World Cup Final Ball Revealed

[Mini-B]

Grrrr... I have to say the ball looks awesome, but that panel design?! I'll bet that those large single-piece panels are going to massively affect the way the ball moves in the air. I can't help but think that yet again a world cup is going to be tainted with controversy about the ball. Someone needs to tell adidas and nike to stop messing with ball design - introducing a radically new ball for a world cup is such a bad idea; inevitably, even with weeks to practice with it, players are going to end up looking stupid because they won't be properly used to it. Maybe/hopefully I'll be wrong, but when you start seeing world class players hitting crosses 20 yards long this summer don't say I didn't say I told you so.

[vanity_soccer13]

but, it's not like the players haven't been using the balls in friendly matches, leagues, etc, so it's not like it's the first time they've ever used them.

I have seen some nasty shots, where the bottom just drops out and the keeper looks pathetic.

[scaryice]

It's the same ball MLS is using, don't forget.

[OutKast3000]

Grrrr... I have to say the ball looks awesome, but that panel design?! I'll bet that those large single-piece panels are going to massively affect the way the ball moves in the air. I can't help but think that yet again a world cup is going to be tainted with controversy about the ball. Someone needs to tell adidas and nike to stop messing with ball design - introducing a radically new ball for a world cup is such a bad idea; inevitably, even with weeks to practice with it, players are going to end up looking stupid because they won't be properly used to it. Maybe/hopefully I'll be wrong, but when you start seeing world class players hitting crosses 20 yards long this summer don't say I didn't say I told you so.

I kinda agree -- I wish they'd keep it simple! I love the champions league ball -- if they just used that with different colors and designs then they'd be all set!

[Skizz]

In addition, for the first time ever, each of the match balls for the FIFA World Cup™ will be personalized with the name of the stadium, the teams, the match date and the kick-off time of each individual game. adidas will supply FIFA with 15 personalized match balls for each match. Earlier this year, each of the 32 qualified federations received a shipment of 20 match balls for training purposes. All teams will receive a second shipment with 20 balls when they start their final preparation. In addition to the 40 regular match balls they will also be supplied with 20 +Teamgeist™ Berlin match balls so that each of the teams can already start preparing for the FIFA World Cup final now! This delivery will bring the grand total of adidas match balls supplied to FIFA and the participating federations to 2,880.

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/7134/goldenball5ee.th.jpg (http://img211.imageshack.us/my.php?image=goldenball5ee.jpg)
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/97/balltrophy5jr.th.jpg (http://img211.imageshack.us/my.php?image=balltrophy5jr.jpg)
Man, that's pushing the boat out. I liked the simple idea of putting the name of the match on the ball, like they did at Euro 2004. Oh well, they put an adidas logo on there so I think there is space.

bigg

[Its Swanny]

2,880 x $130.00 per ball = $374,400.

That's insane.

(I know it doesn't cost adidas that much, I mean, wholesale on the balls is 50% off, so it probably costs adidas around $25 to actually produce the balls. Probably less...)