Three-time FIFA World Player of the Year Zinédine Zidane gave 20 children a day to remember on Sunday when he joined in a small-sided game at one of Vienna's UEFA EURO 2008™ Fan Zones.

'Learn a lot'
Zidane, who turns 36 tomorrow, was at the adidas football park on the Heldenplatz in the centre of the Austrian capital, where youngsters got the chance to train as well as play alongside the former world and European champion. "Working with children is the most important thing of all for me," said Zidane, who was part of the France team that won UEFA EURO 2000™. "When children can play with their idols, they can learn a lot. If I had had that opportunity as a child, it would have brought me a lot."

'Super experience'
The former Real Madrid CF playmaker's presence delighted the youngsters. "It was a super experience to play in the same team as a fantastic player like Zinédine Zidane," said one boy, Dario, after the match. The former French international switched sides halfway through the 40-minute game and also staged his youth training programme, the Predator Clinic, to show off some tricks and offer advice to the young players. "I was very nervous at the beginning. I thought I was dreaming when Zidane came out on to the pitch," said another of the children, Erik.