World Cup Ball

[Didsbury Dave]

This happens every world cup, a new ball which is like no other has been introduced since 1990.

Leads to missed penalties and goalie mistakes, plenty of free kicks going a mile over in the first few matches. Normally better for heading though.

In 20 years time it will just be a big power ball.

Correct.

Someone scores a wonder goal early in the tournament.

Then the keeper blames the new ball.

It's as much a part of world cup tradition as Scotland's comedy exit or England's heroic defeat on penalties.

 

[Corky]

Mcbride's hattrick v Portugal in 2002 was due the the Portugese keeper being scared of the new ball.

 

[chedinho]

makes a lot of money for the makers of the ball and fifa.thats the real reason why we have new designs.

 

[Barcon]

Apparently, some leagues have been using this ball for a while allready.

Bundesliga did.

I think the spanish league did as well.

 

[quiet_riot]

Here's the ball we should use, very true, no unexpected swerve.



[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haPnYi0XWcs[/youtube]

 

[samharris]

This happens every world cup, a new ball which is like no other has been introduced since 1990.

Leads to missed penalties and goalie mistakes, plenty of free kicks going a mile over in the first few matches. Normally better for heading though.

In 20 years time it will just be a big power ball.

It's always "the roundest ball ever", whatever the fuck that means.

Always makes me laugh when they say that..

a circle is round...a ball is spherical..

 

[Freestyler]

absolutely dog shit.

I got it, it's awful, got the replica in the end, miles better.

 

[Nervous Nedum]

Bundesliga did.

I think the spanish league did as well.

La Liga are contracted to use Nike balls, as is Serie A and the Premier League.

I have the replica which is alright, but have only felt the official ball. It feels very rubbery, very plasticy but I bet it absolutely flies when you hit it.

 

[J-Bay Blue]

According to all the Dutch players...the ball does act a whole lot different when playing in high altitude.

Holland is one of the lowest lying countries in the world so that's why the ball didn't swerve as much.

Fair enough mate, I'd assumed denser air would have more effect on it but it ain't my field. Overall though I can only see any extra unpredictability having a positive effect for us fans, ie pass the ball along the floor then anywhere in the final third FUCKING SHOOOOOOOT ;)

The air is 17% less dense in Jo,burg, Rustenburg and Pretoria than at the coast, and will cause the ball to behave very differently - it should bounce more and travel faster and further.
Not sure about swerves and curves.

I live at the coast and hit my golf drives about 210 metres - no great shakes.
When I play in Jo,Burg, it goes 250 metres and I think that I am Ernie f*cking Els.
Add 70 metres of roll in winter mornings when the ground is rock hard and it makes me believe that I am not a hacker after all!

I think that we might see quite a few upsets, and one of the less fancied teams winning the World Cup - possibly a South American team.

Sorry to say, but I also expect lots of injuries - Drogba might not have broken his elbow on the soft english turf.

Africa aint for sissies!

 

[dick slexia]

This happens every world cup, a new ball which is like no other has been introduced since 1990.

Leads to missed penalties and goalie mistakes, plenty of free kicks going a mile over in the first few matches. Normally better for heading though.

In 20 years time it will just be a big power ball.

No change for Heskey then