Three wishes... for the Champions League Final

1. It's better than the FA Cup Final
If it isn't then I'm going to have to paint my wall again and watch that dry instead.

2. No penalty shoot-out.
My dicky ticker can't take the tension nowadays, so lets have the game settled before the 90 / 120 minutes are up.

We all know that penalties are a lottery, so I would rather see the game won with a sublime bit of skill. In fact, I'd rather see the game won with a sliced clearance by Nesta hitting the crossbar, bouncing back, hitting Dida on the posterior and then rolling over the goalline than a penalty shoot-out.

3. A Liverpool victory.
I don't support Liverpool and I don't often take sides in a cup final thats neutral to me, but I have for this one. I think it would be great to see Liverpool win it again and not just because of the English club factor. Liverpool have such a rich history with the European / Champions League Cup and I for one will be hoping they lift the trophy again on Wednesday night.

Anyone else got three wishes for tonight's Final?

Three wishes ... for the FA Cup Final

1. We want goals.

When do we want them? As early and as frequent as possible, please. Most people seem to be predicting a cautious and possibly dour affair with the prospect of it ending in a penalty shoot-out.

Lets hope not.

2. "Still Ricky Villa..."

If we are going to have goals, lets have a corker, the sort of goal that will make me spill my pint.

A memorable one, in the mould of the mazey Ricky Villa goal of '81. Or that goal by Steve McKenzie also of '81. Or Gerrard's amazing long shot from last year's cup Final.

3. No controversy.

No Drogba diving. No Rooney sending off. No Scholes being ginger. No handbags from Mourinho and Ferguson. No referee trying to make a name for himself. No Lampard sporting a 'goatie' beard. No pies for sale under £10.

I dont think we're asking for too much.

And then there's the three wishes of our old friend, Kedge, who goes for the following:

1. Man. Utd. not just to win, but to absolutely stuff Chelsea.

2. A really good-looking female streaker to run onto the pitch at half-time
and for the TV cameras to zoom in on her.

3. José to get hold of a microphone, stand in the middle of the pitch and
apologise to the whole world for being such a prat.

Not a lot to ask for there is it?

Indeed not, Kedge. It's our right as one of the worldwide audience of 1 billion to ask for such things and, dammit, we'll be really rather peeved if they aren't brought to us in large quantities.

Our thanks go to Kedge for helping us out this time around. On Wednesday, to celebrate the Champions League Final, we'll be asking for your Three Wishes for Michel Platini, UEFA President.

Are there any decisions you'd like to see him make? Any issues you'd like him to deal with in a particularly efficient way? If so, send us three examples by email to write4us[at]spaotp[dot]com and we'll post them before your very eyes here at SPAOTP ahead of the big showdown on Wednesday...

Three wishes of... a Spurs fan

Written by Smart

To be honest, there were more than three things that I could wish for, such as a larger stadium, better public transport to the venue, giving me a seat on the board, etc., but unfortunately the genie said I could only have three wishes, so I opted for some short-term, more achievable options...

1. A decent left back
OK, I'm starting off with the most radical idea. The words 'Spurs' and 'defending' aren't often seen in the same sentence unless separated by words such as 'poor' and 'laughable'. At least, thats been the case since the 1970's.

Now I'm not asking for Spurs to 'shut up shop' at the back and bore me to death. I'm just asking for us to sign someone that is left-footed and can tackle and from the Premiership, I'd have to look no further than Leighton Baines of Wigan, and possibly Nick Shorey of Reading. Both are also quite handy with set pieces, score the odd goal and are English.

For some reason, I'm suspecting Baines will be the cheaper option.

2. A left winger
What's that? You're spotting a trend here? Yes, you're right. Whilst I'm at it, why not cure the problem of Tottenham's left side? Aaron Lennon on the left isn't the solution, and nor is Malbranque. What I wouldn't give for a quality left-sided winger.

We have a young talent on loan from Lens called Adel Traaabt who has looked quite promising in the brief appearances he has made thus far. It would be nice to have someone a bit older, with a bit more experience, however.

To that end, I'd like to see Morten Gamst Pedersen in the new Spurs shirt. On his day, the Norwegian can be a match winner. A good crosser and great with set pieces, it's just a shame his hairstyle is a bit... how do they say it in Oslo.. 'camp'?

Still, beggars can't be choosers, as my dear old Nan used to say.

3. Another beanpole striker
We need another tall striker as Dr. Jol likes his 'Little and Large' combination upfront. Keane and Defoe fill the 'Little' part of the double act, but we need someone to take some pressure away from the Andy Garcia lookalike we lovingly call 'Berbatov'.

That role is currently occupied by Mido, a player I have never really got on with so we need to off load him and fast. We need to find a club that has a recent history of players with a bit of a 'bad boy' image and who love to waste good money on naff strikers. Has anyone got Manchester City's phone number?

As a replacement, well I'd chance my arm on Darren Bent. Tall, pacey and again hopefully quite cheap, he could fit in well at the Lane. He knows a few of the players too, from varying levels of the national squad.

Of course, keeping hold of 'The Talented Mr Berbatov' is a must, unless some Russian billionaire chucks £40 million+ onto the table of the Spurs board. After what Chelsea paid for Shevchenko I think that's still a bargain, however.

So there they are, my three Spurs wishes. Now where did I put that lamp..?


Attention, Attention! This Saturday we'll be looking at 'Three Wishes of... an FA Cup Final Spectator' and we want to offer you the chance to write the article.

If there's three things you'll be hoping to see as you sit down to watch the biggest game of the English football season, why not tell everyone what they are?

All you need to do is contact us at write4us[at]spaotp[dot]com to say that you're interested in taking part, and if no-one else beats you to it, we'll get you to write up your 'three wishes'!

(Oh and don't worry if you're not interested in the FA Cup Final - there'll be other chances to write for us as we look into other subjects in our 'Three Wishes' series later.)

That's all for now - we look forward to hearing from you soon...