FIFA World Cup 2010.

[fieryjen]

It could be worse. You could be a fan of France.

Wasn't the lighter ball introduced for the last WC, though? Or is this a lighter-lighter ball? Whatever the reason, lame performances have been aplenty.

Germany wasn't really among them, though. I wouldn't fear yet if I were you, Jen.

Thanks. I tend to be a bit pessimistic.

They make some new super-technologically advanced new ball for every world cup, and every time there are lots of complaints about it.

 

[oggbashan]

It could be worse. You could be a fan of France.

Wasn't the lighter ball introduced for the last WC, though? Or is this a lighter-lighter ball? Whatever the reason, lame performances have been aplenty.

Germany wasn't really among them, though. I wouldn't fear yet if I were you, Jen.

This is an even lighter-lighter ball than before. Whether it has had any effect on performances? I don't know, but very few of any of the matches have been of the expected standard.

Og

Edited for PS: BBC report

The engineers who have designed the official football for the 2010 World Cup have hit back at criticism of their ball by some players.

Fabio Capello said his players gave the new ball bad reviews, with some players saying it moves too quickly.

And goalkeepers have claimed the new Jabulani ball is difficult to handle.

But engineers at Loughbrough University claim that their tests show it is the most "consistent" football ever manufactured.

The football that former England international Geoff Hurst belted into the goal in the 1966 World Cup final was made from 18 pieces of leather, stitched together and fastened with laces.

The new World Cup football is made from just eight pieces of shaped synthetic material glued tightly together.

The result - for the first time in football history, say the manufacturers - is an undistorted, perfectly spherical ball.

But some players say it moves too quickly, and a number of goalkeepers say it is difficult to handle.

The engineers who helped design the ball, called the Jabulani, say it should be the most consistent football ever made.

Dr Andy Harland at Loughborough University used a robot to kick the ball.

His set up is able to reproduce corners, free kicks, passes and shots on goal - even more reliably than David Beckham.

Shining example

"Fundamentally, what we are trying to achieve is a ball that is very consistent that allows the very best players in the world to express their skills," he says.

"So we're not looking for a ball that behaves unpredictably which would benefit a player that's not skilful. We want a ball that is very consistent that allows the best players to shine."

His robot tests, which were supported by the ball's manufacturer Adidas, showed that the Jabulani was better than previous World Cup balls. It flew through the air more smoothly and hit its targets more reliably.

Dr Harland's colleagues used a wind tunnel to aerodynamically design the grooves on its surface, which guide the ball as it flies through the air.

In the past, their positions have been determined by the ball's natural seams but the Jabulani doesn't have any seams so, according to Dr Martin Passmore of Loughborough University, engineers can put the grooves where they like.

"What we've tried to do with the inclusion of grooves," he explained, "is to make sure that the ball looks much more symmetrical in flight, so it flies in a much more controlled way and gives the control back to the player to get it to do what they want to do."

Young boys at the Kingston-Upon-Thames Little League say the new ball is "awesome".

But it's too expensive for their coach and one of the league's organisers, Andrew Standford.

His practice footballs cost £5 and match balls retail for £15. By comparison, the Jabulani costs more than £60.

For Mr Standford, the production of a new ball is as much about marketing as it is about improving the quality of footballs.

"Every new World Cup, there's a new football out and each time it seems a little bit more expensive. It does feel good and it does play well but it is expensive for what's just a football."

But researchers at Loughborough University say the ball is well worth the price. The gripes by some players, he says, are possibly a result of some of the World Cup venues being located at high altitudes in South Africa, rather than any problem with the ball.

At higher altitudes, the air is thinner and so the ball moves faster. Dr Passmore thinks that the players will soon get used to the conditions. So has he helped to create the perfect ball?

"I don't know if there's such a thing as a perfect ball. And I don't think it's entirely clear what you'd want from a perfect ball. Maybe a perfect ball would be one that I could use to score the winning goal in the World Cup."

 

[CharleyH]

My town, and most towns throughout England, are covered in England flags. During the England matches, traffic drops to virtually nothing, there are no people on the streets - the support is very strong.

The newspapers? They blame the goalkeeper, the coach - anyone - but the reality is that the team's performance has been poor. The fans hope. They expected more, perhaps not to win, but at least to show some sign of competence.

The fans who have travelled to South Africa have paid thousands of pounds/dollars to be there and to travel around the country to the matches. They aren't watching performances from the England team that justify the fans' expenses.

The fans booed AFTER the match was over. During the match against Mexico they supported their team as best they could, but afterwards? The fans hadn't seen anything like the performance that should have been expected from the team on a poor day. The team gave away possession too often, too easily, with very basic mistakes. The shots at goal were inaccurate or straight at the goalkeeper when a pass to another player could have been more effective.

The display against Mexico was BAD. England may not be the best team but they should be much better than they have showed in their matches so far. If they continue like this, they will be justifiably eliminated and the fans will be very angry.

Og

But seriously, how did you feel when the Brit fans actually booed the English team off the field in the last match? I can understand being upset, I don't get booing your team.

 

[oggbashan]

But seriously, how did you feel when the Brit fans actually booed the English team off the field in the last match? I can understand being upset, I don't get booing your team.

How else could the fans express their discontent?

Note: "Brit" and England fans are NOT synonyms. Some shops in Scotland have been displaying signs "Support anyone BUT England".

MY team aren't in the World Cup. They were eliminated early.

Og

 

[CharleyH]

How else could the fans express their discontent?

Note: "Brit" and England fans are NOT synonyms. Some shops in Scotland have been displaying signs "Support anyone BUT England".

MY team aren't in the World Cup. They were eliminated early.

Og

I apologize for not seeing the difference, Og. In my experience, as a winner in softball, always in my time and as a Cap... team support played a major part in the overall emotions of our players. The moment your supporters start booing you is the moment you lose faith and make even more mistakes, I'm still all for England, but man, many English fans can go suck it!

 

[cockster21]

I hope Netherlands can make it to the finals. I don't usually watch soccer on tv because I think it's boring, but I have been following the Netherlands for years now and I just like them!

 

[colddiesel]

Balls

The only criteria for the selection of balls at any world cup is how much money the fat cats at FIFA can screw out of the manufacturers to pay for their freebies.

 

[oggbashan]

The only criteria for the selection of balls at any world cup is how much money the fat cats at FIFA can screw out of the manufacturers to pay for their freebies.

The whole event is about how much FIFA can squeeze out of the host nation, the advertisers and the fans.

A new ball for every World Cup? It is for FIFA revenue only. What other sport would change the main item of equipment just for a four-yearly event?

How would baseball fans react if a new ball was designed for each World Series and the players had no idea how it would perform? How do you pitch an accurate curve ball if the new ball doesn't move as you are used to? How do you play a ball that doesn't come off the bat the way balls used to?

I think that FIFA's new ball is ruining this competition.

Og

 

[ShyChiWriter]

Totally agree on the ball. It is the equivalent of baseball players showing up to the World Series or the Superbowl and the officials saying "here's a new ball".

There is no such thing as better. These guys are the best athletes in the world and they're asking them to show up and play with brand new equipment.

 

[colddiesel]

I apologize for not seeing the difference, Og. In my experience, as a winner in softball, always in my time and as a Cap... team support played a major part in the overall emotions of our players. The moment your supporters start booing you is the moment you lose faith and make even more mistakes, I'm still all for England, but man, many English fans can go suck it!

CharleyH , when your players earn a $1million a month or more you can boo as much as you like.

Christiano Ronaldo's transfer fee is greater than the GDP of some of the countries taking part.

So when these guys come up short they have to cop it.

 

[Handley_Page]

Like others, I reserve the right to support my Country's Team.
I also reserve the right to show my displeasure at my Team's performance.
If that includes Booing and other noises, I'll do it!
(God help us, they are played enough to get it right; they've no excuse not to).

[perhaps payment by results ?]

 

[jomar]

The whole event is about how much FIFA can squeeze out of the host nation, the advertisers and the fans.

A new ball for every World Cup? It is for FIFA revenue only. What other sport would change the main item of equipment just for a four-yearly event?

How would baseball fans react if a new ball was designed for each World Series and the players had no idea how it would perform? How do you pitch an accurate curve ball if the new ball doesn't move as you are used to? How do you play a ball that doesn't come off the bat the way balls used to?

I think that FIFA's new ball is ruining this competition.

Og

No argument on the $$ angle, or the ball change in sports, really. On the other hand, they've been playing with this ball for months now and should be used to it. Cutting the pitch short and watering it down before matches changes the way the ball moves as well.

 

[Verdad]

Agh, another draw for Italy. This was not a lame match, by any means, but the suspense is going to kill me!

 

[Pure]

i think new zealand has put itself onto the soccer map (perhaps will encourage the sport in nz). SOLID defense. excellent goalie..
congrats!

 

[colddiesel]

i think new zealand has put itself onto the soccer map (perhaps will encourage the sport in nz). SOLID defense. excellent goalie..
congrats!

NZ has a grand total of 25 professional players to chose from! and an Italian had to take a dive to get a penalty.

 

[Handley_Page]

Brazil almost looked alive this evening.
There were odd flashes of the old brilliance, but the opposition was determined (and stupid at times).

 

[Weird Harold]

Brazil almost looked alive this evening.
There were odd flashes of the old brilliance, but the opposition was determined (and stupid at times).

I thought the officiating in the Brazil-CIV game was the best we've seen so far. Far from perfect, but the French ref wasn't card happy but he didn't take any guff from the players either.

He did miss a double hand-ball on one Brazil goal, but so did everyone else except the slo-mo replay camera. The second yellow card on Kaka was more about Kaka being smart-ass all game than any actual foul.

 

[colddiesel]

Portugal 7 North Korea 0.

Now Comrades we need a volunteer to explain that to our "dear leader"

 

[figazza]

Agh, another draw for Italy. This was not a lame match, by any means, but the suspense is going to kill me!

The game was completely one sided. We just couldn't finish.

 

[Verdad]

Portugal 7 North Korea 0.

Now Comrades we need a volunteer to explain that to our "dear leader"

I feel so bad for them!

 

[ShyChiWriter]

Portugal 7 North Korea 0.

Now Comrades we need a volunteer to explain that to our "dear leader"

"Those 7 goals are all lies created by the evil empire of the West. North Korea was victorious... do not believe the falsehoods you may have read or seen. "

The Great Leader has spoken.

 

[Weird Harold]

Chile wasn't very impressive today -- sixty minutes with a man up and can only score one goal? The Suiss have played well in both games, so far, but Chile is supposed to be better than them when they have their entire team on the field.

 

[CharleyH]

CharleyH , when your players earn a $1million a month or more you can boo as much as you like.

Christiano Ronaldo's transfer fee is greater than the GDP of some of the countries taking part.

So when these guys come up short they have to cop it.

Baby, you are not paying them and it ain't coming out of your tax pocket, either. Even if it was? SUPPORT THEM! Movie stars are paid more millions, but no one boo's them when they make a shitty movie. The thing is ... support England, good or bad. I have confidence that they will make the top two.

PS: GO PORTUGAL! Unless they lose to Brazil 10 to nil, they've secured a spot in the second round! GO PORTUGAL!

 

[CharleyH]

"Those 7 goals are all lies created by the evil empire of the West. North Korea was victorious... do not believe the falsehoods you may have read or seen. "

The Great Leader has spoken.

I read, on a false twitter, lol, that in their off-time, North Korean players were drawing portraits of Kim Jong-il. Sad and funny. N.K. has made a good opponent, for everyone but... PORT-U-GAL!

 

[CharleyH]

FORÇA PORTUGAL!

Just thought I'd say it again.