RECENT RELEASES
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ADIDAS TANGO 12 FINALE
Spain and Real Madrid captain, Iker Casillas unveils the exclusive adidas Tango 12 Finale ball at Ciudad del Futbol
Adidas have unveiled the official Tango 12 Finale match ball for the UEFA European Championship Final with the help of defending champion and Spain and Real Madrid captain, Iker Casillas at the Ciudad del Futbol in Madrid.
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 Finale features a modern interpretation of the design including bespoke graphics designed to represent the two host countries and link to the key characteristics of football – unity, rivalry and passion.
The adidas Tango 12 Finale, 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 Finale meets and exceeds all FIFA Approved Standards for an Official Match Ball making it the most tested ball adidas has ever produced.
With a month until the tournament begins, the reveal of the new adidas Tango 12 Finale official match ball to fan’s across the world also marks the launch of the adidas “Road to the Final” – a campaign designed to give consumers across Europe the chance to win a line-up of UEFA Euro 2012 prizes, including official match tickets.
The “Road to the Final” campaign will see the ball complete a virtual tour through every country competing in the tournament over the course of the next month on its way to Poland and finally the Ukraine. At each stop an adidas sport star will post a picture of themselves with the ball on the official adidas Facebook page and Twitter feed, with every “like” or re-tweet from fans automatically entering them into a draw to win a line-up of UEFA Euro 2012 prizes.
Alongside winning different prizes, each selected winner will then be sent a replica of the Tango 12 Finale and will be asked to post a picture of themselves with the ball at a famous landmark to show off their success. Following the initial reveal in Madrid, different winners will be announced across the three weeks building up to the UEFA European Championships, to follow the winners visit www.facebook.com/adidasfootball or follow them via Twitter on @adidasfootball.
The adidas Tango 12 Finale will be available in adidas retail outlets and associated stockists from 1st June.
UMBRO LAUNCHES ST GEORGE COLLECTION
Umbro, the official kit supplier to the England team, has today unveiled the St George Collection, an on and off field range which will be used by the England squad at this summer’s European Championships.
The red and white of the St George’s flag is fundamental to this patriotic collection as is the striping detail inspired by the Umbro jacket worn by England manager Sir Alf Ramsey and which features on the current home kit.
The whole St George Collection is underpinned by Umbro’s commitment to delivering a smart look for on and off the field.
On the pitch, Umbro’s signature three pro boots; the Geometra Pro (worn by England and Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart), the Speciali 3 (worn by strikers Darren Bent and Andy Carroll) and the GT 2 Pro (worn by England and Tottenham defender Kyle Walker) have all been redesigned incorporating the distinctive St. George collection design. These boots will be worn at the 2012 European Championships by Umbro players who are selected for the squad. (See them here:)
As well as the Geometra boots, Joe Hart’s Geometra Pro gloves have been given the St George Collection makeover. Tailored for use at the highest level of the game, the Geometra gloves include newly developed hyper-extreme latex for improved grip teamed with an extended palm for greater ball control. The striping detail on the gloves doubles up as an embossed structured punch zone with a silicon coating to allow keepers the cleanest possible punch.
The new Neo 2 Pro, which will be used in England matches at Wembley, features an innovative 14-panel design uses fewer seams and allows for cleaner and larger strike zones. It is crafted with materials which allow maximum shape retention and consistency when striking the ball to give a faster and truer flight. The new graphic design offers better in-game visibility, allowing players to judge the amount of speed and spin on the ball with greater ease.
Off the field, the Umbro premium leather luggage ensures the England team looks as smart off the field as they do on it. The luggage, which players will use during the tournament, is crafted with fine black leather and includes subtle red design details.
Three headline products make up England’s high quality leather travelling range; the wash bag, messenger bag and weekender bag:
Joe Hart, Manchester City and England, said: “Umbro is known for producing smart gear and the new St George Collection is a perfect example of that.”
“It is an incredible feeling to step on to the football pitch and represent your country, and it’s great to see this collection embracing the colours of the St. George’s flag. The new Umbro Geometra boots and gloves complete the head to toe look for me and I love it.”
The St George Collection is available from May 4th from www.umbro.com
ADIDAS PRESENT 2012 OLYMPIC FOOTBALL’S OFFICIAL MATCH BALL – ‘THE ALBERT’
The Albert, the official match ball to be used at the London 2012 Olympic Games football tournament was officially revealed today at The City of Coventry Stadium by Tom Cleverley of Manchester United and Robert Ashcroft, the 43 year old from Derbyshire who named the ball.
Tom Cleverley was on hand to present the ball to Robert Ashcroft, before they both stepped up to the penalty spot to be the first individuals to play with the ball in a London 2012 Olympic hosting stadium.
Cleverley said at the launch, “The Albert certainly has a unique name and striking identity. It is like no other ball I’ve seen before and it is going to really stand out on the pitch. The ball looks youthful and that is what London 2012 is meant to be about. The Olympic Games is going to be a huge event for Great Britain and if selected I would be delighted to represent Team GB.”
The name ‘The Albert’ was chosen after adidas, Official Sportswear Provider for the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games, invited the Great British public to ‘name the ball’.
Over 12,000 unique names were suggested over a ten day period in February 2011 and the name of the ball was announced in July 2011, one year ahead of the football tournament.
The Albert carries the London 2012 logo and features additional design elements in striking colours from the London 2012colour palate. The ball will be used to kick off the Olympic Football Tournament in Cardiff on 25th July, two days before the Opening Ceremony.
Ashcroft submitted his suggestion of ‘The Albert’ with his own interpretation of cockney rhyming slang where he proposed the London iconic landmark ‘The Albert Hall’ could mean ‘Ball’.
Technology:
‘The Albert’ 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 is a woven carcass and a new bladder for increased air retention and reduced water uptake.
‘The Albert’ meets and exceeds all FIFA Approved Standards for an Official Match Ball making it the most tested ball adidas has ever produced.
The official ball is now available for purchase in adidas retail stores and associated stockists. It will also be available from the London 2012 online shop from 2 March at www.london2012.com/shop.
ADIDAS ANNOUNCE AFCON 2013 MATCH BALL NAME
Adidas, the official match ball supplier for AFCON and all FIFA sanctioned tournaments, today announced Katlego as the official match ball name for the 2013 AFCON tournament to be played in South Africa.
Katlego, which means ’success’ beat alternate names khanya (which means light) and motswako (which means mixture/medley) as the official match ball name, was chosen by African football fans – via an three week online competition – across the continent as the chosen name for what will be adidas’ fourth consecutive sponsorship of the AFCON official match ball.
“adidas is proud to be at the helm of the production and the naming of yet one more South African-inspired official match ball following the resounding successes of both the Kopanya and Jabulani match balls, which were launched for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup respectively,” says Zobuzwe Ngobese, PR manager at adidas South Africa. “This will be adidas’ fourth official match ball for the AFCON since its partnership with the federation in 2008.”
The competition, which was hosted by the SuperSport and CAF websites during the course of 6 to 19 February 2012, gave African football fans the unique opportunity to cast their votes and to make history.
“We are confident the 2013 AFCON tournament will be a resounding success as the name of the official match ball suggests,” adds Ngobese.
The overall design and the technology utilised in the making of Katlego will be officially unveiled in October 2012.
Ismail Badmus of Nigeria, was also announced today as the voter who wins a double ticket and trip for two to the watch the final match of the 2013 AFCON tournament in South Africa.
NAME AFCON 2013 MATCH BALL WITH ADIDAS
Adidas, the official ball supplier for AFCON and all FIFA sanctioned tournaments, will produce the official matchball for the 2013 edition of AFCON –which will be played in South Africa. Adidas –in conjunction with Supersport –is inviting all African football fans to participate in choosing the appropriate name for the official matchball for 2013 AFCON tournament. To streamline the process, adidas has shortlisted 3 names from which the public can choose. The names were taken from local South African languages as the host nation. A similar approach had been used in choosing the name for 2010 FIFA World Cup – Jabulani.
Adidas are a partner of CAF and official ball supplier since 2008 and have produced 3 balls for the AFCON tournament since 2008:
Wawa aba – for the AFCON in Ghana – 2008
Jabulani – for the AFCON in Angola – 2010
Comoequa – the AFCON in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea – 2012
now we are asking the African football fans in SA and the rest of Africa to participate in a competition to choose the appropriate name for the AFCON ball in 2013 –which will be hosted by South Africa.
The names are: -Khanya (shine/light), Katlego (success) or Motswako (mixture)
To stand a chance of winning a double ticket to the final game of AFCON in 2013 –viewers will have to go to www.supersport.com and vote for one of the 3 names. The winner will be drawn on the 20th of February 2012 as per competition rules and conditions.
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.