ADIDAS UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINALE MUNICH BALL
The UEFA Champions League will kick-off once again when the round of Last 16 begins on February 14th. Ahead of the knock-out stage Adidas have unveiled the new ball design for the final set to be held in Munich, Germany.
In a change from previous season the new Finale Munich ball will be used throughout the knock-out stage and not just on just on the 19th May 2012 at the Allianz Arena. The iconic Champions League star motif stands out beautifully with this White/Slime/Cyan/Indigo colourway unique design elements.
The adidas Finale Munich 12 ball has received the highest FIFA rating for weight, water uptake, shape and size retention. The PSC texture, an advancement from the ‘pimple’ design, aids power, swerve and control in all weather conditions.
Star shaped panels are joined by revolutionary thermal bonding technology for perfect aerodynamics. Negating the need for seams and stitching benefits the ball prolonging the life and giving it a more predictable trajectory, better touch and lower water uptake.
UMBRO NEO PRO – HI VIS FA CUP BALL
This weekend the English Premier League takes a break as the oldest federation competition in the world takes centre stage. The FA Cup never fails to deliver excitement and controversy as well as the frequent ‘giant killings’. As the Third Round kicks off this weekend we take a look at Umbro’s new Hi Vis Neo Pro ball: the football made to be seen and not saved!
The Neo Pro is engineered for unrivaled accuracy and true flight – redesigned and reinvented for this years competition, to deliver unrivaled accuracy and true flight.
14 laser cut panels are hand stitched and offer larger strike zones for a better connection and more power. The 14 panel design also creates better shape retention for a smoother, faster and more accurate flight on the ball as it’s flying through the air.
With 140 years of FA Cup history to celebrate, Umbro have labelled the Neo with classic cliche’s from the game, such as: The Giant Killing Ball; The Cup Run Ball and The Clear The F#!@* Ball Ball!
To celebrate the new ball Umbro are also hosting a special competition on their Facebook page, where you can win a hi-vis Neo Pro, the official ball of the FA Cup. With The Neo Pro being used in all 32 games in the Third Round it is sure to hit the back of the net a few times – last year there were 122 goals at this stage of the competition.
With this in mind, Umbro are asking you to guess how many goals will be scored in this year’s Third Round. To enter post your guess into Umbro’s special Facebook competition page here. The five people closest to the actual total of goals will win the Neo Pro ball, so get your guess in now if you want a chance to win – you’ve got until 3pm on Saturday to enter, before the majority of fixtures kick off!
ADIDAS COMOEQUA – OFFICIAL MATCH BALL OF THE 2012 AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS
Introducing the adidas ‘Comoequa‘, the Official Match Ball for the 2012 Orange African Cup of Nations. The name takes its inspiration from the Como River which runs through both host nations – Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, and the Equator which runs throughout Africa and unites both host nations.
The adidas Comoequa features a bright yellow base colour inspired by the vibrancy of African culture, and links to the flags of both tournament hosts — Gabon and Equatorial Guinea through colour markings on the central triangular panels. The Comoequa, shares the same construction as the Tango 12, the Official Match Ball for the UEFA Euro 2012™, and is the third ball adidas has produced for the tournament, having started as the Official Supplier of the African Cup of Nations in 2008.
Complementing the design, the adidas Comoequa features a series of triangular panels that are thermally bonded together to ensure a true, stable flight path. Covering each panel of the ball is a grip texture which supports boot to ball contact and enhances ball control. Beneath the outer surface of the ball lies a woven carcass and a new bladder for increased air retention and reduced water uptake.
The adidas Comoequa will be used on field during the African Cup of Nations which kicks off on January 21st when tournament hosts Equatorial Guinea take to the field at the Estadio de Bata in Bata. The adidas Comoequa is available for purchase in adidas retail outlets and associated stockists as of January 2012.
ADIDAS AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS MATCH BALL TEASER
The 28th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations will kick off on January 21st as 16 of the continents best teams via to be the best in Africa. With a new tournament comes and new ball and Adidas have released a teaser ahead of the new ball’s release on January 2nd.
In 2008 there was the Wawa Aba and the Jabulani Angola in 2010. Gabon and Equatorial Guinea play host this year and will be the source of inspiration for the ball that will no doubt be similar to the new Tango 12.
ADIDAS LA GALAXY HOME PRIME FOOTBALL
Adidas have unveiled a special Prime ball which will be used exclusively by the LA Galaxy for all their home games next season. MLS Cup Champions will use this shinny version of the new Prime football next season as they defend their title!
The adidas Prime ball has the same design features of the new Tango 12 with a series of triangular panels thermally bonded together to ensure a true, stable flight path. Covering each panel of the ball is a grip texture which supports boot to ball contact and enhances ball control. Beneath the outer surface of the ball lies a woven carcass and a new bladder for increased air retention and reduced water uptake.
ADIDAS PRIME – OFFICIAL MLS MATCH BALL
The MLS will have a new look next season with a new expansion team, a new schedule, new jerseys and possibly some new players arriving from the Premier League. We don’t know whether we will be seeing David Beckham in the MLS next season but we will be seeing the new official MLS match ball from Adidas.
The adidas Prime ball has the same design features of the new Tango 12 with a series of triangular panels thermally bonded together to ensure a true, stable flight path. Covering each panel of the ball is a grip texture which supports boot to ball contact and enhances ball control. Beneath the outer surface of the ball lies a woven carcass and a new bladder for increased air retention and reduced water uptake.
T the new adidas Prime replaces the adidas Jabulani ball beginning in 2012 and features a MLS colourway designed exclusively for MLS. The adidas Prime was created to improve on “accuracy, consistency and performance” under all field and weather conditions, according to adidas. “We worked directly with both field players and goalies to rigorously develop a ball with the truest and most stable flight path,” said adidas’ MLS manager, Ernesto Bruce, in a statement.
ADIDAS TANGO 12 – OFFCIAL UEFA EURO 2012 BALL
Yesterday adidas and UEFA unveiled the Official Match Ball for the UEFA EURO 2012 – the Tango 12. The ball was unveiled on stage during the UEFA EURO 2012 finals draw by former Ukrainian Olympic pole vaulter Sergey Bubka.
Based on the classic Tango design used during both the FIFA World Cup and UEFA EURO tournaments during the early 1980s, the adidas Tango 12 features a modern interpretation of the design including a coloured outline inspired by the flags of the two host nations – Poland and Ukraine.
The adidas Tango 12 is the eleventh Official Match Ball produced for the EURO tournament leading on from a rich history in adidas football development which started in 1963. During that period, three Tango inspired designs have been produced for the EURO tournaments — the 1980 Tango River Plate, the 1984 Tango Mundial and the 1988 Tango Europa — making the adidas Tango 12 the fourth in its history.
Etched into the Tango design are three bespoke graphics which celebrate the decorative art of paper cutting, a tradition in the rural areas of both host countries and link to the key characteristics of football – unity, rivalry and passion.
Complementing the design, the adidas Tango 12 features a series of triangular panels that are thermally bonded together to ensure a true, stable flight path. Covering each panel of the ball is a grip texture which supports boot to ball contact and enhances ball control. Beneath the outer surface of the ball lies a woven carcass and a new bladder for increased air retention and reduced water uptake.
The adidas Tango 12, which has been developed over a two-year period, underwent two rigorous types of testing – qualitative player testing, which was conducted across eight different countries, using players, federations and clubs from both elite and grass roots football, and quantitative lab testing, which concluded that the adidas Tango 12 meets and exceeds all FIFA Approved Standards for an Official Match Ball making it the most tested ball adidas has ever produced.
England and Manchester United winger Ashley Young said this of the new ball; ‘I’ve played with the new ball and it feels like it is going in the right direction when I pass it, especially when you dribble with it and try and keep it under close control, me being a winger that’s my game. The ball is great for going forward with and sticking to my feet as I dribble.‘
NIKE SEITIRO HI-VIS BALL
The Nike Seitiro has been a huge success since it was launched as the official match ball in the Barclay’s English Premier League, Italy’s Serie A and Spain’s La Liga.
Now with winter coming, Nike have released the new Hi-Vis version of the Seitiro. Continuing to bring new innovations to football, the Hi-Vis ball features Nike RaDaR technology, which means Rapid Decision and Response. As a lab and field-tested standard of visual performance Nike RaDaR technology allows players to see the ball better and capitalize on split second scoring and passing opportunities.
The Nike Seitiro is engineered to stand out on pitch when conditions are not ideal. The yellow and purple color combination flaunts additional fluorescence and brighteners, making it even more visible in low light conditions than previous generations of Hi-Vis balls.
The patented hi-vis casing, performance graphic, and unique five-layer construction, as well as the ball’s touch, aerodynamic stability and Nike RaDaR technology make the Seitiro one of the best balls around.
Nike Seitiro Hi-Vis ball features include:
1. Micro-textured hand-stitched TPU casing for great touch and durability
2. Nike RaDaR technology performance graphic for a strong visual signal
3. A 360 degree sweet spot distributes pressure evenly across panels
4. Optimal sphericity allows the ball to fly faster, farther and more accurately than other balls
5. Flexible, cross-linked Nitrogen-expanded foam for shape retention and durability
6. Six-wing carbon-latex bladder for explosive acceleration off of the foot
7. Designed to FIFA’s approved specifications, weighing between 420-445 grams, and with a circumference of between 68.5-69.5 centimeters
The new ball has already featured in a number of Nike adverts and made its official on field debut this weekend in the Spanish La Liga.
ADIDAS UEFA CLUB COMPETITION BALLS
Adidas presents the Official Match Balls to be used during the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Super Cup tournaments.
The Finale 11 – The Official Match Ball for the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League Season
The design of the Finale 11, the Official Match Ball for the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League season, builds on the tradition of the iconic UEFA star ball. The Finale 11, which is now eleven years into its development, features an updated colour story that highlights the broad appeal of football by using a myriad of colour symbolizing every team, every player, every stadium and ultimately every fan. The ball also has a bold, loud and young star graphic throughout. The adidas Finale 11 is the second season ball on which the famous UEFA Champions League star panel shape is integrated in the technology of the ball.
The variation of colours ranges from red through to green, purple and yellow inside the star panels and is combined with a traditional dark border. In line with adidas’ continued advancements in ball technology, the Finale 11 has a diamond texture that gives even more grip for enhanced control and also features thermal bonding which creates a seamless surface.
All games in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League will be played with the adidas Finale 11, with the match ball for the knock-out phase of the competition including the UEFA Champions League Final in Munich, Germany on May 19th, 2012 being unveiled in 2012.
The Official Match Ball for the 2011/12 UEFA Europa League
As the Official Match Ball supplier for the UEFA Europa League since the commencement of the tournament, adidas developed the Official Match Ball in line with the visual language of the logo and brand colours of the competition.
The UEFA Europa League Official Match Ball 2011/2012 is an evolution of the 2010/2011 ball, continuing the colour story but also featuring a new grip technology as seen on the UEFA Champions League Finale 11 ball. The design is inspired by the UEFA Europa League trophy incorporating the competition colours, whilst the improved Grip Texture means even more grip in any weather condition.
All games of the UEFA Europa League – including the Final in Bucharest on May 9th, 2012 – will be played with the new ball. The adidas Finale 11 and the 2011/12 UEFA Europa League ball are now available at retail stores worldwide.
The Official Match Ball for the UEFA Super Cup 2011
Following the successful launch of its first Official Match Ball for the UEFA Super Cup in 2009, adidas will continue to offer a specially designed ball to mark the prestigious occasion. The design of the ball takes inspiration from the colours of the UEFA Super Cup logo, as well as the colours of the respective teams competing in the game – FC Barcelona and FC Porto. As with the UEFA Europa League ball, the UEFA Super Cup ball features the industry-leading Grip Texture technology.
The ball will take to the field on August 26th, 2011 when the winners of last season’s UEFA Champions League, FC Barcelona, meet the winners of last season’s UEFA Europa League, FC Porto, at the Stade Louis II in Monaco. The ball will be sold in selected retail outlets throughout Europe and exclusively at the UEFA Super Cup in Monaco making it a true collector’s item.
LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC BALL NAMED ‘THE ALBERT’
The London 2012 Olympic Games will be the biggest East End knees up in history with the official ball that will be used in the Olympic football tournament named as “The Albert”
With exactly one year to go until the start of the Olympic football tournament, adidas, the Official Sportswear Partner of London 2012, have announced the unique name for the football. The Albert was suggested by Robert Ashcroft from Long Eaton in Derbyshire after the Great British public were invited to ‘name the ball’. Mr Ashcroft submitted his suggestion of The Albert with his reasoning being the link to cockney rhyming slang – with ‘Albert Hall’ (one of London’s most iconic landmarks) meaning ‘Ball’.
In fact, the name Albert proved to be a very popular entry with over 10 variations of the name (Alberthall, Albertball, The Albert, Albert, Alberthallball etc) entered in the competition. Mr Ashcroft was the first to submit the name ‘Albert’ within the entries. Aside from the ‘Albert Hall’ link plenty of other iconic London phrases and places make the name Albert even more fitting – Uncle Albert from Only Fools and Horses, Albert Square from EastEnders, Albert Bridge over the River Thames and not forgetting the Albert Docks found in Newham, one of the Host Boroughs for the London 2012 Games.
The competition not only proved popular amongst the public with over 12,000 unique names submitted in the ten day period but also some of the country’s top sports stars got in on the action suggesting names; Tom Daley stated a claim for ‘The Stratford Bouncer’ and England’s Ashes hero, Steven Finn suggested ‘The Record Breaker’.
Nick Craggs, adidas UK Marketing Director said: ‘We are delighted that we were able to offer the British public the opportunity to name the London 2012 Olympic football, and to receive so many great names. The London 2012 Games are becoming synonymous with the East End of London and it was important to us that the name reflected this strong heritage – ‘The Albert’ creates mass appeal to the British public as well as creating global intrigue.’
Robert Ashcroft from Derbyshire who chose the winning name said: ‘I can’t believe that my name was chosen for the ball that will have such a big part to play in the biggest sporting event on earth. The name was an obvious choice for me. With London hosting the 2012 Games it made sense to name a ball with the London Cockney rhyming slang heritage.’
Paul Deighton, CEO of the London Games Organising Committee LOCOG, said: “It’s fantastic that adidas involved the public in the naming of this very special football for this very special tournament which will take place across the UK in 2012”.
The design of the Official London 2012 Olympic football will remain under wraps until its launch in Spring 2012.