European Championships Mascots
The first mascot to make an appearance at the European Championships was a large-nosed young fellow called Pinoccio, back in the 1980 tournament over in Italy. And since then it's probably made rich men of a few bosses of some advertising and marketing companies across Europe as it became big business to create these cheeky little chappies.
1980 - Italy - "Pinoccio"
A naked wooden lad with a ball and a paper hat. And a large striped nose.
1984 - France - "Peno"
Enormous-footed rooster in a French football kit. With a ball.
1988 - Germany - "Berni"
Tough looking rabbit with dodgy Euro-rock headband and even dodgier ball control.
1992 - Sweden - "Rabbit"
The most cunningly named of all the mascots. Slightly better ball control than Berni but equally bad head gear.
1996 - England - "Goaliath"
Slightly boss-eyed lion in excruciatingly tight shorts. With a ball.
2000 - Holland and Belgium - "Benelucky"
Strange demon-lion thing. With a ball.
2004 - Portugal - "Kinas"
A Portuguese kid. With enormous, fat hands. But only 3 fingers.
2008 - Austria and Switzerland - "Trix and Flix"
Fun-loving Austro-Swiss chums with jester-style haircuts. But no ball.
