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!
The Sweden one made me laugh – is that the Ikea catalog?
I’m guessing the Netherlands Ball is all Vermeer artwork…clever!
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.
Iran – Persian Rug (Iran used to be called Persia, so that’s where the Persian rug comes from)
The Australian one is like aboriginal art.
The English one is wrapped in newspaper- just like fish and chips!
the Japan one – manga of course
the Iran one – Persian carpets
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.
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!
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.
Brazil? yikes.
the swedish one is ikea. haha
Looks like Costa Rica is made from coffee sacks, their main export. Am I right?
The Australian ball is covered in indigenous Australian(Aboriginal) artwork.
the australian ball is decorated with aboriginal artwork – very easy.
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.
Well the Australian is all aboriginal paintings… looks kinda cool
Yeah, and this one from Serbia & Montenegro (just Serbia now :) is decorated with one of the most beautiful fresco-murals ever, called White Angel.
australian is not spelt australien
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!
Iranian one is a Persian carpet
Trinidad&Tobago i think are palm leaves?!
usa is the land of jeans
aboriginal drawings on the aussie ball
england has the yellow press all over it
switzerland has its mountains and lakes on it?!
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.
brasil has the colorful carnival with many people wearing dresses made out of feathers?!
france with all its fashion
the german ball may be referring to the forests? not sure
costa rica and its coffee bean bags
japan has the mangas on it
I’m from Japan. & the theme is *tada* anime
its a ikea catalog
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?
The Australian one is done with Aboriginal Art. Very cool. I had to draw stuff like that at primary school.
Iran has a persian carpet
Trinidad & Tobago seems to be made of banana leaves.
Australia-or ‘Australien”- has a football with native aboriginal art on it. nice
too all the australians, the its the German word, australien!
the argentinean one is made of leather??? that should be something we are known for…
but so it seems the italian one…
I’m guessing poland is for Chopin.
The Portuguese ball is made of cork, because Portugal is the biggest producer.
Swiss or Schweiz – Swiss Alps
France or Frankreich – Fashion
Trini ball is palms to present the tropical weather, and beaches
im english and i dont read the newspapers
FRANKREICH ROCKS MY WORLD!!!!!!
I AM SUCH A GIRLIE GIRL AND I LOOOOOVE FASHION
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…
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.
The japan one’s all covered in manga :D
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
Poland is for all the musicians that come from there. Chopib, Wladyslaw Szpilman, ect.
Trinidad and Tabago is tobacco leafs beacuase, of course, the best cigars in the WORLD!!!!
Yeah, the sweden one is an ikea catalogue XD
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.
ecuador’s is a fabric pattern that is used alot in bags/purses other stuff sold by amerindians there.
Cote D’Ivoire (Elfenbeinkueste) is known for the ceremonial wooden masks made by the Senoufu.
Ok so the Australian ball represents the Aboriginal people of our country. Now what about the other 98% of us who arn’t Aborigionals?
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.
the japan one is manga…yay!
Croatian ball- home of CROATA-Kravata since Croatian King
What’s the Italian one supposed to be?
Anyone?
Anyone?
Bueller?
german wood ball is for wooden clogs ;)
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…
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 =/
What is the Argentinean ball?
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
argentina comes from the word argentum, argentum = silver
go ukraine….wyshywanka
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
But why Italy has a dotted somepieceofshit ?
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).
Does the English one contain fish and chips? ;)
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.
switzerland is postcards of switzerland.
What’s upon italy’s ball?
Bah!
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.
Costa Rica ball is made out of coffe exporting yute bags.
I think Spain is flowers and gardens. Flamenco dresses don’t generally look like that.
Mexico seems to me classic mexican painted terracotta pot, like the one my grandmother has.
the dutch one is the lady and the water pitcher…a painting by jan vermeer.
wow, can tbeleive i knew that =)
hup holland!
England is covered in print articles because outside of england they are most notorious for the Brittish Tabloids.
I am from Mexico and I don’t feel related to the ball, anyway, the work it’s great, thanks.
Is the Italian ball covered with the soles of driving shoes?
What’s the Italian one supposed to be?
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?
Um… Italian Leather… duh.
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
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.
Folks, if you note that tha bag from Costa Rica has CR next to each other. That is for SUGAR – in spanish SUCRE.
Maybe Italy’s is a tyre? Italy’s famous for it’s fancy cars like Ferrari etc.
SERBIA is from church icon: White Angel!!!
It seems to me that saudi-arabia is a dordango, or maybe just dirt or mud because it is deserty there
very beutifull!!!!
Excellent post… Thanks you.
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 :)
FUNNY BALLS
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!!!
what a load of balls!
yo yo yo yo b
The USA one should be McDonalds cheeseburger wrappers.
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!
o i get it! there all soccerballs!
mark another 1 down 4 i no everything
( 4 future refrences,im kidding)
The USA one is funny. Do they come in different washes? Anyways, where is Canada?
the netherlands ball should be wrapped around weed leaves :P
is that the steet jeans football?
China’s is wrapped in the flesh of our defeated enemies. aka everyone. including you.
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?
OK AND NO ONE GETS IT. AND THIS HAS SOMETHING TO F DO WITH AN OPTICAL ILLUSION HOW??????
my point made…
agreed with “Californian”… its just one aspect upon many that each country is represented by…
Ćhechien’s reminded me of Wikipedia
U.S.A. is because it invented denim! lol
i don’t really agree with the ukrainian one. Yes, the embroidery is similar, but it’s not very common:( But otherwise – every ball is great!
to 75mph: you have obviously no idea where Tschechien is.. arabic handwriting, dont make me laugh…
England – Tabloid Newspapers
U.S.A – Denim
Paraguay – Lace
Poland – Sheet Music
Angola – Leopard skin
Portugal – Cork
Costa Rica – Coffee Bags
Japan – Manga Anime
Iran – Persian Carpets
Saudi Arabia – Gold
Australia – Aboriginal Art
Sweden – Ikea Catalogue
Serbia & Montenegro – White Angel
Trinidad & Tobago – palm leaves
Paraguay – canvas and lace?
Spain – flowers
Netherlands –
Togo – African tribe patchwork quilt
Ukraine – Flowers and Lace
Croatia – Ties
Ecuador – Blanket
Italy – Studded Leather
Ghana – Coffee
Switzerland – Alps
Mexico – Wildflowers
Argentina – Coal
Brazil – Carnival Costumes
France – Fashion
Germany – Wood
Tunisia – African Art
South Korea – Electronics
Damn….
i like the usa one because i can get in there pants
For Portugal, without a doubt, it’s cork. Hello, CLAY?? SAND? Who thought of the caca?
the portuguese ball is made of cork.
Portugal is a small country, but it has the highest cork production in the whole world.
By the way, do you know port wine? it is originally made in Porto, in Portugal (not in australia or somewhere else in the world…). Port is served as a starter or at the end of the meal, not as a table wine.
about the pictures they’re good.
By the way we were in 4th place in Germany’s World Cup 2006!
ok here r my guesse!
England – Tabloid Newspapers
U.S.A – Denim
Paraguay – Lace
Poland – Sheet Music
Angola – Leopard skin
Portugal – Cork
Costa Rica – Coffee Bags
Japan – Manga Anime
Iran – Persian Carpets
Saudi Arabia – Gold
Australia – Aboriginal Art
Sweden – Ikea Catalogue
Serbia & Montenegro – White Angel
Trinidad & Tobago – palm leaves
Paraguay – canvas and lace?
Spain – flowers
Netherlands –
Togo – African tribe patchwork quilt
Ukraine – Flowers and Lace
Croatia – Ties
Ecuador – Blanket
Italy – Studded Leather
Ghana – Coffee
Switzerland – Alps
Mexico – Wildflowers
Argentina – Coal
Brazil – Carnival Costumes
France – Fashion
Germany – Wood
Tunisia – African Art
South Korea – Electronics
ok thats all i have not good enough? too bad!!!!
i like how the japan one had comics…ANIME RULES!!!!!!!!!!!
=^.^=
“Tori
on 10:37 AM
I love jeans, but is that really what out country is known for? It would have been better to put the flag or statue of liberty because I think we are more known for freedom and liberty. All well, other countries don’t seem to be represented too well either, as ausie, Sasha, Keeks, emily, and many others stated. And ding chow, Ewww! BTW Aussie, if only 2% of the population is represented, then it isn’t a very good job, now is it? Nothing aganist Aborigionals, I just think the ball should represent the majority. Not that I kow what it is, as I’m not a aussie. AND Californian, I know geography and world commerce! AND I’M ONLY 13! Doesn’t everyone? Its not that hard to know where countries are! Being American doesn’t equal ignorance as most people think, thats just the other political party (Which shall remaine nameless for now for I don’t which to start an argument just because I’m hot-headed). Sorry if I have insultated anyone, and bye!
“
If you think America should be known for its freedom and liberty then look at its human rights record!!!!
I know the Japan one!!!
It’s kinda too easy, but I know it!
It’s anime on the soccer ball, and Anime is Japanese (duh!) I know, that’s really easy..but I love anime, so I was like, OMG!
some of the name i got and some i could get decifer..
i believe the polen one is made of written music
cool
Yep, Poland is music…probably becuase there are a number of composers/musicians from there.
(the first one who comes to my mind is one of my absolute favourites: Chopin.)
The soccer ball for Italy is made from tires,since they have Ferrari, etc. and they love racing cars.
Japanese manga ^_^
portugal is CORK the main supplier of aforementioned substance…
Netherlands: “Het Melkmeisje” (“The Milkmaid”) from Johannes Vermeer
and other Dutch well-known paintings (in holland)
the countries are written in german, so australia is written australien. :P
source: mein deutsch klasse
You know, I think mr one-S ‘Ausie’ has a point… kind of.
Why does EVERYTHING that is meant to represent Australia have Aboriginal art all over it?
We “Aussies” have treated the Aborigines terribly for hundreds of years. Many of them still live in poverty.
The art on the ball was STOLEN. It does not represent Australian culture- not anymore
ozzy wat do you want on you’r ball then.
kazoos?
roos?
dijaridoos?
bbqs?
Darlin’ Karen, the whole thing is written in German. So, no, in English it’s not australien.
Love our English one! Chippy all the way! What if they did some of the city teams like this? I know what Sheffield would be (my hometown)! STEEL! Yahooza, imagane bootin that!
where’s Canada?
The Netherland one is a painting that represented the humble and boring life of the Protestants before they traveled to the Americas.
Im australian and i dun have a problem with having aboriginal art representing us, they are the true custodans of this land and also we were the ones that invaded thier space so i think you should treat them with the respect they deserve. Australia is a multicultural country so its hard to find ONE thing that represents us so why not be the native people that do?
LoL The Italian one looks like the most dangerous! xD (I’m Italian)
But wtf, I want the Japanese oneeee!! ç___________ç
well i pretty much got most of them… they werent tht hard. but why are most places spelt wrong?
hey im croatian too
haha Sweden….Ikea!
i myself am german. all people here said for the german ball tha it’s standing for wood or sth. like that, but i think it’s standing fot the german oak tree that is on our coins, too.
i’m wondering if germany really is known for wooden toys… i don’t think so.
Apparently a lot of you know nothing of brazil ¬¬’.
Well, these are the brazilian colors (blue, yellow and green), and also the colors of the brazilian macaw, which explains the feathers. Samba dancers dance in usual street clothes, except in carnival, where they dress the costumes, which not always involves feathers. Someone said it could represent the Kayapo tribe, and it’s possible, but it’s a small tribe, and I’m not even sure if they have feathers in their usual garment.
the bloody australian one’s indigenous art! that’s exploitation, plus, it doesn’t show our underlying racist values (cronulla, anyone?)
The Swedish one is from the Ikea catalog
It’s that easy, each ball represents the country. Whatever the country is famous for,they designed their ball that way
where is NORWAY?
Well I’m German and I just don’t understand why our ball looks as wood… Is Germany famous for wood??? That’s strange…
I don’t think that’s because of clogs because we usually wear other shoes…
i’m italian and i belive that our ball it’s cover whit beedes, you know because we are famouse about fashion and sparkeling thig!
yeah I LURVE ABSOULTELY LURVE FOOTBALL BUT THIS ONE WAS CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP AND CRAP LUV YA
YOU’VE BEEN SKYEZED HA HA SUCKERS
UR CRAP
the japanese one is manga!!!
I <3 MANGA!!!
The england one is newspapers because the printing press was invented in england
where’s Canada, eh?
ya
for everyone that doesn’t know, they’re not spelling mistakes. who ever wrote this is german. deutchland, frankereich, all german for germany and france.
hah, i like how the sweeden ball is coverd with pages from the ikea catalaouge
THE JAPANESE ONE IS THE WAY IT IS BECAUSE ITS THE HOME OF ANIME AND MANGA! BINGO!
aww. I thought i was the first one to say sumthn bout japan being anime and manga. o wel. the japanese ppl at the local japanese restraunts kudnt tel ya crap about anime manga. let alone they know what the heck it is. whcih they dont.
Costa Rica – coffee
Brasilien – Carnival
Ecuador – it’s those ponchos they wear
Iran – prayer rug?
lol those are funny nice work
The Dutch one is because of the famous painting ‘Het melkmeisje van Vermeer’, painted by Johannes Vermeer. In English known as ‘The girl with the pearl earring’. They made a movie about it.
Paraguay is aopo’i. It’s a form of lace, I guess, but it’s very traditional. It was started by the Guarani natives I believe, and it’s backed by a legend of a girl, who on a walk with her parents, got lost. She was turned into a spider for the night so she could survive, and when she turned back to human form she remembered how to make webs. And that’s that.
why JAPAN’s baLL is c0veres by a MANGA magazine?
japan kn0w by p0puLarity 0f KARATE!! =D
Whooo! Trinidad and Tobago!
Nice artwork. :-)
HAHA! OH, it really pissed me off that they missedspelled Sweden! :D
this is german, not english!
the aus one is the best but there all pretty cool
Viva Brasil!
portugal – cork
Cool! luv it :)
Poland is comprised of sheet music, probably because of Francis Chopin, who wrote a bunch of popular classical songs.
“wrote a bunch of popular classical songs”? Your an idiot. He is a classical composer, you should look him up rather than insult him with your ignorant comment.
what the hell does “elfenbeinkuste” mean?
the USA soccer ball is funny its like a pants
Denim on US because that’s the most popular thing to wear. jeans and denim everywhere.
‘Schweden’ is Sweden, and that is Ikea magazine!
France- fashion!
lol, IKEA flyers and Manga!!
Iran one is a Persian rug
the Japanese one. haha… :)) me like it :3
wow no one got this…. USA! made the blue jeans :)
uhm i got tht.
Argentina has to be a rainforest.
thats just dumb, why would it be a rain forest??
That japanese one was awesome! GO MANGA AND ANIME!
The Australien ball shows some aboriginal artwork, created by the Aboriginies. The Aboriginies were a group of people who originated in Australia with a very unique, non-modern culture.
Frankreich, Italian, and Saudi-Arabian are the best balls. Ha, the sounds funny. The Usa 1 is creative,though .
Argentina and Japan is cool,2.
hey theres no nigeria
tiger/lion is angola’s country animal! BINGO!
the england one has the word idiot :D
France, models ;D so fashion?
Are there any other American’s slightly ashamed that other countries have beautiful and necessary things to offer and we have LEVI’s?
I think we got denim ’cause it’s the one thing nearly all Americans agree is Cool!
sweden because ikea was from sweden
These are so cute!
Paraguay: known for their Nanduti lace
I feel proud that I actually knew Paraguay! Which have something to do with the fact that I just moved here
I liked the U.S., Japan, and England soccer balls. Especially the manga one. Fitting for Japan, don’t you think?
I love Japans ball, manga awesome! It’s just so fitting.