问答题 {{B}} Passage 2{{/B}} The 1995 Women's World Cup in Sweden was anticipated as the consecration of the success which the women's game enjoyed at the inaugural championship in China in 199. After 52 teams participated in qualifying play, players from the best dozen teams in the world came together in the quest for two prizes: the World Cup itself, but also qualification for the first women's Olympic Football Tournament the following year in the United States. // The predominant impression from Sweden was that women's football was very alive, very well, and growing fast. All the positive features of the China tournament were in evidence again, notably the spirit of fair play, the will to attack, and the uninhibited enjoyment of the game. // But there were other new positive aspects, too. Not only did more teams in Sweden appear to have a greater number of first-choice players than in China, but also the gap in skill and talent between the top teams and the less successful had clearly closed over the past half decade. What's more, significant progress in the refereeing sector had taken place, with women officials taking charge of several matches, including the final. // Europe still dominated the game in 1995, with the USA a proven strength, and the Far East another hotbed. But it was now for a few particular areas of the world, notably South America and also Africa, to recognize the ineluctable evolution and rise to the challenge of the future. // The best example of this new change was evident in Brazil which, after a disappointing performance in Sweden, enthusiastically set about building up a new national team and saw its efforts crowned with a richly deserved fourth place in the 1996 Olympic Football Tournaments. // In addition to the fact that the standard of football was high throughout the event, Atlanta'96 will be remembered for being the first time ever that there was a women's football tournament at the Olympics. Nearly 1.4 million people watched the matches—averaging over 40,000 per game. // With its incredible setting and fantastic atmosphere, the Women's World Cup USA 1999 final was a milestone in the history of women's sports of any kind. This World Cup will go down in sports history as a turning point; it has set the standard against which events today and in the future are measured, and will forever be remembered as the breakthrough that spurred on and encouraged every confederation, every national association and every club to continue to try to do everything possible for the women's game. // No fewer than 90,000 women, men, girls and boys were there, including former President Bill Clinton of the United States of America, filled the stadium on a baking hot day at the final of the Women's World Cup in Los Angeles on 9 July 1999. Media interest reached new heights. The American team finally made the nation's dream come true, but only after scoring with a fifth and final penalty kick. Pictures of the team's celebrations were rushed round the world and will be remembered for a long time. // Teams from 104 nations participated in qualifying competition for the FIFA Women's World Cup USA 2003, nearly 25 more teams than in 1999. It is recognized that there is a need to raise the skill level of players, from the local level all the way through the top teams, so that the next Women's World Cup final round also captivates spectators in terms of quality—technical and tactical — and underscores that women's football has definitely established itself. // The way to the top begins at an early age. It is, therefore, vital for every club to support the ambitions of the national association by engaging qualified staff for coaching at the youngest levels. On the international scene, this will lead to the base of the pyramid widening and a significant pay-off in terms of quality at the top later on. // Over 80 teams participated in qualifying for the first FIFA U-19 Championship, held in Canada in 2002. Although it will take time for the effect to be felt, for new nations to start to challenge today's best, more competition can only be for the good of the game overall. //