What is the most important thing in football? Many people would suggest the tactics, others would say it is the players, a third person would be sure the fans are the most important ones. But they are all wrong, the most important thing for football is in the name: the BALL. In many years of playing and watching football I came across many different ball variants which is why this article is dedicated to all the different balls out there. I want to highlight my top 5 balls out there. With this being said, it was very difficult to choose for me, which is why is tried to imply different categories such as the importance of the ball on the global scale and the enjoyment of playing with such a ball.
5. Jabulani
Let’s start off with probably the most controversial ball out there: the Jabulani. When first introduced for the World Cup 2010 in Brazil, a new surface and cut technology was introduced to the football world. With its special surface it made the airflow around the ball different to the precious once. Furthermore, the new cut was supposed to make the ball “rounder”. Both of these attributes made knuckle-balls not a rarity anymore. This ball was literally the nightmare of every goalkeeper as it was so hard to predict these devils of a ball. I was victim myself as I often played in goal at that time. In some cases the ball got such an obscure trajectory that you sometimes just had to pray for the ball not to go into the back of the net. Nevertheless, this ball has given us an amazing Africa World Cup and some pretty memorable goals which is why I put it into my top 5.
4. Roteiro
This ball was the first ball I bought with my own money, which is why this has a special sport in my hearth. The cut is very traditional but at that time the design had something to it that made me buy this ball. It was the ball for the European Championship of 2004 which was hosted in Portugal. I think everybody knows how this tournament ended, but for those who do not recall: The final game was Portugal against Greece. A team full of stars like Figo and Deco as well as uprising stars like Cristiano Ronaldo faced a collective Greece which was shinning with its defensive skills and efficiency. The underdog from Greece won this tournament in the end making it one of the most sensational tournament wins of the past years. The ball itself had no special “abilities” compared to the Jabulani. Saying that it was one of the balls that I still own and still can play with it, while others were destroyed very easily. All in all a very solid ball with a great history.
3. Fevernova
Oh the memories of this ball. Unlike the Roteiro in number 4, this ball was the first ball that my feet ever touched. This ball was first introduced at the World Cup in South Korea and Japan in 2002. I remember comparing it to other balls at that time and I immediately felt for it. Because it had this “fire”-like pattern while rolling, it was different to the other black and white tangos out there. In my opinion, this ball laid the foundation for the future balls to come and showed that things can be changed in the football world. The story of the tournament where this ball was used is also a very interesting one. In the final we saw a dominating Brazil full of stars playing against a German team which was carried by Oliver Kahn into the final. Unfortunately for Kahn, he made the deciding mistake which brought Brazil on to the winning path. With two goals Ronaldo secured a comfortable 2-0 win for Brazil and therefore their 5th World Cup title in history.
2. Uefa CL Adidas 2004/2005
I think this ball does not need any introduction. It was a warm summer night in Istanbul when this ball landed six times in the back of the net during the first 90 minute of the game. It was the final game between AC Milan and FC Liverpool in the Champions League Season of 2004/ 2005 when the fans saw the greatest comeback of the history of football. After 45 minutes AC Milan was up 3-0 and there was no life sign of Liverpool, but the second 45 minutes of the game showed that miracles are possible. Liverpool was able to equalize the score and win this game on penalties with the momentum being on their side. This ball brings so many memories and goosebumps in my which is why this ball has to be in my top 5. Not only that but the aesthetics of this ball has something that no other ball had for me. The blue stars on the ball with the plain white spaces are something unique and classy which can not be said of the current Champions League balls unfortunately.
1. Teamgeist
Last but not least we have the Teamgeist from the World Cup 2006 hosted in Germany. Translated this ball means “team spirit” and this was certainly what the German national team was bringing to the table. Unfortunately, the team from Italy was better at that day of the semi final, which brought them into the final against France. This was the game when this ball was first and last played in an official game. This was the last game of one of my football idols: Zinedine Zidane and it was unfortunately one of the saddest endings I could have imagined. With a red card after his infamous head butt against Materazzi, Zidane’s France lost the final on penalties. This game is so present in my memory that the ball it was played with has to be in my top 5. Not only that but the design of it and the bright golden color was something very unique at that time which certainly a reason why it stuck in my head.
Conclusion
There are certainly other balls out there that might be in your top 5, which is why I encourage you to let me know which balls you favor the most. I am very interested in what taste and memories you guys have! 😊
Published by ga38jem on
Hive Sports Talk
On 18th April 2022