非洲杯足球赛开赛
African Cup kick-off
The African Cup of Nations begins on Friday in the Egyptian capital Cairo. The tournament will be inaugurated by President Hosni Mubarak. Sixteen teams are competing, with the hosts Egypt among the favourites. Ian Pannell reports.
Witha thunderous musical accompanimenthundreds ofpharoahsandscarab beetles scuttleacross the pitch at Egypt's national football stadium.A dress rehearsalfor the opening ceremony later on Friday. Teams of people have been workingaround the clockto get it ready in time. But organiser Dr Vikan Gismedgen says everything is nowin place.
"As in Africa, football is a big thing in Egypt as well, and all Egyptians, they are very much passionate about football, and this tournament is the chance to express their feelings in a very good manner to all the world, whether media or football fans."
The tournament's an important chance for the country to try and show that it canhost, and win, a major competition. But there are fears that if the Egyptian side doesn't play well, the crowds will stay away and the African Cup maygo off with a whimper rather than a bang.
Ian Pannell, Middle East correspondent
Key words
a thunderous musical accompaniment
伴随着震耳欲聋的音乐
pharaohs
（古埃及）法老
scarab beetles scuttle
（人们）身着圣甲虫装饰物跑进场（圣甲虫在古埃及常被人用做护身符、装饰品等用）
A dress rehearsal
这里指开幕式盛装彩排
around the clock
夜以继日
in place
在适当位置；适当的（这里指准备好）
host
主办（这里指主办非洲杯足球赛）
go off with a whimper rather than a bang
这里指开场不顺，形容比赛在观众稀少的情况下开始（注：与此不同的另一个短语go off with a bang and end with a whimper的意思却不同，指的是“虎头蛇尾，雷声大雨点小”）
