Coverciano, Italy
PUMA introduced a special Italy national football team kit for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. At a launch event in Coverciano, the training ground of the national team, PUMA presented the new kit together with Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo of the ‘Squadra Azzurra’ to the press. The kit will be worn on pitch for the first time in this week’s match against the 2013 Confederations Cup hosts Brazil in Geneva.
For the first time in PUMA’s history, the replica shirt is made from 100% recycled Polyester, representing a further step in the Sportlifestyle brand’s sustainability strategy. The official Italy team kit to be worn by ‘The Azzurri’ this summer features enhanced moisture management through the use of a fabric made of recycled polyester and Cocona®, which is an activated carbon made from coconut shells. This mixture of materials provides a superior level of comfort and performance.
The new design features a new striking look, including an embossed Power graphic that fades from bold to light. The visual design, evolved from PUMA’s 2012 Power range, emphasises the physical aspects of a player even more prominently. A fluorescent blue piping on the collar and around the font adds a new unique appeal to the shirt. Additional details include the ‘Tricolore’ coloured cuffs and inserts at the bottom of the shirt that represent the national flag of Italy.
Giorgio Chiellini, the Italian International attended the launch event and commented, “It is a great moment to wear a new Italian national team kit for the first time on the pitch. The design is very impressive, especially the way the colours of the Italian flag have been incorporated. It fills me with pride to wear this Italian shirt and I am excited about the prospect of representing our footballing nation in the upcoming Confederations Cup in Brazil.”
Andrea Rogg, General Manager of PUMA Italy added, “We are proud of our national team, also for their Confederations Cup qualification following their excellent performances in Poland and Ukraine last summer. To honour this achievement, we have created a new design for The Azzurri to wear in Brazil that conveys a strong feeling of national pride. We wish them well in representing Europe this summer.”
