PUMA LAUNCHES NEW ITALIAN HOME FOOTBALL KIT

On November 14th, PUMA launched the new official playing home kit of the Italian National Football team. Stefano Caroti, Chief Commercial Officer of PUMA SE presented the shirt to the Azzurri captain Gianluigi Buffon and FIGC Marketing Manager Benedetta Geronzi, at the Centro Sportivo La Borghesiana in Rome.

For the first time, PUMA has included a QR code woven label in the home replica shirt, which when scanned takes people on a special journey through the history of the Italian national team, exclusively on www.puma.com/football.

The Italian National Team will wore the new home kit for the first time against Uruguay on November 15th, in Rome, a game that marked the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy, and in the lead up to and during The 2012 UEFA European Football Championship in Poland and Ukraine.

The new Italian Football home kit takes its inspiration from one of the world’s most powerful teams, and is designed for the most powerful of performances. The shirt boasts four stars, representing the four FIFA World Cup victories the Azzurri have enjoyed in their history, the official FIGC badge and a classic vintage styling.

The slim fit shirt has a 3D graphic embossed print and a welded patch pocket. The 4-way stretch underarm panel, cuffs, and back mesh enhance freedom of movement, fashioned after on-pitch player jerseys.

Finally, the flat knit rib collar with contrast tipping and tonal bottomless placket add a bit of retro styling to this modern, fast-forward design. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy, the collar has been personalized with the “tricolore”, the three colours of the Italian flag.

A full range of replica shirt, shorts and socks were also launched worldwide, along with a merchandise collection.

“Materials, design and graphics change day by day, but the charm of the Italian shirt remains the best expression in the world of football”, said Antonello Valentini, General Director of FIGC.

“This new shirt represents the long partnership between PUMA and FIGC, emphasising the common values our brands share, as well as the importance of style and traditions. It represents a new step in our relationship, not only in a commercial sense, but as the expression of a new vision to encourage charity initiatives, and in particular to promote the Italian national team as the ultimate expression of Italian Football”.

Gianluigi Buffon, Italian National Football Team Captain said, “Modern football is such a powerful game, the performance of playing kits is very important, and we are very happy with the new kit that PUMA has created for Italy. It is a great looking kit – we are a proud nation, and the design is also very important to us. In my long international playing career, I can certainly say this is the best kit I have worn for the Azzurri.”

Stefano Caroti, Chief Commercial Officer of PUMA SE commented, “We are very pleased with both the design and performance innovations that have been integrated into the new Italy home kit. Italy is one of our leading Power assets in world football, and we have worked hard with the FIGC to deliver a playing kit and replica wear that meets the high standards we set ourselves. We hope the Azzurri go on to achieve great things in it in Poland and Ukraine next year.”

PUMA has partnered with the FIGC for eight years, a period that saw the Italian National Team win the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

A wardrobe essential for the bona fide Azzurri fan, the Italy Home Replica Short features an official FIGC badge and sporty styling. The gusset increases freedom of movement, complemented by the side leg panels. And for the finishing patriotic team touches, the tonal waistband panel features Italian flag-colored stitching and an embroidered ‘Italia’ script on the belt.

A match-day essential for the bona fide Azzurri fan, the Italy Home Replica Socks feature a sporty styling. The socks have tonal mesh panels, Italian flag-colored tipping on the reverse, and ‘Italia’ wording on the front.

The Italia PowerCat 1.12 Ball is a FIFA-approved, top competition ball which carries the official FIGC logo. The unique 22 panel configuration reduces the amounts of seams and forms larger panels for a more confident touch and softer feel. The high frequency moulded construction provides excellent form retention, durability, and a decrease in water uptake.

The PUMA-developed stress free dimple technology on the PU casing – combined with the dual density water based PU foam and slightly wider seams – increases the speed and distance travelled due to improved energy transfer and aerodynamics. A multilayered backing network provides the ball with extraordinary shape retention while a six wing natural latex bladder and the PUMA Air Lock (PAL) valve and Perimeter Balance Technology (PBT) further enhances the balls exceptional flight characteristics.