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)
GIANT ADIDAS BAFANA BAFANA JERSEY
adidas unveils Giant Bafana Bafana jersey to mark the last Football Friday
Unite Mzansi Unite
adidas, official sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, have unveiled the giant Bafana Bafana jersey which bears signatures and messages of support from hundreds of thousands Bafana Bafana fans. The giant jersey –which is 60 metres by 48 metres big was unveiled at the Cape Town Stadium to mark the last Football Friday -a concept that saw South Africans wearing the colours of their national team every Friday in the days leading to the 2010 FIFA World Cup ™.
The giant jersey was the central tool in adidas’ Unite Mzansi Unite campaign whose aim was to unite South Africans behind the World Cup and the National team – Bafana Bafana. The massive yellow jersey toured the rest of South Africa over seven months:
- covering a distance of 27, 000 kilometres,
- visiting more than 300 towns & villages and
- passing through all 9 provinces South Africa and
- all the host cities receiving an overwhelming welcome along the way.
“We decided to unveil the giant jersey in one of the World Cup venues in order to mark the last Football Friday and to say thank you to all South Africans for uniting behind the World Cup and Bafana Bafana. We have certainly showed the World how united we are in our purpose to deliver a spectacular event and the final on Sunday will be a real cherry on top,” says Zobuzwe Ngobese, the Public Relations Manager at adidas South Africa.
The UMU campaign has not only touched South Africans as it had a very big global arm to it. Football fans from around the world were introduced to the yellow headband –known as the UMU a month before the tournament. This item has been sold globally at retail stores and all proceeds from the sales will go towards the 46664 –a Nelson Mandela charity organisation. Fans from South Africa and rest of the world have been wearing these yellow headbands at World Cup matches –something which created a sea of yellow at the stadiums –particularly when South Africa was playing. Some players also wore the UMUs on the field of play to show their support for charity.
“We are pleased that during all the three Bafana Bafana matches –the stadium was painted in yellow and more pleasing is the fact that the enthusiasm of South Africans continues all the way irrespective of whether our team is still there or not. That is what our campaign was all about –to unite South Africans behind the event,” adds Ngobese.
Some prominent people who have been part of the campaign include President of the Republic of South Africa Jacob Zuma, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, Danny Jordaan and Lucas Radebe. Musicians, actors and South African sports personalities also embraced the campaign.
Ordinary South Africans on the streets were equally touched by the campaign when the giant jersey reached their towns and villages while other locals offered to support UMU by showcasing their talents through song, dance and performances during truck stops in their areas.
With the jersey revealed, adidas has plans to leave a legacy long after the World Cup has gone. Certain high profile people and personalities who signed the jersey will have their signatures cut from the replica jersey, framed and auctioned on eBay. Proceeds from the auction will go to the Nelson Mandela 46664 charity organizations.
“As the world’s leading football brand, it was very important for us to leave a legacy after the campaign had finished. We have decided to select 11 signatures from prominent South Africans who signed the jersey and we will have pieces of their signatures framed for people to purchase on ebay -in order to raise funds and awareness for the great work the Nelson Mandela charity is doing,” adds Ngobese.
All South Africans that signed on the jersey will be able to say they were part of this historic event which was held on the African continent for the first time. It is expected that the spirit of unity will linger on after the World Cup and this is good news for the South African national team –which now enjoys unprecedented support following their brave at the tournament.
THE BATTLE OF THE BRANDS
The World Cup semi-finals begin today as Netherlands and Uruguay battle it out for a place in the final at Soccer City on Sunday. They play either Germany or Spain who face each other on Wednesday.
Adidas are guaranteed a team in the final as they supply both Spain and Germany with their official kits. The other semi-final is an intriguing match-up between Puma (Uruguay) and Nike (Netherlands). Puma took the honors in 2006 when Italy beat Adidas sponsored France. Can the cat brand do it again? Nike have seen their groundbreaking ‘Write the Future’ campaign come in for some mockery as all the stars have already returned home. But they could bounce back and have the last laugh if the Dutch add a star above their crest. Neither Netherlands nor Spain have ever won the tournament.
The question is: Which team has the players to take them all the way?
Uruguay have lost Luis Suarez to suspension but will still rely on ever present Diego Forlan. The Athletico Madrid man wears Adidas AdiZero boots as does the Netherlands danger man Arjen Robben. Wesley Sneijder has been untouchable for the Dutch. His form could be thanks to the Elite Series Nike T90 Laser III he has worn throughout the World Cup. He and fellow T90 wearer Miroslav Klose are both on 4 goals for the tournament. Germany’s attacking options don’t end with Klose however. Mueller has been a revelation and Podolski has shown the form we know he is capable of. Both wear AdiZeros while Schweinsteiger – another one to watch – wears AdiPures. Spain’s weapon of choice is David Villa – who leads the Golden boot race with 5 goals. The new Barcelona acquisition is another AdiZero wearer. Iniesta will be in CTR360s while his fellow midfielder Xavi will be in the Predator X.
The Adidas Adizero looks sure to end the 2010 FIFA World Cup as Top-Scoring Boot, with more than double the goals of second placed Nike T90 Laser III.
“GREEN GAME” DELIVERS ENHANCED PERFORMANCE AND REDUCED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Brazil and Holland to Wear National Team Kit Jerseys Made Entirely From Recycled Polyester for Friday’s Showdown in South Africa
When Brazil play Holland in Port Elizabeth on Friday afternoon, players on both teams will take to the pitch wearing the most environmentally-friendly and technologically advanced kit in football history. The jerseys are made entirely from recycled polyester, each one directly produced from up to eight recycled plastic bottles.
The plastic bottles are diverted from Asian landfills, then chopped into flakes and melted down to a solution from which yarn is produced. This is then knitted into the fabric used to make the shirts. All national team shirts created by Nike for summer 2010 (whether worn by players or available for fans) use this process.
The kits are part of Nike’s ‘Considered Design’ programme, which aims to reduce or eliminate toxics and waste, increase the use of environmentally preferred materials and use Nike innovation to create more sustainable products.
Nike National Team Kit Highlights:
- • Nearly 13 million plastic bottles have been diverted from landfill by using recycled polyester for Nike-sponsored national team jerseys, preventing a total of around 254,000 kg of polyester waste, from being buried at landfill sites.
- • This would be enough to cover more than 29 football pitches, and if each recycled bottle used to make these jerseys was laid end to end they would cover over 3,000 kilometres, more than the entire coastline of South Africa.
- • This saves precious raw materials and reduces energy consumption by up to 30% compared to manufacturing virgin polyester.
While reducing the environmental impact of production, Nike’s national team jersey delivers the best performance on pitch. The improved Nike Dri-FIT fabric, now 13% lighter than previous Nike kits fabrications, keeps players dry by drawing sweat to the outside of the garment. The innovative ventilation zones along each side of the jersey and below the waistband on the shorts significantly increases air passing through the fabric to keep players cooler.
PUMA JB FINAL BOOTS
When the 11th of July rolls around, the world will turn its attention to Johannesburg, South Africa where the 2010 Fifa World Cup Final will be taking place inside Soccer City. The 94,700 seater stadium known as ‘The Calabash’ (because of its African pot design inspiration) has been highly praised for its world class design and facilities. It is no wonder that Puma have created a boot inspired by this amazing stadium and its mosaic exterior. The boots even feature the GPRS co-ordinates of the iconic stadium printed on the inner.
The release of the Puma v1.10 and PowerCat 1.10 boots were met with much excitement and now their latest colourway, the aptly named ‘JB (Johannesburg) Final’ will undoubtedly catch the eye.
The new Puma PowerCat 1.10 JB Final
The new Puma V1.10 JB Final
ROBINHO VS RONALDO
Today will see one of the most anticipated games of the World Cup being played at the magnificent Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Two of the hot favourites for the title will face each other in their final Group G encounter. It is Brazil v Portugal and Nike are looking to see who will ‘Write the Future’ – Robinho or Ronaldo?
ADIDAS AT THE V&A WATERFRONT – CAPE TOWN
Today England take on Algeria in Cape Town but it is neither the first nor last time the southern city will be alive with football fever. Adidas have given fans an opportunity to carry on with celebrations even when there is no game to watch. If you come to Cape Town be sure to visit the Waterfront. This is why:
adidas activities at V&A Waterfront during the World Cup
“adidas has partnered with the V&A Waterfront for the 2010 World Cup™ to enable all visitors to the Waterfront to have a football experience and share in the spirit of uniting behind the World Cup™”, says Zobuzwe Ngobese, Public Relations Manager, adidas SA.
At the busy and bustling Barrow Court located inside the Victoria Wharf Shopping Mall fans will have a special opportunity to partake in the adidas interactive football promotion that has been set up there.
“Visitors are filmed in front of a green screen and superimposed into an advert featuring yourself and international football superstar Lionel Messi. Customers get a flash drive with their video loaded free and can take this home to upload onto their own facebook or youtube accounts to share the experience with friends”, says Bradley Stern, Senior Trade Marketing Manager, adidas SA.
The adidas Football Experience will take place on Cape Town match days at the Breakwater Parking Area roof top. This will be the site of the adidas interactive football zone and test boot centre where fans can try out the latest F50 adizero and other adidas football boots. The site will include a mini pitch football tournament, shot speed measuring goal, a dribbling activation to beat Messi’s time. Entry will be free and there will be great giveaways and prizes. “The main prizes include the chance to win one of six tickets to the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ semi final at Cape Town Stadium and signed Lionel Messi posters”, adds Stern.
“We are delighted to be partnering with the V&A Waterfront across this iconic precinct. It’s the perfect environment for adidas to engage with as many fans as possible and make sure they have a special experience”, adds Stern.
“Our key objective at the V&A Waterfront is to create a football experience for all our visitors both local and international in a fun safe and secure environment. It is great to partner with official FIFA World Cup™ partners like adidas to deliver a range of football experiences to our visitors and football fans” says Join Elliott, V&A Waterfront Commercial Director 2010.
WORLD CUP REPLAY – IN LEGO
The World Cup is in full swing with most of the teams having played at least one match, while some are heading into their second. It is still too early to begin predicting who the ‘inform’ teams are – even though there are a few who are looking really good. It hasn’t been a huge goal fest as some may have expected but there is one guy who might be thankful. 19 year old Fabian Moritz from Laatzen in Niedersachsen, Germany recreates goals using nothing but stop motion and Lego. Discovered first by Bild.de, and then by The Gaurdian.co.uk, Fabian has been re-enacting goals with Lego for a few years – and what a time-consuming hobby it is! We have had great fun watching the short clips (we have not enjoyed re-watching Green’s blunder however). Here are two of Fabian’s masterful works.
England v USA
South Africa v Mexico
ADIDAS JABULANI – FEEDBACK FROM THE BALL SCIENTISTS
Following some complaints from players participating in the 2010 FIFA World Cup about the Jabulani Match Ball, adidas invited their ball scientists from Germany to provide some insight on how the ball is made as well as on some of it’s technical features.
SAMUEL ETO’O AND FELLOW LIONS INTERVIEW
An interview with Cameroon and Inter Milan star Samuel Eto’o as well as past and present Cameroon stars courtesy of Puma:
You’ve had a fantastic season does that help you going into the World Cup?
Even if my season with inter Milan hadn’t been that good the World Cup is motivation enough.
How important is the World Cup in Africa?
The World Cup is a huge party for everyone in Africa. So I hope African countries will do the best for the image of Africa.
How much pressure is there on you at the World Cup?
Football is a huge party so we just try and have a good time. My hope is that I have an enchanted moment and if god helps and I score goals that would be fantastic of course but my aim is to help the team and I’m absolutely sure that if we think as a group and work as a group we’ll have an amazing World Cup.
How do you rate your chances in Group E?
We have the same chances as any other country in the group but it’s not an easy group and well need to play at 200 percent if we are to progress to the next step. We hope that luck will be with us.
It’s been a long time since you got to the knock out stage. Is this your year?
Quarter final in itself is not a title. For me there’s no point: in my career I’ve done better than that before. I think we should have a dream to reach the last day and if God can help us that would be fantastic.
What does Africa Unity mean to you?
We should all look in the same direction. Puma has given us the orientation – when a team is playing we shouldn’t just support one country but a whole continent.
How does it feel to wear a whole continent on your shoulders?
It’s like wearing a whole continent on your shoulders.
What experience has Paul Le Guen brought to the team?
He was a fantastic player and is now a great coach. He brought all the professional aspects to Cameroon: the calm, the vision and the focus to get everybody to do their jobs.
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- Cameroon legend Roger Milla on…
Samuel Eto’o
“He’s the best centre-forward in the world”
Cameroon 2010 vs Cameroon 1990
“Today African teams are more organised and focused – at this World Cup we could do amazing things”
- Cameroon goalkeeper Carlos Kameni on…
Their Group E rivals
“We respect the other teams in our group but we don’t fear them”
The influence of the Premier League
“The Premier League gives Cameroon players a strong spirit It is a hard league and those players who play there give us extra spirit”
The importance of goalkeepers
“Some people just talk about strikers but if you don’t have a goalkeeper you can’t win a game”
- Cameroon striker Mohammadou Idrissou on…
Being Indomitable Lions
“I believe we can win the World Cup We have the name We are Cameroon We are lions”
Group E favourites Holland
“We don’t need to be afraid of Holland They need to be afraid of Cameroon”
Progressing to the Second Round
“I believe that Holland and Cameroon will go through”
Reputations
“It’s not enough to have big players from big teams They need to be ready”
The Group E dark horses
“Everybody talks about Holland but we know that Denmark won nearly every game in qualifying This is a serious group”
The importance of Samuel Eto’o
“Eto’o is a good player and a team player He’s a great captain and we need him But we have 23 players and we all need to fight”
Tactics
“Paul Le Guen has shown us that we can’t just attack – we need to also defend”
Motivation
“The World Cup is different from the Cup of Nations – it won’t be hard to get motivated there”
- Rigobert Song on…
His third World Cup
“This will be by most special World Cup as it will be my last one I’ve given a lot to Cameroon but I
will treat this one like my first World Cup I’ll be like a young player who wants to improve – I want
to do something special”
Winning the tournament
“I do think we can the World Cup If we can beat Japan and make it through to the second round
then I’m very confident”
His record of two red cards in two World Cups
“I got my two red cards at World Cups when I was learning my trade It was a period of transition but if you look at my record these days I get much less cards”
His career future
“I’m coming to the end of a two year contract with Trabzonspor but I’m waiting to see what will happen after the World Cup”
- Cameroon’s 1990 Olympic gold medal winner Patrick Mboma on…
Being slow starters
“Cameroon’s problem is we’re slow to start in tournaments but we don’t have that luxury because we have to win that first game against Japan It’s better to play Netherlands with six points in the pocket”
Cameroon’s two striking legends
“Eto’o has won so much but Roger Milla opened the door for other players”
