Hello and welcome to English with Languissimo®, the podcast in English where I share stories of my week and that of the world with you.
My name is Vanessa Rocket. I’m the founder and CEO of Languissimo®.
The Voice of Sports
I don’t know if you have noticed but there is a lot going on these days in the world of sports.
First, the Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup on June 24th against the Edmonton Oilers.
I must admit that it was a close victory.
Unfortunately, despite an amazing come back from the Oilers, they didn’t win.
I’m sure they are very disappointed as they haven’t won the Stanley Cup in 36 years.
Their last time was in 1987.
Wayne Gretsky was the captain at the time.
On a brighter note, it was the second victory for Coach Sylvain Lefebvre who had won the Stanley Cup when he played for the Colorado Avalanche.
What an achievement that is!
Congratulations.
Then, we have the Copa America which is an international football championship comprised of 16 teams.
The teams are part of the South American, North American, Central American and Caribbean confederations.
The Copa America was held for the first time in 1916 (nineteen sixteen).
It’s taking place this year in the United States.
It started June 20th (twentieth) and will end July 14th (fourteenth).
Argentina, the defending champion, eliminated Ecuador yesterday 4-2 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw.
Canada will play against Venezuela today.
The winner will then face Argentina in the semi-finals.
May the best team win but let me say this:
Go Canada Go!
Another major event taking place in the world of soccer, that I’m sure you’re very familiar with, is the Euro.
The Euro is the European football championship.
It was created in 1958 (nineteen fifty-eight) and is taking place this year in Germany from June 14th to July 14th.
France is playing against Portugal today in the quarterfinal match.
All I have to say is:
Go France Go!
Will France advance to the semi-finals?
Will Canada advance to the semi-finals?
Who knows?
Stay tuned this afternoon for France and tonight for Canada!
True or False (write your answers and tune in for explanations on Monday)
- “There is a lot going on” can be replaced by “there’s lots going on”.
- The Stanley Cup is the grail of figure skating.
- The Edmonton Oilers is an American team
- “It was a close victory” means that the winners won by a big margin.
- “Unfortunately” is the opposite of “fortunately”.
- It’s been 36 years since the Edmonton Oilers won the Stanley Cup.
- “At the time” is a synonym of “in those days” in that context.
- It’s the 47th (forty-seventh) edition of the Copa America.
- “Was held” is a synonym of “was place”.
- “Begun” is a synonym of “started” in that context.
- In spoken North American English, we can remove the “th” and say June 20 and July 14 for example.
- A draw is a match where the score is uneven.
- Canada will take on Venezuela today.
- “A major event” is an insignificant event.
- “That I’m sure you’re very familiar with” is replaced in formal English by “with which you’re very familiar”.
- The Euro is a month long.
- Portugal is France’s opponent in the semi-finals.
Some Practice Questions
- Do you know how to skate?
- Are you watching the Copa America? The Euro?
- Have you already been to the United States? To Germany?
Tada! That’s it for today! I hope you enjoyed this podcast. Subscribe to English with Languissimo®, practice, take care and have a great weekend! Big hugs 😊