法新社 柏林
6月30日進行的阿根廷對德國的四分之一決賽中，德國門將表現神勇，在點球大戰中撲出葡萄牙隊的兩粒點球，幫助德國晉級。賽後，萊曼更是被德國人奉為英雄。德國各大報紙紛紛刊登萊曼照片。
鏈結：http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fblwc2006gerarg&prov=afp&type=lgns
原文：
Penalty hero Lehmann the toast of Germany
by Phil Seery
July 1, 2006
BERLIN (AFP) - Germany's victorious goalkeeper Jens Lehmann had his picture plastered over German newspapers after saving two spot-kicks in Friday's 4-2 penalty shootout triumph over Argentina as the hosts reached the World Cup semi-finals.
With extra-time failing to seperate the teams at 1-1 penalties were called upon and the 36-year-old Lehmann was the hero, saving two penalties from Roberto Ayala and Esteban Cambiasso to spark wild celebrations in the host nation.
"The party goes on! Penalty hero Lehmann and our hand of god," headlined Bild, the country's best-selling newspaper, in a reference to Diego Maradona's infamous 'hand of god' goal for Argentina.
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Maradona, who watched Argentina's defeat from the stands, scored a controversial goal in a 2-1 quarter-final win over England using his hand as Argentina went on to lift the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
"A hero called Lehmann," declared the Berliner Zeitung. "Germany rejoices and after the Argentina win we are favourites for the World Cup title."
Italy, who defeated Ukraine 3-0 on Friday, will face Germany in Tuesday's semi-final in Dortmund.
"You have beaten Argentina, now go and win the thing," urged Bild. "If you play like that against Italy on Tuesday you will win again."
With home support driving them on, Germany will start as strong favourites against Italy particularly as they have never lost in Dortmund.
"The country reaches a new level of euphoria after Argentina win," said Die Welt. "It is above all a triumph for manager Jurgen Klinsmann."
In two years as manager Jurgen Klinsmann has turned a team that flopped at Euro 2004 - where they failed to win a single match - into genuine World Cup contenders and they are now just two wins from the ultimate prize.
"We want to be world champions and we have said that all along. Now people are starting to believe us," Klinsmann said.
"The players are obviously celebrating, but we have two tough games ahead and we want to win both.
"We are only one step away from the final and that is our aim. We have removed a big hurdle in Argentina but there are another two coming up."
Germany captain Michael Ballack, who converted a penalty in the shootout despite suffering from cramp, said there was a real belief among the players that they could now win the World Cup for the fourth time.
"We have removed a big obstacle to the title. Argentina were one of the favourites for the title but now we are," Ballack explained.
"We will play in Dortmund again and that will push us on. We are ready for two more games and hope to win them."
Ballack was a part of Germany's 2002 team that went all the way to the final - which he missed through suspension - against the odds before losing 2-0 to Brazil.
With fan power driving them on they are threatening to pull off a suprise again and the three-time winners hope to go one better than four years ago.
作者-丁曉晨，北京二外英語系
責編：佟杉杉