No world cup would be complete without it....

[Pothas]

One of them certainly ended in the pool but I think the champions league ball ended after a spectacular Pete volley.

Indeed we must, although I think our cricket pitch may have gone.

[sledger]

Originally Posted by Pothas

One of them certainly ended in the pool but I think the champions league ball ended after a spectacular Pete volley.

Indeed we must, although I think our cricket pitch may have gone.

Haha, we can easily make it again. Pretty sure it started to flatten out after we played on it for an hour or two. I played cricket for the first time in ages yesterday, and it showed. Several horrible edges and several horrible bruises to show for it.

[BoyBrumby]

Seemed to behave itself pretty well in the first coupla games, anyway.

[GIMH]

Didn't notice that they were using a ball in that second game tbh

[sledger]

Originally Posted by GeraintIsMyHero

Didn't notice that they were using a ball in that second game tbh

Would like to kick you in the balls tbh.

[silentstriker]

Originally Posted by Samuel_Vimes

Capitalism. The 'World Cup Ball™' sells.

So introduce it a month after the last WC is over. That way teams have four years to get used to it. Whining or not, isn't it completely legitimate to complain that the most important piece of equipment on the field changes right before the most important event of many of these players lives?

[PhoenixFire]

I dunno about other countries, but the Bundesliga used the ball all season and the Danish teams had the opportunity. I think Nike make the Premiership balls here, so they wouldn't be able to bring them in in England.

[Matteh]

Originally Posted by silentstriker

So introduce it a month after the last WC is over. That way teams have four years to get used to it. Whining or not, isn't it completely legitimate to complain that the most important piece of equipment on the field changes right before the most important event of many of these players lives?

When I over-hit a cross, I don't blame it on the ball, I blame it on the fact I'm ****.

Suggest the players start doing the same.

[silentstriker]

I'm not saying it's a valid excuse as all teams have the same ball - but the fact is why change something so fundamental to something players are not used to? Surely that has an effect on the overall quality of play?

Even the most minor of changes would have big ramifications at this level.

[Matteh]

Originally Posted by silentstriker

I'm not saying it's a valid excuse as all teams have the same ball - but the fact is why change something so fundamental to something players are not used to? Surely that has an effect on the overall quality of play?

Even the most minor of changes would have big ramifications at this level.

Each league has different ball rights with people like Nike/Mitre/Adidas/Puma and so on. So the guys in the Premiership play with a different ball to the guys in Spain/Germany/Italy and so on. Need a World Cup ball precisely so they do have the same ball and a level playing field.

[G.I.Joe]

Originally Posted by silentstriker

I'm not saying it's a valid excuse as all teams have the same ball - but the fact is why change something so fundamental to something players are not used to? Surely that has an effect on the overall quality of play?

Even the most minor of changes would have big ramifications at this level.

Its not like they were all playing with the same ball before the world cup, though. The tournament needs a standard ball, and they have to adapt no matter what.

[GingerFurball]

Originally Posted by Matteh

Each league has different ball rights with people like Nike/Mitre/Adidas/Puma and so on. So the guys in the Premiership play with a different ball to the guys in Spain/Germany/Italy and so on. Need a World Cup ball precisely so they do have the same ball and a level playing field.

Not only that, but the Jabulani has been used at the FIFA World Club Cup, the African Cup of Nations, has been available to use in the Bundesliga (which doesn't have a matchball sponsor, so Adidas sponsored teams have had the option of using it in home games), the MLS, Argentinian Clausura and the latter stages of the Scottish Cup.

It's not like the ball has been brought in cold, it's been used reasonably extensively throughout the last 6 months.

[grecian]

Originally Posted by GingerFurball

Not only that, but the Jabulani has been used at the FIFA World Club Cup, the African Cup of Nations, has been available to use in the Bundesliga (which doesn't have a matchball sponsor, so Adidas sponsored teams have had the option of using it in home games), the MLS, Argentinian Clausura and the latter stages of the Scottish Cup.

It's not like the ball has been brought in cold, it's been used reasonably extensively throughout the last 6 months.

Has it been used at altitude?

Sorry, I've lived through all these nonsense ball-scare stories, but this time it doesn't seem to be bull****. Most forward balls are being over-hit, almost all free-kicks seem to be blasted over the bar, and the ball seems very hard to control. Some dipping when it's hit low, too, but I don't mind that. Keepers should be able to handle that if their technique is good.

Maybe the players will adjust as the tourney goes on, but so far there's been about two good goals, everything else seems basic mistakes or set pieces.

[GingerFurball]

Originally Posted by grecian

Has it been used at altitude?

Sorry, I've lived through all these nonsense ball-scare stories, but this time it doesn't seem to be bull****. Most forward balls are being over-hit, almost all free-kicks seem to be blasted over the bar, and the ball seems very hard to control. Some dipping when it's hit low, too, but I don't mind that. Keepers should be able to handle that if their technique is good.

Maybe the players will adjust as the tourney goes on, but so far there's been about two good goals, everything else seems basic mistakes or set pieces.

Not sure how high grounds are in the US or Argentina.

If there's a problem then it's more down to altitude than the ball. There will be less resistance so the ball will travel through the air further and bounce higher - that would be an issue even if you used the Nike balls that are used in the Premiership or La Liga, or even the Adidas Finale ball used in the Champions League.

[grecian]

Originally Posted by GingerFurball

Not sure how high grounds are in the US or Argentina.

If there's a problem then it's more down to altitude than the ball. There will be less resistance so the ball will travel through the air further and bounce higher - that would be an issue even if you used the Nike balls that are used in the Premiership or La Liga, or even the Adidas Finale ball used in the Champions League.

Well yes, but they knew it was going to be played at altitude, so why did they use these beach balls, maybe even have ones that would fly less?

Just silly IMHO.