The hockey World Championship will be hosted by France and Germany, and although Asterix and Obelix have pounded their fists into approximately 30,000 Goths over the course of the comic series, Germans can't seem to get enough of the pair.

Of course, their popularity in France is no mystery, and French Ice Hockey Federation President Luc Tardif said, "We are very proud to have Asterix, a global brand from France, enrich our joint German-French 2017 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in an extremely likeable way.

"The persevering battle of the small Gaulish village against the superior Roman Empire symbolises the trial of strength between two opponents who are seemingly unequal, as is often the case in ice hockey.

"Also during the 2017 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, there will be exciting encounters, in which underdogs on paper will fight for their chance against more favourite teams and they sure will get it.

"For our fans and the participating teams, Asterix and Obelix symbolise role models to show: nothing is impossible.”