The specially-designed silver ball that could make or break the dreams of a nation went on show in Vienna today as the official ball of the UEFA EURO 2008™ final, the adidas EUROPASS gloria, was handed to UEFA President Michel Platini by adidas AG chairman and CEO Herbert Hainer.
Created exclusively
The state-of-the-art ball, created exclusively for the climax of the tournament in the Austrian capital on 29 June, shares the classic black dots and markings of the EUROPASS ball to be used in the run-up to the final. However, a number of innovations made by adidas, suppliers of official match balls to major FIFA and UEFA tournaments since 1970, make the EUROPASS gloria - like the final itself - a one-off.
Coveted trophy
The 'gloria' in the ball's name echoes the fame and glory which the winner of UEFA EURO 2008™will experience, while its shimmering silver surface incorporates the coveted Henri Delaunay trophy, as well as images evoking the past European champions that the two teams will be hoping to emulate at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion.
Know-how
Style was not adidas' only concern however, and they have called on all the know-how and experience garnered from 35 years of manufacturing footballs to produce the EUROPASS gloria with the same cutting-edge technology used on the EUROPASS, which should allow players involved in the UEFA EURO 2008™ final the chance to show the full range of their skills.
Unique structure
The 14-panels of the EUROPASS gloria have been joined using revolutionary Thermal Bonding Technology, which - along with the unique PSC-Texture™ surface structure - ensures exceptional ball control, greater power transmission, swerve and accuracy, whatever the weather.
