World Cup balls

Dr Ken Bray, who describes himself as a sports scientist, at the University of Bath and author of the new popular science book "How to score – science and the beautiful game", claims the new design for the World Cup football will bamboozle goalkeepers. ( Pic. Mexico soccer team striker Jared Borgetti has plenty of balls - getting attention as well)

The Adidas ‘Teamgeist’ football has only 14 panels - and so fewer seams - making its surface ‘smoother’ than conventional footballs which have a 26 or 32 panel hexagon-based pattern.

This makes it aerodynamically closer to a baseball says Dr Bray, and, when hit with a slow spin, will make the ball less stable, giving it a more unpredictable trajectory in flight.

“With a very low spin rate, which occasionally happens in football, the panel pattern can have a big influence on the trajectory of the ball and make it more unpredictable for a goalkeeper.”

He claims effects smiliar to the baseball will result, pitchers often throw a ’curve ball’ which is similar to a swerving free kick and the rotating seam disrupts the air flow around the ball in much the same way as a football does.The pitcher can also throw a ’knuckleball’ , one without , or very little spin, which bobs about randomly in flight and is very disconcerting for batters.

“But watch the slow motion replays to spot the rare occasions where the ball produces little or no rotation and where goalkeepers will frantically attempt to keep up with the ball’s chaotic flight path.”

England captain David Beckham is hugely impressed with the ball's flight and direction. "With the ball's movement, it doesn't go off everywhere, it goes where you want it to go and that's important. Your passing, controlling and shooting of the ball - it's in one direction and that's what you need." he said at the launch in Leipzig - which given his experience (and modest success) in kicking the things suggests Dr Barry is well... talking ... er... well... balls.

The ball, which has been used by teams competing in the World Cup in practice sessions, has already been criticised by England goalkeeper Paul Robinson and Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann for its light-weight and unpredictable behaviour.

Adidas expects to sell over 10 million FIFA World Cup™ match balls ( @ 40 odd quid a throw in) , they began the production of footballs in 1963 and claim to be the world's leading manufacturer.Adidas has supplied the Match Balls to all major UEFA and FIFA tournaments since 1970 and will also be the Official Partner and Ball Supplier of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup™.

Scientific tests were conducted together with the Sports Technology Research Group of the University of Loughborough, one of the leading institutions of its kind worldwide. These tests confirmed that the adidas is rounder, more precise and consistent than any top competitor match ball.

Specification and FIFA standards of the new ball

Circumference: The FIFA Approved Standard: 68.5 cm – 69.5 cm. The adidas +Teamgeist: 69.0 cm – 69.25 cm

Diameter: FIFA Approved Standard: max. 1.5% difference The adidas +Teamgeist: max. 1.0% difference

Water Absorption: FIFA Approved Standard: no more than 10% weight increase. The adidas +Teamgeist: Water absorption: no more than 0,1 % weight increase

Weight: FIFA Approved Standard: Weight between 420 and 445 grams The adidas +Teamgeist: Weight between 441 and 444 grams

Shape and Size Retention: FIFA Approved Standard: 2,000 cycles at 50 km per hour. The adidas +Teamgeist: 3,500 cycles at 50 km per hour.

Rebound Test: FIFA Approved Standard: No more than 10 cm. The adidas +Teamgeist: No more than 2 cm.