Jabulani, the new toy.

I'm somewhat of a skeptic when it comes to the "advantages" (the quotation marks should indicate the tone I'm taking) of a new ball. What's wrong with having a man made ball with slight imperfections and differences? So much of the game depends on the moment (of truth or shame) and everything leading up to it anyways, that to bring technology into different areas of the sport seems like tiny steps into that ever looming 5th referee and instant replays that will take the human factor out of the sport. That said, it's fun to play with a new toy...

A friend bought the ball and brought it to our Sunday pick-up game. The ball was more professional than the players and it was making us look worse than we already are. So we opted for our older champions league ball, which felt natural and lent itself to be more manageable.