Adidas has gotten a big kick from the official World Cup ball since it went on sale in December.

Adidas have sold somewhere in the region of 15 million Teamgeist balls (the World Cup ball) worldwide since its launch in December.

The Teamgeist ball, which has 14 panels and no stitches, costs from £55 - £75, depending where you shop.

Sales are better than the Adidas forecasts of 10 million. They have also improved on the 6 million sales of their previous World Cup ball, the Fevernova, from 2002. Adidas has supplied the balls for every World Cup tournament since 1970, when the Telstar was used with 12 black pentagons and 20 white hexagons.

Adidas expects the World Cup to help it achieve more than £800 million in revenue in football related products, including shoes and replica shirts. Germany shirts are great sellers, with more than 1.5 million sold this year.

Adidas has also sold more than 1 million pairs of Predator Absolute football boots this year, along with 750,000 pairs of F50 TUNiT football boots.

World Cup 2006: England’s football team are too nice, they don’t commit enough fouls. The England strikers are ineffective and rate poorly.

These are not my personal views on the the England football teams performances so far in this World Cup. They are facts, based on statistics created by ESPN soccernet.

The website provides access to all sorts of statistics for every football player and every football Nation in the World Cup. The stat’s I referred to, I found interesting from an English perspective. The statistics highlight England as bottom of the table for fouls committed, for all those sides that have already played 3 group games in the World Cup. Angola currently top the table.

There is not one England forward listed in the top 50 rated forwards in the World up to date. Doesn’t say a lot for England’s chances does it? Fernando Torres is the current number 1.

A few other statistics that I found of interest:

Germany have the top goalscorer and the most assists.

England top the leaderboard…. with the best rated referee, Graham Poll.

The top rated goalkeepers are Shaka Hislop and Woon-Jae Lee

If you find an interesting statistic, please let me know by adding a comment.

Thurday 22nd June 2006, was the 20th anniversary of the famous Hand of God goal, scored by the Argentine, Diego Maradona.

That goal and the sublime one that followed by Maradona, sealed the end of Englands hopes of winning the 1986 World Cup. This year England could end up playing against Argentina in the final, if they do England could once again be facing the Hand of God, also known as El mano de Dios.

Lionel Messi, the young Argentine forward was wearing the Adidas +F50 TUNiT football boots at the 2006 World Cup. As is the trend at the moment, the football boots have their personal identity attached to them. Lionel Messi, has decided to stir up those that are still bitter about the Hand of God incident, by having ‘El mano de Dios ‘86‘ wriiten on the side of his football boots.

Maradona admitted in his 2002 autiobiography “Now I feel I am able to say what I couldn’t then. At the time I called it “the hand of God”. Bollocks was it the hand of God, it was the hand of Diego! And it felt a little bit like pickpocketing the English”.

Following its 20th anniversary, it would be particularly pleasing if the English supporters were able to finally put the Hand of God to rest.

England football star Wayne Rooney, pictured advertising Nike. The image is set to cause a real stir.

Nike, who have been outgunned by Adidas in the marketing stakes so far at this years World Cup, have displayed the message on a huge billboard on the M4 motorway in England. It is set to cause controversy as it depicts footballer Rooney, arms stretched wide, as if he were adorned on a crucifix. The image goes further by emulating blood on Rooney’s face and body in the shape of a cross, a St Georges cross.

Nike are unable to advertise within any of the World Cup football stadiums, as Adidas are the official sponsors. Adidas also sponsor the match balls and the referees kits. Therefore Nike have to rely on other ways to market their sportswear and football boots.

Nike know this poster will cause controversy and gain press coverage, that’s why they decided to “just do it”.

England may have qualified for the 2nd round of the World Cup, but what are the tools of choice that have helped them get their?

Here’s a rundown of the football boots that the England players are hoping will take them all the way to the final this year.

England Players Football Boots

1 Paul ROBINSON - Nike Total 90 Supremacy

2 Gary NEVILLE - Adidas Predator Absolute

3 Ashley COLE - Adidas TUNiT

4 Steven GERRARD - Adidas Predator Absolute

5 Rio FERDINAND - Nike Total 90 Supremacy

6 John TERRY - Umbro XAI Mk V KTK

7 David BECKHAM - Adidas +Predator Absolute Lion

8 Frank LAMPARD - Adidas +Predator Absolute

9 Wayne ROONEY - Nike Total 90 Supremacy

10 Michael OWEN - Umbro X-Boot

11 Joe COLE - Nike Air Legend

12 Sol CAMPBELL - Adidas World Cup

13 David JAMES - Umbro X-Boot

14 Wayne BRIDGE - Puma v1.06

15 Jamie CARRAGHER - Puma King SL

16 Owen HARGREAVES - Adidas +Predator Absolute

17 Jermaine JENAS - Puma King Exec

18 Michael CARRICK - Puma Konstrukt

19 Aaron LENNON - Adidas TUNiT

20 Stewart DOWNING - Adidas TUNiT

21 Peter CROUCH - Puma V1.06

22 Scott CARSON - Adidas Predator Absolute

23 Theo WALCOTT - Nike Mercurial Vapour III

Adidas are the clear favourite with the England camp, 10 of the players wear Adidas football boots, with 5 for Nike and Puma and 3 for Umbro.

Adidas Predators are the favourite range, with 6 of the England players wearing a Predator.

Having been away for a few days, I have decided to do a round up of recent news.

Edwin van de Sar’s Holland were knocked out of the World Cup by Portugal at the weekend. Edwin was celebrating a record 113 appearances for Holland. A record that surpasses Frank de Boer’s previous all-time record of 112 international caps. To mark the occasion, he was given a special pair of Adidas football boots with Van der Sar 113, written on the boots.

Reuters report that experts from Birmingham’s Children’s Hospital described two cases of TSS (TSS is blood poisoning that makes people feel severely ill) in children after playing in new football boots.

The condition is a rare but can be a serious illness, that can develop quickly in anyone. In both instances, the children developed friction blisters over their Achilles tendons, caused by the boots.

Expatica talk about Pele’s football boots that are being exhibited in a German museum. They claim the football boots were worn by Pele whilst playing for Santos FC, and that he scored 431 goals in them. I can’t see a modern day football boot lasting that long.

Finally, my favourite story of the moment regards the Portuguese players claiming that they will be targeting Paul Robinson, the English goalkeeper, in Saturdays World Cup quarter final. Football 365 said “Portugal intend to target the opposition’s goalkeeper, presumably thus deciding to bombard his goal with shots and crosses whenever possible, trenchant proof that Luis Scolari is a tactical genius? Not even Gary Lineker’s granny could have stumbled across such a cunning and brilliant idea”.

As part 6 of the Top Football Boots of the World Cup series, here is the Nike Mercurial Vapor III.

American sportswear giant Nike have released a selection of limited edition football boots for their 3rd genration Mercurial football boot. Made in Italy, this football boot is the last one Thierry Henry will be wearing for Nike.

The style of this football boot mixes tradition, with the latest technology and look.

Performance: Extremely light (less than 200g), due to its Teijin synthertic upper and the light weight varbon fiber heel. This makes for a speedy results and a good close feel of the ball. The sole of the football boot consists of a moulded design, ideal for firm ground. The studs are angled differently, with different lengths which gives optimum traction for quick acceleration and change of direction.

Comfort: The synthetic ‘NikeSkin’ is very forgiving on the foot and moulds to the contours of the individual. The breathable, cushioned internal heel cup offers heel support and reduces movement.

Players: Thierry Henry, Adriano and Ronaldo are sporting these Nike boots at the World Cup.

Price: £135

Verdict: The Nike Mercurial, has proved to be a popular range by Nike and the latest version will continue the success. Pricey, but a worthwhile consideration.

As part 5 of the Top Football Boots of the World Cup series, here is the Adidas +Predator Absolute.This is German football boot manufacturers Adidas’s flagship football boot for the World Cup. It is also used by more professionals in the competition than any other Adidas boot. The Adidas +Predator Absolute is the eighth generation Predator football boot. It includes revolutionary exchangeable PowerPulse technology, meaning the player can decide between a light boot or a powerful boot.

Performance: As with many of the top end boots now, the versatile sockliner gives the player a choice between speed with the light option or power with the PowerPulse socliner. This Predator has improved the ’swervability’ of your strike with an enhanced region on the side of the boot.
Comfort: Made with Kangaroo leather, these boots feel very comforatble. The leather is very thin, yet feels very flexible and literally fits like a glove.
Players: Beckham, Vieira, Lampard, Zidane, Gerrard to name but a few, more players here.
Price: £130

Verdict: Simply put, a class football boot.

World Cup winner Alan Ball first showcased his distinctive white football boots in the Charity Shield at the beginning of the 1970/71 football season.

Why did he wear white boots?

Alan heard a rumour that the boot manufacturer Hummel, were looking for a professional to wear their white boots and were prepared to pay £2,000. He took them up on the deal, only to be disappointed, he said

“To be honest lads they were crap, like cardboard, so I got the young apprentices to paint my Adidas football boots white. It was great, till one day it rained and the black came through. A not too happy watching Hummel rep saw what I’d done so I said goodbye to the two grand.”

Picture: Alan Ball in his white boots.

As part 4 of the Top Football Boots of the World Cup series, introducing the Puma V1.06.

Spearheading Puma’s attack at the World Cup is the ultra light, sometimes camouflages Puma V1.06. The German company have broken the mould somewhat with this super light football boot

Performance: The V1.06 is Puma’s lightest football boot to date. It has a super thin 0.4mm thick upper (ConTec). The upper is specially coated to give the leather texture, but it is much lighter. The outsole integrates with the anatomical stud positioning and pointed soft ground studs, designed to offer the best grip, maneuverability and rear foot stability. If control is paramount, then the thin upper offers a great deal of feel.

Comfort: Said to be like wearing socks! The V1.06 contains an ergonomic upper, which follows the foots shape.

Players: Peter Crouch, Yaya Toure, Costinha wear the Puma V1.06 football boots at the World Cup.

Price: RRP £99 available from £90.

Verdict: The unusual design requires an aquired taste. With such a thin upper, power and protection is limited. However this boot has proved to be very popular with the professionals and who am I to argue!

England captain David Beckham was wearing his new football boots in Englands World Cup qualifier with Paraguay.

The +Predator Absolute Lion Boot, features 10 lions, one for each of David Beckhams team mates. The football boots feature the PowerPulse technology, also seen on the Predators.

Update: Beckham’s new boots are now the Predtaor Absolute Swerve

Both the BBC and the Daily Mirror reported that Peter Crouch would be wearing a pair of ‘camouflage’ football boots against Paraguay on Saturday.

As a result this blog was inundated with visitors searching for more information. Crouch didn’t wear the ‘camo’ boots, but they were worn over the weekend. This image shows Portuguese defender Miguel tackling Angolan midfielder Mateus in yesterdays game.
The football boots in question are the Puma V1.06 as featured in this Puma advertisement.

As part 3 of the Top Football Boots of the World Cup series, here is the Umbro X Boot II.

Based in Manchester, England Umbro have released the X Boot II, to be featured at the World Cup.

Performance: The Umbro X Boot II uses ultra soft, water resistant kangaroo leather uppers to give ultimate ball feel for a sensitive touch and sweetspot shooting. Also for clean striking of the ball , the X boot II has a leather flip tongue with a Velcro, elasticated positioning band.

Comfort: The X Boot II uses X Static technology, silver fibres in the football boot to help regulate the temperature and has the, now common amongst high end football boots, external heel counter.

Players: Micheal Owen will be wearing these football boots at the World Cup.

Price: RRP £100 available from £80.

Verdict: A good solid all round boot. Although I’m not too keen on the design. Well priced for the top end market.

As part 2 of the Top Football Boots of the World Cup series, here is the Adidas +F50 TUNiT.

German football boot manufacturers Adidas, this year launched the Adidas +F50 TUNiT. This football boot includes the new concept of allowing players to ‘tune’ their football boots to any weather, pitch and personal style. The football boots have three interchangeable sections - the upper, the chassis and the studs.
Performance: Being able to change the components of the football boots, means performance varies depending on your decision and the circumstances. By applying the lightweight chassis, you can have a light, quick football boot, a comfort chassis or an orthopaedic variety which can be used with your own in socks.

Comfort: As mentioned you have the comfort chassis, match this with the Climacool upper, which ventilates the foot and the correct studs for the conditions and you should be playing in a very comfortable football boot.

Players: At this years World Cup, look for the boots being worn by Arjen Robben and Kevin Kuranyi.

Price: £120

Verdict: A bit gimmicky. Most of the professionals in the Adidas camp select the +Predator Absolutes, which says it all for me.