By now you may already be familiar with the adidas “JABULANI”, the official Match Ball of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Over the last few days several goalkeepers, including Brazil’s Julio Cesar and Spain’s Iker Casillas, have expressed their discomfort with adidas’ latest football.

During a press conference Julio Cesar said the following: “The football is horrible. It seems like one of those you buy in the supermarket.”

Iker Casillas, considered by many the best goalkeeper in the world, also heavily criticized the football. After the match in which Spain defeated Saudi Arabia 3-2 Casillas said the following: “It’s a little sad that in a competition as big as the World Cup to have such a poor ball. It’s not just goalkeepers complaining, but outfield players as well”.

Claudio Bravo, starting goalkeeper for Chile called the football a “beach ball”.
Goalkeepers always complain about a new ball, because they have to get used to it, however when a field player complains about the ball as well, you may have a problem. We decided to try the ball for ourselves and break the myth.

The ball features a newly developed technology called “Grip’n’Groove” which provides more stability and perfect grip under all conditions. The ball is composed of eight thermally bonded 3-d panels, making the ball perfectly round, elimination imperfections in the surface.



When I first struck the ball I have to admit I felt it was a bit lightweight, I can see why Claudio Bravo called it a Beach ball. I compared the ball’s path against an older model, the famous adidas TANGO, and I was surprised with the results.
The JABULANI was accurate 9 out of 10 shots; the ball maintained a straight flight and didn’t seem to be affected by the elements.

In order to run my second test, I called a fellow colleague, a professional goalkeeper that plays in Argentina’s 2nd division; I wanted to get his opinion on the ball. We took some straight shots at him, free kicks over the ball, and some corner kicks for him to trap the ball in the air. No complains whatsoever from that side.

To run the final test, we played an 11 aside game, featuring former professional players like Silvio Carrario and Horacio Lugo. The ball moved very well, very easy to control even during the rain. One thing I did see was that the ball picked up speed really fast, that is one reason why goalkeepers may be complaining. But in my opinion, the adidas JABULANI is a good football, is a piece of innovation and as such we must get used to it.

Official information about the adidas JABULANI

The name:
The name ”JABULANI” originates from the Bantu language isiZulu, one of the eleven official languages of the Republic of South Africa, which is spoken by almost 25% of the population. Literally translated, “JABULANI” means “to celebrate”. Football is a passion that unites the world. The name of the new match ball appropriately pays tribute to the passionate football celebration international fans will enjoy in South Africa next summer.

The design:
Eleven different colours are used in the adidas “JABULANI”, the eleventh adidas World Cup ball. These 11 colours represent the 11 players in every team, the 11 official languages of South Africa and the 11 South African tribes that make the country one of the most ethnologically diverse countries on the African continent. The colourful design brings together the tremendous diversity of the country in harmonious unity. Four triangle-shaped design elements on a white background lend the ball a unique appearance in African spirit. And like the outer facade of Johannesburg’s Soccer City Stadium, individual design elements also capture the colourfulness of South Africa.

3-D panel shapes:
The Match Ball for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ features a completely new, ground-breaking technology. Eight 3-D spherically formed EVA and TPU panels are moulded together, harmoniously enveloping the inner carcass. The result is an energetic unit combined with perfect roundness. Following the first tests, players all over the world are enthusiastic and are promising many goals with the new ball.

What some players say about the football:
Michael Ballack: “Fantastic, the ball does exactly what I want it to.”
Petr Cech:"You can feel the energy coming towards you, like a shot.”
Frank Lampard:“A very strong ball, true to hit.”
Kaká:“For me, contact with the ball is all-important, and that’s just great with this ball.”