FUSSBALLLIEBE
In a groundbreaking move that fuses innovation with the passion for the beautiful game, adidas proudly presents the FUSSBALLLIEBE Official Match Ball for UEFA EURO 2024™. Meaning 'love of football' in German, this extraordinary creation marks a new era for football enthusiasts, introducing Connected Ball Technology to the European Football Championship for the very first time.
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The Presentation
Designed with meticulous precision, FUSSBALLLIEBE boasts a PRECISIONSHELL 20-piece panel shape, accompanied by strategically placed deboss grooves on its outer shell.
Rigorously tested in both the lab and on the pitch, this engineering marvel controls airflow with unparalleled accuracy, ensuring maximum precision during play. The ball's outer shell is reinforced by the groundbreaking CTR-CORE, a core designed for accuracy and consistency, facilitating fast, precise play with optimal shape and air retention.
Visually stunning, the design of FUSSBALLLIEBE encapsulates the movement of the ball and the energy of the game through prominent black wing shapes adorned with vibrant edges, curves, and dots.
The bold red, blue, green, and orange hues not only celebrate the vibrancy brought by participating nations but also pay homage to the simplicity of football, a sport that resonates with love from fans worldwide. Adding a personal touch, illustrations of each tournament stadium grace the ball alongside the name of the host city.
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The Ball
The introduction of adidas Connected Ball Technology to the UEFA EURO 2024™ adds a layer of innovation never seen before. This technology sends precise ball data to video match officials in real time, combining player position data with AI.
Not only does this contribute to UEFA's semi-automated offside technology, but it also plays a pivotal role in expediting in-match decisions. Developed in collaboration with Kinexon, this technology offers VAR officials a detailed view of every individual touch of the ball, reducing the time spent resolving handball and penalty incidents.
Key features of FUSSBALLLIEBE include:
ADIDAS CONNECTED BALL TECHNOLOGY: A Suspension System in the center of the ball hosts and stabilizes a 500Hz inertial measurement unit (IMU) motion sensor, providing unprecedented insight into every element of the ball's movement.
CTR-CORE: A groundbreaking core tuned for accuracy and consistency, consisting of a zero-waste bladder containing renewable, natural rubber and a carcass made from double-patched PES fabric for strength and shape.
PRECISIONSHELL: The ball's polyurethane (PU) skin features micro and macro textures, enhancing aerodynamics.
SUSTAINABLE BIO-BASED MATERIALS: FUSSBALLLIEBE is made from more bio-based substances than any previous adidas Official Match Ball, incorporating materials such as corn fibers, sugar cane, wood pulp, and rubber without compromising performance.
Sam Handy, VP Product and Design at adidas Football, expressed the inspiration behind FUSSBALLLIEBE, saying, "When designing this Official Match Ball, we were inspired by the energy and diversity of the tournament and the love that Europe has for football. With that in mind, we hope FUSSBALLLIEBE will bring joy wherever it's kicked”.
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Zvonimir Boban, UEFA Technical Director and Chief of Football, applauded adidas' commitment to excellence, stating, “adidas' FUSSBALLLIEBE will mark another stride in our shared dedication to excellence”.
The official unveiling of FUSSBALLLIEBE took place at a special event in front of the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, kicking off five days of festivities celebrating the love for football. The event featured appearances from UEFA EURO legends, current icons, freestyle battles, and opportunities for fans to experience the ball themselves.
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From November 16th, adidas will spread the joy of FUSSBALLLIEBE across the nine other UEFA EURO 2024™ host cities with a roadshow featuring pop-up, inner-city football pitches and ball giveaways. Each host city will receive 900 additional balls to donate locally to schools, football clubs, and other worthy initiatives.
Continuing its commitment to social responsibility, adidas will contribute 1% of all global net sales from footballs towards Common Goal, supporting initiatives that drive lasting social change for under-served communities.
Priced at €150, the FUSSBALLLIEBE Official Match Ball is now available for purchase at adidas retail stores, selected retailers, and online at adidas.com. Get ready to witness the future of football unfold in every kick and celebration at UEFA EURO 2024™ with the revolutionary FUSSBALLLIEBE.
