Monday, December 16, 2013

Greatest Dribblers in World Football History - number 25 : Andres Iniesta

number 25 : 

Andres Iniesta


Greatest Dribblers in World Football History - number 24 : Eusebio

number 24 :

Eusebio

In 1962, Benfica lifted the European Cup at the expense of the much-fancied Real Madrid.
Their saviour that day was a 20-year-old Portuguese-Mozambique sensation named Eusebio, who went onto enjoy 15 incredible years at the club while also helping his nation to a third-placed finish at the 1966 World Cup.

Greatest Dribblers in World Football History - number 23 : Robinho

number 23 :

Robinho
 

Greatest Dribblers in World Football History - number 22 : Ariel Ortega

number 22 :  

Ariel Ortega
 
Is there a player in the world who had better close control? Some of the things Ariel Ortega did were jaw-dropping to say the very, very least.

Greatest Dribblers in World Football History - number 21 : Franck Ribery

number 21 :

Franck Ribery
 

Greatest Dribblers in World Football History - number 20 : Alvaro Recoba

number 20 :

Alvaro Recoba
If Alvaro Recoba had put the effort in, he could well have been the best player we've ever seen.
Instead, he belongs on the list with those who never fulfilled their huge potential, but at least we've got the highlight reels to remind us of his individual moments of brilliance.



Greatest Dribblers in World Football History - number 19 : Romario

number 19 : 

Romario
 

Greatest Dribblers in World Football History - number 18 : Ryan Giggs

number 18 :

Ryan Giggs

 
How is this man still playing?

Greatest Dribblers in World Football History - number 17 : Arjen Robben


number 17 : 

Arjen Robben
 

Greatest Dribblers in World Football History - number 16 : Cristiano Ronaldo

number 16 : 

Cristiano Ronaldo
 

Greatest Dribblers in World Football History - number 15 : Zico

number 15 : 

Zico

Greatest Dribblers in World Football History - number 14 : Rivelino

number 14 :

 Rivelino



 

Greatest Dribblers in World Football History - number 13 : Jay Jay Okocha

number 13 : 

Jay Jay Okocha


Greatest Dribblers in World Football History - number 12 : Jimmy Johnstone


number 12 : 

Jimmy Johnstone


Greatest Dribblers in World Football History - number 11 : Roberto Baggio

number 11 :

Roberto Baggio



Soccer Ball Rules or Laws


   

Soccer Ball Rules or Laws

FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) Laws of the Game

Law 2 - The Ball
Qualities and Measurements
The ball is:
  • spherical
  • Made of leather or other suitable material
  • Of a circumference of not more than 70 cm (28 ins) and not less than 68 cm (27 ins)
  • not more than 450 g (16 oz) in weight and not less than 410 g (14 oz) at the start of the match
  • of a pressure equal to 0.6 – 1.1 atmosphere (600 – 1100 g/cm 2 ) at sea level (8.5 lbs/sq in to 15.6 lbs/sq in)

Soccer Ball Testing and Approvals

Soccer Ball Testing and Approvals
Many soccer balls have various organization "approvals" imprinted on them.  Such as the FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) approval logo and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) authentication mark. These approvals assure that the ball will perform according to the organizations' specifications. The testing procedures and designations offer many benefits to those who buy soccer balls (footballs) including guaranteed quality, value for money and better playing performance.
 
In the past, many balls made by different manufactures varied in quality when used in matches. Now soccer balls with the organization's official approval logo imprinted on them, adhere to a higher standard of quality and are more consistent in how they perform during matches.
Manufacturer's usually pay a licensing fee to use the official "approval" logos on the balls. Each licensed manufacturer or brand name can state in their marketing campaigns that the balls are approved for use in matches sanctioned by the approval organization. The FIFA approval mark assures that the balls have been tested for proper ball trajectory, shape, balance, bounce, water absorption and velocity at a independent laboratory. Only the pressure of the ball need to be checked by the referee. The referee can be assured that the ball meets the size and weight requirements stated in the organization's soccer rules or laws
Video:  Testing The Euro Ball

 

Questions about Pressure and Soccer Balls

Questions about Pressure and Soccer Balls
  • How does the amount of air in a soccer ball affect how far it travels when struck by the same force? The amount of air or air pressure in a soccer ball effects how far the ball will travel when struck by the same force.  The higher air pressure that is put into a soccer ball improves the ball's rebound off the foot of a player. More energy is transferred to a "stiff" ball in an elastic collision. In other words, the ball deforms less during the impact, so there's less energy lost to deformation.

The History of the Soccer Ball - Soccer Ball Physics


The History of the Soccer Ball 
Soccer Ball Physics
Bill Shankly, the former manager of Liverpool football club, once said: "Football is not about life or death. It is more important than that." This month at the World Cup in France, millions of football fans will get that same feeling for a few, short weeks. Then the event will be over, and all that will remain will be a few repeats on television and the endless speculation about what might have happened. It is this aspect of football that its fans love, and others hate. What if that penalty had gone in? What if the player hadn't been sent off? What if that free kick hadn't bent around the wall and gone in for a goal?

The History of the Soccer Ball - Adidas Finale UEFA Champions League ( Champions League Final 2013 ) (


The History of the Soccer Ball

Adidas Finale UEFA Champions League

Champions League Final 2013

2013 Final
UEFA Champions League Final Wembly Ball 2013
Adidas presents The Official Match Ball for the UEFA Champions League Final 2013
- Wembley’s seventh final provides the inspiration behind the design -
- Ball to be used on-pitch for ‘The Road to Wembley’ -

The History of the Soccer Ball - adidas Finale


The History of the Soccer Ball 

adidas Finale

Official Match Ball of the UEFA Champions League Final 

The History of the Soccer Ball - The History of the Official World Cup Match Balls


The History of the Soccer Ball 
The History of the Official World Cup Match Balls

The History of the Soccer Ball - Synthetic Soccer Balls


The History of the Soccer Ball 
Synthetic Soccer Balls

1963 Santiago - Picture provided by Jacques Barralon

The History of the Soccer Ball - The First World Cup Soccer Ball


The History of the Soccer Ball 

The First World Cup Soccer Ball
1930 World Cup Soccer Ball

The First World Cup Soccer Ball

1930 World Cup Soccer Ball of "Tiento"
One of the two soccer balls used in the first 1930 World Cup final between Argentina and Uruguay is shown above. This leather football was used in the final match and taken by an Uruguayan team player. It may have even played a part in the outcome of the first world cup in 1930.  Argentina and Uruguay could  not agree on which ball to use.  So they decided to use an Argentinean ball the first half and a ball supplied by Uruguay the second half.  As it turned out, Argentina was ahead at halftime 2-1.  However; Uruguay came back to win the match in the second half 4-2 using their ball!


The History of the Soccer Ball - Soccer Balls in the 1900's


The History of the Soccer Ball

Soccer Balls in the 1900's

 

Official FC Barcelona Museum 1899 Eight Panel Ball

The History of the Soccer Ball - Balls in 1800's

   
The History of the Soccer Ball


Balls in 1800's
In 1836 Charles Goodyear patented vulcanized rubber. Prior to this, balls were dependant on the size and shape of the pig's bladder. The more irregular the bladder, the more unpredictable the behavior of the ball was when kicked. However; it would not be until the twentieth century until most balls were made with rubber bladders.
In 1855, Charles Goodyear designed and built the first vulcanized rubber soccer balls (footballs).  The following picture shows the Charles Goodyear ball that is on display at the National Soccer Hall of Fame which is located in Oneonta, NY, USA.
Charles Goodyear Soccer Ball

The History of the Soccer Ball - Early Ball History

Early Ball History

Through out history, humans have enjoyed kicking a ball or something like a ball. South American Indians were known to use a light elasticized ball. However; rubber was not to be practically manufactured until a few thousand years later. 

Greatest Dribblers in World Football History - number 10 : Stanley Matthews


number 10 :  
Stanley Matthews
 
Stanley Matthews was known for his great dribbling skills, because of that he gained the nickname "the wizard of dribble". Matthews had a great balance and sense of timing, he could suddenly accelerate on a moment the defender would not suspect it. Pelé once said Matthews was "the man who taught us the way football should be played.". 

Greatest Dribblers in World Football History - number 9 : Ronaldinho


number 9 : 
Ronaldinho


Greatest Dribblers in World Football History - number 8 : Zinedine Zidane


number 8 :
Zinedine Zidane

Greatest Dribblers in World Football History - number 7 : Ronaldo


 number 7 :

Ronaldo

Greatest Dribblers in World Football History - number 6 : Pelé


 number 6 :

 Pelé

Greatest Dribblers in World Football History - number 5 : George Best


number 5 : 

George Best

Greatest Dribblers in World Football History - number 4 : Johan Cruyff


 number 4 : 

Johan Cruyff

Greatest Dribblers in World Football History - number 3 : Garrincha


number 3 : 

Garrincha

Greatest Dribblers in World Football History - number 2 : Lionel Messi


number 2 : 

Lionel Messi 

Greatest Dribblers in World Football History - number 1 : Diego Maradona


number 1 : 

Diego Maradona



Yashin Award winner : Iker Casillas ( 2010 world cup )


 Yashin Award winner ( 2010 world cup ) :

Spain Iker Casillas
                                   


Iker Casillas Fernández : born 20 May 1981) is a Spanish football goalkeeper who plays for and captains both La Liga club Real Madrid and the Spanish national team. In 2008 he was the captain of the Spanish team that won their first European Championship in 44 years, the Spanish team that went on to win Spain's first World Cup (a tournament in which he won the Golden Glove aka Yashin Award) and the 2012 European Championship.

Yashin Award winner : Gianluigi Buffon ( 2006 world cup )

                                
              
                   
Yashin Award winner - 2006 world cup :

Italy Gianluigi Buffon


Gianluigi "Gigi" Buffon, : born 28 January 1978 in Carrara, Italy), is an Italian goalkeeper who plays for and captains both Serie A club Juventus and the Italian national team. Buffon is the record appearance holder for the Italian national football team, and he is widely considered to be one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time.He is known for his "outstanding shot-stopping" and for being "a vocal organizer of the defence and a key dressing room personality."