The Mercedes-Benz European Championship Collection 2008 offers fans an ideal range of items for the football highlight of the year. The broad selection of exclusive European Championship shirts and useful accessories is now available for all fans of the German national team.

The items range from shirts and tops, caps and flags to a European Championship teddy bear in replica kit. The special collection was developed in partnership with the German Football Federation (DFB).

Fans watching Germany’s first game on 8th June, 2008– whether live at the St Jakob Park Stadium in Baselor on television – will be able to cheer Joachim Löw’s team on to victory in style with our range of accessories. The European Championship Collection 2008 features exclusive details which set it apart from other collections.

The authentic colour scheme is closely based on the actual team shirts: the main colours white and black or silver-grey are accentuated by the black, red and gold of the German flag, in a ripple design which resembles a Mexican Wave. The Mercedes star and the DFB eagle also feature.

The successful collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and the German Football Federation dates back as far as 1972. After Germanyhosted the World Cup in 2006, Mercedes-Benz became a general sponsor of the DFB and is now kitting out fans of the German team in readiness for Euro 2008.

Basic items for fans of all ages include the functional football shirt. The training shirt is made from 160-gram stretch polyester interlock and a distinctive German flag design ripples Mexican wave-style across the front. A slightly fitted version of the shirt is available for female football fans. The red or white unisex player T-shirt is printed with a player motif and the words "fair play", advocating peaceful and friendly competition.

Female fans can keep their cool during matches in our airy, white top, while for public appearances on cooler evenings there is a fitted white hooded sweat jacket – with neck band and zip tags in the German colours. The version for male football fans is available in sizes up to XXL. The black unisex cagoule is designed to provide protection from the weather’s unexpected whims and folds away into a pocket to save space.

The stylish sun visor and the sporty baseball cap or children’s cap in white, each featuring a wave-design German flag on the peak, are a must, ensuring a glare-free view of the state of play – even in front of the television at home in the garden. The metal clip on the cap ensures a perfect fit and, with its embossed Mercedes star, is eye-catching too.

Another indispensable accessory for fans is the silver-grey printed scarf, printed all over with the Mexican wave design. It not only protects the wearer from draughts but is also perfect for cheering on the team. The same applies to the square scarf, which – worn in fashionable bandana-style – can help the wearer keep a cool head even in the hottest stages of play.

For grand celebrations there’s the 1.50 by 2.50 metre flag in silver-grey with typical European Championship design elements. For practicality it features a tunnel for inserting a flag pole and metal eyelets for hanging. For those out and about the car pennant, measuring 30 by 45 centimetres, is a more practical choice. It features a black pole and mount for the car window. And to add a further touch of stadium flair, there’s our mini kit: the European Championship shirt and shorts in mini format, measuring 17 by 21 centimetres, with a suction pad for sticking to any window.

Other basics include the authentic-size silver-grey football with its four-layer structure and exclusive European Championship design. There’s room for individual items of leisurewear in the robust sports bag, while change, papers, car keys and – for off-duty referees – the lanyard with a black whistle can be tucked away in the silver-grey neck pouch. The integral cord is padded at the back of the neck, ensuring that the pouch is comfortable to wear even when packed.

Youngsters can dream of their heroes around the clock with our 28 centimetre tall, beige-coloured cuddly bear, showing its true colours in a replica Germanykit. School children will love the nylon pencil case – containing pencils, crayons and felt-tips, a pencil sharpener, a ruler, an alphabet template, ink cartridges, an eraser and a timetable.

There’s also a rattle for trips to the playing fields or the stadium – perfect for cheering on the local team too. And if you’re going to be on holiday during Euro 2008, make sure you pack our beachball. And our white ceramic mug for those football-free moments.

All products in the European Championship Collection 2008 are now available at Mercedes-Benz partners.

- Wolfgang Zanker- photos Mercedes