32 Qualified Soccer Balls

140 comments

Everyone is eagerly waiting for World Cup 2006 to begin (3 more days!). In the mean-time here's a post that will occupy you for a while, and hopefully shorten our waiting-time before WC starts. There are 32 Qualified Balls in this post and were decorated by bora-herke.de. I'm aware this isn't your classical optical illusion, non the less it's an assigment for you! Next to each ball, there's a name of the country this particuallar ball represents. This already made your assignment lot easier! Here's what I want you to do - post your comment why certain balls are decorated, the way they are. Please comment only one ball at the time (to give other visitors chance to participate). Since I'm from Croatia, I feel it's my duty is to start with Croatia soccer ball. As you see it's made from ties, and we all know (or don't we?) that ties were originally invented and manufactured in Croatia. One solved, 31 to go. Start!





































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  1. Anonymous ballookey 

    The Sweden one made me laugh - is that the Ikea catalog?

  2. Anonymous Terra 

    I'm guessing the Netherlands Ball is all Vermeer artwork...clever!

  3. Anonymous MovesInSilence 

    I'm guessing the Australia ball is representing the Aboriginal culture and the dot paintings they do.

    I think it looks awesome as do many of the others.

  4. Anonymous jon 

    Iran - Persian Rug (Iran used to be called Persia, so that's where the Persian rug comes from)

  5. Anonymous Tiny 

    The Australian one is like aboriginal art.

  6. Anonymous Tiny 

    The English one is wrapped in newspaper- just like fish and chips!

  7. Anonymous iPood 

    the Japan one - manga of course
    the Iran one - Persian carpets

  8. Anonymous goodydaze 

    The ball from South Korea, obviously due to their progressive technology.

    USA- jeans (from the land of Levi's).

    Angola - their wild life.

    Brazil - their samba dancers.

  9. Anonymous Dataceptionist 

    Well I'm an Aussie so I recognise that the Australian ball appears to be decorated with Aboriginal artwork who are our displaced indiginous people. Its nice I think!
    Very clever though!

  10. Anonymous Jason 

    Sudkorea (South Korea).
    We're very smart.
    Apparently good with numbers and such.
    Engineers up the wazoo.
    You know...make some phones, TVs, crappy cars, make some money...it's all good.

  11. Anonymous Kellie 

    Brazil? yikes.

  12. Anonymous pumpkin 

    the swedish one is ikea. haha

  13. Anonymous Maverick 

    Looks like Costa Rica is made from coffee sacks, their main export. Am I right?

  14. Anonymous Soda 

    The Australian ball is covered in indigenous Australian(Aboriginal) artwork.

  15. Anonymous emmolie 

    the australian ball is decorated with aboriginal artwork - very easy.

  16. Anonymous Jake 

    The USA ball is rather easy. Blue jeans as we know them today were pattented by two american men who came together to add a metal rivet to the stress points. These two men being Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis.

  17. Anonymous So-Fi 

    Well the Australian is all aboriginal paintings... looks kinda cool

  18. Anonymous Teressa 

    Yeah, and this one from Serbia & Montenegro (just Serbia now :) is decorated with one of the most beautiful fresco-murals ever, called White Angel.

  19. Anonymous karen 

    australian is not spelt australien

  20. Anonymous Horn 

    The Japan and USA ones weren't too hard to guess, but I'd never have gotten the Sweden one although I happen to be from there. :-J Fun stuff!

  21. Anonymous Arash 

    Iranian one is a Persian carpet

  22. Anonymous seb 

    Trinidad&Tobago i think are palm leaves?!

  23. Anonymous seb 

    usa is the land of jeans

  24. Anonymous seb 

    aboriginal drawings on the aussie ball

  25. Anonymous seb 

    england has the yellow press all over it

  26. Anonymous seb 

    switzerland has its mountains and lakes on it?!

  27. Anonymous alperenmyung 

    iranian "carpet designed ball" is an interesting idea that i could have never imagined
    what could have been turkish ball design? i really wondered about
    i wish we were at germany, last worldcup will be a worldcup that we would narrate stories and fables to our grandchilds. as it seems to me last worldcup is such a fantastic thing that could happen for every 50 years once in a life-time
    i feel myself historically lucky as a turkish man.

  28. Anonymous seb 

    brasil has the colorful carnival with many people wearing dresses made out of feathers?!

  29. Anonymous seb 

    france with all its fashion

  30. Anonymous seb 

    the german ball may be referring to the forests? not sure

  31. Anonymous seb 

    costa rica and its coffee bean bags

  32. Anonymous seb 

    japan has the mangas on it

  33. Anonymous Emely 

    I'm from Japan. & the theme is *tada* anime

  34. Anonymous leon 

    its a ikea catalog

  35. Anonymous Vimto 

    I'm really quite diturbed to see that the England ball seems to be made up from tabloid newspaper headlines. Is that really what we're known for?

  36. Anonymous Goose 

    The Australian one is done with Aboriginal Art. Very cool. I had to draw stuff like that at primary school.

  37. Anonymous Rush Agenda 

    Iran has a persian carpet

  38. Anonymous Sudarsan 

    Trinidad & Tobago seems to be made of banana leaves.

  39. Anonymous Nacaz2 

    Australia-or 'Australien"- has a football with native aboriginal art on it. nice

  40. Anonymous SideNote 

    too all the australians, the its the German word, australien!

  41. Anonymous marina 

    the argentinean one is made of leather??? that should be something we are known for...
    but so it seems the italian one...

  42. Anonymous corinna 

    I'm guessing poland is for Chopin.

  43. Anonymous Paulo Gomes 

    The Portuguese ball is made of cork, because Portugal is the biggest producer.

  44. Anonymous BMW25 

    Swiss or Schweiz - Swiss Alps

    France or Frankreich - Fashion

  45. Anonymous Denzil 

    Trini ball is palms to present the tropical weather, and beaches

  46. Anonymous emily 

    im english and i dont read the newspapers

  47. Anonymous CHIC 

    FRANKREICH ROCKS MY WORLD!!!!!!
    I AM SUCH A GIRLIE GIRL AND I LOOOOOVE FASHION

  48. Anonymous Leisa 

    hmm...well trinbago is caribbean, green up the wazoo so it's either a banana or a palm. trini isn't a banana republic though...we're more known for sugarcane (or were) and steelpan...the ball should have been steelpan designed...

  49. Anonymous Wes 

    Here are my guesses. I'm not going to touch on the ones that people have already mentioned:

    1.) Paraguay - Famous for their lace.
    2.) Croatia - Famous for their silk ties.
    3.) Ghana - Known for its coffee exportation.
    4.) German - Maybe because its known for wood-working? Small wooden toys? That sort of thing.
    5.) Brazil - The feathers represent the Kayapo Indian headdresses made from parrot feathers.
    6.) Tunesia - Known for its elaborate ceramic tiles.
    7.) Saudi Arabia - Gold, because it mines a lot of gold.
    8.) Ukraine - Famous Ukrainian embroidery.

    That's all I got.

  50. Anonymous Reece 

    The japan one's all covered in manga :D

  51. Anonymous Boo 

    Paraguay - lace?

    USA - jeans

    England - newspaper

    Polen - sheet music

    Angola - leopard

    Portugal - sand

    Costa rica - coffee bags

    Japan - anime

    Iran - carpet

    Saudi arabia - gold

    <3<3<3

  52. Anonymous Katie 

    Poland is for all the musicians that come from there. Chopib, Wladyslaw Szpilman, ect.

  53. Anonymous lksdjflsdkjflkjjfkl 

    Trinidad and Tabago is tobacco leafs beacuase, of course, the best cigars in the WORLD!!!!

  54. Anonymous mememememe 

    Yeah, the sweden one is an ikea catalogue XD

  55. Anonymous Kevin 

    Ghana is Aluminium cans because it has the largest supplies of Bauxite, the ore of aluminium, in the world

    Togo is known for its elaborate textile work, i.e. batiks.

  56. Anonymous daru 

    ecuador's is a fabric pattern that is used alot in bags/purses other stuff sold by amerindians there.

  57. Anonymous Blonde American 

    Cote D'Ivoire (Elfenbeinkueste) is known for the ceremonial wooden masks made by the Senoufu.

  58. Anonymous ausie 

    Ok so the Australian ball represents the Aboriginal people of our country. Now what about the other 98% of us who arn't Aborigionals?

  59. Anonymous Acoral 

    The Portuguese ball, is made by, don´t no the word, but i think it´s "cork oak" it´s something that you extract from the trees, from de outside, to make, for exemple the things to put in the top of the botlles of wine. It´s the product that we export more.

  60. Anonymous JṭuἊ 

    the japan one is manga...yay!

  61. Anonymous Croat 

    Croatian ball- home of CROATA-Kravata since Croatian King

  62. Anonymous Randy 

    What's the Italian one supposed to be?

    Anyone?

    Anyone?

    Bueller?

  63. Anonymous meagan 

    german wood ball is for wooden clogs ;)

  64. Anonymous JayKay 

    Poland's ball is covered in Chopin's sheet music. Nice.
    Ecuador's ball looks like the ponchos that everyone who goes there brings home...

  65. Anonymous Roy 

    The Ecuador ball is made of wool, dyed in a typical 'andino' pattern.

    Trinidad & Tobago's ball is made undoubtedly of banana leaves.

    The Brazil one is for it's colorful samba dancers.

    Costa Rica's is made of Coffee bean bags.

    I can't figure out Mexico Though =/

  66. Anonymous Carla 

    What is the Argentinean ball?

  67. Anonymous zaxl 

    Great! here are my guesses
    Trinidad y Tobago - banana leaves
    USA - jeans
    England - The Sun?
    Portugal - Cork
    Angola - cheetah
    Ecuador - traditional cloth
    Argentina - Leather
    Brazil - Amazonian birds
    Costa Rica - Bean bags
    Japan - manga
    Iran - a rug
    Sudkorea - tecnology

  68. Anonymous john doe 

    argentina comes from the word argentum, argentum = silver

  69. Anonymous Andrew 

    go ukraine....wyshywanka

  70. Anonymous WHAT ABOUT MONTA SOCCER BALLS 

    ALL THESE BALLS WERE CONCEIVEDE AFTER THE EOH PROJECT, AND THERE IS NO REFERENCE TO THE MAN WITH THE DENIM BALL PATENT!!! CRAZY, BUT THAT IS ART!!!
    JUST FYI, MONTA, EMPERORS OF HONOR!!!! THATS THE REAL DEAL!!! ALL ELSE CAME AFTER.. BLESS MR. BONE

  71. Anonymous iQuart 

    But why Italy has a dotted somepieceofshit ?

  72. Anonymous Addy 

    Here are my answers (for a couple that haven't been touched yet)

    Holland/Netherlands- Paintings of famous Dutch artist, Johannes Vermeer. I recognize the paintings "Milkmaid" and "Girl with a Pearl Earring".

    Spain - Pattern that can be seen on Flamenco Dresses

    Czech Republic - Writings of famous Jewish author who lived in Prague, Franz Kafka.

    Swizerland - Known for the Alps and other beautiful scenery.

    Germany - The wood would most likely be for the timber industry, Black Forrest, woodworking, half-timbered houses, and the like. I doubt it has anything to do with wooden shoes (that would be Holland).

  73. Anonymous Jonah 

    Does the English one contain fish and chips? ;)

  74. Anonymous AUSTRALIANA 

    I like how the Australian ball utilises an appropriation of the Aboriginal paintings! Its quite artistic and suprising considering that the opera house, harbour bridge, etc cliches could've been used.

  75. Anonymous 3weeks 

    switzerland is postcards of switzerland.

  76. Anonymous Akira 

    What's upon italy's ball?
    Bah!

  77. Anonymous Aussie 

    Ausie said:
    ausie on 2:26 AM
    Ok so the Australian ball represents the Aboriginal people of our country. Now what about the other 98% of us who arn't Aborigionals? [sic]

    Piss of back to your own country then. Oh and by the way there's two 's'' in aussie, c'mon.

  78. Anonymous Jose 

    Costa Rica ball is made out of coffe exporting yute bags.

  79. Anonymous Jose 

    I think Spain is flowers and gardens. Flamenco dresses don't generally look like that.

  80. Anonymous Jose 

    Mexico seems to me classic mexican painted terracotta pot, like the one my grandmother has.

  81. Anonymous kar 

    the dutch one is the lady and the water pitcher...a painting by jan vermeer.

    wow, can tbeleive i knew that =)

    hup holland!

  82. Anonymous Tim 

    England is covered in print articles because outside of england they are most notorious for the Brittish Tabloids.

  83. Anonymous Keeks 

    I am from Mexico and I don't feel related to the ball, anyway, the work it's great, thanks.

  84. Anonymous Jeff 

    Is the Italian ball covered with the soles of driving shoes?

  85. Anonymous Guest 

    What's the Italian one supposed to be?

  86. Anonymous CarlosGames 

    I'm from mexico and as well as Keeks I doesnt feel related to the theme on the ball.

    good job and another thing: what is the argentina ball about?

  87. Anonymous mlvassallo 

    Um... Italian Leather... duh.

  88. Anonymous 75mph 

    Trinidad & Tobago - palm leaves
    Paraguay - canvas and lace?
    Spain - flowers
    USA - ripped Levi's jeans
    Serbia & Montenegro - mural
    Tschechien - Arabic handwriting
    Australia - Aboriginal artwork
    Elfenbeinkuste - rug?
    England - newspaper
    Netherlands - milk and bread?
    Poland - sheet music
    Togo - African tribe patchwork quilt?
    Ukraine - flowers and lace
    Croatia - textiles?
    Angola - leopard skin?
    Portugal - clay?
    Ecuador - blanket
    Sweden - Ikea catalog
    Italy - studded leather
    Ghana - coffee
    Switzerland - Alps
    Mexico - wildflowers
    Argentina - coal?
    Brazil - lit plants and fur?
    France - fashion
    Germany - wood
    Costa Rica - burlap bag
    Tunisia - African art
    Japan - comic books
    Iran - Persian rug
    Saudi Arabia - sand
    South Korea - electronics

  89. Anonymous Herowyn 

    England - Fish and Chips wrapped in newspaper (used to taste so much better!) Or it could be our huge Media presence or maybe the stereotypical Bowler Hat, cane and Broadsheet newspaper under the arm.

  90. Anonymous Lymster 

    Folks, if you note that tha bag from Costa Rica has CR next to each other. That is for SUGAR - in spanish SUCRE.

  91. Anonymous Anders 

    Maybe Italy's is a tyre? Italy's famous for it's fancy cars like Ferrari etc.

  92. Anonymous marko 

    SERBIA is from church icon: White Angel!!!

  93. Anonymous Ryan 

    It seems to me that saudi-arabia is a dordango, or maybe just dirt or mud because it is deserty there

  94. Anonymous maryam from IRAN 

    very beutifull!!!!

  95. Anonymous Federico Diaz Mastellone 

    Excellent post... Thanks you.

  96. Anonymous prague guy 

    Is the czech ball related to Kafka? Well I know, that the Czech republic is in the world probably mainly known for Kafka's writing. But we (czechs) have only a little relation to Kafka. Actually the "foreigners" know his piece much better than we do...
    Anyway congratulations, the balls look great :)

  97. Anonymous hello 

    FUNNY BALLS

  98. Anonymous Czech-American 

    The Czech ball should be pivo... beer to the rest of the world. Czech Republic - largest beer consumtion in the world. Now pass a Gambrinus!!!

  99. Anonymous craggs 

    what a load of balls!

  100. Anonymous ya mum 

    yo yo yo yo b

  101. Anonymous Alex 

    The USA one should be McDonalds cheeseburger wrappers.

  102. Anonymous Californian 

    It's nice to see that we Americans aren't the only ones ignorant about geography, languages and world commerce. Oh, and to the defensive Aussie... would you feel better if your ball were covered with Paul Hogan's face or Fosters labels or crocodile skin or how about Koala fur?... Just roll with it! Nice balls!

  103. Anonymous i no everything 

    o i get it! there all soccerballs!

    mark another 1 down 4 i no everything










    ( 4 future refrences,im kidding)

  104. Anonymous Rayne 

    The USA one is funny. Do they come in different washes? Anyways, where is Canada?

  105. Anonymous dennis 

    the netherlands ball should be wrapped around weed leaves :P

  106. Anonymous about the monta thing 

    is that the steet jeans football?

  107. Anonymous ding chow 

    China's is wrapped in the flesh of our defeated enemies. aka everyone. including you.

  108. Anonymous kristen 

    well...im from portugal so i SHOULD know this....im pretty SURE its either sand(HELLO ISLANDS)OR cork(SUPER WINE PRODECERS)i mean, what else closes up wine bottles?

  109. Anonymous GreenDayGirl10123 

    OK AND NO ONE GETS IT. AND THIS HAS SOMETHING TO F DO WITH AN OPTICAL ILLUSION HOW??????

    my point made...

  110. Anonymous Antoine 

    agreed with "Californian"... its just one aspect upon many that each country is represented by...

  111. Anonymous gert7 

    Ćhechien's reminded me of Wikipedia

  112. <