Category: Soccer

The Adidas Equipment Terrestra Silverstream

The title and design of this particularly futuristic looking ball were dedicated to the rivers of the host countries, (Belgium and Holland) to which they owe their prosperity via trading routes and transportation of goods. The locals nicknamed these waterways “silver streams” due to the way their surfaces sparkle brightly in the early morning sun. 

Scientifically it was another break through ball from adidas. The outer layer was made from ergonomically crafted syntactic foam panels in long lasting PU, making it softer to the touch and easier to control. Inside the ball’s casing was a layer of closely compressed micro balloons filled with gas, which distributed the impact of the strike (from the foot or head) evenly, making it more precise and giving it a calculable, consistent, and faster flight path (later used on the World Cup Fevernova and Euro Roteiro match balls). 

However, its swerve characteristics were lethal at the right feet, as Luis Figo proved with his missile-like shot against England, which seemed to change direction violently when it clipped an England player’s ankle. “We found to our cost that the slightest deflection seems to make the ball fly,” explained the English Football Association’s technical adviser, Les Reed.

Article and pictures from Sheridan Bird, January 22, 2004

Above picture with the ball in the original box provided by Jacques Barralon

The European Championship had long been considered a second-class football (soccer) tournament in the eyes of fans, before its rebirth in 1996. Originally conceived as a mini world cup for Europe, it was the subject of chronic format change and indifference. 

However, intelligent marketing and a surge in interest caused the 1996 championship, in England, to take a new importance. As a result of this, the official ball providers, adidas, who had previously not deemed the competition worthy of having its own especially nominated ball, decided to begin taking the development and marketing of the matchballs seriously.

1996

The Adidas Questra Europa

After the success and high goal quota of the 1994 World Cup in the US, adidas concluded that the new, lighter ball produced for that tournament, on FIFA’s request (they had been moved to make changes after the turgid and defensive Italia ’90 World Cup which suffered something of a goal drought) had been a triumph. The World Cup ‘94 ball, the black and white Questra, was a much more high tech and responsive ball than its heavier predecessors. There might have been complaints from goalkeepers, but the swerving, spinning Questra, which curled wickedly in the hot, American temperatures and humidity, was responsible for some outstanding goals, free kicks and passes. 

UEFA decided to keep in tune with this new scientifically advanced approach, but asked adidas to give the ball a new identity, an in doing so they created the Questra Europa which was the first colored ball in a major tournament. The design they chose was a reworking of the iconic England badge, the three lions and red roses, in the familiar tango shape, which had appeared on all major balls. Each side of the trigon had a lion in metallic blue, and in the center was a red rose.

Due to its strong link with the host nation’s own identity, the ball proved very popular, and also paved the way for a very lively, exciting tournament with many incredible goals and vibrant play.

The official ball for the 1992 European Championships was the Etrvsco Unico the same ball used in the Italy, 1990 World Cup. The only difference is a panel on the ball indicating “Official World Cup 1990/ Official 1992 Euro Championship”.

Above Pictures Provided By Reg Wong, Thanks!

The above picture is another version with an UEFA Logo and made in France

Picture provided by D. Duinkerken – Thanks!

Above two pictures with original box provided by Jacques Barralon

Above Picture of the REPLICA Tango Mundial Provided By Jens Badinski

Above picture provided by Jacques Barralon

Featured new polyurethane coating and Durlast technology which increased the water resistance of the leather ball. The Telstar Durlast with graphics was not used in the 1970 World Cup matches in Mexico. It was used in the 1972 European Championships.

Above picture provided by Jacques Barralon