The Pakistani FIFA 2006 ball vs the FIFA 2010 Jabulani


Farrukh Zafar June 24, 2010
People have been ignorant about the fact that Pakistan meets and delivers 75-85% of the world’s total football demand and consumption, annually, matching FIFA’s standards at the highest degrees. With such high quality standards and such a vast quality supply, people still feel crossed on why this year, at the FIFA World Cup 2010, Pakistani balls were only used during the practice sessions by the teams, and not in the official matches. Not to forget, this year’s official World Cup ball has come from China, known as Jabulani, meaning “rejoice” in the Zulu African language. The official World Cup ball of 2006, known as Teamgeist, meaning “team spirit” in the German language, was made in Pakistan and Thailand, mainly.

It’s high time we compare Teamgeist to Jabulani, to see what advancements have been made and what edge the successor has over its forerunner.

Teamgeist - Jabulani: Head to Head


Stats Table for Teamgeist





















































Properties FIFA standards Teamgeist Jabulani
Circumference 68.5 - 69.5 cm 69.0 – 69.25 cm 69.0 ± 0.2 cm
Diameter ≤ 1.5% difference ≤ 1.0% difference ≤ 1.0% difference
Water absorption ≤ 10% weight increase ≤ 0.1 % weight increase ≤ 0% weight increase
Weight 420 – 445 g 441 – 444 g 440 ± 0.2 g
Shape and size retention 2000 cycles at 50 km/h 3500 cycles at 50 km/h -
Rebound test ≤ 10 cm ≤ 2 cm ≤ 6 cm
Loss of pressure ≤ 20% ≤ 11% ≤ 10%

Beyond the Technical Measurements


Jabulani takes another step towards perfection with just eight EVA and TPU panels that provide a 70 per cent larger striking surface due to fewer seams. While the Teamgeist ball was great for strikers, many goal keepers complained that the ball’s aerodynamics created a lack of rotation in the air, making its path at times erratic, like a knuckleball. Jabulani attempts to stabilize the flight pattern of the ball through what Adidas is calling ‘aero grooves’, essentially long indentations along the panels. The grooves divide the ball up into additional pseudo-panels but by molding the grooves Adidas can achieve consistent location and shape to achieve optimal flight. The surface of the ball has also been covered with raised nubbins to help with tactile feel on the foot.

The Jabulani ball is surrounded by GripnGroove technology, allowing it to be aerodynamically advanced. This provides flight characteristics not seen on any other ball. The makers have added little ridges that surround the ball in many circular shapes that can clearly be felt when holding it. Like the dimples that surround a golf ball, GripnGroove’s function is to improve how the ball passes through air; basically it enhances how aerodynamic the ball is.



WRITTEN BY:
Farrukh Zafar The founder of Gagism.com, who also authors FarrukhUNPLUGGED.com in his spare time.
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (3)

Shmuck | 13 years ago | Reply I can't believe it! Official FIFA balls were and are made in Pakistan! :s *In total surprise*
Farrukh Zafar | 13 years ago | Reply @Mighty: Actually dude, Jabulani ain't a superior ball. It has lots of shortcomings. This blog post that you've just read was originally published here: http://bit.ly/be6IJe Read the original thing which has a detailed story of the shortcomings and the crticism from the players as well. Many a things have been omitted from the original post by the Tribune admins here, to make the post more concise.
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