Germany Unveils a Teddy Bear as the Mascot for Euro 2024, but This Time with Pants

The mascot for next year's European Championship in Germany will be a teddy bear. (Reuters)
The mascot for next year's European Championship in Germany will be a teddy bear. (Reuters)
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Germany Unveils a Teddy Bear as the Mascot for Euro 2024, but This Time with Pants

The mascot for next year's European Championship in Germany will be a teddy bear. (Reuters)
The mascot for next year's European Championship in Germany will be a teddy bear. (Reuters)

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.



Injured Maignan to Return to Milan after Overnight Hospital Stay

Football - Serie A - Udinese v AC Milan - Bluenergy Stadium, Udine, Italy - April 11, 2025 AC Milan's Mike Maignan during the match. (Reuters)
Football - Serie A - Udinese v AC Milan - Bluenergy Stadium, Udine, Italy - April 11, 2025 AC Milan's Mike Maignan during the match. (Reuters)
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Injured Maignan to Return to Milan after Overnight Hospital Stay

Football - Serie A - Udinese v AC Milan - Bluenergy Stadium, Udine, Italy - April 11, 2025 AC Milan's Mike Maignan during the match. (Reuters)
Football - Serie A - Udinese v AC Milan - Bluenergy Stadium, Udine, Italy - April 11, 2025 AC Milan's Mike Maignan during the match. (Reuters)

AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan spent the night in a hospital after being carried off on a stretcher following a collision with teammate Alex Jimenez in the second half of their 4-0 win at Udinese on Friday.

The club has confirmed Maignan will make his way back to Milan on Saturday after spending time under observation in the hospital.

Milan were 2-0 up at Udinese in Serie A when Maignan left his box and clashed heads with Jimenez while attempting to block the ball in the 51st minute, rendering him unconscious.

Jimenez, who also took a heavy knock to the head, initially played on but was forced off about 18 minutes later.

"Fortunately, Mike is fine. We all asked the doctor how he was, and he reassured us by telling us that he’s in the hospital for tests, but he’s doing okay. He’s a great captain," Milan defender Matteo Gabbia told reporters after the game.