JOHANNESBURG – Hans-Peter Nuernberg quietly studied yesterday’s opening match between South Africa and Mexico, his eyes tracking the way the ball bounced, swerved, and performed in headers, free kicks and saves.
Despite all the criticism and uproar surrounding the so-called Jabulani, the 2010 World Cup ball, Nuernberg liked what he saw.
Nuernberg is the lead engineer of the Jabulani, which features high-tech innovations designed to correct anomalies in the behaviour of normal footballs.
“I really enjoyed the match but of course I closely watched the path of the ball,” he said. “It was a special moment full of good emotions to see our baby flying perfectly through the air.”
German sports company Adidas has made the World Cup ball since 1970 and is contracted through 2014.
Its latest edition is one of the most controversial yet. It uses eight panels, down from the classic 32, that are seared together, not stitched, and covered with a rash of tiny bumps aimed at stabilising flight. The panels are raised before they are seared together. Also new is the cushioned synthetic material intended to soften impact for headers. (AP)
