We've all seen the new ball that Adidas have created for South Africa 2010, the Jabulani, but it was only this week that Fifa released a special version for use in the final - the Jo'bulani. Named after the host city, Johannesburg (or Jo'burg as it is commonly known) the world cup final ball taken a golden colour in reference to Jo'burg being the "City of Gold".
The ball has all of the same scientific properties that make Fifa and Adidas rave about it, and inevitably will make some goalkeepers and managers criticize it in the ritual pre-tournament excuse making. This, were told, includes special ridges to allow players to get batter grip and achieve greater swirve of the ball, and thermo-something properties which make it even rounder than a sphere. To be honest I'm sure its just a football with a special design on it.
I quite like it and I quite like the fact that its especially for the final - something for the players to dream of kicking. Perhaps they will make replicas for David Beckham...
This just means that when I inevitably become a shock addition to the England squad, I'll be even more determined to score a hat-trick in the final so that I get to keep it.
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