Euro 2004 is about the passion, the skill, the drama and, crucially, the lager. It is also about merchandising, which is how we arrive at the Adidas Roteiro - the official Euro 2004 football.
The journey to the Roteiro begins, slightly implausibly, in 1497, when Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama set sail to find a route to India, using his logbook - the Roteiro - to note his navigational calculations. According to Adidas: 'Much like his victorious return to Portugal ushered in a new era in world history, Adidas' new ball production technology is set to revolutionise the game of football.' Quite how the ball's seamless surface and 'power balance technology' revolutionises the game is unclear, but with its metallic colour scheme and striking graphics it certainly stands out.
Naturally, Beckham, Zidane, Raul and other Adidas-sponsored players are cock-a-hoop. Others, however, are less impressed. Joaquin - one of Spain's potential Euro 2004 stars - says: 'It's hard to believe they can call this a ball.'
Having never kicked it, I can't add to the debate, but suffice to say it will be the ball of choice for the nation's wannabe Beckhams this June.
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