ADIDAS F50 ADIZERO MICOACH – INFRARED/BLUE/WHITE
Having gotten a sneak peak on the feet of Liverpool’s Stewart Downing in the FA Cup Final over the weekend, we can now fully reveal the new Adidas F50 AdiZero MiCoach colourway – which is set to be the lead f50 colourway for the European Championships.
Adidas have released some genuinely eye-catching colourways for the AdiZero over the past but have opted for a slightly more understated colourway ahead of the Euros with this Infrared/Blue/White colourway.
Adidas will hope for a similarly successful European Championship as they had back in 2010 when the AdiZero was released and took the World Cup by storm scoring a total of 43 goals on their way to becoming the tournament’s top scoring boot.
The F50 AdiZero MiCoach boots feature Adidas’ Sprintweb which provides stability during high speed movements. The lightweight Sprintskin upper is a revolutionary single layer synthetic which provides incredible ball-feeling and reduced weight. Adidas groundbreaking Sprintframe uses geometrics and new stud construction to offer the perfect balance between lightweight and stability.
This new colourway – which are available from 1st June – is set to have a big summer as the likes of Lukas Podolski, David Silva, Arjen Robben and Ashley Young will all be in adidas’ headline F50 Infrared/Blue/White colourway in Poland & Ukraine.
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
FIFA WORLD CUP 2010 GOLDEN BALL AWARD
The nominees for the Golden Ball have been announced. Many feel the likes of Forlan, Ozil or Messi are in with a shout. At TRW we feel that the winner will come from one of the teams in the final. Will it be a shootout for the Golden Boot and Golden Ball between Sneijder and Villa?
Nominees for the Golden Ball award:
Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands)
Asamoah Gyan (Ghana)
Diego Forlan (Uruguay)
Andres Iniesta (Spain)
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Mesut Ozil (Germany)
Arjen Robben (Netherlands)
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany)
David Villa (Spain)
Xavi (Spain)
Previous Winners
2006 : Zinédine Zidane (FRA)
2002 : Oliver Kahn (GER)
1998 : Ronaldo (BRA)
1994 : Romário (BRA)
1990 : Salvatore Schillaci (ITA)
1986 : Diego Maradona (ARG)
1982 : Paolo Rossi (ITA)
Nominees for the Best Young Player Award:
Thomas Mueller (Germany)
Giovani Dos Santos (Mexico)
Andre Ayew (Ghana)
DAVID BECKHAM: A WORLD CUP (BOOT) LEGACY
Some people (or teams) seem to have all the luck. Every four years a World Cup rolls around. Only one team can win and it’s often the one surrounded with the least fuss. England can’t seem to build up to the World Cup finals (or any competition for that matter) without some sort of scandal or injury woe. One of the men who has received a fair bit of criticism and public maligning is David Beckham. It seems that Golden Balls is never ‘liked’. He is only ever loved and adored, or hated and hung by the media.
Beckham is an Adidas icon and has been wearing their Predator line of boots since he began his career. With a ruptured Achilles tendon, Beckham’s chances of making a fourth World Cup are now gone. It is a loss for Adidas and brand Beckham but it is also a loss for football.
We take a look back at the boots and defining moments of Becks’ World Cup legacy.
Fifa World Cup 1998 France
David Beckham used his Adidas Predator Accelerator boots in a moment of madness as he kicked out at Diego Simeone. Beckham was sent off and England were knocked out on penalties. His return to England was met with much criticism and abuse as he bore the brunt of the blame for their elimination.
Fifa World Cup 2002 Korea/Japan
Beckham retuned to take his revenge on Argentina as his powerfully struck penalty sent the South Americans out of the World Cup. He couldn’t have asked for a sweeter strike from his Adidas Predator Mania football boots. England went on to lose to Brazil (the eventual winners) in the quarter-finals.
Fifa World Cup 2006 Germany
Beckham’s third World Cup again ended in agony. This time it was both physical and emotional. It would prove to be the last time Beckham would captain the Three Lions. England were again knocked out in the quarter-finals, this time by Portugal. Beckham, wearing Adidas Predators had to be substituted after half time due to an injury. He later stepped down as captain in an emotionally charged press conference.
Fifa World Cup 2010 South Africa
David Beckham’s desire to play in four World Cups drove him to move to AC Milan on loan during the MLS off season. The move helped him secure a place in Fabio Cappelo’s squad through the qualifying campaign. He would have donned his new, unique Adidas Predator X football boots as the world watched. It is not to be unfortunately. Beckham’s career is in no way finished. He will most likely never play in a World Cup again however.
