Football mania officially kicked off yesterday and for the rest of the month fans will all be glued to the big screen, placing bets on which team will make it to the final.
But two children will be following Euro 2012 more eagerly than anyone else, for on the day of the final they will be in Kiev, Ukraine, escorting footballers on the pitch, just seconds before the crucial referee’s whistle.
Andrew Sammut, nine, from Mosta, and Zoe Borg, 10, from Manikata, are the lucky winners of the McDonald’s Player Escort Programme and they and a relative will fly to Kiev for July 1.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Andrew, a De La Salle college student, said.
When his parents broke the good news, he started shouting with joy, then whizzed around the house with his football.
“I told all my friends at school,” he said, eyes still sparkling.
Zoe, who attends Sacred Heart school, said it was “a dream come true”. When she saw the competition entry forms at McDonald’s, Zoe immediately wanted to apply.
“I so, so wanted to win this. I love watching football with my daddy at home,” she said.
Neither of the children have ever watched a live game in a football stadium and can only imagine what it will be like from what they see on television.
They will be leaving for Kiev a day before the final. Zoe will be accompanied by her father Claude and Andrew will go with his uncle Winston. If at all possible, both men seem even more enthusiastic than the children about the thrilling prospect.
“McDonald’s called me at work to tell me Zoe won. I put the phone down and started shouting, ‘I’m going to the final! I’m going to the final’,” said Mr Borg, joking that he was now the envy of his colleagues.
Andrew’s uncle is also in full football mode. “I even have the Euro 2012 signature tune on my mobile. We’re all set to go,” Mr Pirotta said.
An independent jury, including a children’s editor and a sports editor, selected Andrew’s and Zoe’s drawings out of hundreds of applications.
For the competition – open to all children aged between six and 10 – participants sent in drawings depicting how they have fun through sports.
Zoe drew her whole family watching tennis on television and Andrew depicted himself happily jumping off a springboard into a swimming pool.
“The judges felt the two pictures brought out the essence of sport,” Natasha Giorgio, McDonald’s marketing manager, said.
She was sure this will be a unique experience for the children: “I am positive they will remember this all their lives”.
As they count the days, both kids will be rooting for their favourite international team, England. “We hope England will make it to the final,” they said.
Andrew and Zoe are keeping their fingers crossed as they would really love to meet their football hero. Who would that be? “Wayne Rooney!” they cried out enthusiastically.