New balls please – UEFA line up new match ball for Euro semis and final

The 'FUSSBALLLIEBE FINALE' Official Match Ball

The 'FUSSBALLLIEBE FINALE' Official Match Ball Credit: adidas / UEFA

UEFA have unveiled a new adidas match ball to be used this week for the European Championship semi-finals and Sunday's final in Berlin.

The FUSSBALLLIEBE FINALE – yes UEFA have gone with ALL CAPS shouting for the match ball name – will be the first football to be used in a Euros final with the connected ball technology.

This delivers precise ball data to video match officials in real time and, combined with player position data using AI, enables semi-automated offside technology.

Promoting the ball, UEFA notes that:

‘The ball sees a refresh of the iconic visual elements from the group stage ball with its prominent black wing shapes accentuated with vibrant edges, curves and dots that take on the unmistakable black, red and gold of the host nation, Germany.

The white base is replaced with an eye-catching silver, representing the silverware that the final four teams will be competing for. The silver colour of the ball has been specially developed and tested with athletes to ensure that it stands out on the pitch without reflecting light back off the surface.’

The tech within the ball allows UEFA to gather information such as ball speed, spin and distance the ball travelled before hitting the net and issue that information during games.

If you are looking to purchase the ball it is available to buy here.

About Macdara Ferris

Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile