The UEFA European Championship, while postponed to 2021, kept its Euro 2020 moniker to commemorate six decades since the inaugural tournament in 1960. As Euro 2020 unfolded, a key symbol of the competition was the official match ball. Let’s delve into the design and significance of the Euro 2020 Ball.
The Tradition of the Official Euro Match Ball
Although specific match balls weren’t designed for the initial Euro tournaments in 1960 and 1964, 1968 marked the beginning of a tradition. Adidas designed the first official Euro ball, the Telstar Elast, named after the Telstar satellite. It featured the classic black and white pattern synonymous with soccer balls. Since then, each quadrennial Euro competition has introduced a new official match ball, becoming an anticipated aspect of the tournament.
A Closer Look at the Euro 2020 Ball’s Design
If you tuned into Euro 2020, you undoubtedly saw the official match ball in action. While your focus might have been on the on-field drama, the Euro 2020 ball, officially named Adidas Uniforia, boasts a striking design. Launched in 2019, the ball features dynamic, brushstroke-style black lines across a primarily white surface. These bold strokes are punctuated by vibrant flashes of blue, yellow, and pink. The Adidas and Euro 2020 logos are also prominently displayed in black. Utilizing the same panel shape and materials as the 2018 World Cup ball, the Euro 2020 ball underwent rigorous testing to meet professional soccer standards, ensuring exceptional flight stability, bounce, predictability, and durability for peak performance during the tournament.
Uniforia: Inspiration Behind the Euro 2020 Ball
The name “Uniforia” itself is a blend of “unity” and “euphoria,” encapsulating the spirit of international soccer. This Euro 2020 ball is designed to celebrate the inclusive and diverse nature of the tournament. The brushstroke design symbolizes the breaking down of barriers and the crossing of boundaries, while the vibrant colors represent the convergence of different cultures at Euro 2020.
Adidas product designer Anika Marie Kennaugh explained the design philosophy, stating that the team aimed to reflect diverse cultures in the ball’s aesthetic. She emphasized Euro 2020’s role in showcasing unity and celebrating sport’s power to connect people, ideas, and creativity. The Euro 2020 official match ball, Uniforia, serves as a symbol of unity, intended to be embraced and celebrated by everyone involved in the tournament.
A History of Euro Match Balls
Since the inaugural official match ball, the 1968 Telstar Elast, each Euro competition has debuted a new design. 1972 saw the Telstar Durlast, a refined version of its predecessor. This design continued into 1976 with enhanced water resistance. The 1980 Tango River Plate ball paid homage to host nation Argentina. 1984 marked a shift with the Tango Mundial, the first non-leather Euro ball, followed by 1988’s Tango Europa and 1992’s Etrusco Unito. The 1996 Questra Europa was groundbreaking as the first colored Euro ball. Subsequent balls include the 2000 Terrestra Silverstream, 2004 Roteiro, 2008 Europass, 2012 Tango 12, and 2016 Beau Jeu (French for “Beautiful Game”). Each ball represents a chapter in the evolving story of the UEFA European Championship and its visual identity.
In conclusion, the Adidas Uniforia Euro 2020 ball is more than just a piece of sports equipment. It’s a symbol of unity, diversity, and the beautiful game itself, carrying forward a rich tradition of innovation and design in official Euro match balls.
