Another Day, Another Keeper Dislikes The Ball

Leave it to Jens Lehmann to complain about something, right?

The Azzurri keepers were the first to criticize the new adidas Europass; particularly the movement on long shots. Well it seems it was an isolated batch of balls, and Jens is having his fair share of issues as well.

“I have had a few problems with the official balls, I only started working with them a week ago, but they are very different from the ones used for the 2006 World Cup.”

“During the first half, I went to catch the ball and it started to float a bit,” he said.

“I hope that in the days to come, when I have found a little bit of freshness, I shall be able to have time to train with shots coming in from a distance.”

And rumor has it Edwin van der Sar is unhappy with the ball as well, which is the possibly the lamest “rumor” of all time.

So the ball is going to do unexpected things. Again, great for us, but how much will this take away from the quality of the game? And will a 40 yard wonderstrike destined for the stands wind up in the back of the net to decide the final? I’m sure the technology is wonderful, but maybe the K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid) approach would be easiest and best for all involved.