Euro balls: The different official match balls across the history of the tournament

UEFA has unveiled different match balls in every Euro tournament, each with a unique design and name. As the world prepares for the Euro 2024 edition, one of the most talked about topics is the kind of ball unveiled for the event. Discover in this article what has distinguished each one over the years.

The UEFA European Championship, founded in 1958 and held in 1960, is held every four years. It is among the most-watched events after the FIFA World Cup. Sports Brief explores types of balls used in the tournament over the years.

A list of all Euro balls

Football fans enjoy several aspects of the UEFA Euro. While the event's thrill, energy, and colour keep many glued to their screens, others are eager to discover the balls used in every game. Here is a breakdown of balls used since 1968 as published by UEFA.

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1968 - Telstar Elast

The Adidas ball used in 1968 resembled the Telstar Communications satellite, which was round and dotted with solar panels.

1972 - Telstar Durlast

The 1972 championship took place in Belgium. The Adidas ball used in the edition was modified from the first, with an improved coating and technology that enhanced its water resistance.

1976 - Telstar Durlast

During the 1976 tournament in Yugoslavia, the original version of the ball underwent further lamination to make it more resistant to water.

1980 - Tango River Plate

The 1980 official tournament ball was the first of the Adidas Euro balls to adopt the Tango designs. It was also used in the 1978 FIFA World Cup to honour the host country, Argentina. Some football experts have referred to it as Tango Italia.

1984 - Tango Mundial

The 7th UEFA European Championship, held in 1984, was held in France. The ball used in the tournament was known as the Tango Mundial. It was the first non-leather ball with enhanced layering to provide better cushioning.

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1988 - Tango Europa

The Tango Europa was used during the 1988 West Germany UEFA Euro Championship. To guard against water absorption, it underwent minimal modification, such as enhanced coating and seam sealing.

1992 - Etrusco Unico

Sweden hosted the 1992 Championship when the Etrusco Unico ball was used. The name was inspired by Italy's ancient history of Etruscan art and features three Etruscan lion heads on the Tango triads. The ball was also used in the 1990 FIFA World Cup and the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics.

1996 - Questra Europa

The 1996 tournament, Euro 96, featured the first Adidas Euro ball with a pop of colour. The ball was a variant of the 1994 FIFA World Cup ball and had lions and red roses in honour of England, the host country.

2000 - Terrestra Silverstream

In 2000, UEFA modified the ball's design to incorporate the waterways of co-hosts Belgium and the Netherlands. Each country provided four venues. Adidas made a new outer layer that gave the ball a softer touch that was easier to control, displaying the evolution of Euro balls over the years.

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2004 - Roteiro

Roteiro is a Portuguese word meaning '' road map '' or '' navigation chart. '' Adidas named the 2004 ball that way after the discoveries by Portuguese explorers in the 15th and 16th centuries. Notably, every match ball displayed the teams, date, stadium, and the coordinates of the centre circle. The 2004 AFC Asian Cup also used Roteiro.

2008 - Europass

The 2008 Austria tournament was unique because the league used two different balls. The Europass, made of 14 panels, had a unique texture to give goalkeepers and outfielders a better grip. UEFA launched a silver Europass Gloria ball for the final match.

2012 - Tango 12

Poland and Ukraine hosted Euro 2012, and the official ball used was Tango 12, named in memory of the traditional Tango ball design. The ball had a coloured outline, a first in the UEFA Euro balls' history. The graphics on the ball celebrated decorative paper cutting, a common tradition in the hosts' rural towns.

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2016 - Beau Jeau

Beau Jeau means ''beautiful game'' in French. The ball was blue, red, and white in honour of the host country's flag. It also had silver highlights, a symbol of the European Championship trophy.

Another variant, the Fracas, was used at the group stage. The Beau Jeau had elements of the Adidas Brazuca used in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

2020 - Unifornia

The Euro 2020 Championship had two balls, the Unifornia and the Unifornia Finale. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was postponed to 2021. In celebration of 60 years, 11 European countries hosted the games.

The ball featured bold, black brushstroke lines symbolizing blurred boundaries and border crossings. A different ball, the Unifornia Finale ball, was used for the semi-final and final matches. It had a silver base, different colour coordination, and Wembley's stadium coordinates.

2024 - Fussballliebe

What does the Euro 2024 ball look like? Fussballliebe is German for ''love of football.'' The Adidas ball features ''Connected Ball technology'' for the first time at UEFA Euro. Its internal electric sensors allow match officials to detect movement to assist decision-making.

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The Fussballliebe is made of organic materials and has black wing shapes with blue, orange, red, and green edges, symbolizing the qualifying countries' vibrancy and the global love for football. It also has illustrations of each tournament stadium and the host cities' names.

Frequently asked questions

The UEFA Euro Championship balls symbolize the different seasons and unite the participating nations. Here are some frequently asked questions about the balls:

Have there been any gold Euro balls?

Since its inception, the championship has not had any gold balls. However, it has undergone several modifications to accommodate changing game needs.

What ball does UEFA use?

The UEFA Euro Championship has used Adidas balls since its early years. More recently, the balls have incorporated technology to assist in decision-making on the pitch.

Final word

UEFA unveils different Euro balls every four years, bringing European countries together alongside football fans globally. As the league expands, the 24 competing teams might increase in the coming years.

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READ ALSO: Most Euro Cup winners. Which country has won the most titles?

Sports Brief published a list of the countries with the most Euro Cup wins. The widely watched tournament brings fans together, and the winners enjoy prominence in the football scene.

Germany and Spain top the list, boasting three titles each as of June 2024. France and Italy have two titles. Follow the above link for more about Euro Cup winners.