Behold the “Teamgeist” — a soccer ball with such crazy-new physics that it is apparently annoying the heck out of World Cup goalkeepers. Adidas recently invented the Teamgeist at the behest of FIFA, which wanted a ball that would give superior control when kicked. Whereas a normal soccer ball is composed of 32 panels stitched together, the Teamgeist is made of only 14. This makes it rounder and less likely to pick up water on a rainy day, and improves the kicking surface.

Whatever one thinks of Adidas’ PR on this one, the players themselves are noticing a difference, as a story in Deutsche Welle points out:

“With long shots, it floats and moves a lot which makes it difficult to read,” said Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho. “It’s perfect for attackers.” [snip]

“Something is obviously going on with the ball,” says USA’s Kasey Keller, who was the victim of the curling terror unleashed by the Czech Republic’s Rosicky on June 12. “It’s a very light ball. The difference is only a fraction of a second but it’s a big difference. This ball has a wobble. It’s not an easy ball to catch.”

“At the last World Cup there were hardly any spectacular long-range goals,” Keller added. “We had two in the first game so something is obviously going on.”

I’m afraid I haven’t been watching the World Cup (not because, like most Americans, I think soccer/football is boring, but because I don’t watch any sports). Anyone have any thoughts on whether this ball has actually had the effect pundits claim it has?