04.06.2009 /Events
 Alfa-Bank and MasterCard promotion winner's child gets to take part in UEFA Champions League Final opening ceremony
A seven-year old girl from Moscow, Polina Boiko, will lead one of the best football players in the world onto the pitch during the opening ceremony of the 2008–2009 UEFA Champions League playoff. Polina’s father was the lucky winner of a competition set up by Alfa-Bank and MasterCard. The match is part of one of the most prestigious football tournaments in Europe, and the stadium will be packed with thousands of football fans. It has become a tradition for 22 children to lead the players of two world-class football teams onto the pitch. Polina Boiko will go to Rome where Manchester United FC will play FC Barcelona in the 2008–2009 UEFA Champions League Final playoff on May 27. She is the only child from the whole of Russia to have the fantastic opportunity to meet some of the best players of the UEFA Champions League and walk with them onto the pitch under the gaze of millions of viewers. Young Polina is going to Rome thanks to a promotion by MasterCard? (an official sponsor of the UEFA Champions League?) and Alfa-Bank, which ran from April 1–27. MasterCard has been providing this amazing opportunity for children from all over Europe to lead football players onto the pitch before the beginning of a match for a number of years. This unforgettable event is a dream come true for fans of all ages. In 2009, Polina will be the only child from Russia directly involved in this prestigious European sporting event. To be eligible for the competition, children have to be between the ages of seven and nine, 110–130 cm tall and speak English or Spanish. In order to win the competition, participants had to make the most purchases with their Alfa-Bank MasterCard. The winner by a head was Ivan Boiko from Moscow. Now, Ivan and his daughter will go to Rome for the 2008–2009 UEFA Champions League playoff. The prize includes air travel, accommodation and two tickets for the match (the tickets are provided by MasterCard Europe Sprl). Winner Ivan said, «I found out about the promotion from Alfa-Bank’s website. I was delighted to learn that the bank is providing its customers with such surprises, and decided to take part. All in all, this is the opportunity of a lifetime! Until now I could not bring myself to believe that I am the winner. I have been dreaming of watching such a match since I was a boy.» Seven-year old Polina is a first year pupil at school 1071 in Moscow. She loves dancing and speaks English well. According to her, she has now become a football fan and is looking forward to going to Rome. She is not at all nervous about her role in the match, saying enthusiastically, «All my friends will be watching me on TV!» The name of the football player that Polina will lead onto the pitch will be disclosed just before the match. Photos of the trip and an interview with Polina will be published on Alfa-Bank’s website.
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