Crisi-hit Greeks itch for Euro clash with
creditor Germany
危機四伏的希臘渴望迎戰債主德國
When Greece take on Germany at Friday 's Euro 2012
quarter final , a nation itching for a showdown will be glued to
their screens.
希臘22日在2012年歐洲杯八強賽迎戰德國時,渴盼與德國
一決雌雄的民眾,將會目不轉睛地盯著電視螢幕.
Eurpoe's richest state and its most highly indebted will face off
in the game that has lit a spark of national pride in a country
humbled by economic crisis.
歐洲最富裕國家與債台高築的債務國對決,讓因經濟危機
而低聲下氣的希臘燃起民族驕傲的火花.
It is not just about the football for many people in Greece,
which owes Germany billions of euros in bailout money and
where Chancellor Angela Merkel is a popular hate figure.
對很多希臘人而言,這不只是足球賽而已. 希臘欠德國數
百億歐元的紓困款,德國總理梅克爾則是眾所痛恨的人物.
" This is how your debtors qualify , Angela get ready ,
" Sport Day said after Greece ' s shock 1-0 win against Russia
on the eve of an election that eased fears of a Greek euro exit for
Greece but kept rivalry with Germany very much alive.
希臘在國會選舉的前夕,以1-0意外擊敗俄羅斯後,
「運動日報」說: 「妳的債務人就這樣晉級了,安潔拉(梅克爾)
等著吧!」希臘退出歐元的憂慮雖然緩和,對德國的敵意卻
絲毫未減.
" Bring us Merkel !," read a headline in Goal News ,
while the Prasini tabloid expressed the newfound defiance with
an expletive : " This is Greece , bitches!"
「足球新聞」的標題寫著:「梅克爾出來!」
小報Prasini 更以前所未有的挑釁口吻叫罵著:
「希臘來了 , 賤人 !」
(法新社)
****************************************
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/eurozone-battle-set-for-kickoff-on-the-football-pitch.aspx?pageID=238&nID=23744&NewsCatID=363
Crisis-hit Greeks itches for Euro clash with Germany
GDANSK, Poland
Although both sides seek to play down the political significance of tonight’s Germany vs Greece clash, many Greeks see it as a way to get back with Germany
Germany, Europe’s biggest economy and a major contributor to international bailouts, takes on Greece, the country that has been suffering the worst of the crisis.
Germany, and Chancellor Angela Merkel, have been instrumental in demanding structural reforms and unpopular spending cuts in return for the financial support.
Germany coach Joachim Löw has sought to play down the wider political significance of the Gdansk match, telling reporters he is preparing his side for “a normal football contest”.
However, it is not just about the football for many people in Greece, which owes Germany billions of euros in bailout money and where Merkel is a popular hate figure seen as the chief enforcer of harsh austerity measures.
“This is how your debtors qualify, Angela get ready,” Sport Day said after Greece’s shock 1-0 win against Russia on the eve of an election that eased fears of a Greek euro exit for Greece but kept rivalry with Germany very much alive.
“Bring us Merkel,” read a headline in Goal News, while the Prasini tabloid expressed the newfound defiance with an expletive: “This is Greece, bitches!”
“For many people, this is an unofficial way of getting their own back,” said 30-year-old Marios Papageorgiou, one of millions of Greeks expected to tune in or turn out in squares with giant screens to watch the Gdansk clash. “In football, Greece and Germany are as far apart as in politics but in football everything is possible,” he said.
Ask PM about politics
Greece captain Costas Katsouranis made it clear that players were not at the tournament to talk politics. “We came here to play football and are not concerned with politics,” he said. “We are here to represent our country and we know what everyone at home is going through. We have a new prime minister, so if you have any political questions, ask him.”
However, teammate Dimitris Salpigidis said players were irritated by reports mocking Greece ahead of the game, with the country remaining heavily in debt.
“Sure we are annoyed as the comments we see on the internet and in the newspapers, because our country has problems. People have so many problems in their everyday lives,” Salpigidis said. “We’re really hoping that we can put a smile on their face.”
But asked about election advice from Merkel for Greeks, team coach Fernando Santos - from Portugal, another bailed-out economy - had a stinging reply.
“The Greek people have great pride in their history and this deserves people’s respect. Civilization, democracy and the sciences started in Greece. It is difficult for others to give us lessons,” he said on Saturday.
German tabloids have also revved up ahead of the game with a headline in Bild saying: “Poor Greeks, we’ll give you your next bankruptcy for free.”
The Berliner Kurier carried a mocked-up picture of the Greek team with “Germany” emblazoned across their shirts. The caption read: “Grateful Greeks set to show their new sponsors in the quarterfinal.”
Greece’s 2004 Euro victory was after all the work of a German coach, Otto Rehhagel, who has wished his old team the best.
“Greece has its chances and it will certainly fight with all its strength,” he told the sports news site Sport Day. “With all its passion and competitiveness, Greece is always capable of everything.
The 1-0 win against Russia on Saturday brought thousands out in the streets waving flags and honking car horns - in sharp contrast to the electoral result which was celebrated by just 100 supporters from the winning party in Athens.
June/22/2012
沒有留言:
張貼留言