Iconic 'Finale Rome' set for ultimate stage

adidas has unveiled the official match ball for the UEFA Champions League final at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on 27 May – the adidas Finale Rome.

Roman values
The design of the adidas Finale Rome is based on the widely recognisable UEFA Champions League starball. The colours of the new match ball are inspired by the traditional Roman colour burgundy with gold detailing around the stars. Mosaic figures representing key sporting and Roman values such as speed, teamwork, justice and power are featured in each star – honouring European club football's blue-riband event.

Sophistication
Like the EUROPASS, the match ball of UEFA EURO 2008™ in Austria and Switzerland last summer, the adidas Finale Rome boasts the innovative surface structure PSC-Texture™. This surface structure allows players to control and direct the ball perfectly in all weather conditions. The PSC-Texture™ consists of a sophisticated and extremely fine structure on the ball's outer skin that guarantees optimum grip between ball and boot. Due to the usage of this material, the ball texture feels like goose bumps. In addition, like the EUROPASS, the adidas Finale Rome is constructed out of 14 panels using revolutionary Thermal Bonding Technology.

'Historic'
At a press conference at Terrazza Colle Oppio in Rome – an open balcony with a wonderful view of the Colosseum in the background – participants sang the praises of the ball to be used for the final. "We thank the FIGC [Italian Football Federation], the Italian Olympic Committee [CONI], the municipality of the city and adidas," said Peter Willems, UEFA head of marketing activities. "Rome is a historic venue and we hope to watch a historic final here. The ball is an icon of this tournament. The starball was introduced in 2000 for the finals and has been used for all matches of the competition since the 2006/07 season. It is the best of the best on the ultimate stage – the ball with the highest level of technology."

'Important partnership'
"I want to stress the importance of the partnership between adidas and UEFA," added Winand Krawinkel, marketing director of adidas Italy. "We have been producing balls for the most important football events in Europe and in the world since 1970. UEFA gave us the incentive to make many important steps in technology." The adidas Finale Rome is currently available at retail outlets worldwide. adidas has been making footballs since 1963, and has supplied the official match balls to all major UEFA and FIFA tournaments since 1970.