World Cup Ball
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Jabulani World Cup 2010 Football
World Cup Ball
It’ not just any old ball, scientists have been developing the 2010 world cup ball since the end of the 2006 World Cup. The object is to develop the optimum football that is flight accurate, water proof, fast in flight and transfers all of your kicking force to the ball (does not absorb energy), has soft feel, and is safe to head the ball. Optimum footballs must also adhere to ball specifications given by governing bodies such as FIFA. The World Cup Ball of 2010 in South Africa has been named “Jabulani”JABULANI which means ‘Celebrate’ in the African language of Isizulu. This ball is a keepers dream. Consistent in flight and a superb surface to grip. It has eight thermally bonded 3-D panels which have been spherically moulded, so apparently it is the roundest ball ever!
The design
Eleven different colors are used in the Adidas “JABULANI”, the eleventh Adidas World Cup ball. These 11 colors represent the 11 players in every team, the 11 official languages of South Africa and the 11 South African communities that make the country one of the most ethnologically diverse countries on the African continent. The colorful design brings together the tremendous diversity of the country in harmonious unity. Four triangle-shaped design elements on a white background lend the ball a unique appearance in African spirit. And like the outer facade of Johannesburg’s Football City Stadium, individual design elements also capture the colorfulness of South Africa.The Match Ball for the 2010 FIFA World Cup features a completely new, ground-breaking technology. Eight 3-D spherically formed EVA and TPU panels are moulded together, harmoniously enveloping the inner carcass. The result is an energetic unit combined with perfect roundness. Following the first tests, players all over the world are enthusiastic and are promising many goals with the new ball.
Engineering the 2010 FIFA World Cup Match Ball – JABULANI
Jubulani Grip’n'Groove profile
Aero Grooves:
Aero grooves create the clearly visible profile on the ball’s surface. The Grip’n'Groove profile circles around the entire ball in an optimal aerodynamic way. The integrated grooves provide unmatched flight characteristics, making this the most stable and most accurate Adidas ball ever. The ground breaking performance features of the “Jabulani” have been confirmed in comprehensive comparison tests at Loughborough University in England and countless checks in wind tunnel and the Adidas football laboratory in Scheinfeld, Germany.
Jabulani Grip n Groove Technology
Grip:
Since the introduction of the “goose bumps” surface for the last European Championship ball, the microtexture of the new ball’s outer skin has also been given a visible facelift. The Jabulani has futuristic texture with fantastic grip, giving players full control over the ball under all weather conditions.
Adidas always involves world-class athletes in the development and testing of its products. For the Adidas Jabulani, Adidas partners AC Milan, FC Bayern Munchen, the Orlando Pirates and Ajax Cape Town tested the ball in 2008, contributing to improvements in the surface structure and material composition. The involvement of players will continue to help bring the best football products to market going forward.
2006 World Cup – Germany
Italy won their fourth world crown in Germany, beating France on penalties in Berlin. If Zinedine Zidane’s red card was the Final’s defining image, Italy’s triumph would be remembered as a team effort with ten different Azzurri players finding the net. It was also a special month for Germany, the goals of Miroslav Klose helping secure third place in a tournament memorable for the festival mood across the host country.2006 Statistics
Teams: 32
When: 09 June 2006 to 09 July 2006
Final: 09 July 2006
Matches: 64
Goals Scored: 147 (average 2.3 per match)
Attendance: 3359439 (average 52491)
Winner: Italy
Runners-Up: France
Third: Germany
Fourth: Portugal
adidas Golden Ball: Zinedine ZIDANE (FRA)
adidas Golden Shoe: Miroslav KLOSE (GER)
Yashin Award for the Best Goalkeeper: Gianluigi BUFFON (ITA)
Best Young Player Award: Lukas PODOLSKI (GER)
FIFA Fair Play award: Spain, Brazil
FIFA Award for the Most Entertaining Team: Portugal
Yashin Award for the Best Goalkeeper: Oliver KAHN (GER)
FIFA Fair Play award: Belgium
FIFA Award for the Most Entertaining Team: Korea RepublicWorld Cup Trivia – Trailing Japan inside the last ten minutes, goals from subs Tim Cahill (2) and John Aloisi led Australia to a 3-1 win, Oceania’s first in the finals.
