"Hosted by losers" shirts a hit with Austrians

By Alexandra Hudson

VIENNA (Reuters) - Austria fans underwhelmed by the form of the joints hosts of Euro 2008 can now make their point with a range of clothing and underwear in the national colours bearing the slogan "hosted by losers".

Produced by a 27-year-old graphic designer, the slogan mimics the official slogan used by the German organisers of the 2006 World Cup of "hosted by friends".

Barring one angry response suggesting she should be burned as a witch, Stefanie Schoeffmann said the merchandise has been well received in the Alpine country, traditionally more excited by its skiers than its footballers.

"I am a proud Austrian and a patriot, although I would not go around waving flags," said Schoeffmann, sporting a shoulder bag from her range.

"This is just another way of celebrating the fact that we are staging Euro 2008."

The idea came while discussing the likely differences between Germany's 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008, co-hosted by Switzerland and Austria, with her friends, Schoeffmann said.

Austria had a nine-game winless streak in 2007, prompting a wave of both despair and black humour among fans.

Since she began producing the clothes, orders have poured in from Austria, Switzerland -- which shares the same national colours of red and white -- and, of course, Germany.