One of my favorite Kinks tunes is the joyful, rollicking "Everybody's Gonna Be Happy." So if my UEFA Cup Final picks come through, I'll be sure to play that Kinks track at stun volume and dance like the penguin hero from Happy Feet.

Ukrainian squad Shakhtar Donetsk take on Germany's Werder Bremen at 1:30 CST for the UEFA Cup final. The match takes place in Istanbul (*not Constantinople) at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, and will be televised by FSC (Fox Channel Channel) and also via the Web on FoxSoccer.tv

Shakhtar's coach, Mircea Lucesco, expects the meeting will display two divergent forms of futbol: "Bremen is the attacking team with very good physique and a lot of really good athletes on their team," Lucescu said. "And as for Shakhtar Donetsk, the style is based on the good technique of the players and, naturally owing to our specific qualities, they will try to exercise control over the progress of the game" (Associated Press). Lucesco should feel quite comfortable in his surroundings today, for he previously performed quite well as coach of Istanbul's Galatasaray and Besiktas. Interestingly enough, however, he has only been victorious once at the Istanbul stadium.

The youthful Shakhtar squad will be without midfielder Tomas Huebschman due to suspension, but the only player who may sit from injury is free kick specialist Jadson. Werder Bremen, however, take the pitch in a more troubling state, for Brazilian soccer superstar Diego is banned for the meeting. Also, Naldo is likely out with a groin injury.

Though young, I like the health and overall pitch prowess of Shakhtar Donetsk today. Also, the team is 3-0 with Lucesco against German opposition.

Shakhtar Donetsk 0 (-110)

and

Over 2.5 goals (-120)

*This is a reference to a fun tune by They Might Be Giants called "Istanbul."