So it’s only a matter of weeks away. It has been four years in the making. Here at Comms Express, we are ready to dance the samba! Yes, the Brazil 2014 World Cup is ready to explode. Thirty-two nations are attempting to lift the gold FIFA World Cup Trophy.

The World Cup is THE pinnacle for any footballer. In its simple form, football is a thing of beauty. An enthusiastic bunch of footballers, a ball, a field and jumpers for goalposts and you have the critical components of the game first played in English public schools in the eighteenth century.

Of course, time has moved on. The goal-line technology we have at our disposal means that Geoff Hurst’s disputed second goal in the 1966 World Cup Final will be a thing of the past. Television production is so advanced that we, the viewers, are privy to every tackle, shot, pass and foul. Now during the post-match coverage, we can pour over the footage, berating the officials for calling the wrong decision.

However, our TV coverage will have a whole new dimension with the introduction of a new football. The Brazilian World Cup will play host to Adidas’ Brazuca ball, the 12th ball they have produced for the global tournament. Brazuca means the Brazilian way of life. A promotional Brazuca will feature a special ‘brazucam’, complete with six in-built HD cameras capturing a 360-degree view of the on-field action. Encapsulating everything that’s Brazil and its passion for the game, the ball has shades of blue, orange and green, and stars on it reflecting the vibrancy and flair associated with the game in the Mecca of football.

Adidas technology also involves a new structural innovation with a unique symmetry of six identical panels alongside a different surface structure that will provide improved grip, touch, stability and aerodynamics on the pitch. Whatever the weather, the ball is insured to keep its shape.

Around 600 players from across 30 professional and national teams in 10 countries were used during what was a thorough two and a half year testing process. Adidas football director, Matthias Mecking told the BBC, We do extensive flight path analysis and the results have shown constant and predictable paths with deviations hardly recognisable.”

England captain had this to say about the new ball, The sign of a good ball is when no one really talks about it. I dont think anyone will have anything negative to say about Brazuca. I think the feedback from players will be really positive. It’s very true and reliable, and those are the two most important things I want from a ball. The Champions League ball has always been a big favourite among the players because of how reliable it is. Brazucas very similar and I think the players will be very happy about that.” 

So a long way from the Jubulani ball, which Adidas created for the South African World Cup in 2010, which proved unpredictable in the air due to its lighter weight. And no excuses for a successful campaign for England then!

Oh and we promise that we will not be posting any incriminating evidence of us dancing the samba – that would spoil the World Cup for you all!

Until next time…