Soccer-Alpine hosts can party, say Euro 2008 organisers

By Mark Ledsom

BERNE, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Euro 2008 hosts Switzerland and Austria have promised to bury any preconceptions of national reserve and show the continent they enjoy a party during the June tournament.

"There will be a huge party in both countries and I can guarantee that by the time the first match starts, the emotions will be there," tournament director Martin Kallen told reporters after a news conference to mark 100 days to the event.

As well as emphasising their own ability to party, organisers brought in some outside help on Thursday when they presented Jamaican reggae artist Shaggy as the singer of the tournament's official mascot song.

"They're the official mascots and it's my job to loosen them up a bit," Shaggy told Reuters as he pointed to the cutesy cartoon twins Trix and Flix. "In fact I'm going to take them out and get them drunk later and see how much of a mascot they are after that.

"I've been to Switzerland and Austria on tour a few times, enjoyed the food and the people and even partied a little here in Berne. It's perhaps not the greatest partying place but maybe we can change that in June."

Organisers said they would be offering an extensive entertainment programme for supporters at the stadiums, which will open three hours before kick-off to allow fans attending late matches to watch the early evening game on screens.

There will also be DJs, videos and interactive games with similar programmes on offer at the public viewing zones for ticketless fans.