Well, at least I would consider 76% accuracy to be pretty great when you need to time kicking a ball and actually manage to hit the right sensor. That and it's better than I score on a regular round of the game to begin with. [YouTube via HacknMod]

The new ball was designed for the three big football leagues (England's Premier League, Spain's La Liga, and Italy's Serie A) and it will undoubtedly lead to less games that end regulation tied 0-0. Essentially, Nike has expanded the sweet spot to cover the entire ball using a three-layer construction that will equate to longer kicks, greater accuracy and better speed. They have even updated the ball with a high tech look to increase visibility. If I had $140 and I wasn't an American with little interest in soccer, I would be all over this. [Nike via Crunchgear]

The software, being developed by Sony especially for Arsenal's super-fancy Emirates stadium in North London, could also potentially link up fans in the stadium and allow them to chat in real time. Yes, because the torrent of spittle and obscenities bursting forth from every maw just isn't enough "interaction" for our modern age. The system could be live by the end of next season. [Yahoo Tech via Crunch Gear]

Technically the film is absolutely amazing: how the cameramen kept Zidane in as tight and clear focus as they did throughout the match is completely mind-boggling, and the switches between crisp HD, traditional film and the pixelation of the match's TV broadcast is a great contrast. The crew are regulars for Almodovar and Scorsese, so that probably explains a lot. And the sound engineering—at times, all noise drops away leaving only the thoroughbred drag of Zidane's cleats on the turf, his short sighs of breath, before thrusting back into the madness of air horns, drums and chants and general lunacy that is a Real Madrid game at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Even crazier is that Zidane does not appear to be wearing a mic, meaning some serious parabolic mics were probably required to gain the level of sonic detail on display. Also fantastic is the score by the great Mogwai, which fades in and out in their characteristically cinematic and dynamic style.

More Warholian art piece than Goal TV montage, the film will, at times, put you deep into your own head space ("how can a human be that agile? what am I going to have for dinner later?"), which also serves to put the flashes of action (which I cannot spoil) into sharper, more vivid relief.

Having its original release in 2006, the film, which is the work of video artsits Douglas Gordon and Philippe Parreno, just opened in New York. Already out on DVD in Europe (curse you, PAL), I am now counting the days until its U.S. release (Blu-ray, please), because it's all I want playing on my HDTV in place of ridiculous cable in those frequent moments when TV is used ambiently. Inane pundit chatter or an absolutely zen-like portrayal of the solitude, focus and acrobatic beauty of one of the world's best footballers set to fantastic music? I think that's an easy choice. Here's a clip, to which YouTube does not come close to doing justice:

[Official Site, UK Region 2 DVD]

The Wall is expected to host a number of major soccer events in the future, but with a capacity of only 11,000, I have a hard time believing that will be possible. To be honest, it seems as though the design has taken precedence over common sense here. Why else would you build such a tiny stadium on what is obviously a large piece of real estate? [Times Fantasy Football via Coolbuzz]

It's loaded up with sensors, and when it passes across the goal line, an encrypted signal is sent to a special watch that the referee is wearing letting him know that the goal is indeed legitimate. Apparently the tech inside isn't so sensitive that it can't be kicked all over the place, and you've got to assume that intercepting the signal wouldn't really be worthwhile, as even if the refs watch goes off when the ball is at mid-field he probably won't call it a goal. And really, this should cut down on violence aimed at refs. After all, beating up a fancy soccer ball can't be nearly as satisfying. [Daily Mail via New Launches]

Machine Specs:
• Mainboard: Asus nForce Socket AM2
• CPU: AMD Athlon64 X2 4200+
• RAM: Corsair 1024MB XMS2 PC6400
• GFX: Asus GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB
• DVD: LG DVD burner
• HDD: Western Digital 250GB
• PSU: Xilence 420W
• SND: Creative X-Fi Xtreme Gamer

That's right, for the sporty gadgeteer who has it all, there's an inflatable 12' x 20' soccer field. Now you can shoulder your opponent (or teammate if you're a jerk) into the boards and have him bounce right back. And if that doesn't get you going, it can go from flat-to-inflated in just 30 seconds with the included air pump

The question we have for you, the loyal reader is:

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Kondo KHR-2 HV, the robot that plays soccer, fights with other bots and dances salsa, has got some new clothes. First up is a shiny polycarbonate carapace that makes him look much more studly and buff than his previous square-headed incarnation. All the pretty little Ho'Bots will be bumping up to him as much as they can, mark my words. His Robocop fabulousness costs $152.

There's also a couple of paper soccer strips for him to wear. They cost $10 each, but you'll probably have to replace them regularly as his screaming fans will rip 'em off him after he scores the winning goal in the match. You can see them in the gallery below. Plus, after the jump, a glimpse of what he was like when he was just a squarehead.

Well, I don't know about you, but I would. – Ad Dugdale

Selling the new product of various parts such as Kondo science and the body cover for KHR-2 HV[PC Watch]

Sony to stream replays via PSP to Arsenal stadium fans [Pocket-lint]

It's the perfect way to stay adequately soused while you watch the sport that everybody but America cares about. And hey, you can always use it to whack somebody on the head if you really, really need help with the fighting thing. –Adam Frucci

Product Page [via TokyoMango]

A soccer (futbol) fan made an EA sports FIFA casemod that has actual players playing on a pitch adorned with the EA logo. Not only that, there's a crowd, stands, and working lights.

The modder made a sketch using actual CAD software to plan out how he wanted it to look like first before getting busy cutting aluminum sheets with lasers! As you can see, the end product is definitely high class. If they were to sell something like this in stores, it would probably run you over $3,000.

The only question is, why EA? – Jason Chen

EA FIFA mod by Butterkneter [Bit-tech]

We're still a long ways off from meeting the goal that the Robot Team can beat a human team by the year 2050, since it's a miracle these things can stand up and move around right now without falling over, but we're getting there! – Jason Chen

Robot scoccer world Cup kicks off [BBC]

Compared to most other soccer balls which have 26 or 32 sewn panels, the Teamgeist only has 14, making it far more smoother than ever before. This fact has goalkeepers going crazy since the smoother surface gives the ball a more unpredictable trajectory in the air. Translation: be on the lookout for what seem to be silly goalkeeping errors.

Backed by what Adidas calls "unprecedented" performance, the Teamgeist, which is supposedly the roundest soccer ball ever produced, is also nearly completely waterproof, thanks to a thermal bonding technology. Finally, FIFA rules state that balls must not have a more than 10 percent weight increase when wet; the Teamgeist far exceeds that requirement with less than .01 percent weight increase.

Now all FIFA and Adidas have to do is design the sport so Americans actually care about it. – Nicholas Deleon

New World Cup soccer ball will unsettle goalkeepers, predicts scientist [EurekAlert]

Teamgeist World Cup 2006 [Soccer Ball World]

Product Page [Adidas]

32 Qualified Soccer Balls [Via Neatorama]