"Why is our World Cup lion not wearing any shorts?"

HAMBURG - "Why is our World Cup lion not wearing any shorts?" one newspaper asked in a front-page banner headline.

This, and a number of other questions, seemed to sum up the sense of bafflement among German football fans and commentators after the unveiling of Goleo VI as official World Cup 2006 mascot.

The shaggy-haired lion looks like a llama, wears a pair of football boots and a retro German football shirt - but no shorts - and carries a talking football which goes by the name Pille.
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This American-invented cuddly lion, the Sueddeutsche Zeitung surmised, is yet another "expression of transatlantic misunderstanding". Goleo seems to represent Germany's image in the United States of "an old hippy who runs around without any trousers on ..." and "a toothless old codger talking to a muttering football".

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http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=26&story_id=13955&name=German+World+Cup+lion+comes+in+for+a+mauling

http://www.spiegel.de/img/0,1020,407586,00.jpg

Yup, I have posted something along these lines a few days ago, but now it is offcial..

On Edit: One thing: "Pille" i.e. pill is a slang word for ball. But it was also Dr. McCoy's nickname in the German version of Star Trek (i.e. Bones).

...it doesn't look like the Germans have much hope of going very far in the actual World Cup, either. Maybe the mascot is symbolic.

They did play during the European Cup and one shouldn't disregard the home advantage. Also, the home team has traditionally an easy group during the World Cup.
Remember, they are vice-World Champions.

...in the first round of the European Championships. Humiliating.

Well, maybe Klinsmann will be able to create a new team over the next year and a half if he gives some youngsters a chance, now, to show what they can do. I hear he's capping a new defender for the friendly against Cameroon.

It isn't a humiliation in the European Championship, only in the World Cup.
England for instance, almost never survives the first round in the European Cup.

I wouldn't be too surprised if they were eliminated in the beginning. Nor would I be surprised to see them in the final.
Anyway it goes: it won't look nice.

...but it was due to my being part German rather than any real affection for the German style of play. Otherwise, I'm mostly Hungarian and Hungary hasn't been a factor at the World Cup since the mid-sixties (before I was even born).

And, of course, I'm too ashamed of America right now to support that team (if they qualify).

...thought you might be interested: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=316583&cc=5901

...a lot more has always been expected of them than England.

After decades of the Germans always being among the favorites for each World Cup or Euro Championship, it is very unusual to see where they are, now.

the Germans beat us on penalties after neither side is able to win following extra time. :(

and STILL end up in the final game or in the top four with irritating frequency. They're the Alain Prost of soccer.

Yeah, maybe you're right (and I'm sure neutrals who just want a more creative and entertaining side to advance will be as disappointed as ever). :7

I sense an evil conspiracy here...

I assuming they have already but asking anyway. I wish I could go.

They'll start selling them in February.

As the tickets are an Orwell-esque RFID equipped concept, I'm still undecided whatever or not I really want to have one.

Good to see he is still involved in the sport

He might know . . .

They must have a secret competition to out-stupid the previous World Cup's mascot.