Andrew Sammut from Mosta and Zoe Borg from Manikata recently returned home after the experience of a lifetime which saw them spend four fun-filled days in Kiev, Ukraine. As the winners of McDonald’s Player Escort Programme, Andrew and Zoe made the trip to accompany two footballing greats on to the pitch at last Sunday’s Euro 2012 final between Italy and Spain.

Nine-year-old Andrew and Zoe, who is 10, both described the trip as having been truly unforgettable. The experience was amazing, they said, and their nerves were tested from the first moment they walked into the Kiev Olympic stadium on Saturday during a practice run for the big event.

It was at this point that they were told they would be accompanying Andrea Pirlo and Daniele De Rossi – two of the players in the tournament – on Sunday night’s final between Italy and Spain.

The excitement kept building as they were presented with their official Player Escort uniforms and were shown the special VIP McDonald’s seating area, from which they and their relatives would be watching the game.

Andrew said: “Watching such a game live was a totally new experience and so different to watching it on TV. The atmosphere in the stadium is overwhelming – you can hear people cheering, horns, vuvuzellas, screams – it’s loud, noisy and very crazy – but then when one of the teams is about to score, the silence and tension is incredible and you feel it”.

Zoe was more impressed by the atmosphere they felt in the tunnel and during the national anthems. “It was a once in a lifetime match not just for us but also for the players. They were so nervous and you could almost feel their hearts pounding faster and faster. Then as soon as we walked out on to the pitch the roar of the fans was amazing – unbelievable”. Both youngsters were also impressed with the number of photographers and cameras focused on them during those few minutes.

Andrew and Zoe were the two lucky winners of the McDonald’s player escort programme. They had participated in a drawing competition back in April and their entries were selected by an independent jury. Their incredible trip to Kiev also included several other activities and events, apart from the match, that were specially organised for them and the other escorts from all around Europe who were participating in the final.

Zoe and Andrew expressed their gratitude to McDonald’s for making this once-in-a-lifetime experience possible.