Is ‘new Jabulani’ ball made of sugar cane behind long range goal frenzy at Euro 2024?
FROM powerful rockets to strikes curling into the top corner – there has been an upsurge in goals from outside the box at Euro 2024.
And perhaps the reason is due to the ball manufactured by Adidas.
Morten Hjulmand fired in from distance to equalise in the 1-1 draw with England and it was the 13th goal of the tournament scored from outside the box after 18 games.
In the entire group stage at the last Euros, just 12 were scored from further out than 18 yards.
And Euro 2024 has already surpassed 2008 and 2012 for long range goals.
Prior to Hjulmand’s effort, 32.4 per cent of strikes in Germany have been from distance.
The famous Jabulani ball of the 2010 World Cup was known for dipping and swerving through the air.
But even in South Africa, long range goals equated for just 18.6 per cent of shots hitting the back of the net.
So could Adidas’ ball named the Fussballiebe be the reason for Arda Guler’s screamer against Georgia or Xherdan Shaqiri’s stunner versus Scotland?
Well, to make the ball more eco-friendly, Adidas have used more bio-based substances than ever before.
Every layer of the ball has materials such as corn fibres, sugar canes, wood pulp and rubber.
There is also a suspension system inside to stabilise the motion detectors used to help the semi-automated offside technology.
Serbia striker Dusan Vlahovic called the ball “strange” but ” it listens to me”.
England captain Harry Kane added: “I like the ball. It’s quick. When you strike it, it stays hit.
“I’ve had a bit of a different experience with a different ball in the Bundesliga, the Adidas ball we are used to in Europe and I have played with the Nike ball in the Premier League.
“For me personally, I think it is better for the strikers and goalscorers than it is for goalkeepers, so I’m not going to complain about that.”
Adidas say the ball has been “specially engineered for greater accuracy” and there has been “great feedback from players”.
It seems like long range stunners will continue at this Euros.