#a2d architecture

[a2d-architecture]

to : Replica Beau Jeu Football

images thanks to : lovellsoccer

[a2d-architecture]

news : Fracas Football by adidas

For the first time in European football championship history a 2nd ball design will be used for the latter stages of the Euro 2016 competition. Its release embarrassingly coincides with a Beau Jeu ball bursting during a group stage match.

images thanks to : mirror

[a2d-architecture]

news : Faulty Football Shirts by Puma

images thanks to : straitstimes

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attention : 1930 World Cup Final - ball dispute

First half - used ball from Argentina

2nd half - used ball from Uruguay

[a2d-architecture]

feature : Beau Jeu for Euro 2016 by Adidas

Every major football competition sees the release of a new ball. This year’s effort is Beau Jeu (Beautiful Game) by adidas. It was launched in November 2015 and in case we were not sure it has the letters E, U, R and O and numbers 2, 0, 1 and 6 overlapping and spread all over its surface.  In the middle there’s a monochrome Euro 2016 logo and of course the Adidas logo.  I am neither for nor against the graphics, but quite frankly it doesn’t matter what it looks like. It is a brilliant money spinner.

The ball design is essentially a repeat of the highly successful (financially and physically) adidas Brazuca Ball used in the 2104 World Cup in Brazil, a 6-panel polyurethane structure.

After 18 months of further development and testing adidas have basically taken the same ball and made the texture a bit rougher, changing the shape of the dimples on the surface. Apparently this makes the ball easier to control, more weather resistant, more uniform in flight and easier for keepers to catch.

So, is it really all it’s cracked up to be ?

Historically the lead sponsor of every tournament feels it is their duty to invent a new ball. This can be good, bad or indifferent. Adidas have sponsored the ball since 1998 and every time it is heralded as the best ever. Players will rarely praise a brilliant design. However, like any poor tradesman they are much quicker to criticise it for their own failings, eg. the Jabulani ball used in the 2010 World Cup was slated.

Releasing the new ball 6 months before the Euros begins gives everyone plenty of time to familiarise themselves. To miss this opportunity would be unthinkable and so everyone gets caught up in buying new balls, acclimatising and perfecting. Surely this is counter-productive to the game ?  A player just gets used to one ball and then another one comes along. It’s like dropping the off-side rule for a season or 2 and then reinstating it despite the number of higher scoring games. What other sport changes the design of its main item with such regularity ?

Whilst it is true that it is the same for both teams and possibly equally true that a good player should be able to play with any ball, I suggest we clamp down on the tinkering. The supporter is always the loser here. New shirt design (home, away and the “why not” or “just in case” strip), new boots, new balls, not to mention ever increasing ticket prices. Every 4 years would be plenty, in fact every dozen would suffice.  Come on guys, stop tapping up the fans. It’s the hand that feeds you !

By Darren Maddison

images thanks to : dailymail, soccerballworld, belfasttelegraph and r-gol

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detail : Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille

not only is there a fully-retractable roof, half of the football pitch can be lifted up and slid over the other half to reveal a multi-use playing surface (tennis, handball,  basketball, etc) and an additional 7,000 seats.

images thanks to : thefootballstadiums and detail-online

[a2d-architecture]

to : VIP lounges, Parc des Pinces, Paris

image thanks to : stadiumdb

[a2d-architecture]

attention : Hexagon Park Bursa by Stadiumconcept

Euro 2016 bid by Turkish Football Federation.

image thanks to : archdaily