At the 1966 World Cup, organised by the Football Association, we were introduced to the first official mascot of a football tournament: the famous Willie. Since then and right up to the present day, we have seen how many mascots – ranging from toys to human figures – have brought a unique sense of joy and colour to the numerous football tournaments held since then.
As far as the UEFA EURO are concerned, we had to wait until 1980 in Italy to see the first official mascot. What was seen as a special good-luck charm for many teams has since evolved into a fascinating, unique and even sentimental journey that continues to this day.
EURO 80 - Italy - Pinocchio
As the first official mascot of a European Championship, the Italians were under a lot of pressure to leave a lasting mark. The best way they found to do this was with Pinocchio, a little wooden boy who, at the time, was the star of one of the world’s best-known stories thanks to the Disney book. The Italians chose an ideal mascot both for the moral of his story, which resonated with their Euro, and for his commercial potential, as he became one of the most sought-after toys of the time.
EURO 84 - France - Peno
The second mascot was a rooster called Peno. He was dressed in the colours of the host nation, France, and was also wearing football boots and carrying the tournament’s official ball. A rooster always ready for action, he brought the French a great deal of luck, as they went on to win the title on home soil.
EURO 88 - Federal Republic of Germany - Berni
Everyone was expecting yet another mascot inspired by some kind of toy, but the truth is that Berni took everyone by surprise. A rabbit dressed in football kit, complete with wristbands and a sweatband. As a result, Berni was always ready for a bit of fun, whether with or without the ball. The name of this friendly rabbit was a tribute to the city of Bern, where the German national football team won their first World Cup in 1954.
EURO 92 - Sweden - Rabbit
In 1992, Sweden was once again hosting a major football tournament, and this time all the pressure was on them to come up with a new mascot. In their bid to create something creative and imaginative, the Swedes ended up literally pulling a rabbit out of a hat. Rabbit was a rabbit very similar to Berni, the only real difference being the colour of his kit.
EURO 96 - England - Goliath
In 1996, the English faced the daunting task of surpassing Willie, the mascot that started the whole tradition of official mascots at sporting tournaments. And the truth is that, just 30 years after that milestone, England once again created a mascot which, as well as breaking with the style of its predecessors, was also seen as the ideal toy. The lion Goaliath represented the gentle giant that everyone loves to see and hug, and dressed in the colours of England and featuring as one of the symbols on the national team’s crest, he did not disappoint a single spectator.
EURO 2000 - Netherlands and Belgium - Benelucky
In keeping with the spirit of the BENELUX alliance, the organising committee for the first European Championship to be held across multiple countries had no trouble coming up with the perfect concept and name for its mascot. Benelucky was a figure that was half devil (Belgium – the Red Devils) and half lion (the national symbol of the Netherlands), and whose name conveyed good vibes and positive thinking to everyone taking part in the competition.
EURO 2004 - Portugal - Kinas
Kinas had the difficult task of once again serving as the mascot charged with uniting a nation under a single flag and ensuring the title remained in the host country. And the truth is that Portugal came very close to becoming the first country, after France, to win a tournament as the host nation. Kinas was a boy dressed in the national colours, and his name was chosen in honour of the five blue shields on the Portuguese flag. What’s more, Kinas had a very cheerful disposition and was always up for a game of football with any spectator.
EURO 2008 - Austria and Switzerland - Trix y Flix
In 2008, we once again had two countries hosting a tournament and, for the first time, twice the fun. All thanks to Trix and Flix, a very special pair of twins who came from the Alps. Trix and Flix surprised everyone with their outfits, as each wore the colours of one of the host countries, thus reflecting the bond between two neighbouring nations. What’s more, they were great dancers and even had their own official soundtrack, which got all the fans dancing during the competition.
EURO 2012 - Poland and Ukraine - Slavek y Slavko
A new European Championship, and once again, two host nations: Ukraine and Poland. In keeping with the theme of two countries and two mascots, the organising committee introduced Slavek and Slavko, two figures dressed in the colours of each host nation and sporting hairstyles typical of the region. According to Andriy Shevchenko, these twins could even play football.
EURO 2016 - France - Super Victor
Victor was an ordinary boy until the day he stumbled across a special flying cape, a pair of football boots and a ball. From that moment on, he became Super Victor, flying from city to city during Euro 2016 to deliver the official match ball to the tournament’s stadiums.
Log in or
create your account
Your best self starts here. Come in and get in your prime