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Balls out: the Adidas Speedcell & Nike Total90 Tracer Doma

Comment: 0 August 12th, 2011 by: admin

After the scuffles and beat-down bouts of the recent Copa America and the FIFA Women’s World Cup, we thought it interesting to have a peek at the two most battered, bruised and the most consistent figures on the field (understandably, neither one is Messi).

ADIDAS SPEEDCELL

The official match ball of the just-ended FIFA Women’s World Cup; and we assume that on some level, one of Adidas’ attempts at redemption after the Jo’bulani joke (we’re still laughing). What’s not funny about this one is the price. At £69.90 (Amazon.co.uk), this had better be worth it; fortunately, it seems it is.

At least according to FIFA, who after dragging it through a battery of tests, have given it top marks for shape, size retention, weight, and water uptake (although they said the same about the Jo’bulani).

Literally on the surface, the ball looks impressive. The colour scheme, combined with the stylish 3d panel shape, gives the ball a modern look even with the plain white base colour.

Apparently out to fix past blunders, Adidas fitted the Speedcell with rounded grooves (the “Grip ‘n’ Groove”) meant to ensure straight ball flight. The ball’s thermal bonding is meant to address past problems with control, and assure reliable trajectory. User feedback shows that in this aspect, the Speedcell meets its commitments.

Ultimately, a football’s job is to go where it’s meant to go, and do so without much effort and hassle. The Speedcell manages to meet these expectations, and perhaps help Adidas regain a bit of trust from the audience.

We tip our hats to Adidas.

NIKE TOTAL90 TRACER DOMA

We also ask Adidas to watch their already-swollen rumps, as Nike might be out to give those a good kick. While Adidas touts the glistening title of “official match ball supplier” for the big FIFA and UEFA competitions, Nike stands as the official sponsor of the Premier League, Serie A and La Liga.

And Nike has taken over the big stage as the official match ball supplier for this Copa America. In comes the Total90 Tracer Doma, being described as a fairly impressive way to mark Nike’s milestone.

Priced around the £90 mark, the ball is promising accurate ball flight no matter which part of the ball is struck, due to an exterior construction of equal-sized panels that promote equal pressure distribution. The casing is easy on the grip and promises lasting ball durability. It, along with the Nitrogen-expanded foam, is also said to help retain the shape of the ball.

Nike is also boasting of the Tracer’s excellent acceleration through a number of air chambers built into the ball’s carbon-latex bladder (which holds the air). They added that the Tracer features a perfect spherical shape that will allow the ball increased accuracy, not to mention faster and farther flight.

The guys at Nike have boldly given a 2-year guarantee of lasting ball stitching and shape.

As of this writing, no complaints have been blasting their way across the news sections calling for Nike’s downfall, so we’re deeming the Tracer a success, and perhaps everything Nike promised it to be.

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