德國總理默克爾向國際足聯主席布拉特頒發了德意志聯邦共和國榮譽勳章，以感謝他在世界盃中做出的貢獻。該勳章是對為聯邦德國政府做出貢獻的個人的最高獎勵，包括在政治、經濟、社會、文教和人道主義關懷方面做出的貢獻。布拉特表示，代表所有足球界的管理人員接受這個榮譽，他“很感動”，但是“榮譽真正應該屬於德國”。默克爾借此機會希望參加決賽的法國和意大利好運，也祝賀德國隊打入半決賽。她説：“整個國家都在支持這個球隊。”
鏈結: http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fblwc2006germanyfifa&prov=afp&type=lgns
原文:Blatter receives German state honour
AFP
July 8, 2006
BERLIN (AFP) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel has awarded the country's Grand Cross of the Order Merit to FIFA president Sepp Blatter for his role in the football World Cup.
Blatter said he was "moved" by the award which he said he was receiving on behalf of all members of the football's world governing body.
"But the honour really belongs to Germany," he added.
Merkel used the opportunity to wish Italy and France luck ahead of the final in Berlin on Sunday and to congratulate the German team for reaching the semi-finals.
"The whole country is behind this team," she said.
The chancellor thanked German coach Jurgen Klinsmann for doing a "fantastic job."
There have been calls for Klinsmann to be awarded the Grand Cross for leading a youthful German side into the last four of the championship.
作者-北京第二外國語學院英語系王帥
責編：盧爽