The mascot of the European Football Championship in Germany will be named Albart. The German Football Association announced that this was the result of a vote by the umbrella organization UEFA.
The other proposals Bärnardo, Bärnheart and Herzi von Bär failed in the election. Albart received 32 percent of the votes cast.
The mascot of the EM 2024 is a small bear who, unlike the plush lion Goleo at the 2006 World Cup, is wearing trousers. “The mascot pays tribute to the popular teddy bear, which is believed to have been born in Germany in the early 20th century,” UEFA said.
Campaign for more movement
The then still nameless EM bear was introduced to the German fans at the national team’s international match against Colombia in Gelsenkirchen in June. Albart is now set to tour schools across Europe as part of a campaign for more exercise.
