Hi, friends!
You can place a self-created banner instead the opera default image.
Steps: go to Programs → Opera → Images → Open Banner.gif with you preferred drawing tools and modify it as you prefer.
After, see the image below. Select the point in the squared red drawed box and click OK. 
Enjoy Opera, the king of browsers!
Is also possible to place a link in this personalized space but this is a little long to say here. Maybe in the future i will post something about.
Very good Marco !!!
Can you please, please mail me how to do this ?
Ciao, Fast
Yes Fast, I discovered it last week… I like experiments eheheh. I will send you a IM later (now I’m going to eat) or tomorrow. Please, try to understand: this is not totally correct (Opera, you know, is without ads if you pay!) and I don’t want cause problems writing on this forum the other tricks. Ok, now I go. Will send you IM with the solution.
Mille grazie 
Gelukkig om u te helpen (babelfish… hope is right! ;D )