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Super Mario smashes it

DonJulio — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:41:20 GMT

Sometimes you witness the precise moment a promising talent moves up several gears into the major league.

For the man they call Super Mario, it happened in just 48 minutes. Last night, Balotelli scored two, created one and won the penalty for another. He even had to be dragged away from taking the spot kick by the regular penalty taker. Balotelli is not lacking confidence.

Watch the video to see how Balotelli hones his touch and dribbling.

Will his skills and growing confidence be enough to book him a ticket to South Africa?

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Amauri turns the tide

DonJulio — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:24:47 GMT

On Sunday Juventus struggled to breakthrough a forceful Siena. As the final whistle beckoned, a draw looked inevitable.

Amauri had other plans...

The fast-thinking Brazilian made sure he was first to the ball and headed home the winner, keeping Juve hot on the heels of Serie A leaders Inter.

Can Juventus battle back to their best and put an end to Inter’s stronghold at the top of Serie A?

Have your say on the Nike Football Facebook Page.

Never give in

DonJulio — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:29:50 GMT

Speed, accuracy, control. All vital to winning games. But there’s something else. It turns a match on its own – that clenched-fist refusal to be beaten. You can’t train for it. You have to find it in yourself.

Arsenal found it when they dug deep to rescue European victory from the jaws of defeat. Eduardo found it to slot in the winning goal.

Find yours.

Pain is temporary. Defeat is permanent.

DonJulio — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:03:58 GMT

They taunt you and they hack you. But you know what you need from the game.

Three points. A performance to keep your place. To crush your fiercest rivals.

So when you’re brought down again, for the seventh time – that’s when you get up, rise above it and turn the game.

Own opening day

DonJulio — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:02:55 GMT

Cesc's pledge for the season was one word – trophies. While silverware may still be months away, Cesc showed how to Make the Difference in the first 90 minutes of the campaign.

His two goals and two assists helped Arsenal equal the record for opening day wins. And it proved when you need to nail the first game of the season, the difference is born in training.

Train on Facebook

Make your pledge

Give everything

DonJulio — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:56:57 GMT

Many things make the difference in a game. But there’s one thing that turns games in a second.

You can’t touch it, you can’t teach it.

Watch the video for more.

Feared Far and Wide

DonJulio — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:00:54 GMT

Black, brooding and with a V for victory slashed across its chest, Man U’s new strip has been engineered to inspire the away win – before a ball’s even been kicked.

Like the home strip, this kit is rooted in a century of history, with elements taken from the very first Old Trafford season of 1909/1910. It’s been designed to intimidate, with a blue chevron; black shirt, shorts and socks; and ‘The Theatre of Dreams Since 1910’ woven onto the inside label. It’s dark, menacing, and readies the team for another electrifying season.

Get yours here

The Buzz is back

DonJulio — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:38:48 GMT

Celtic have swarmed all over the Scottish Premier League title in recent years. Their hunt for further success sees the return of the famous bumblebee stripes to the new club kits for 2009/10.

While the classic home strip remains untouched, the team’s new away kit has the familiar bumblebee colours – volt green and black hoops wrapped around the shirt. On the waistband of the black shorts, a single star symbolises the team’s historic European win, and the 1888 date recalls the year the bhoys began.

The international kit has a white shirt with Celtic tartan shoulder panels; a pattern that also appears on the shorts and socks delivering a shot of national pride as they march into Europe in the new season.

Get yours at NikeStore

The Stars of Italy

DonJulio — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 07:33:34 GMT

There’s no one like Inter. The only club to have never dropped from the country’s top tier, it’s been a century since they won their first major trophy. And they’re not finished yet.

The classic blue and black stripes of the new home shirt – unaligned from back to front – echo the design worn during the 1965/66 season when the club won their tenth Scudetto. The star earned as a result sits proudly above the club’s crest, which itself is enclosed within the Italian flag – an honour only granted to the country’s reigning champion.

The same details are included in the away kit. Only the colours are different – a white polo collared shirt with a black and blue royal band. Inside, both strips display a woven label reading ‘Inter Centenario Del Primo Scudetto’ – Centenary of the First Scudetto. Here’s to another unstoppable 100 years.

Get yours here

Tradition Reborn

DonJulio — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:41:42 GMT

The 1980s. Juventus won 11 trophies in a single decade. Back then the shirt was black and white, but with narrower stripes than in recent years. This season the look returns, giving the club a striking appearance and a reignited passion for success.

On the inside of the home shirt, the label proudly shows off the Italian flag with a single lone ‘J’ woven into the centre. The away kit is just as simple: silver shirt, black and white sash, black shorts and Juventus stamped onto the calf of the white socks.

It’s all here in black-and-white. The Old Lady stands rejuvenated, ready for the launch of another glorious season.

Get yours here

T-90 Ascente Testing – Juventus

DonJulio — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:27:29 GMT

Date: 09.02.09
Location: Vinovo, Italy
Weather conditions: Sunny, light wind. Perfect training conditions.
Pitch conditions: Wet. A few heavy patches of water and some sandy sections.
Players and staff: Christian Molinaro, Claudio Marchisio, Amauri Carvalho de Oliveira. Some of the team were away on international duty.

Tester’s notes:

Sunny day, soft breeze. Ideal. Long and short-range passing led by Coach Schincaglia.

Team session: keep ball lasted for over an hour. More than 100 touches on the ball. Schincaglia pleased with every one of them: “It’s great for tight control and one-two passes.”

Shooting session: finishing drills for the strikers. Ball flight is clean. Barbetti Luigi: “I like this. It’s great.” Goals look good with this ball. And so do the players. “Fans will love it. They’ll see great goals.” Molinaro’s right.

Get yours at Nikestore

T-90 Ascente Testing – Arsenal

DonJulio — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:22:03 GMT

Date: 04.02.09
Location: London Colney
Weather conditions: Extremely cold. Temperature range from -5C to +5C. Conditions changed from sunny, blue skies to cloudy with snow and rain.
Pitch conditions: Ploughed snow. Ground soggy but firm.
Players and staff: Abou Diaby, Nicklas Bendtner, Jack Wilshere, William Gallas, Denilson, Eduardo, Mikael Sylvestre, Carlos Vela, Alexandre Song, Lukas Fabianski, Manuel Almunia, Arsene Wenger.

Tester’s notes

Freezing conditions. Heaviest snowfall in 18 yrs. Balls inflated to 12.5 psi exactly. Arsene had a juggle & some one-touches w Paul Johnson. “It’s good, it’s lively.” The keepers... Almunia worried. “Not good for goalkeepers. Again!” Sorry Manuel. (Great for fans though.)

Team session. Wilshere : “Yeah, it feels good on the touch.”

Shooting session: Ball flight and rotation were true. Some spectacular long-range shots. Get ready Premier League – spectacular goals are coming.

Next stop Juventus.

Get the T90 Ascente from NikeStore

T-90 Ascente Testing – Barcelona

DonJulio — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:19:16 GMT

Date: 28.01.09
Location: Ciutat Esportiva
Weather conditions: Clear blue skies, no wind, sunny. Temperature of 15C.
Pitch conditions: Short grass (1.5cm). Good conditions. Pitch was sprayed 10 minutes before training.
Players and staff: The full squad took part, except Gai Yigaal Assulin. Head Coach Luis Enrique led the session.

Tester’s notes:

Warm, clear skies. Perfect conditions. Balls filled to 11psi.

Team session: Running with ball in pairs. Short passes. Headers, chests, volleys. Busquets, coached the keepers: “The touch is perfect.”

Accuracy contest: all players on 16 metre line. Who can land the ball in the centre circle? Puyol took it. Who can hit the cross bar, repeatedly? Iniesta walked away with this one. They say he always does. I like to think the ball helped. Massip: “There’s no wobble, the ball goes straight at its target.”

Shooting session: led by Assistant Coach Joan Barbara Mata: “The ball bends nicely when you shoot.” Next stop Arsenal.

Get the T90 Ascente from NikeStore

100% Werder

DonJulio — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:40:31 GMT

It’s been 110 years since Werder Bremen were founded – and this season they’re breaking with tradition. The strips have a darker element added: a more brooding green. Perfect for a club braced for a serious attempt on the new European title.

The new home shirt is proudly Werder: pine green, white sleeves and a ‘W’ stamped defiantly on the chest. The collar and cuffs are the darker ‘Black Forest’ shade; the same as the side panel on the white shorts. And engineered into the shirt seam is a label that says it all: 100% Werder.

The away shirt is white with four orange stripes blazing across it. A single star shines above the team insignia: proof of the club’s four Bundesliga wins. The shorts are green and orange, as are the socks. And down the calf is inscribed the club’s name.

Get yours at NikeStore now

Ronaldo helps Corinthians make history

DonJulio — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:26:47 GMT

What does it take to win the Copa do Brasil?

Unity, guts, the desire to commit everything to the cause, to physically feel the will to win, to fulfill your destiny.

All applied to 10 matches, 900 minutes, culminating in 180 season-defining minutes.

Watch how legends are made.