The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has unveiled the official match ball for the 2024 European Championship, named “Fussballliebe.” This high-tech soccer ball, developed by adidas, features a design that reflects the tournament’s brand identity. It incorporates black wing shapes and solid colors, symbolizing the flags of UEFA’s 55 member associations. The ball’s vibrant pattern, with colorful edges, curves, and dots, embodies the energy of the event.
A key technological innovation in “Fussballliebe” is the adidas Connected Ball Technology, which provides real-time data to assist video match officials. This technology enables semi-automated offside decisions, a significant advancement in the sport. Additionally, it aids in handball and penalty decisions and can track statistics such as ball speed and rotations. This technology was previously used successfully at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
The incorporation of a chip in the ball enhances the accuracy of semi-automated offside decisions made using Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology. For instance, during the last year’s World Cup, this technology played a crucial role in confirming that Cristiano Ronaldo did not make contact with a ball delivered by Bruno Fernandes.
The Euro 2024 championship, featuring this technologically advanced ball, will commence on June 14 and will span ten cities across Germany.
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