Discover the science behind the 2018 World Cup ball
Contrary to what goalkeepers have complained, scientists have other opinions.
Every World Cup, the ball is scrutinized from many different angles. Adidas has been making balls for the biggest football tournament on the planet since 1970, and they have always fulfilled their duty, bringing each new curve to the world.
This year’s ball, called the Telstar 18, has been criticized by some of the world’s top goalkeepers for being too light and difficult to catch. However, scientists say the beautiful sphere is quite stable, far surpassing its predecessor, the Jabulani – the official ball of the 2010 World Cup.
The Telstar 18 is a reminder to football fans of the first ball Adidas made for the World Cup, the 1970 tournament in Mexico. The original black and white ball was specially colored so that viewers watching on black and white TV could easily recognize what was happening on the screen.
The Telstar 18 is white, black and grey with yellow letters.
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| Telstar 18 will not experience zig-zag in the air. |
Eric Goff, a physics professor at the University of Lynchburg, Virginia, who was one of the team that analyzed the ball for the 2018 World Cup, had a few things to say. When tested in a wind tunnel and compared to the Brazuca from the 2014 World Cup, the Telstar 18 suffered more from air resistance.
This means that the Telstar 18 will travel a shorter distance, specifically about 8 to 10% less distance than the Brazuca, when kicked and traveling at a speed of more than 90km/h.
"This will not be good news for players who shoot from long distance and need a lot of force to shoot," Mr. Goff explained.
But this is good news for goalkeepers, because the ball when flying at high speed will "reach the goal slower than the speed of the Brazuca in 2014".
Like the Brazuca, the Telstar 18 has six panels. Its predecessor, the Jabulani, had just eight, and both are significantly fewer than the traditional ball's 32 panels.
Researcher Sungchan Hong from the science department of Tsukuba University, Japan, said that the test-firing robot showed that "the flight path of the Telstar 18 is very stable compared to previously used balls".
"In other words, one can count on the effectiveness of set pieces such as free kicks or corners, or a quick shot from mid-range."
He also added that he did not think "goalkeepers would be at a disadvantage in any way".
Compared to the Jabulano, the Telstar 18 will not have to zig-zag in the air. The nightmare for goalkeepers of the past is now over.
