Fans decide names
Bear with trousers – UEFA unveil EURO mascot
06/20/2023 10:33 am
This time it should be an animal with pants, that much was already clear in advance, now the mascot for the home European Championship has been unveiled: It’s a bear, based on the world-famous teddy bear. Only the name remains open – it is in the hands of the fans.
The European football association UEFA has unveiled the mascot for next year’s European Championship in Germany. On the website, the association presented the bear with trousers, holding the trophy and wearing black, red and gold shoes. The mascot is a homage to the teddy bear, “which is said to have originated in Germany in the early 20th century”. It follows Berni, the rabbit for the EM 1988 in Germany.
The name of the bear is still open. UEFA leaves it up to football fans and especially children to decide what the animal should be called. There are four names to choose from. “albart”, which is a little bear with big ideas. According to UEFA, it is the perfect companion for every football fan. Next is also “Bärnardo” to choose from, a German bear made for the global stage. “Bärnardo is ready for the match day.” In addition “Bearheart” a possible name eager and ready to unite the global football community in the heart of Europe. And last stands “Heart of Bear” to choose from: “A little bear who puts his heart into it and lives for the love of the game.” The name should then be fixed in two weeks Football Association website can be matched.
The bear with no name has its first appearance in a Gelsenkirchen comprehensive school in the afternoon (2 p.m.). It will be officially presented there alongside tournament director Philipp Lahm and DFB Vice President Célia Šašić. Later it will also be present at the international match between the German national soccer team and Colombia (8.45 p.m./RTL and in the ntv.de live ticker). A media report had previously revealed that the mascot was supposed to be a bear with trousers. The addition was important because: At the home World Cup in 2006, the then mascot “Goleo” caused ridicule because the plush lion wasn’t wearing any pants.
The previous mascot “Berni” from the EM 1988 was a rabbit.
(Photo: picture alliance / baumann)
According to UEFA, the bear with pants should inspire children to move more and be part of the #MakeMoves campaign (in Germany: #BewegtEuch). For this purpose, he is to tour schools in Europe in the coming year before the start of the European Championship. The students should be able to create their own football tricks, which can then be converted into mascot animations for the tournament using motion capture technology.
“As a father, I know how important it is to encourage children’s imaginations. We hope that with our mascot we have created a fun and lovable character that teaches children how to play football,” said tournament director Lahm. The European Championship starts on June 14, 2024 with the opening game in the Munich Arena. The final will then take place on July 14, 2024 in the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.