adidas Beau Jeu: Official EURO 2016 match ball

adidas have revealed Beau Jeu, the official EURO 2016 match ball with a little help from France football legend Zinedine Zidane.

The 2000 European Championship winner took to his Instagram page to show off the first images of the ball which will debut in the first group match next summer.

Beau Jeu, translated in English as “the beautiful game”, is closely linked to next year’s host country, France.

Beau Jeu is translated in English as “the beautiful game”

The layering of colour incorporates the blue, white and red of the French Tricolour, and integrates silver highlights in reference to the much sought after UEFA EURO trophy.

The letters E–U–R–O and the figures 2–0–1–6 are also clearly visible through the blocking design of the ball.

In development for over 18 months, adidas has taken the best elements of the much-loved, and most-tested, Brazuca FIFA World Cup Official Match Ball, and added a French touch of class in time for the EUROS.

It will be officially handed over to all competing federations by the end of November 2015 in order to give all players a six-month window to train and play with the ball ahead of the tournament kick off in June 2016.

The ball will be officially handed over to all competing federations by the end of November

Wales forward Gareth Bale, who tested Beau Jeu,  said: “I already tested Beau Jeu in training with long shots, passes and running at pace. It performed brilliantly. I can’t wait for the tournament to start.”

Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas added: “We already got to use Beau Jeu in some intense training sessions. As a goalkeeper, it’s important to have the chance to take goal-kicks, practice shot-stopping, punch, catch, and throw any new ball. Beau Jeu is going to be great at EURO 2016.”

Beau Jeu will be available to purchase from Friday November 13th at adidas own-retail outlets and specialist retailers worldwide.

For further information visit adidas.com/football or go to facebook.com/adidasfootball, youtube.com/adidasfootball or follow @adidasfootball on Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat to join the conversation.