adidas Launch Finale Lisbon UCL Matchball - Football News

With the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League now only a fortnight away, adidas have launched the Finale Lisbon UCL Official Matchball, celebrating the return of the final to the Estádio da Luz on 24th May for the first time since 1967.

The ball will be used for all UEFA Champions League knockout games including the Lisbon final with the ball paying tribute to the host city's historic legacy of maritime navigation, exploration and discovery back in the 16th century.

Inspired by the instruments Portuguese sailors carried when they set sail from ports like Lisbon looking to the sky to guide them, the design references the compasses and sextants used to map the stars in the heavens above to chart their course. The different shades of blue reflect the importance of both the sky and sea to the city's nautical heritage while the orange is inspired by the beautiful terracotta tiled roofs that can be seen all across the Portuguese capital.

Featuring the same star shaped panel design that was first introduced in 2010 - previously the star design was a print over the panels – the Finale Lisbon ball continues to evolve with adidas upgrading the foam inside the ball for improved rebound in cold conditions.





As before, the ball also includes a thermal-bonded seamless surface for a more predictable trajectory, better touch and lower water uptake and is constructed by using high-end materials in the cover, backing and bladder.

Champions League clubs will train with the new Finale Lisbon ball ahead of the knockout stages commencing on Tuesday 18th February when Man City host Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen take on Paris Saint-Germain. Put our names down for some of that.



The new adidas Finale Lisbon UCL ball is available from selected online stockists including Pro-Direct Soccer. What do you think of the design? Let us know. Join the conversation online, on Twitter and on Facebook.