adidas introduce 2008/09 matchball

UEFA and adidas have unveiled the official UEFA Champions League matchball, the adidas FINALE 8, which will be formally presented at tonight's group stage draw. 

Surface structure
Like the EUROPASS used for this summer's UEFA EURO 2008™, the ball's new surface structure allows players to control and direct it perfectly in all weather conditions. The revolutionary PSC-Texture™ consists of a sophisticated and fine structure on the ball's outer skin that guarantees optimum grip between ball and boot.

Colours reflected
The new FINALE 8 balls for the 2008/09 season will be delivered to the 32 qualified clubs soon after the group-stage draw in Monaco. The adidas FINALE 8 is based on the traditional UEFA Champions League star ball design, and reflects colours which can be seen in the different venues: the indigo represents the sky, the indigo metallic refers to the floodlight and the rave green stands for the grass.

Public unveiling
The FINALE 8 was presented to the general public and media with a giant UEFA Champions League logo in front of Monaco's Grimaldi Forum, the venue for Thursday's draw. The giant ball, part of the UEFA Champions League logo, comprised 220 FINALE 8 matchballs.

Panels
As with the EUROPASS, the FINALE 8 is constructed from 14 panels using revolutionary Thermal Bonding Technology. This, combined with the new PSC-Texture™ surface structure, gives the FINALE 8 perfect handling characteristics and allows exceptional ball control. The unique outer skin improves power transmission, creates greater swerve and increases accuracy, in all weather conditions.

Major tournaments
Since 1970, adidas has provided the official matchball for major UEFA and FIFA tournaments, including all UEFA Champions League matches since 2005. The UEFA Champions League final has been played with an adidas ball since 2000/01.