alexzanda's o.p.i.

UEFA EURO 2012: LET US PRAY!

Dear God of soccer,

I thank you for another opportunity granted us lovers of the beautiful game of soccer/football.  For indeed, our joy with which we anticipate this UEFA EURO 2012 tournament is "plenty!" 




Dear God, can you imagine the best of European footballers that just finished this season's UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE competition switching allegiance from club to country and having club teammates square up against one another as country foes?  Don't bother to answer, I know you can do more than imagine.

The only minus on this part is that there will be no MESSI!  On this issue, is there any way you can help?  Help us discover another "Messi" in europe? Or better still, have Messi disguise himself like they do it in the "Mission Impossible movies" so he can play for one of the European nations?  I know you have watched the "Mission Impossible movies" and you know what I'm talking about. 

Well, while we are waiting for that "wonder" to happen, these are my other earnest prayers:

*Oh God, grant Poland and Ukraine the grace to be worthy host so that my memory of them would not just be Emmanuel Olisadebe (the Nigerian that played for the Polish national team) and Shevchenko who need no description.

*Still on Shevy, I know you know how my brother loves him, so, for my brother's sake help Ukraine spring some surprise at this competition and let Shevchenko go out in style.  You may even let them win it as long as it will not get into my brother's head to want to compare Shevy to Messi! 

*Dear God, let not Spain think that because they are World Cup and European champions that all bets should be on them.  Remind them of the recent errors of pundits when they were making predictions for the eventual teams to play the 2011-12 UEFA champions league final, so that they can be focused and be ready vessels for you to use in showing the world how beautifully well football should be played. 

*Please God, Let the Italians know that because they have players from Juventus in the team does not mean they cannot be beaten.

*Speak to the English, in English, how it is that the game of football, played on the pitch, is not won by the press or its football association!

*And Lord, I look at the Irish and I think they are the English side opponents should be very much worried about.  Or what do you think?




*I pray thee to help the Germans have their "machines" well oiled and ready, for their lose to the Swiss in a pre-tournament friendly should not be taken lightly.

*Dear Lord, inform the dutch that a Van Persie does not make a forest and that they are gradually becoming one of Europe's current "underachievers!"





*Yes, Portugal! Tell me, Lord, are we to expect any surprise from them? Is Ronaldo "Omoto-sure" going to be the highest goal scorer? You know I will rather consult you than that ferret, what's its name again... who cares! 

*Please Lord, another consultation.  Do you think this is another year of the underdogs like Czech in 1976, Denmark in 1992 and Greece in 2004?




*Lord, you remember Zidane, "ZuZu," France? I know you know Riberi cannot replace him.  But can you make that French come to the party without spoiling it? 

*Also help the Russians remember that they were once champions and they deserve some attention.






*For the Croatians and the Swedish side, give them the heart to do battle like worthy gladiators otherwise... catch my drift, Lord, gladiators, "We who are about to die salute you...?"         

*Dear Lord, most importantly is the request for life and not to be denied power supply to be part of another European display of the beautiful "one game, football without violence!"

    

       AMEN!