adidas Presents The Official Match Ball For The UEFA EURO 2012TM – Inspired by the iconic Tango design and made for today’s game –
Kiev / Herzogenaurach, December 2nd, 2011 – Today, adidas and UEFA presented the adidas “Tango 12”, the Official Match Ball for the UEFA ™. The ball was unveiled on stage during the UEFA ™ finals draw by former Ukrainian Olympic pole vaulter Sergey Bubka.
Based on the classic Tango design used during both the FIFA World Cup(tm) and UEFA EURO(tm) tournaments during the early 1980s, the adidas Tango 12 features a modern interpretation of the design including a coloured outline inspired by the flags of the two host nations – Poland and Ukraine. Etched into the Tango design are three bespoke graphics which celebrate the decorative art of paper cutting, a tradition in the rural areas of both host countries and link to the key characteristics of football – unity, rivalry and passion.
“The adidas Tango 12 is based on an iconic design which is known by players and football fans throughout the world, and it is great to see the design reinterpreted in such a creative fashion for the UEFA EURO 2012 tournament,” commented David Taylor, CEO of UEFA Events SA.
Complementing the design, the adidas Tango 12 features a series of triangular panels that are thermally bonded together to ensure a true, stable flight path. Covering each panel of the ball is a grip texture which supports boot to ball contact and enhances ball control. Beneath the outer surface of the ball lies a woven carcass and a new bladder for increased air retention and reduced water uptake.
The adidas Tango 12, which has been developed over a two-year period, underwent two rigorous types of testing – qualitative player testing, which was conducted across eight different countries, using players, federations and clubs from both elite and grass roots football, and quantitative lab testing, which concluded that the adidas Tango 12 meets and exceeds all FIFA Approved Standards for an Official Match Ball making it the most tested ball adidas has ever produced.
adidas Group CEO Herbert Hainer commented: “The adidas Tango 12 is a combination of many years of football tradition coupled with extensive player and lab testing to make it the most tested ball adidas has ever produced.”
The adidas Tango 12 is the eleventh Official Match Ball produced for the UEFA EURO(tm) tournament leading on from a rich history in adidas football development which started in 1963. During that period, three Tango inspired designs have been produced for the UEFA EURO(tm) tournaments – the 1980 Tango River Plate, the 1984 Tango Mundial and the 1988 Tango Europa – making the adidas Tango 12 the fourth in its history.
The adidas Tango 12 will be used on field during the UEFA EURO 2012(tm) which kicks off on June 8th when tournament hosts Poland take to the field at The National Stadium Warsaw. All competing federations will receive an allocation of thirty Official Match Balls during the week commencing December 5th, six months ahead of the tournament, for training and competitive use. The adidas Tango 12 is available for purchase in adidas retail outlets and associated stockists as of December 3rd. For further information on adidas products and services please visit: www.adidas.com/football or www.adidasnewsstream.com.
adidas Production of Official Match Balls adidas’ experience in football production is unequalled. adidas has been making footballs since 1963 and is now the world’s leading manufacturer, always at the cutting edge of technology. adidas has supplied the Official Match Balls to all major UEFA and FIFA tournaments since 1970, and has supplied all UEFA EURO(tm) Official Match Balls since 1972.
adidas EURO Official Match Ball History
1972: Telstar Mexico 32-panel Official Match Ball featuring a new polyurethane coating –
Durlast – which increased the water resistance of the leather ball.
1976: Telstar
The adidas Telstar featured an enhanced lamination of the Durlast material to further reduce water uptake.
1980: Tango River Plate
New iconic Tango design giving the ball a unique look, which then remained until 2000. The ball also featured an improved Durlast material and an enhanced lamination process made the ball even more water-resistant.
1984: Tango Mundial
The first non-leather ball featuring a new polyurethane material with an enhanced layering system to increase the cushioning of the ball. This was the first time that the UEFA EURO(tm) Official Match Ball featured a UEFA EURO(tm) bespoke design for the tournament.
1988: Tango Europa
An enhanced polyurethane and seam sealing was added to protect the ball against water penetration.
1992: Etrusco Unico
A bespoke design language featuring lion heads inspired by the Etruscan history in addition to a new polyurethane foam.
1996: Questra Europa
A new polyurethane foam was added to increase the touch and cushioning of the ball. The design was inspired by the English rose and the three lions of the English Federation.
2000: Terrestra Silverstream
An improved foam construction was added to further enhance cushioning of the ball, and the technical execution of the Tango design was inspired by the rivers and sea in the Netherlands and Belgium.
2004: Roteiro
The Roteiro was a breakthrough in football development being the first non-handstitched football in history. A new thermal bonded technology made the ball more resistant, increased touch and significantly reduced water uptake. The design and name were inspired by Vasco da Gama, the great Portuguese explorer, and included a light blue / silver base colour which highlighted Portugal as a nation of discoverers.
2008: EUROPASS
New panel system developed with a special texture on the surface of the ball to provide players and goalkeepers with a better grip on the ball. The design was also a new and contemporary interpretation of the Telstar design.
