World Cup Soccer 2010

[md4958]

Originally Posted by Don Fernando

not true Moe. Only a few countries played with that ball. Germany for example. But all the other major European FA's are not sponsered by Adidas and they didn't get those jabulani balls. The Dutch FA is sponsored by Nike and Nike balls are used during both international games and in the Dutch league. Same goes for France, Italy, Spain, England and many many more countries.

I know AC Milan had the ball before it was released. Adidas used several teams for testing, but you didnt need to be sponsored by Adidas to get the ball... I could have ordered it online 7 months ago!

[Don Fernando]

Originally Posted by md4958

I know AC Milan had the ball before it was released. Adidas used several teams for testing, but you didnt need to be sponsored by Adidas to get the ball... I could have ordered it online 7 months ago!

So could I, but I am not sponsored by Nike, so I am not bound to play with a Nike ball by contract, like the Italian, English, Spanish, France and Dutch FA's

[md4958]

Originally Posted by Don Fernando

So could I, but I am not sponsored by Nike, so I am not bound to play with a Nike ball by contract, like the Italian, English, Spanish, France and Dutch FA's

Italy practicing with a Jubalani ball. What Im saying Ferdi is that they must have been able to use this ball in preparation for the WC.
Italy is sponsored by Puma
Gattuso and Pirlo are both sponsored by Nike

[LooseCard]

Originally Posted by Pistol

I kind of like the new ball if it's contributing to increased goal scoring. If I never see another 0-0 match, it will still be too soon. Faster shots with increased movement adds to the excitement of the game. Purists and goalkeepers may not agree, but seriously, defensive struggles in soccer are BRUTAL to watch. I want to see more 4-3 scores and less 1-0 or 0-0.

I agree on the seeing scores side of this.



But what's with all the Soccer talk and Guy photos?!?!?

[LooseCard]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwCde0wA0Yk

There!
That's better!

The ball is definitely a problem, not just for the keepers but also for attacking players.

We really haven't seen many goals from long range or any quality free kicks either. Most shots from long range just balloon over the goal. Players are even having trouble reading the flight of the ball because it doesn't behave the way they're expecting it to.

Everyone wants to see more goals but it seems like the number of quality goals is not so high whereas the crappy goalie mistakes are on the rise.

[yourchoice]

Originally Posted by kazzaca

The ball is definitely a problem, not just for the keepers but also for attacking players.

We really haven't seen many goals from long range or any quality free kicks either. Most shots from long range just balloon over the goal. Players are even having trouble reading the flight of the ball because it doesn't behave the way they're expecting it to.

Everyone wants to see more goals but it seems like the number of quality goals is not so high whereas the crappy goalie mistakes are on the rise.

The ball may or may not be a problem, but I think the altitude is playing a bigger part. I think all of the venues are all several thousands of feet above sea level. Here's an msnbc article on it. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37789278...ience-science/

Originally Posted by yourchoice

The ball may or may not be a problem, but I think the altitude is playing a bigger part. I think all of the venues are all several thousands of feet above sea level. Here's an msnbc article on it. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37789278...ience-science/

Interesting article!

[LooseCard]

Originally Posted by kazzaca

The ball is definitely a problem, not just for the keepers but also for attacking players.

We really haven't seen many goals from long range or any quality free kicks either. Most shots from long range just balloon over the goal. Players are even having trouble reading the flight of the ball because it doesn't behave the way they're expecting it to.

Everyone wants to see more goals but it seems like the number of quality goals is not so high whereas the crappy goalie mistakes are on the rise.

Yeah, from the little I've caught - the ball is making a huge difference.

The ball is benefitting from a technological upgrade.
The attackers are hitting harder than needed, so the ball is sailing higher faster than they are used to.
The goalies likewise, are expecting the drag and hook/slice of the old ball and are not compensating for the newer techno-ball.





just my

Originally Posted by kazzaca

The ball is definitely a problem, not just for the keepers but also for attacking players.

We really haven't seen many goals from long range or any quality free kicks either. Most shots from long range just balloon over the goal. Players are even having trouble reading the flight of the ball because it doesn't behave the way they're expecting it to.

Everyone wants to see more goals but it seems like the number of quality goals is not so high whereas the crappy goalie mistakes are on the rise.

I'd say the long range goal against the US in the last game was pretty nice! Also, the US' goal that the ref ripped off was definitely a quality indirect that was volleyed very well, and it should have won us the game.

[hotreds]

Ok, no more fat dudes, Pistol Pete!

Interesting about all the blonde Brazilian chicks: they're likely granddaughters or great granddaughters of Nazis that ran off to Brazil after WWII!