 2006 tournament will be a vastly different affair. Thirty-two teams will have qualified, including five from Africa, all of whom now perform at a far higher level. Just remember how Senegal upset the odds in Korea and Japan in 2002. The same can be said for Asian teams, who produced a semi-finalist last year, something which would have been unthinkable back in 1974!
These performances bear witness to FIFA‘s efforts in the last quarter of a century to help the nations of the football world to compete on an equal footing. I will have the immense pleasure of welcoming you amongst my friends in Germany. We look forward to seeing you in 2006 to celebrate this unity!
Joseph S. Blatter
FIFA President
2006德國世界杯歡迎你
推倒柏林墻的17年后，一個重新統(tǒng)一的德國向世界打開了他的大門，德國世界杯將成為全世界各國球迷歡聚一堂、結(jié)交朋友的場所，這就是賽事組織者選擇比賽口號的精髓：Die Welt zu Gast bei Freunden（歡聚德國 結(jié)緣天下）。
本屆世界杯將在全世界的賽場進行，它的象征意義已經(jīng)遠(yuǎn)遠(yuǎn)超越體育的界限。如同返回到1954年德國在瑞士贏得世界杯的成功，它標(biāo)志著一個國家可以以一種美的姿態(tài)回到世界大家庭。
2006年，德國人將有機會改變某些陳腐之詞和先入為主的觀念，整個世界也有機會親眼目睹一個想象中的國家最真實的一面：它美麗多姿的風(fēng)景、豐富的文化遺產(chǎn)和智慧幽默的人民。
這個傳奇德國保持著傳統(tǒng)的道德倫理和嚴(yán)格的組織作風(fēng)，我很高興地說那些固有的優(yōu)秀品質(zhì)現(xiàn)在依然很好地保持著——國際足聯(lián)也很高興有機會充分利用這一點。
不管在哪一種水平上，每屆世界杯比賽都能得到極好的投資。這項賽事不僅有德國各州的資助，同時也得到來自“Lander（國家）”和主辦城市的資助。我很高興利用這個機會表達我衷心的感謝，感謝那些熱情工作的人們，感謝那些愿意帶給我們難忘回憶的人們。
今天的努力將在明天收獲豐碩的成果。在2006年，德國足球?qū)樗?2個嶄新或大量改良的體育場而自豪，德國人民也將受益于更好的交通和接待等基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施。
無論有任何考驗、任何需要，德國的足球俱樂部、學(xué)校以及全體德國人民都會全力支持這項在我們心目中最盛大的足球賽事。從這一方面來說，我要祝賀德國足協(xié)能有來自社會各階層的熱情人民參與到這項盛會中來。
毋庸置疑，我也十分清楚德國足球聯(lián)盟及其主席，我的好朋友格哈德·邁爾·沃菲爾德的盡職盡責(zé)。憑借他們的才干，我有全部的信心，相信他們能夠組織出如同1974年世界杯一樣完美的賽事。
和墨西哥、意大利、法國一樣，德國現(xiàn)在已經(jīng)是第二次主辦世界杯比賽，第一次德國世界杯上我們看到弗朗茨·貝肯鮑爾作為冠軍球隊的隊長高高舉起冠軍獎杯，現(xiàn)在他負(fù)責(zé)主持的德國組委會正在為世界杯熱身，當(dāng)然現(xiàn)在的世界杯和當(dāng)年的世界杯相比已經(jīng)有了很大的變化：回到1974年，只有16支球隊參加比賽，包括現(xiàn)在以后不存在的前民主德國（GDR）和扎伊爾。后者是來自非洲國家的代表，不過在世界杯上他們14次被攻破大門而自己卻沒有一個進球。
2006 年世界杯就完全是另外一個樣子了，有32支球隊最后進入決賽圈，其中包括5支來自非洲的球隊，他們現(xiàn)在的水平早已有了很大提高?；貞浺幌?002年日韓世界杯上塞內(nèi)加爾如何成為黑馬，可以說這種情況同樣發(fā)生在韓國隊身上，去年世界杯上他們更打入半決賽。有些事情在1974年真是無法想象的！
這些成績見證了國際足聯(lián)在最近四分之一個世紀(jì)中所作出的努力——幫助足球世界中的各國球隊在同一起點上進行比賽。我將非常高興地歡迎大家來德國，來到我的朋友們中間，我們期待著能在2006年看到您，來一起歡慶這舉世矚目的盛典?！ ?BR>