Rok and Koolette stage their comeback

After having entertained more than 540,000 people during the Men's World Handball Championship 2017, the much loved tournament's mascots, Rok and Koolette, are back to promote the Women's EHF EURO 2018 which will take place in France from 30 November to 16 December.

Rok, the bear, and Koolette, the weasel, embark on a new mission: spread the spirit of "HANDBALLISSIME" across Europe to turn the next next Women's EHF EURO into a great success.

After a few weeks of well-deserved holidays, they are newly dressed and ready to appear regularly on the EHF's social media channels to entertain every handball fan for more than a year and a half.

The two characters embody the values of handball, combining strength and power for Rok, agility and dynamism for Koolette, their name referring to the "roucoulette", the French word for spin shot.

Their 2018 return meets a strong demand from fans that have followed them wanderings throughout 2017.

"When the World Championship had come to an end, we received many requests from fans and clubs, asking whether the mascots would continue to exist. They wanted to purchase the costumes and create communication tools with their images,” said Sylvie Pascal Lagarrigue, president the French EHF EURO 2018 Organising Committee. Presented with such enthusiasm, the OC in agreement with the EHF, decided to prolong the adventure Rok and Koolette.

"When they launched the two mascots in January 2016, France Handball 2017 surprised the world of handball. One year later and by extending the mascot's life to ensure the promotion of the Women's EHF EURO, I look forward to see into the glow in the eyes of children, but also of adults, when they come to the event and when they support the French Team," said Olivier Krumbholz, head coach of the French women's national team.