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The Controversy Over The World Cup Soccer Ball

kds1980

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Apr 3, 2005
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Here we stand some five days from the beginning of one of the gala sports events in sports, soccer's World Cup 2010. It is an event that brings together 32 of the finest national soccer teams the world has to offer in a battle to see who will take the coveted title of World Cup champion. As with any event as grand as this one, you can also expect to have some controversy swirling around and the World Cup is no different. Is it players feeling slighted by their countries or what players were not selected to take part in the event? No nothing typical like that. With the World Cup, the continual controversy swirls around one small, round thing: the soccer ball!


Indeed, you heard correct. There is once again upheaval of the version of this year's ball that is being used in Cup matches. Now if you’re a fan of any other major sport, your probably thinking what in the world is he talking about. After all, the Super Bowl still uses a standard football, hockey the puck, and so on. However the World Cup does things a bit differently. Every four years when the next Cup is getting ready to take place, the manufacturer of that year's ball comes up with a new design. Hence no two World Cups are played with the exact same type of ball, well except for the fact that they are all, soccer *****.

Now you may be asking yourself why they would do such a thing. This seems rather strange considering that the majority of the soccer-playing world uses a particular type of ball the other four years in between each Cup. Well the reasoning should be obvious: the almighty dollar. Each time this event comes around, it’s a big coup supposedly for the country that runs it. Bringing millions of tourists into your country generated revenue and certainly gives the country a boost to its economy. However, do not overlook the marketing folks as well. Products and souvenirs are also big money items and what is more exciting than a replica ball. Well it might not be so exciting if it’s the same ball each time. Now produce a different one each year and collectors will have to buy something new each time.

So Addias (the ball maker) and the host country are happy, so where is the controversy. Well that would lie with the players. Each time the Cup rolls around, the players gripe and complain about the new ball and of course this year is no different. Theball that Addias has produced, which is named the Jabulani, is one that has been manufactured a different way, using thermal bonding to form the eight-panel ball. Why thermal bonding? Well it is alleged that is helps to do away with seams on the ball, making it have a more predictable flight due to it being smaller and denser than previous models.



The players for their part scoff at this notion and each has a different opinion. Usually you will just hear it from the men that handle the ball the most with their hands, that being the goalies, but such is not the case this year. In fact, comments have come from every part of the team. Here are a few samples that have been heard. Italy's star goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon called it a "beachball." His striker teammate Giampaolo Pazzini labeled it a "disaster for strikers." Denmark manager Morten Olsen said it's "impossible." And Brazil 'keeper Julio Cesar compared it unflatteringly to supermarket stock.

Goalkeepers, strikers, and team managers seem to be united in calling this new version of the World Cup ball worthless. Is it really worthless, or are these complaints from people just not interested in change? Well regardless of which way you lean on this subject, the bottom line is this. Things are not going to change. The reason this can be said is because the last World Cup, Addias sold nearly 10 million ***** from that last model. Now you multiply that by the 125 dollars a ball they are getting this time around and you see the cash register whirling and a big phooey on the players concerns. It will be interesting if it truly has any effect, but we will certainly know in 5 days!

Quotes courtesy of : The controversy over the World Cup soccer ball - by John Atchison - Helium
 

Admin

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Jun 1, 2004
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Only 25 goals in 16 matches in first round is one of the all time worst goals per match ratios... in the second round of matches already 13 goals in 4 matches... things are improving it seems... icecreammunda
 

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