Information on Loughborough

Loughborough University and adidas ensure England is represented at UEFA EURO 2008 competition

Posted on 05/06/2008

football

Tested extensively at Loughborough by the University’s world-renowned Sports Technology Institute, the adidas ‘EUROPASS’ ball’s new surface structure allows players to control and direct it perfectly in all weather conditions. Its revolutionary PSC- Texture™ consists of a sophisticated and extremely fine structure on the ball’s outer skin that guarantees optimum grip between ball and boot.

Like +Teamgeist™, the official match ball of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ that was also tested by Loughborough University, the adidas ‘EUROPASS’ is constructed out of 14 panels using revolutionary Thermal Bonding Technology. This combined with the new PSC-Texture™ surface structure gives the ‘EUROPASS’ its perfect handling characteristics and allows the players exceptional ball control. The unique outer skin improves power transmission, creates greater swerve and increases accuracy on the pitch, in all conceivable weather conditions. And for the goalkeeper too, providing a much better grip between glove and ball, substantially improves his catching of the ball.

Dr Andy Harland, who led Loughborough’s involvement in the development of the ‘EUROPASS’ ball said: “The research carried out at Loughborough has focused on determining how adding a surface texture to the ball can affect its performance during play. Extensive laboratory and field testing was carried out and impacts against a range of surfaces including boot material, turf and goalkeeper glove latex were analyzed. We are pleased to have been able to support the designers at adidas to develop a ball which will provide unprecedented performance regardless of the weather conditions.”

The groundbreaking features of the adidas ‘EUROPASS’ have also undergone countless checks in the adidas football laboratory in Scheinfeld.

adidas’ experience in football manufacturing is unsurpassed anywhere in the world, and is leading the industry in the production of the most modern and innovative balls since 1963. Since 1970, adidas has provided the official match ball for all major UEFA and FIFA tournaments. During 2008, adidas will also make the official ball for the Africa Cup of Nations organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

In the future, adidas will continue to use innovative technology to extend its world-leading position in football production and thus strengthen its position as the authentic symbol for high-performance sports articles for professionals and amateurs alike. adidas also intends to unveil more revolutionary innovations in match ball production for the UEFA, FIFA and CAF competitions.