WEIRD WORLD OF FOOTBALL
MEANWHILE IN …
…Portugal, Tondela have unveiled one of the greatest mascots of all time –a crocodile armed with a crossbow
1.
“ONE MORE STEP, AMIGO, AND THE PHOTOGRAPHER GETS IT”
There are few more daunting opponents than the man-eating crocodile – when that crocodile is also wielding a crossbow, you’ve got no chance.
Thankfully, Tondela’s new mascot doesn’t actually devour humans – positive news for midfielder Joao Pedro, who posed next to the reptile after winning man of the match in a recent victory over Gil Vicente.
Based in the historic Beira region, the Portuguese top-flight team received a mid-season boost with the unveiling of the club’s new mascot, O Beirao. Tondela let fans vote for their choice of mascot – presented with the option of a croc with a crossbow, there was always going to be one winner.
The weapon is a nod to the town’s location in the ancient Terra de Balistariis (Land of Crossbowmen), but why it’s a crocodile is anyone’s guess.
It clearly wasn’t enough for the people of Portugal, though – they voted Vitoria Guimaraes’ Super Afonso the knight as this season’s best mascot instead.