What's the "teamgeist" World Cup soccer ball?

I've started watching the FIFA World Cup 2006 matches and the games are already exciting and well worth watching, but I'm a bit surprised by the soccer ball they're using. What the heck is it?

Dave's Answer:

You're talking about one of the more controversial changes in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, actually, the teamgeist ball. Here's some background info on it from Adidas:

Adidas' Teamgeist is the official match ball of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

FIFA World Cup 2006's teamgeist soccer ball

The adidas +Teamgeist combines tradition and innovation. The match ball is designed in white, black and gold, the colors of German football and the FIFA World Cup .

As a tribute to host Germany's greatest football moments and its traditional uniforms, the adidas design team returned to traditional black and white as the dominating colors for the FIFA World Cup Match Ball. The fine gold accents along the rounded propellers are inspired by the golden FIFA World Cup Trophy. The revolutionary new panel shape is designed to minimize corners and to create a more homogenous system in terms of performance and look. The radiant lines of the graphics surrounding the propeller shape symbolize movement and energy. Teamgeist combines everything needed to become a state-of-the-art product.

"The FIFA World Cup final is the most important match in the history of sport. There really is no greater thing than to play in a World Cup final. That is why I think it is a fantastic idea to have a very special ball especially for this match," said Franz Beckenbauer President of the FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee:"Sure, the ball will still be round, no change there. But it will be a very special game and it is going to be played with a golden match ball that was especially designed for it. I think that's absolutely fantastic!"

The name "Teamgeist" is based on the single most decisive characteristic every team needs to have to lift the golden trophy: team spirit! At the world's biggest sporting event, where global football stars are born and individual strength, skill and power are celebrated on the world's biggest stage, it still comes down to what the individual is willing to give to the team and what the team is able to do for its individual stars.

Cool stuff, eh? It's an amazingly speedy and accurate ball, as has already been demonstrated by the first few games!

If you want to learn even more about the Teamgeist ball, check out this informational page at soccerballworld.com.

Me? I'm off to watch another match and enjoy the best sporting event in the world!

Categorized: d) None of the Above (Article 6603, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged: fifa soccer ball, fifa world cup, teamgeist, world cup soccer
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Comments

I am as big a fan as you. I am glad you are enjoying the world cup and I hope your favorite team wins.

Mine are Mexico and USA, Mexico just lost to Portugal some minutes ago but seems they managed to sneak into the next round.

USA is playing with a lot of hearth. I am proud of them.

Cheers.

PS. What is your favorite team?

Posted by: Rogelio Hernandez at June 21, 2006 11:33 AM

how much are the golden teamgeist balls?

Posted by: ggtrreereeee at April 12, 2007 10:39 AM

That is a nice ball.
The newest official World Cup ball looks a bit weird and some players say that it's unpredictable and they're scared of it.
The designer/manufacturer is said to have played too much with the design, which makes the ball's behaviour unpredictable...

Posted by: Leon P. at February 17, 2010 3:05 AM

Great ball, that's for sure. I am always waiting for the new ball design to come out.
They say that even the ball influences the games. The shape/design/weight influences the way it flies...

Posted by: Ian McGregor at April 15, 2010 5:56 AM

The official World Cup 2010 soccer ball from Adidas has been unveiled. Named Jabulani, the ball features a newly developed “Grip’n’Groove” ball technology, which provides an exceptionally stable flight and perfect grip under all conditions. With only eight, thermally bonded 3-D panels, which are spherically molded for the first time, the ball is perfectly round and more accurate than ever before.

The word “Jabulani,” translated literally, means “to celebrate.”

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 tribes 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. Like the outer facade of Johannesburg’s Soccer City Stadium, individual design elements capture the colorfulness of South Africa.

In addition to the above video, here are two photographs of the ball as well as more information on how to buy the Jabulani ball:

Cape Town / Herzogenaurach (December 4, 2009) – adidas and FIFA present the adidas “JABULANI,” the Official Match Ball for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. The “JABULANI,” which means “to celebrate” in isiZulu, features a South African inspired design and radically new technology. The new match ball will be available in stores starting December 4.The newly developed “Grip’n’Groove” ball technology provides an exceptionally stable flight and perfect grip under all conditions. With only eight, thermally bonded 3-D panels, which are spherically molded for the first time, the ball is perfectly round and more accurate than ever before.The Name:The name ”JABULANI” originates from the Bantu language isiZulu, one of the eleven official languages of the Republic of South Africa, and spoken by almost 25% of the population. Translated literally, “JABULANI” means “to celebrate”. The name of the new match ball appropriately pays tribute to the passionate football celebration international fans will enjoy in South Africa next summer.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 tribes 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. Like the outer facade of Johannesburg’s Soccer City Stadium, individual design elements capture the colorfulness of South Africa.3-D Panel Shapes: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 molded 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 about the new ball!

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