BaseLine
11-14-2004, 05:14 AM
Dancing Lion 'Goleo' and talking soccer ball named 2006 World Cup mascots
LEIPZIG, Germany (AP) - Goleo VI, a lion puppet designed by the Jim Henson Company that can dance and sing, was introduced Saturday as the mascot for the 2006 World Cup.
http://images.fok.nl/upload/041114_519_Goleo_Pille.jpg
The soccer-mad lion, also known to try his hand at a penalty kick, will be joined by a sidekick, a talking soccer ball named Pille who boasts an encyclopedic knowledge of the sport.
Goleo was introduced by soccer greats Pele and Franz Beckenbauer on "Wetten, dass...," a German entertainment show with the highest nightly ratings in Europe.
"I have met him a few times in recent weeks and we have had a lot of fun together," Beckenbauer said. "I am sure the fans will too. I think Goleo VI will prove to be a very popular figure indeed."
The big Lion's furry body was covered by a jersey with a "6" on it and he wore soccer shoes as he towered over the two soccer greats and other guests while appearing on the program.
FIFA said the lion was designed to be able to entertain and move around freely for the first time to fit modern media, unlike static predecessors such as "World Cup Willie" from the 1966 World Cup in England or "Tip and Tap," from 1974 in Germany.
That's why the Jim Henson Company, famous for the TV series "Sesame Street" and a leader in puppet production, was chosen to help develop the mascot.
His name Goleo VI, according to FIFA, came from the lion's father shouting "Go Leo!" in encouragement when the lion was playing matches. Since he was the sixth to apply for the job of mascot, the soccer organization added the Roman numeral.
Goleo VI and Pille will have their own TV series and appear as World Cup ambassadors leading up to the 2006 World Cup finals, which will be hosted by Germany.
Source: Canada.com (http://www.canada.com/sports/soccer/story.html?id=f7b052a4-c741-4892-a984-0e862b4d2a7d)
LEIPZIG, Germany (AP) - Goleo VI, a lion puppet designed by the Jim Henson Company that can dance and sing, was introduced Saturday as the mascot for the 2006 World Cup.
http://images.fok.nl/upload/041114_519_Goleo_Pille.jpg
The soccer-mad lion, also known to try his hand at a penalty kick, will be joined by a sidekick, a talking soccer ball named Pille who boasts an encyclopedic knowledge of the sport.
Goleo was introduced by soccer greats Pele and Franz Beckenbauer on "Wetten, dass...," a German entertainment show with the highest nightly ratings in Europe.
"I have met him a few times in recent weeks and we have had a lot of fun together," Beckenbauer said. "I am sure the fans will too. I think Goleo VI will prove to be a very popular figure indeed."
The big Lion's furry body was covered by a jersey with a "6" on it and he wore soccer shoes as he towered over the two soccer greats and other guests while appearing on the program.
FIFA said the lion was designed to be able to entertain and move around freely for the first time to fit modern media, unlike static predecessors such as "World Cup Willie" from the 1966 World Cup in England or "Tip and Tap," from 1974 in Germany.
That's why the Jim Henson Company, famous for the TV series "Sesame Street" and a leader in puppet production, was chosen to help develop the mascot.
His name Goleo VI, according to FIFA, came from the lion's father shouting "Go Leo!" in encouragement when the lion was playing matches. Since he was the sixth to apply for the job of mascot, the soccer organization added the Roman numeral.
Goleo VI and Pille will have their own TV series and appear as World Cup ambassadors leading up to the 2006 World Cup finals, which will be hosted by Germany.
Source: Canada.com (http://www.canada.com/sports/soccer/story.html?id=f7b052a4-c741-4892-a984-0e862b4d2a7d)