The Jabulani Adidas Ball

I thought I would start a topic on the controversial Jabulani World Cup ball. It seems that many goalkeepers don't like it and Brazilian keeper Julio Cesar said "...It's like playing with a beach ball." Now, I have never personally used the ball but I hear it has uncontrollable swerve, bounce, swing and spin. I have heard it's frame is quite light so it is very hard to comprehend where it will go. So, to sum it all up, what do you all think about the Jabulani World Cup ball?

The problem mostly exists on high altitude, which is an issue since in SA most games are played at high altitude. That said, every World Cup ball seems to be controversial, not worried myself.

Seems to be only the goalkeepers that are complaining!

I'm not getting myself worked up over it though. That said, it would be F***ing annoying if England were to go out to a ridiculous bounce or swerve!

Actually, Luis Fabiano said the same. As did Julio Baptista, Robinho and Giampaolo Pazzini.

Fabiano called it 'supernatural' in it's movement in the air.

its because its seamless, and perfectly 360 degrees round

 

If you're a good player, it doesn't matter where you play or what ball is used. 

Actually, Luis Fabiano said the same. As did Julio Baptista, Robinho...

Fabiano called it 'supernatural' in it's movement in the air.

Moaning Brazilians!

It's not just goalkeepers, many dutch players have complained about it too a few weeks ago.

If you're a good player, it doesn't matter where you play or what ball is used.  

That's not true, not if a ball has unnatural movement like this one does at high altitude. It could make the difference between scoring a goal or not, winning a game or not, winning the tournament or not.

That said, we could see many shots from distance. Sneijder at least said because of it's unnatural movement long distance shots will prove to be more effective.

Didn't Xabi and Navas say something about it, too?

Couldn't Adidas just make a simple ball? It had to be perfectly round and stuff. It will be used only in the WC, anyway.

Atleast we will see some great goals..perfect i would say

The problem mostly exists on high altitude, which is an issue since in SA most games are played at high altitude. that said, every World Cup ball seems to be controversial, not worried myself.

Exactly, I've heard this so many times and there seems to be complaints about the ball before every World Cup. I remember the one in USA, there were some sh*t corners and free kicks in the warm up matches so everyone started bitching about the ball.

I was a bit concerned when I heard that the ball for the final would be gold but it appears it will only be the pattern that's gold :
http://www.soccerballworld.com/HistoryWCBalls.htm

I have this ball, and I can assure you it is a fantastic little thing.

It's relatively light, so feels like you could kick it at 150mph. It's perfectly round. Won't split at the seams, because it has none - thermal bonding

It's also extremely durable, easy to control, and flies true.

I have this ball, and I can assure you it is a fantastic little thing.

It's relatively light, so feels like you could kick it at 150mph. It's perfectly round. Won't split at the seams, because it has none - thermal bonding

It's also extremely durable, easy to control, and flies true.

Difference being the ball you get from a sports shop is different to the official one, the official one would cost more to buy and probably cause the same problems, just not to the degree they are suffering at the high altitude.

I have this ball, and I can assure you it is a fantastic little thing.

It's relatively light, so feels like you could kick it at 150mph. It's perfectly round. Won't split at the seams, because it has none - thermal bonding

It's also extremely durable, easy to control, and flies true.

is it the £79.99 one you have?

It's not just goalkeepers, many dutch players have complained about it too a few weeks ago.

That's not true, not if a ball has unnatural movement like this one does at high altitude. It could make the difference between scoring a goal or not, winning a game or not, winning the tournament or not.

That said, we could see many shots from distance. Sneijder at least said because of it's unnatural movement long distance shots will prove to be more effective.

I know, I was just messing

I know, I was just messing

My bad! The internets can be deceiving like that

Last year, a brazilian sports tv show had Petkovic to test the ball, even before all this controversy, and he said similar things to those who are complaining now. Pet is a Serbian player, a Flamengo legend, one of the best free kick takers I ever saw, also famous for his corner kicks goals (for which he holds a world record), so I respect his opinion.

VÍDEO Petkovic testa a bola oficial da Copa do Mundo de 2010.mp4

But its the same every World Cup, its just a case of players getting used to it. And keepers will always complain, the balls are made for strikers not them

In his native country he's widely known under the nickname Rambo while in Brazil he often goes by Pet

2 very contrasting names,

Everyone is in the same boat with these balls, every keeper will have to deal with the wicked swerve so it's not like it's favouring anyone.

There's controversy with every ball that is used in major competitions.

Everything evens itself out in any case.

It could be argued that better teams have more 'danger' with such a ball whilst it could be said that poorer teams have more of a chance through ricochets, bounces, deflections etc.

Well it sounds like it may be a bit of an issue with some players, and if everyone is singing the same tune then maybe there is something up. But, at the end of the day - every game will be played with the same kind of ball, so therefore no-one really should be able to complain. If one team scores some spectacular goal because of it, any other team will have the same ability to as well. So personally, i won't buy into any "it's the balls fault" talk. I think the class of the teams will still be what comes out on top, so whatever.

The ball looks kinda cool though doesn't it, like the design? Might get one to kick about over the summer/winter.

It will be used only in the WC, anyway.

Not true. The MLS and Clausura will be using it, too.

Yeah, MLS is using it already. Dunno if ive heard any rumblings of discontent in any games ive watched so far this season, but i haven't watched all that many to be fair.

Not true. The MLS and Clausura will be using it, too.

No one cares about those leagues, though.

I bought 2 of these balls for £140 on eBay because i have every official world cup ball since 1958 (something my dad started and i've followed on)

I wanted a spare to use for training etc.

Gotta say, I love it.  The flight is incredible and while it does take a bit of getting use too, i would say it beats any official EPL ball i've ever used.

Heres a vid of it being made  :O)

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

Difference being the ball you get from a sports shop is different to the official one, the official one would cost more to buy and probably cause the same problems, just not to the degree they are suffering at the high altitude.

No, I have the official match ball.

is it the £79.99 one you have?

Yes, managed to wangle it for free off a good mate.

Yeah, MLS is using it already. Dunno if ive heard any rumblings of discontent in any games ive watched so far this season, but I haven't watched all that many to be fair.

Germany Bundaliga also use the ball as well and never really heard any moaning about it. Lets face it every World Cup players moan about the ball but it doesn't make a lick of difference.

I don't know why players complain, even goallies.

Everyone on the pitch is using the same ball so it's all fair. Your strikers are as likely to pull a fast one on the opposing keeper as their strikers are. In theory anyways, aside from the obvious technical difference between players.

And it sounds like a South African Titty Bar so who's to complain?

^^ That's my thought as well. At the end of the day, the better players will still have more chance of knocking iinto the net than others. Class always prevails. End of.

Now lets all go get some beers at Jabulani

Now lets all go get some beers at Jabulani

First round on you?

Germany Bundaliga also use the ball as well and never really heard any moaning about it. Lets face it every World Cup players moan about the ball but it doesn't make a lick of difference.

Great, ze Germanz have an advantage already!

First round on you?

The beers or the dancers?

This thread belongs in the World Cup section too?

The ball's being used in a number of club leagues too. I'd say it falls in between so it shall stay here.

The mighty Aussies are playing Germany first....HOW DO YOU THINK WE FEEL!!!!!

Wonder what rob green has got to say about it.

With all the talk off the unpredictable swerve, ballooning & dipping problems with this ball, the thing that has caught my eye so far, is how many short, simple passes are being misplaced/under hit. 

Great, ze Germanz have an advantage already!

Yea and all ozer Clubs and Leagues  where Adidas is a Sponsor. ze german Bundesliga and ozer Leagues got ze ball in febuary. so complain on your sponsors and not at ze germanz.

Its poor to use the ball as an excuse for making mistakes.

It was made at Loughborough University you know..

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/research/theview/articles/jabulani/#article

Engineering a World Cup winner

In June the best football players from across the globe will come together to compete in one of the sport’s greatest tournaments – the FIFA World Cup. But what links this internationally adored competition to Loughborough University? Judy Wing went to find out.

The Sports Technology Institute (STI) at Loughborough University is a hive of activity. It was established in 2008 to bring together some of the country’s top engineers and the world’s leading sporting brands, working on the design, simulation, testing and manufacture of cutting edge sports equipment.

Eight years ago the University’s Sports Technology Research Group, which is now an integral part of the STI, embarked on a research and development partnership that would see it become involved in one of football’s most beloved events, the World Cup.

    "Following the success of this project the STI has continued to work with adidas on all its tournament footballs"

“We were first approached by adidas in 2002, who were starting to look at how technology could be used to transform some of their product development ideas into realities,” explains Dr Andy Harland, the STI’s principal contact with adidas. “It soon became clear that one of the key projects they wanted to work with us on was the development of their footballs.”

Yea and all ozer Clubs and Leagues  where Adidas is a Sponsor. ze german Bundesliga and ozer Leagues got ze ball in febuary. so complain on your sponsors and not at ze germanz.

Its poor to use the ball as an excuse for making mistakes.

I was taking ze the piss

Who mentioned a Titty Bar?

Who mentioned a Titty Bar?

Jabulani. It's boss.

Jabulani. It's boss.

Yes please.

Yes please.

The titties sway in many unpredictable ways.

The titties sway in many unpredictable ways.

Hahahahahaha. Mmmmm, I'm excited.

I bought 2 of these balls for £140 on eBay because I have every official world cup ball since 1958 (something my dad started and I've followed on)

I wanted a spare to use for training etc.

Gotta say, I love it.  The flight is incredible and while it does take a bit of getting use too, I would say it beats any official EPL ball I've ever used.

Heres a vid of it being made  :O)

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

Great video, worthy of a (+) just for being educated how it was made  .
However, from what ive seen of the way the ball moves i can see why goalkeepers don't like it. It does seem to move in the air more than the ball we use in the League. Also, has anyone noticed how many goals have been scored from free kicks?. Let me tell you now, its very little!. From what ive seen, the players do sky them a lot 

Great video, worthy of a (+) just for being educated how it was made  .
However, from what ive seen of the way the ball moves I can see why goalkeepers don't like it. It does seem to move in the air more than the ball we use in the League. Also, has anyone noticed how many goals have been scored from free kicks?. Let me tell you now, its very little!. From what ive seen, the players do sky them a lot 

But then you see those two Japanese players who scored some mint free kicks in the same game. Hard to say really.

But then you see those two Japanese players who scored some mint free kicks in the same game. Hard to say really.

Thats true mate but if you check the stats then you'll find out there below average this year compared to previous world cups

I heard the SPL are trying it out next season on SSN...

The thing I hate about every World Cup is the big argument over the littlest things. Nearly every World Cup in my generation there has been a stupid argument of some sort. And when it all pans out, everyone has to deal with it anyway. Vuvuzelas, Jabulanis, all the same sh*t. Everyone has to live with it, so all you players and officials that are having a cry about it, here is 2 words for you: TOUGHEN UP!!!!

Fifa has finally acknowledged that there may be something wrong with the Jabulani World Cup ball, but won't act on the problem until after the tournament.

"We're not deaf," said Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke. "Fifa is not unreceptive about what has been said about the ball."

Brazil coach Dunga got into a verbal spat with Valcke over the Jabulani before the tournament, challenging him to come out onto the pitch and attempt to control it.

Denmark defender Daniel Agger said the ball made some outfielders look like "drunken sailors."

Valcke said that Fifa will discuss the matter with coaches and teams after the World Cup, then meet with manufacturer Adidas.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8765662.stm

Bit late now!

Love the Daniel Agger bit.

http://bit.ly/jabulaniball

The ball that doesn't count as a goal even if it goes over the line.

Wow, complicated.

....It does seem to move in the air more than the ball we use in the League. Also, has anyone noticed how many goals have been scored from free kicks?. Let me tell you now, its very little!. From what ive seen, the players do sky them a lot 

Seemd to fly pretty straight for Tevez!

Seemd to fly pretty straight for Tevez!

Yeah great goal   However, you've not seen many of them during this world cup  

Played with this ball yesterday afternoon.

Thought it was quality myself, but then again I'm not a professional footballer.

That's what that damn bloody FIFA is good for; spending unproductive time to develope a useless ball that causes so much problems and yet not paying enough attention to calls for video technology and poor standard of refeering. FIFA is the biggest joke of the century.

I used my mates replica one that is £20 or so, seemed to move a bit in the air but it is a lovely ball and is easy to use.

Can someone tell me why FIFA had to do all this extra scientific stuff to the ball?? Why didn't they make just a normal ball??

Beats me.

Can someone tell me why FIFA had to do all this extra scientific stuff to the ball?? Why didn't they make just a normal ball??

Beats me.

They didn't. Adidas did. And it's good.

They didn't. Adidas did. And it's good.

It's annoying. It may look cool but it is VERY annoying. Everyone is complaining and whining and I am sick to bloody death of it.

Let's hope Adidas don't make some sort of "Zumba" ball for 2014

It's annoying. It may look cool but it is VERY annoying. Everyone is complaining and whining and I am sick to bloody death of it.

Let's hope Adidas don't make some sort of "Zumba" ball for 2014

Actually they are, and it'll be called the Samba

Actually they are, and it'll be called the Samba

Zumba, Samba; same bloody thing

There's nothing wrong with it, people ar just moaning because they're sh*t at football.