The stage is set. The anthems resonate, feelings of eagerness grow, and the heartbeats of millions rise in unison. As the group stages draw near, adidas has presented to the world their latest creations – the Official Match Balls for the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League and UEFA Women’s Champions League. Drawing inspiration from the legendary anthems, these designs are a symphony in themselves, capturing the spirit and grandeur of European football.
When fans around the globe hear the iconic UEFA Champions League anthem, their emotions transcend beyond the boundaries of language and nationality. Originating in 1992, crafted by the talented Tony Britten, a graduate of the Royal College of Music, this anthem’s powerful rendition by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields Chorus is an embodiment of European football‘s spirit. The lyrics, beautifully written in UEFA’s tri-lingual official languages – English, French, and German, further reinforce its all-encompassing nature.
adidas hasn’t just incorporated design elements; they’ve woven the anthem’s essence into the fabric of these balls. With the men’s ball set against a metallic silver backdrop, the opulent calligraphy styled letters from the iconic chorus line, “THE CHAMPIONS,” find a place on each of the twelve stars. The royal purple, red, and blue shades integrated, symbolize the footballing giants vying for the esteemed UEFA Champions League crown.
The UEFA Women’s Champions League ball, however, tells a different tale. Marking its evolution with a unique anthem in the 2021/22 season, adidas celebrates this transition with lyrics from this anthem occupying two prominent star panels, forming a mesmerizing circular text pattern in vivacious orange. The remaining stars are adorned with a captivating enlarged text pattern in hues of pink and purple.
Matthew Davidson, the man steering Brand Marketing Football at adidas, articulated the brand’s vision eloquently. He reminisced about the past tournaments, acknowledging their grandeur. Davidson stated, “Last season, we were spoilt with two tournaments that, again, reinforced just how special the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Women’s Champions League are, as football spectacles.” Expounding on the emotional connection between the anthems and the footballing community, he emphasized the integral role these anthems play in setting the stage for footballing feats.
Functionality meets aesthetics. These Official Match Balls are tailored for optimum performance. Equipped with adidas’ state-of-the-art PRISMA surface texture, they promise Europe’s elite precision with every touch. Their thermally bonded seamless construction guarantees shape retention, making them ready to withstand the fervor and intensity of Europe’s premier competition.
Beyond aesthetics and functionality, adidas showcases its commitment to community upliftment. Continuing their partnership with Common Goal, adidas will allocate 1% of their global net sales from these footballs towards initiatives fostering lasting change in underserved communities. This endeavor underpins their vision of leveraging football as a catalyst for positive societal change.
For those looking to own a piece of this footballing marvel, these Official Match Balls are now available across adidas stores, selected retail stores, and online at the brand’s official website.
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