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

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.

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!