Germany unveils a teddy bear as the mascot for Euro 2024 but this time with pants

By Associated Press

GELSENKIRCHEN: The mascot for next year’s European Championship in Germany will be a teddy bear — and this time it won’t be naked from the waist down.

The mascot made its first appearance Tuesday morning by surprising children at a primary school in Gelsenkirchen, where it was set to appear again later before the team’s friendly game against Colombia.

The large-headed mascot with big eyes has shorts — in contrast to the 2006 World Cup mascot, a lion named “Goleo” that was widely ridiculed for not having pants.

The as-yet unnamed teddy bear also has a soccer jersey, socks and boots.

Fans were to help name it by choosing between Albärt, Bärnardo, Bärnheart or Herzi von Bär.

“Bär” is the German word for bear.

“As a parent, I know how important it is to stimulate children’s imagination,” Euro 2024 tournament director Philipp Lahm said.

“With the launch of our tournament mascot, we hope to create a fun and likeable character that will inspire them to enjoy playing football.

” The mascot is due to appear in host cities over the next year.

Germany will host the tournament from June 14-July 14, 2024.

<br /> GELSENKIRCHEN: The mascot for next year’s European Championship in Germany will be a teddy bear — and this time it won’t be naked from the waist down.</p> <!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 2.0.85 --> <div class="quads-location quads-ad843 " id="quads-ad843" style="float:none;margin:0px 3px 3px 3px;padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;" data-lazydelay="0"> <!-- WP QUADS - Quick AdSense Reloaded v.2.0.85 Content AdSense async --> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block;" data-ad-format="auto" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7550963679842137" data-ad-slot="4374041191"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});</script> <!-- end WP QUADS --> </div> <p>The mascot made its first appearance Tuesday morning by surprising children at a primary school in Gelsenkirchen, where it was set to appear again later before the team’s friendly game against Colombia.</p> <p>The large-headed mascot with big eyes has shorts — in contrast to the 2006 World Cup mascot, a lion named “Goleo” that was widely ridiculed for not having pants. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1687167573941-0’); });</p> <p>The as-yet unnamed teddy bear also has a soccer jersey, socks and boots.</p> <p>Fans were to help name it by choosing between Albärt, Bärnardo, Bärnheart or Herzi von Bär.</p> <!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 2.0.85 --> <div class="quads-location quads-ad843 " id="quads-ad843" style="float:none;margin:0px 3px 3px 3px;padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;" data-lazydelay="0"> <!-- WP QUADS - Quick AdSense Reloaded v.2.0.85 Content AdSense async --> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block;" data-ad-format="auto" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7550963679842137" data-ad-slot="4374041191"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});</script> <!-- end WP QUADS --> </div> <p>“Bär” is the German word for bear.</p> <p>“As a parent, I know how important it is to stimulate children’s imagination,” Euro 2024 tournament director Philipp Lahm said.</p> <p>“With the launch of our tournament mascot, we hope to create a fun and likeable character that will inspire them to enjoy playing football.</p> <p>” The mascot is due to appear in host cities over the next year.</p> <!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 2.0.85 --> <div class="quads-location quads-ad843 " id="quads-ad843" style="float:none;margin:0px 3px 3px 3px;padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;" data-lazydelay="0"> <!-- WP QUADS - Quick AdSense Reloaded v.2.0.85 Content AdSense async --> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block;" data-ad-format="auto" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7550963679842137" data-ad-slot="4374041191"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});</script> <!-- end WP QUADS --> </div> <p>Germany will host the tournament from June 14-July 14, 2024.<br />