SINGAPORE — The technology behind the Brazuca, the official match ball which will be used by the 32 nations at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, may not be new, but a structural innovation promises improved performance.

Manufactured by German sportswear and apparel giant adidas, the Brazuca, whose design was officially unveiled at Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Parque Lage on Tuesday (Dec 3), features a unique symmetry of six identical panels alongside a different surface structure to provide improved grip, touch, stability and aerodynamics.

It is a departure from the much-criticised Jabulani, the official match ball for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa that featured eight, thermally-bonded panels, or the 32-panel design of the World Cup balls from 1970 to 2002, and the 14-panel Teamgeist (2006).

In Singapore, the Brazuca was launched today (Dec 4) at the Weston Corporation store at JEM in Jurong East.

adidas Head of Football (South-east Asia) Hermann Seet told TODAY the ball was made based on the success of the Tango 12 — the official match ball for the 2012 European Championships — and the brand’s popular UEFA Champions League ball series.

“With the Jabulani, there were some issues (from some of the players) who felt it was flying all over the place,” said Seet.

“The fundamental difference with the Brazuca, first and foremost, is that it is similar in construction and texture to the Tango 12. We (also) took the learnings from the Champions League (balls). We took on board all the feedback to deliver a properly tested ball.”

He added: “It was taking the learnings from the past, what worked, what didn’t work, and putting it together to ensure we deliver the right ball.”

The design of the Brazuca, the 12th and most colourful World Cup ball by adidas, symbolises the traditional multi-coloured wish bracelets worn in Brazil, whilst reflecting the vibrancy and fun associated with Brazilian football.

The name Brazuca — an informal, local term that means “Brazilian” or to describe the Brazilian way of life — was chosen in Sept 2012 after a public vote in Brazil involving one million football fans.

Specifics of the Brazuca include its weight of 437gm, has a 69cm circumference, and is suitable to be played at altitudes of up to 1,600m — altitude during the 2010 tournament in South Africa was thought to be a factor behind the Jabulani’s controversial flight pattern.

The Brazuca is the most tested football ever by adidas in a bid to ensure it is suitable for all playing conditions.

It underwent a two-and-a-half year testing period that involved more than 600 of the world’s top players, including Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Spain’s Iker Casillas and retired French legend Zinedine Zidane, and 30 teams in 10 nations, including AC Milan, Bayern Munich and Palmeiras.

Up to 287 players were also interviewed for their input, 30 percent of whom were players not contracted to adidas.

“We tested the ball with a lot of players, and made sure we spoke to them as part of the testing process,” said Seet. “We also involved non-adidas assets as well...It was important so as not to come across as being too skewed towards adidas.”

The ball had already been tested, under a different design, at last year’s FIFA Under-20 World Cup and the friendly between Sweden and Argentina in February this year, and will be used for the first time at the FIFA Club World Cup from Dec 11 to 21 in Morocco.

Seet acknowledged there will inevitably be some criticism of the Brazuca, but stressed: “The true test will come when it takes the field of play on Dec 11. We’re convinced this ball will be perfect for the biggest sporting event in the world, the FIFA World Cup next year.”

The unveiling of the much-anticipated design of the World Cup ball comes just before the World Cup draw in the Brazilian resort of Costa do Sauipe on Friday (Dec 6).

adidas is launching @brazuca on Twitter, where fans can track the build-up to next year’s World Cup in Brazil through the eyes of the ball as it travels the world and offers an alternative take on the game.

adidas has designed and manufactured every official World Cup match ball since the 1970 tournament in Mexico, and recently extended its partnership with football’s world governing body FIFA until 2030.

The Brazuca is now available at all adidas sport performance stores at S$189. Visit facebook.com/adidasfootball or Twitter: @adidasfootball "#allin or nothing" for more details.