Having been left warming the bench for the friendly international against Switzerland last time out, Michael Owen probably needs all the help he can get to impress new England supremo Fabio Capello. So it’s perhaps timely that Umbro have recently introduced the Umbro SX Flare football boot which is being endorsed by the Newcastle striker.

Designed for players who list pace amongst their best attributes, the Umbro SX Flare has been constructed with speed of foot in mind and thanks to the advanced sprint fit, the player is always positioned ‘on their toes’. Coupled with the light weight material, it eases acceleration and aids pace - provided that is, you’ve got some to start with. If you’re a 19 stone, Sunday morning plodder, even with a pair of these on, it’s unlikely your nickname will be changed any time soon from ‘Big John’ to ‘Sharpish’. Added to that the Umbro SX Flare also recognises all other aspects of a modern football boot including control, comfort and safety.

The player’s comfort is taken care of thanks to the water resistant ultra soft high-grade leather keeping the feet dry and thanks to Michelin technology, touch and feel for the ball are enhanced. Safety and those all important metatarsals are addressed via the lightweight TPU heel counter and outsole with glass fibre rigidity shank keeping the player’s foot stable and protected at all times.

Importantly, if spending your valuable time reading manufacturers mumbo jumbo isn’t your thing, you’ll doubtless be delighted to know that the Umbro SX Flare is the latest football boot to feature Umbro’s no nonsense Control Series labelling, cutting out the jargon and explaining the technology in clear, simple terms.

That said, there is, as with any new football boot, a long list of impressive manufacturers information which for the Umbro SX Flare includes:

An ultra soft high grade “water resistant ceramic duratec kangaroo leather” which gives great feel for the ball along with excellent anti-abrasion performance and weight reducing water resistant properties.

Michelin technology in the medial kangaroo suede vamp of the boot with the touch control system that is enhanced by the PU print application. The heel counter is lightweight PU that provides excellent heel protection for the athlete.

The anatomical insock of the Umbro SX Flare boot is made from compression moulded EVA, providing high level shock absorption under extreme conditions. The outsole features a high performance TPU that also gives pronation control and metatarsal protection.

The outsole is completed by the glass fibre rigidity shank and Umbro’s wishbone components.The Umbro SX Flare is available in soft ground outsole that has 8 removable studs and the hard ground metal tipped version that Umbro says is now becoming very popular with professional players around the country.

Good job they’ve decided to ditch the jargon.

For those players wanting to further impress their team mates, the Umbro SX Flare can be personalised with your shirt number and initials. However, individuals such as Paul Richard Arthur Thomas or Gareth Ignacio Turnbull should seriously consider whether this would be a good move

This new Umbro boot comes in a variety of colours, white, navy and red, seemingly being the most popular and retails at £99.99.

You can order your very own pair here.

Footy Boots profiles Jochen Zeitz, CEO of leading sportslifestyle brand Puma.

To command an annual salary of £8 million a year, Puma’s 44 year old CEO Jochen Zeitz must be doing something right. Chief executive of Puma since 1993, Zeitz, is credited with transforming the fortunes of the German football boot brand, from being a loss making outfit to a global giant. Trained as a marketer by the American multinational Colgate-Palmolive, he speaks five languages, never wears a tie, keeps a holiday home in Africa, and flies his own planes.

Only this week, Puma revealed impressive 2007 sales figures, giving optimism for a successful 2008 (see article). Despite strengthening its position in the sports lifestyle arena, Puma still trails its German rival Adidas and America’s Nike. Both are five times its size, having quickly followed Zeitz’s “sports lifestyle” path. Can Puma thus ever catch rivals Nike and Adidas?
“Not interested in catching them,” he shrugs. “Whether you are three, two or one is meaningless. You need to be relevant and innovative; that’s what counts.”

Puma was founded by Rudolf Dassler, brother of Adi Dassler (Adidas) in 1948. When Zeitz joined, the company was in turmoil - it had slumped into loss after the glory years of making Pele’s football boots. “It was a mess, very bureaucratic, very traditional, very German-centric,” says Zeitz, frowning. “Our export manager could barely speak English.”

But the difficulties gave Zeitz the opportunity to rise fast. “We had three chief executives in two years, each one promoted me. Then we were taken over by a Swedish owner, who asked me to give a presentation about what I thought was wrong.” The presentation won Zeitz the top job. He was just 29. “Everyone thought I would only last six months.”

He started by laying off staff, closing unprofitable production lines and warehouses. By 1994 he had recorded Puma’s first profits since 1986. Three more years of retrenchment were followed by five years of investment. Most importantly, says Zeitz, the brand was repositioned. “Puma in the 1980s was a cheap brand. I said let’s become premium. Let’s bring fashion and style into play.”

And he made Puma cool with a series of gambles, such as pouring money into Jamaican reggae. “We are a sports brand but we want to be something else, too. Jamaica is perfect. There are athletes but also the atmosphere, the climate, the music, the lifestyle.” Design coups like the bodysuits worn by Serena Williams and the Cameroon football team kept Puma in the headlines.

The Beijing Olympics and European football championships promise a good summer ahead. Puma sponsors World Cup winners Italy. In addition, only recently Puma has been linked with a possible takeover bid for fellow football boot brand Umbro. Straight talker Zeitz however dismisses this possibility out of hand: “Too much blood, sweat and tears.” “Not sexy enough,” he says. Creating sexy business is Zeitz’s passion.

Nike Sports Research Lab

Footy Boots recently visited Nike’s World HQ in Portland, Oregon (USA) to take a behind the scenes look at the Nike Global Football Department. In our third and final part of the series we visit the Nike Sports Research Lab.

Read Part One of Footy Boots Nike FIS Series: The Nike Football Story: From Obscurity to Leadership 1994 - 2008
Read Part Two of Footy Boots Nike FIS Series: The Nike Football Boot Story

Part 3: Nike Sports Research Lab (SRL)

Never before opened to non Nike employees, Footy Boots was welcomed into Nike’s highly classified Sports Research Lab by Senior Researcher Erez Morag, the man responsible for putting the likes of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Alexandre Pato, and Ronaldinho, through their paces in the pursuit of creating the perfect football boot. The Sports Research Lab is a closely guarded secret in the football boot world, existing to help understand the needs of the athletes and the demands of the game to subsequently apply the acquired knowledge to the making of ground breaking, innovative football products.

Before Nike launches a new football boot to market, Erez and his staff will identify a range of critical skills for analysis in order to allow the football boot brand to create a boot for the individual player both at a professional and amateur level.

Initially, feedback will be gathered from players, doctors, researchers, and trainers, to determine which elements should be applied to the latest football boot model. The SRL will also conduct in depth analysis of player movements during football matches in order to understand the products that would most benefit a player throughout the full ninety minutes of a match. Erez’s studies found that the most frequent player movements during a match were acceleration (58%) and passing (20%). Nike will undertake a biomechanical analysis of its individual athletes on the training pitch and in the Sports Research Lab, allowing them to work both with and without the ball, to ascertain their own acceleration patterns and other typical game movements. Once Nike understands what the player wants and what the modern game demands, the new football boot will be tailored to suit. Certainly we can see in the construction of the Mercurial Vapor 4, the reduction of the overall weight of the boot through the use of lightweight carbon fibre and a streamline boot shape, combined with innovative traction concepts and functional plate characteristics to prevent foot slippage, allows the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gabriel Agbonlahor, and Aaron Lennon to accelerate away from opposition defenders with relative ease.

As football boot consumers we demand the perfect product to help improve our game, often neglecting the behind the scenes work that goes into achieving the finished article. Following our visit to the SRL, Footy Boots found it highly refreshing to see at first hand the amount of analytical studies that Nike puts into perfecting each new football boot model, before it adorns the feet of the world’s leading footballers and Sunday league players alike.

Football boot brand Puma is looking forward to a bumper 2008 following the release of its 2007 sales figures.

Although 2007 contributed little in the way of global sporting events, the german based company successfully strengthened its positioning as a desirable sportlifestyle brand, which is well reflected in the improved gross profit margin.

In 2007, worldwide brand sales were up 3.4% currency adjusted, amounting to € 2.7 billion. On a comparable basis, consolidated sales climbed by 4.7% to € 2.4 billion. The gross profit margin jumped by 170 basis points to over 52%, and operating profit was above last year’s, totalling € 372.0 million. Earnings per share increased from € 16.39 to € 16.80.

Jochen Zeitz, CEO stated: “Although Puma faced a challenging year, we did not only meet most of our expectations in 2007, but even exceeded them in many points. Puma had an excellent and successful start into the extraordinary sports year 2008 by winning the African Cup of Nations through Egypt’s win, securing a strong brand visibility on the pitch as the leading equipment supplier. We are determined to make use of all opportunities and chances that offer further growth and we will continue to invest and to strengthen the brand’s as well as the company’s desirability in the long run.”

Goal Line technology is likely to be introduced when the International Football Association Board meets next month.

The Goal line technology debate has long been a talking point in football and Footy Boots has recently run a series covering the subject which you can view below.

Part 1 - The Technology
Part 2 - Testing the Technology
Part 3 - Alternatives
Part 4 - A Manager’s Perspective

The use of video replays to resolve goal line decisions will be top of the agenda when the IFAB meets at Gleneagles in Scotland in March. The IFAB, football’s law making body, is composed of the four home associations, plus four FIFA representatives. It appears likely that the IFAB is likely to follow the sports of tennis and cricket by introducing technology to help decide whether or not the ball has crossed the line.

The IFAB is to consider various video technology options, ranging from hawk-eye camera technology to the Adidas Teamgeist II chip-in-a-ball system. The intelligent technology implemented in the Teamgeist II uses a magnetic field to provide real-time feedback to a central computer, which tracks the location of the ball on the field and sends the data directly to the referee. By using a magnetic field and more stabilized and robust components within the ball, the new system is more precise and is not influenced by in-game factors, adverse weather or nearby technical systems.

Many Premiership manager’s have backed the bid to introduce goal line technology, with Arsene Wenger one of its greatest advocates. Former top flight referee, Keith Hackett, however believes that the IFAB may be too set in its ways to implement a hawk-eye style video technology system, and may compromise by looking at introducing a refined microchip-in-a-ball system.

Spurs Triumph, Chelsea Shamed

So Tottenham have won the League Cup, it’s good to see a trophy claimed by a side outside of the “big four”. Chelsea were outfought and outplayed. The first 10 minutes of the final Chelsea hardly had a kick. With so many highly talented and experienced players in the side, there must have been something that caused the players to under perform so badly….. It’s Avram Grant of course, no not his team selection, or his tactics, its his drone like, mono tone speech delivery. Just look at his interview before the game, excited? link

Chelsea Exodus?

Avram Grant stood up to be counted by dropping some established stars for the Carling Cup Final. Ashley Cole, Andriy Shevchenko, Joe Cole and Michael Ballack. Chelsea lost, emphatically, and now there are questions being asked in the dressing room. Will it be Grant or the Chelsea Boys that depart? link

Eduardo Back for Christmas

Poor little Eduardo Da Silva. Anybody who follows the game must feel for the Crozilian striker. We can’t even look at the pictures without peeking through the gap in our hands at Footy Boots HQ. Let’s hope he makes a full recovery. Eduardo Leg Break

Special K Still Special?

KK was lauded on his return to the Toon, but what can the Newcastle fans think now? Yet to win a game, 13 goals conceded in the last 4 league matches…. Special K seems more like a Sugar Puff at the moment. Newcastle Too Good to Go Down

39th Game Fiasco

This story seems to have more legs than the Chelsea WAGs. Scudamore is trying to rally around gaining support for Premier League teams to jet off around the world for one extra game a season. No matter which way he attempts to spin it, it’s a money making exercise and who will get the rough end of the stick? The fans of course. Read more on this subject in the OhKay! Column

Andy Cole See’s Red

It’s the sort of story that gives footballers a bad name. Andy Cole has allegedly beaten up his Mrs after attending the Christening of Dwight York’s latest son. If its true, Cole should be made an example of. Andy Cole Arrested

WAGs (wives and girlfriends)

Footballers are often ridiculed for the ‘handbags at ten paces’ confrontations on the pitch. You know, the ones where they go head to head and one moves their head a little bit and the other footballer goes down as if he was shot in the leg by a sniper. Well now you know why, it’s because of the influence of their WAGs. Proof? OK, serial WAG Danielle Lloyd and Beckham’s sister were at it, celebrating with the Tottenham boys on Sunday night, they managed to headline by having a catfight. You gal’s are so chic. Danielle Lloyd Gets in a Catfight with Beckham

Feedback and comments to “a.stud@footy-boots.com“

He sinks his teeth into the topical football stories quicker than Drogba goes down after a tap on the ankle, Andy Kay puts football straight in this weeks OhKay!

Scudamore on Hiding to Nothing

Richard Scudamore flies out to meet Sepp Blatter this week as he tries to persuade the FIFA President that his idea for a ‘39th international round’ of matches in the Premier League is a good one.

Bearing in mind that Blatter has already stated that “this will never happen while I run FIFA”, he’s probably got a bit of a job on his hands. Indeed, not only do FIFA not like the plans but UEFA, the FA and Football League aren’t keen, Liverpool and Manchester United have expressed concerns, cities around the world offering to stage matches have been conspicuous by their absence and even the man who came up with the idea, former British Airways boss Sir Rod Eddington from the sports mad city of Melbourne has said that he doesn’t think the proposal will get any further. And when an airline executive tells you an idea isn’t gonna fly, it’s best to take stock and listen.

Not so Scudamore who insists that the 39th round is still at the exploratory stage. Fine. If he wants to spend even more time exploring just how many more people and organisations hate the idea then so be it. But perhaps he could better spend his time investigating just why so many individuals in the game have given such a negative reaction. A place to start, maybe, is his own assumption that everyone on the planet wants to see yet more Premier League action as it’s “the best league in the world.” As one critic put it recently “the Premier League is about 4 teams trying to win the title and the other 14 trying to avoid relegation.” Quite.

Wenger went too far

We’ve all come out and said things we’ve regretted in the heat of the moment as Arsene Wenger demonstrated at the weekend. Angered by the foul and horrible injury to Eduardo, Wenger said that Martin Taylor should “never play football again.” However, Wenger realising that he’d gone too far had the good grace to retract his comments later on in the day admitting they were “excessive.” Grabbing the managers for quotes and interviews straight after a game may make for good copy or entertaining TV, but invariably, they come out with a load of old twaddle. Much better to wait for the dust to settle and then approach them. They’ll probably make a lot more sense.

Gazza in Need

Everyone in the game seems to be genuinely saddened by the sectioning of Paul Gascoigne under the Mental Health Act. Some famous names have been quick to offer help and support and that’s been good to see. Admittedly, Gazza hasn’t helped himself since retiring but then again, too many people closely associated with the former England international haven’t exactly done too much for him either.

As his former England boss Graham Taylor put it “he would give people the last penny in his pocket but I know round about him for many years, there have been many people who have taken the last penny from his pocket.”

Having battled addiction and health problems over the past few years, it’s reassuring to know that Gascoigne is getting professional help. When he gets released, ready again to face the world, its then we’ll see who his real friends are and what they are prepared to do by him.

Britain in UEFA Cup
Congratulations to Spurs, Everton, Rangers and Bolton for reaching the last 16 of the UEFA Cup. But it’s a real shame that Bolton’s achievements in particular were over shadowed by the actions of the Spanish police before, during and after their nil - nil draw at Athletico Madrid. David Lea, Chief Superintendant of Greater Manchester Police, who was at the game, said the Spanish officers were “very heavy handed” and “far too quick to use their batons”. Worryingly for UEFA, a Spanish police spokesman said the problems were “just the usual at any football game”. If that’s the case, I think I’ll stick to watching La Liga at home on the TV and risk incurring the wrath of the Mrs, especially now I’ve hidden the rolling pin.

Send your comments or questions to OhKay@footy-boots.com

La Liga Round-Up by Felipe Bazon

Weekly Round Up - 24th Feb 08

This week’s highlights are Sevilla’s five nil victory over Real Zaragoza, Barcelona’s victory at home with a hat trick from Samuel Eto’o and Real Madrid’s defeat at home to Getafe.

La Liga is alive and on fire now, with only two points between leaders Real Madrid and second place Barcelona.

Valencia 1-1 Recreativo

In one of the best matches Valencia played this season, they still could not manage to keep the three points. Valencia opened up the scoring at the end of the first half with a nice strike from left winger Mata, but a spectacular strike, outside the box from midfielder Martins meant Recreativo drew the match and took a point home.

Sevilla 5-0 Real Zaragoza

Sevilla blew away Real Zaragoza on Saturday with a five nil victory at home.

Sevilla opened up the scoring fest with Luis Fabiano, after a nice cross from the right by captain Daniel Alver. Luis Fabiano also scored the second after a perfect one-two with Daniel Alves. He chipped the ball over Zaragoza’s goal keeper, the other two goals were scored by Zaragoza’s own defenders, first Ayala scored an own goal when the ball accidentally hit his leg and went in. Then Diogo trying to block a strike from Luis Fabiano, kicked the ball in his own goal. Keita finished the count with a header.

Sevilla maintain their fifth position, two points away from the Champion’s League spot and Zaragoza are now 15th .

Athletic Bilbao 1-2 Villareal

Villareal travelled to Bilbao with only one thing in mind, to come back home with the three points. But before the fourth minute Athletic Bilbao were one up with a goal from forward Llorente. Atheltic Bilbao dominated the first and deserved the result at half time. The second half was a totally different story, Villareal turned things around, first with left forward Guille Franco and then with left back Capedevilla.

With the victory Villareal consolidated their third place, moving 5 points away from fourth place Atlético Madrid, Athletic Bilbao are 14th.

Osasuna 3-1 Atlético Madrid

Before the first minute of play Osasuna were one nil up with a goal from centre forward Kike Sola. Four minutes later it was the left winger’s turn, Vela scoring the second for Osasuna. Not even a goal from ex Man Utd striker Forlan in the 26th minute could get Atlético back into the game. Osasuna’s third goal was scored in the 75th minute with right winger Hector Font and it sealed the victory and kept the three points.

Atlético Madrid are still fourth and Osasuna are now 13th.

Deportivo La Coruña 2-0 Espanyol

Even with three points Deportivo are still in the relegation zone, but this victory was important to give them more confidence and keep them fighting to move away from danger.

In a match that was never going to be a easy, Deportivo killed the game in the first half with two goals. The first one was scored by defender Colocini and the second by left winger Lafita. Deportivo maintain last week’s place at 17th and Espanyol drop a place and are now 6th with the same number of points as Sevilla.

Mallorca 1-1 Real Betis

With a first half without much action, Mallorca and Betis scored a goal apiece in the second, taking a point each.

Mallorca struck first, with right winger Varela on the 55th minute, but Betis got one back with Brazilian forward Edu 15 minutes later. Mallorca haven’t won a match since the second stage of the league started and are now 12th, Betis are 16th.

Murcia 0-1 Valladolid

In a match where both teams needed the three points to enhance their La Liga security, it was Valladolid that managed to take the bacon.

Again Valladolid’s centre forward was decisive and scored the only goal of the match.

Murcia are still second from bottom and Vallodolid breath better now, moving four points clear from the relegation zone and are now 11th.

Racing Santander 1-0 Almería

Racing Santander won their first game of the second stage whilst Almería finished the game with nine players.

The first half was quite even with both teams creating, but not finishing with any accuracy.

Racing Santander boosted their chances of a place in Europe next season, when Mohamed Tchite struck on 61 minutes. Almería sememd to lose the plot after the goal, Cisma Domingo and Veljko Paunovic both seeing red for the visitors late on after collecting two bookings each.

Almería drop a place and are now 8th and Racing Santander move up a place and are now 7th.

Barcelona 5-1 Levante

Goals galore was the tale at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona played possibly their best football in the La Liga this season. Messi was unstoppable running in from both sides, but it was Xavi that scored the first for Barça in the 14th minute. After Zambrotta’s hand ball inside the box, the ref assigned a penalty and Levante’s strikers Riga drew Levante level.

Barça’s response came straight away, a one-two from Messi and Xavi, a nice strike with his left foot, and Messi put Barça two one up just before half time.

The second half was a show apart from Cameroon international Samuel Etoo. With a hat trick he lead Barça to the victory. Barcelona with the victory heat up the fight for the title and are now only two points away from leaders Real Madrid, Levante are still bottom of the table with only 16 points.

Real Madrid 0-1 Getafe

Real Madrid started the match with only one thing in mind a win!

Knowing that Barcelona had won their match earlier, “Los Blancos” needed the three points at home more than anything. They were also looking for their 19th straight league victory at home.

Madrid dominated the whole of the first half, with the return of van Nystelroy to the starting eleven helping, but there were only two real go opportunities both of them with Julio Baptista, one was a free kick that the ball passed really close to the cross bar and the second was header that the ball hits the back of the head of Getafe defender and goes out. Second half again was all about Real Madrid, but after Robben scoring a goal in offside position, without noticing that the lines had given the offside almost all the Madrid players went to celebrate with Robben, Getafe took the free kick and caught Madrid’s defence wide open and Uche scored the only goal of the match. Madrid are still top but with only two points between them and Barcelona, Getafe are now 10th.

La Liga top ten standings

01 Real Madrid 25 56
02 Barcelona 25 54
03 Villareal 25 46
04 Atlético Madrid 25 41
05 Sevilla 25 39
06 Espanyol 25 39
07 Racing Santander 25 38
08 Almería 25 36
09 Valencia 25 35
10 Getafe 25 32

Football boot brand Nike has announced that it will be replacing Adidas as sponsor of the French football team.

As of January 1 2011, Nike will become equipment supplier of the French Football Federation (FFF) until the end of the 2017-2018 season. The deal is thought to be worth 42.7 million euros a season, with performance related payments based on Les Bleus progress in the 2014 and 2018 World Cups.

Adidas has held a 37 year relationship with the FFF and currently pays 10 million euros a season for the right to supply the football kit to the French team. Nike’s offer far exceeds the 13 million euros per season it currently pays as sponsor of the Brazil national team and reinforces the US based football boot brand’s desire to become the leading football brand by 2010.

“We’re very excited to partner with the French team, one of the world’s premier teams with a rich heritage and outstanding record on the global and European stage. We’re committed to supporting and advancing French football at all levels from the national squad to youth football,” said Charles Denson, President of the Nike brand. “It’s a great day for Nike football and a perfect match for our brand. This partnership will solidify Nike’s leadership in football, as we continue delivering industry leading innovations on the pitch and create competitive distance with our next phase of growth.”

“We are pleased to be the FFF’s future partner in our mutual quest to be the best,” said Fabrice Ducceschi, General Manager of Nike France. “This is the next exciting stage of our brand’s overall strategy in France, already the sports equipment market leader. This new agreement will be instrumental in further deepening our emotional connection to French supporters of football and their national team.”

Since the early 1990s, Nike has grown its football revenues from about $40 million to approximately $1.5 billion and established global brand leadership in the sport. Football is one of six core categories expected to drive 75 percent of Nike’s targeted growth by fiscal 2011.

Serie A Roundup by Allan Oliveira

Week ending 24th of Feb 2008, matchday 24.

Matchday 24 kicked off with a bang on Saturday, an eight goal thriller between Torino and Parma as well as an upset, as 2nd from bottom Reggina defeated Juventus at home. Sunday continued with another eight goal thriller, this time between Udinese and Genoa. Ten-man and bottom-placed Cagliari defeated visiting Lazio in their desperate fight to stay in the top-flight and Milan finally reached their goal this season of 4th place.

Torino vs Parma (4-4)
This match saw an amazing comeback by the home squad to deny Parma full points. Torino started well and were on the scoreboard by 11 minutes through Stellone’s services as he narrowly beat the offside trap to score. The lead wasn’t to last as Gasbarroni pulled the visitors level on 28 minutes and struck again 4 minutes later, through a brilliant free kick that dipped over the wall and into the top corner. On 42 minutes, Morrone capitalised on a poor clearance and powered an incredible volley into the net. Not even half a minute later Budan made it 4 goals for Parma to continue the crushing assault. The home side mustered enough strength to pull one back as Natali put away a free-header just before the break. In the second half, Stellone got his brace to make it 3-4 after a volley from a Recoba corner kick. Eight minutes from time, Di Michele equalised and Torino almost took a win as a Ventola header slammed into the underside of the crossbar. An astounding comeback to share the spoils, another draw for Parma leaves them still in the relegation zone while Torino sit in 12th spot.

Reggina vs Juventus (2-1)
Juventus wasted last week’s hard work to defeat Roma by losing to 19th-placed Reggina. The home side took the lead just after the half hour mark as Brienza put Reggina in front. Juve were unlucky to remain off the scoresheet in the first half as they had the lion’s share of chances. Reggina’s keeper, Campagnolo will want to forget the few minutes around the 70 minute mark. First he was unable to deal with a cross that almost allowed Del Piero to equalise and then messing up a simple save to allow Del Piero to make up for the earlier miss as the fluffed save let the ball trickle across the line. The game looked to finish a draw until Sissoko fouled Amoruso just before the end of the match. The ex-Juve striker picked himself up to put away the penalty and seal the win. Zanetti picked up a red at the end of the match for his complaints directed towards the ref and both teams remain in the same positions on the table.

Udinese vs Genoa (3-5)
Another eight-goal thriller for this week saw Genoa defeat Udinese to take home all three points. Both teams started well but Genoa draw first blood as Julio Cesar Leon smacked a rocket into the net. The home side were awarded a penalty after 27 minutes and Di Natale stepped up to convert from the spot. Just over ten minutes later the ref had to point to the spot again after Bovo handled the ball. Di Natale sent the keeper the wrong way again to give the home side the lead. Genoa found a controversial equaliser before the break as Sculli tapped in from close range with replay’s showing an offside position.

Less than ten minutes after the restart saw Borriello restore Genoa’s advantage with a sublime piece of skill, controlling with his back to goal and turning to unleash an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Udinese equalised on 72 minutes through a Flores header but it wasn’t to last as Borriello completed his hat-trick with a low-drive six minutes later and a diving header in the 85th minute. Udinese remain in 6th for now while Genoa jump a couple of positions up to 8th.

Sampdoria vs Inter Milan (1-1)
The league leaders made the trip to visit Sampdoria this week and had to settle for a draw after their loss to Liverpool last week. Mancini had to rest Ibrahimovic and Cruz while Cordoba was out with a serious knee injury after the CL encounter. Sampdoria controlled the early part of the match with Cassano in excellent form again. Inter began to get into the match as the game wore on but on 47 minutes, Sampdoria hinted at things to come with a goal that was ruled out for being offside. Who else but Cassano eventually broke the deadlock, beating a couple of defenders to release a powerful drive into the net five minutes after the hour mark. This woke Inter up and they really started to get back into the game. Finally Crespo found the net and saved Inter’s unbeaten domestic record by heading in a Stankovic cross. Inter remain on top but Roma’s win sees their lead cut to nine points. Sampdoria move closer to Udinese in points but remain in 7th place.

Livorno vs Napoli (1-2)
There was very little of mention in the first half of this match apart from a couple of free kicks on either side that were dealt with by the respective keepers. Calaio opened the scoring for the visitors with an unmarked header. Livorno equalised in the 74th minute as Diamanti placed a curler into the top corner from a free kick. Napoli left it late but Calaio completed his brace in stoppage time with another free header from close range. Livorno drop a place to 16th and Napoli remain in the same mid-table position.

Atalanta vs Siena (2-2)
Mid-table Atalanta hosted relegation-battler Siena this week as they were held to a draw. There was little action before Siena found the net just after the half-hour mark, Bertotto combining well with Codrea and Rigano. The visitors extended their lead through Locatelli after 40 minutes. Atalanta’s Floccari didn’t see a need to enter the break at such a disadvantage and pulled one back with 42 minutes on the clock. Three minutes later he equalised to leave the scores tied at half-time. The second half was far less impressive with mostly offsides and little else. Atalanta remain where they were last week but the lone point was enough to move Siena out of the relegation area.

Cagliari vs Lazio (1-0)
The hosts showed amazing determination with a strong will to pull themselves out of the relegation zone in a match that had few chances for either side. Cagliari lost Fini just after the hour mark as he was shown a red card for his studs-up tackle on Mudingayi. The one-man disadvantage wasn’t enough to prevent the home side scoring as substitute Matri scored a glancing header only a few minutes from time. Unfortunately three points won’t even move them off the bottom of the table, let alone out of the relegation zone. Lazio remain in 13th place.

Empoli vs Catania (2-0)
The hosts took all three points to move up several places and overtake their visitors after this match, continuing their good form of late. Giovinco found the net after 36 minutes, leaving Terlizzi behind and smashing a shot in at the near post. He could’ve doubled the lead later but was stopped for an incorrect offside call. Catania were awarded a penalty after the break but failed to convert as Bassi saved Spinesi’s shot. Budel wrapped things up on 78 minutes to secure the win. Empoli leapfrog Catania into 14th and push the visitors back to 15th.

Roma vs Fiorentina (1-0)
Roma got back into their chase for Inter and the Scudetto after last week’s defeat to Juventus in an entertaining match with forth-placed Fiorentina. The hosts were without Mancini who was suspended while Fiorentina had to do without Potenza, Santana and Pazzini. There were a lot of chances early on as both teams wasted good opportunities to score. The keepers were also kept busy as both sides tested them from distance. Roma broke the deadlock after Vucinic dribbled past the visitors to have his shot deflected into Cicinho’s path who slotted in from close range. The goal-scoring chances continued in the remaining half-hour but the solitary goal was enough to secure the win. The goal scorer was sent off in the 90th minute after two yellow cards within five minutes.

AC Milan vs Palermo (2-1)
Fiorentina’s dropped points and Milan’s win over Palermo have finally allowed them to exchange places for the important 4th place into Europe, but only through goal difference. Palermo welcomed several regulars back from suspension and injury while Milan started Pato and Gilardino with Seedorf and Maldini getting a rest. Palermo began well and shocked the home side with an early deflected goal through Australian, Bresciano. Increasing pressure from Milan resulted in an equaliser on just 24 minutes, Ambrosini finishing an Oddo cross at the back post. The pressure continued for the rest of the match and Veteran keeper Fontana was keeping Palermo in the game for the most part. With Gilardino disappointing again, Inzaghi was brought on with just over 15 minutes left. This proved to be an important substitution as the Italian snatched a goal in the dying minutes to seal Milan’s victory. Time will tell if Milan can hold on to 4th place or even give Juventus and Roma trouble further up the table.

The standings
1st Inter 60pts 24 played
2nd Roma 51pts 24 played
3rd Juventus 47pts 24 played
4th AC Milan 41pts 24 played
5th Fiorentina 41pts 24 played
6th Udinese 36pts 24 played

Adidas relaunch the World Cup 1978 football boot as a limited edition

Football boot brand Adidas has re-released its World Cup football boot to commemorate the 30th anniversary of when it was first worn in 1978.

The traditional black/white boot is available in a very limited supply with only 1978 pairs available worldwide of which 100 pairs are available in the UK.

A must for any serious collector of nostalgic football boots, the World Cup 1978 is an exact replica of the original boot, and comes in its own leather presentation case, alongside wooden shoe trees, leather balm, and cloth, and a spare set of metal tipped studs.

The World Cup 1978 will be stamped with its own unique number that appears on the boot’s tongue. The boot’s upper is made from soft kangaroo leather, and adorned with the famous Adidas three stripe logo which stretches to the sole unit.

Price: £199.99
Available: Now
Colours: Black/White
Sizes: 8-11

The Nike Football Boot Story

Footy Boots recently visited Nike’s World HQ in Portland, Oregon (USA) to take a behind the scenes look at the Nike Global Football Department. In our second part of the series we talk to Tony Bignell, Nike’s Head of Global Football Boots

Read Part One of Footy Boots Nike FIS Series: The Nike Football Story: From Obscurity to Leadership 1994 - 2008

Part Two: The Nike Football Boot Story

Whilst Nike will always retain a traditional black football boot in its product range, such as the Nike Tiempo 2, Bignell believes that Nike’s desire to continue to lead the football boot world will result in the release of increasingly lighter, faster and highly innovative football boots to help improve and inspire both professional and amateur players. Since the dawn of the 21st century, we have seen Nike roll out the Mercurial and its Vapor series, aswell as the Nike Tiempo, and more recently a personalised Nike Tiempo Ronaldinho product range. The Total 90 Laser football boot has been worn by the likes of Wayne Rooney and Fernando Torres, and the creation of the Total 90 Laser 2 football boot is approaching fast on the horizon.

Nike’s position to innovate and inspire has certainly resonated with the English Premiership’s finest. Bignell explained that Nike holds a 56% share of the football boot market in England’s top flight, with a whopping 35% of players wearing the Total 90 Laser, 12% preferring the Mercurial Vapor, and 9% choosing to wear the Nike Tiempo. Equally impressive is the fact that the Nike Mercurial Vapor has been the boot of choice for the Premiership’s top marksman since 2002. What price the trend continuing this season in the guise of Cristiano Ronaldo?

Footy Boots was impressed with Nike’s ideas and statistics however in continuing to push the boundaries of football boot innovation and making increasingly lighter, faster boots, Footy Boots questioned whether Nike is designing these futuristic models at the expense of player’s protection?

Not so, according to Bignell. “We carry out tests on all our boots and believe they are very comprehensive. We also work in conjunction with the Manchester United medical staff to make sure the boots are as protective as possible.”

Football boots of the past were often, heavy, bulky products, resulting in a significant amount of protection for the wearer. As times have progressed, and both players and brands are looking for the lightest and fastest boot on the market, it seems only inevitable that in acheiving this innovative product, an element of the protective nature of the football boot has had to be sacrificied.

In this week’s Coke Column, Giles talks about his hopes for Arsenal (his boyhood team) and what he plans to do when he retires from football.

Hi everyone, we’ve had a good start to 2008 at Northampton. A six match unbeaten run was ended by a 1-0 defeat to Yeovil in a poor, scrappy game last week in which the home side scored the winner in the 94th minute. We didn’t get the ball down and play and it was a sad way to end our undefeated run and the manager was rightly unhappy with our performance. We bounced back from defeat at the weekend to beat Gillingham 4-0. I came off the bench to score - my goal took a deflection and looped over the keeper, but they all count! Gillingham weren’t really at the races and I think 4-0 could have quite easily been six or seven. Our new striker Adebayo Akinfenwa also scored a couple, which I’m sure would have been good for his confidence. He’s now scored 4 since he joined us. Adebayo is a good player from what I’ve seen so far. He has a good touch, holds the ball up well, and gets in the box and scores goals, so I’m sure he’ll be an asset as we try and finish as high as possible this season.

I’m going to watch the Arsenal v AC Milan Champions League game at the Emirates tonight. I can’t wait! I have been an Arsenal fan for as long as I can remember and I used to love Ian Wright, he scored so many goals. Once I went to one of his signing sessions at Covent Garden as a kid and he sort of stuck as my Arsenal hero after that. I was also a big fan of Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit, Dennis Bergkamp, and the speedy winger Mark Overmars. In the current crop of players, I really like Cesc Fabregas. I’m also really looking forward to watching Kaka. What a player! I always try and learn from players playing in a similar position to me, looking at their passing and movement, but sometimes I just watch some of the things they do and say wow! I suppose that’s why they amongst the best players in the world.

A lot of people seemed to think Arsenal would struggle this season without Thierry Henry. I think if anything, losing Henry has made Arsenal a stronger group of players. They are certainly playing well, and I really do think they can win the League. The FA Cup defeat at Manchester United was disappointing. I don’t know whether Wenger and the players maybe had one eye on tonight’s match. I’m hoping we can maybe sneak a 1-0 victory tonight and then hold on in Milan in a few weeks time.

It’s a long, long way off but people do ask me if I’ve ever had any thoughts on what I’d like to do when I retire. A footballer’s career is short compared to other industries, often less than fifteen years, so it is important to think about your post career objectives. I definitely want to stay in sport following my football career. My brother Jon coaches Under 10s football and it is something he is really passionate about. Maybe I will look to follow in his footsteps when I retire and do a bit of coaching!

I’ve got a game away at Hartlepool on Friday night so hopefully we can get a result there.

And up the Arsenal tonight!

The Nike Football Story: From Obscurity to Leadership 1994 - 2008

Footy Boots was recently invited to go behind the scenes at Nike’s Football Innovation Summit at its World Headquarters in Portland, Oregon (USA). As you pass through the entry gates, it is the sheer enormity of the Nike campus that first strikes you. Comprising 8000 employees, dozens of futuristic style buildings, an Olympic Size swimming pool, running track and football pitches that would not look out of place at a Premiership training ground, Nike World HQ is the Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory of football boot brands.

Over the next few weeks, Footy-Boots.com will bring you a range of articles giving you a behind the scenes look at Nike Football.

Part One: The Nike Football Story: From Obscurity to Leadership 1994 - 2008

Nike was relatively slow on the football uptake compared to the likes of Adidas, Puma, and Umbro. It was not until the 1994 World Cup Finals in the USA that Nike came out of the footballing shadows and stepped onto the global scene, sponsoring 8 Brazilians, in their penalty shoot out victory over Italy in the Final. Nike made history the same year releasing the first football specific TV commercial entitled “The Wall”.

In 1998, Nike released the fastest and lightest football boot at the time, the Nike Mercurial, worn by Brazilian Ronaldo. It increased its number of sponsored teams at the World Cup held in France to five including Brazil, Holland, and USA. 1998 also saw the releases of the Brazil “Airport” TV advert.

The next four year cycle culminated in the 2002 Japan/Korea World Cup and an increasing shift towards the internet as a marketing tool. “The Cage” TV advert was released, featuring Eric Cantona, before “Joga Bonito” saw 3 on 3 football being played in 39 countries over an 8 week period in 2006.

Innovation - “It’s in our DNA.”

According to Bert Hoyt, Nike GM - Global Football, footballing innovation always has and always will be the focal point of Nike football products. “Innovation is in our DNA” he commented.

From the first footballing TV ad ‘The Wall’ in 1994 to the lightest football boot of its time in 1998, the Nike Mercurial, Nike believes it leads the way in footballing innovation.

Nike Football - The Future?

The future for Nike Football will be to continue to innovate. As Nike’s CEO Mark Parker said “The obsession for innovations is always job number one for Nike.” Nike Football exists to create football boots and products around the player, according to his individual needs - speed, power, accuracy, to name just a few.

In 1994, the Nike Football business accumulated 40 million dollars, now it generates 1.5 billion dollars! Nike wants to continue to tell great stories through its athletes, national teams, and clubs, and in future prospects, Alexandre Pato of AC Milan, who scored on his debut in a pair of Mercurial Vapor 4’s, Mexican Giovanni Dos Santos (Nike Tiempo 2) of Barcelona, and Hatem Ben Arfa of Lyon (Mercurial Vapor 4), Nike believes it is perfectly placed to become the most energising and dominant football brand by 2010.

Certainly Nike Football sits well placed to fulfil its mission statement of bringing innovation and inspiration to every footballer in the world.