Hot date no contest for big game

Gisele Bundchen. Photo / AP

More than half the world's soccer fans would consider giving up the chance to have a date with a supermodel if it meant missing their side winning the Uefa Champions League final, a survey has found.

The survey by OnePoll interviewed 5638 men from 15 countries and found that 52 per cent would consider passing up a date with the likes of Brazilian model Gisele Bundchen rather than miss their team lifting the Uefa Champions League trophy.

And 37 per cent said they would miss or definitely miss the date.

But the fantasy women were not the only ones men were willing to leave in the lurch for the game.

Almost 60 per cent of the respondents said they would be willing to skip a date with their wife or girlfriend and 55 per cent would rather watch the game than meet their girlfriend's parents for the first time.

The final between Barcelona and Manchester United tomorrow morning will be watched by millions worldwide.

One of the fans glued to the screen will be Graham Goodinson from the Manchester United FC Supporters Club in New Zealand.

Mr Goodinson, originally from Manchester, said he would happily give up a date with a supermodel to watch the game and his decision had nothing to do with his wife.

He has supported the men in red for the past 50 years.

"I can't see myself having anything in common with a supermodel. She probably doesn't even know what football is."

Mr Goodinson said he planned to watch the final at a bar in the viaduct with fellow Man United supporters.

"It will be lively and noisy."

Asked if he would have got into trouble if he had chosen the game over meeting his in-laws for the first time, he replied: "Not at all."

Mr Goodinson said there wasn't much he would not give up to see the team he had supported for five decades take the field at Wembley.

He says he has a friend who is a Man United fan and who worked as a security guard. The friend was told by his bosses that he couldn't get the day off on game day.

"He cut his own hand with a Stanley knife ... And you know what his job is now? He's got his own limousine company and he drives around the Manchester United players."

Barcelona supporter Adeline Mursam would give up a date with a male supermodel to watch tomorrow's game.

Ms Mursam said she had missed a friend's birthday party to watch Barcelona play.

"Most of my friends are guys and most would give up everything."

Asked if she would give up being a bridesmaid at a friend's wedding, Ms Mursam said: "Oh, yeah, definitely. I could go later."

The match
Who: Barcelona vs Manchester United
What: Uefa Champions League final
When: Kick-off 6.45 tomorrow morning (New Zealand time)