Images courtesy of adidas.

As is their custom, adidas designed a new football for Euro 2008.

“Like +Teamgeistâ„¢, the official match ball of the 2006 FIFA World Cupâ„¢, the adidas “EUROPASS” is constructed out of 14 panels using revolutionary Thermal Bonding Technology. This combined with the new PSC-Textureâ„¢ surface structure gives the “EUROPASS” its perfect handling characteristics and allows the players exceptional ball control. The unique outer skin improves power transmission, creates greater swerve and increases accuracy on the pitch, in all conceivable weather conditions. And for the goalkeeper too, providing a much better grip between glove and ball, substantially improves his catching of the ball.

The ground-breaking performance features of the adidas “EUROPASS” have been demonstrated in comprehensive comparison tests at Loughborough University in England and in countless checks in the adidas football laboratory in Scheinfeld.”

Source: adidas Press Room: adidas Europass- the match ball with “goose bumps.”

Video from the adidas Factory

Please note the craftmanship that goes into the production process.

Field Test

I made a visit to a sporting goods store that sold a replica of the EUROPASS. The salesman was kind enough to let me take it out of the box, and attempt to imitate Patrick Vieira.