Kinas is the mascot of the finals
tournament in Portugal. KINAS™, the mascot for UEFA EURO 2004™
aimed at symbolising football passion and energy, debuted at
Porto's Casa Serralves auditorium in front of an audience of
Portuguese children and media.
Portuguese symbol
The name Kinas is derived from a significant Portuguese symbol,
the five shields in Portugal’s coat of arms. According to
Portuguese legend, these shields symbolise the five defeats of
the Moor rulers by D. Afonso Henriques, the first Portuguese
king.
Mystical powers
With a lust for life and an all-encompassing passion for
football, rumour has it that Kinas was born in a small, remote,
Portuguese village with a supernatural gift which saw him assume
the knowledge and craft of all great footballers, past and
present.
Prodigious talent
His talent for football was apparent at an early age, as he
carried a ball with him everywhere and staggered his friends by
his ability to execute the most sublime pieces of skill.
Joy of teamwork
Kinas took delight in the achievements of Portuguese legends Eusébio
and Luis Figo, but his greatest pleasure remains teamwork and
the joy of working together and playing the game for love.
Diligent approach
His incredible footballing skills have never gone to his head
and Kinas is without arrogance and combines a hardworking and
diligent approach to football training with a delight in
competition that is infectious.
Infectious enthusiasm
That passion spills off the pitch too. Kinas loves music,
partying and people, and his friendliness and enthusiasm have a
tendency to spread to all of those around him.
European unity
It was for this ability to create unity among people - a facet
which the organisers of EURO 2004™ think is a wonderful
representation of the spirit of European football - that Kinas
was chosen as the competition's mascot.
Portugal's representative
Embodying the enthusiasm, skill, determination and sense of fun
that make football the greatest sport on earth, Kinas sees his
role as making the EURO 2004™ finals tournament an event that
no-one will dare to miss.
Lucky mascot
Portugal's subsequent victory over Brazil in 2003, their first
against the world champions since the 1966 FIFA World Cup, will
raise hopes in Portugal that Kinas might prove a lucky mascot
for the EURO 2004™ host country.
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