Filed under: Soccer Balls: The Facts | Tags: Adidas, Adidas Fevernova, soccer balls, soccer history
In 1970 Adidas began supplying official soccer balls starting with the World Cup in Mexico. The Adidas ball for that World Cup game was the classic black and white pentagon / hexagon pattern. That Telstar soccer ball was innovative and thought groundbreaking at the time, but since then, Adidas has pushed the envelope of soccer ball desighn further and further.
The Adidas Telstar soccer ball became the basis for many recreational balls that followed and Adidas kept improving upon its design. Adidas followed with the first waterproof synthetic-leather Soccer ball in 1986 and the Questra in 1994.
In 1998, Adidas introduced the Tricolore in France. The soccer ball used a gas-filled synthetic foam under the covering. The new design delivered a more responsive surface and added stability.
In 2002, Adidas used that same technology in the Adidas Fevernova ball. The Adidas Fevernova was the official ball of the 2002 Japan / Korea finals. The Adidas Fevernova, abandoned the ball design that was used for over 2 decades and replaced it with a more colorful design
The Adidas Fevernova went on to become one of the most popular balls in play for many years to come. Up untill 2006, the Fevernova was the Adis premier ball.
pictures of the Adidas Fevernova and other Adidas balls
Adidas Fevernova
Adidas Euro 2008
Euro Italia
Filed under: Soccer Balls: The Facts, Soccer Trivia | Tags: buckminster, buckyball, soccer balls, soccer history, Soccer Trivia
So how did the modern design of a soccer ball come about? well check this out…
It seems an American architect named Richard Buckminster Fuller came up with the soccer ball design when he was trying to find a way for constructing buildings. How do buildings end up soccer balls? Seems it’s all about the shape.
Buckminster Soccer Ball or BuckyBall as it is also called is a ball exterior that is made up of a series of hexagons, pentagons and triangles. These Buckyball Geometric shapes can actually be sewn together to make a round surface when inflated. The modern football is essentially a Buckminster Ball consisting of 20 hexagonal and 12 pentagonal surfaces. After the geometric shapes get sewn together and the inside inflated, we get the round soccer ball we are so used to.
Filed under: English Soccer | Tags: English Soccer, futball, hammers, London Soccer, soccer history, west ham united
Founded in 1895, this East London club was originally called Thames Ironworks FC but changed the club name to West Ham United after five years. West Ham United has been playing at Boleyn Ground since 1904. West Ham has created a reputaion for itself in which it seems to generate some of the league’s top players.
In 2006, the hammers ran into a problem and ran into a slump but after changing managers, they seemed to bounce back. The West Ham United new manager Alan Curbishley took the reigns and the hammers escaped relegation on the very last day of the season. Curbishley backed that up with a 10th place finish in the 2007/08 campaign in what was seen as a season of consolidation.
West Ham have never played outside football’s top two divisions since joining the Football League in 1919.
Some more history on the club… In 1980, West Ham upset Arsenal to win the FA Cup. They won promotion in 1981 and spent eight seasons in the top flight – including a club-best finish of third in 1986 – before getting relegated in 1989.
Recent history of West Ham United
1992/93 – Join Premier League
1994/95 – Harry Redknapp replaces Billy Bonds as manager
2001/02 – Glenn Roeder becomes manager
2002/03 – Trevor Brooking installed as caretaker manager
2002/03 – Relegated from Barclaycard Premiership
2003/04 – Alan Pardew appointed manager
2004/05 – Promoted to Barclays Premiership via play-offs
2005/06 – Reach FA Cup final losing on penalties to Liverpool after 3-3 draw
2006/07 – An Icelandic consortium fronted by Eggert Magnusson buys the club
2006/07 – Alan Curbishley takes charge
2007/08 – Magnusson sells his stake in the club and Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson takes over as Chairma
