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The Ball: Football’s Olympic Torch

The Ball 2014

The Ball is a symbol of tradition, fair play and respect and a celebration of football’s capacity to bring people together all over the world.

New Model Army’s “Beautiful Game”

Television

  • CNN
    Phil on CNN Christian on CNN
    interviewed by Tim Lister at Seoul stadium, broadcast Sunday, 16th June 2002
  • ITN/Carlton
    Phil on London News Network in 2002Christian on London News Network in 2002
    3 minute item about the Battersea Park game on London Tonight
  • BBC
    interviewed by the Six O’Clock News team outside the Opening Ceremony

Radio

  • African Soccer (unconfirmed)
    report of our travels by South African radio station
  • BBC Radio 5 Live

    Phil with Pat Nevin in 2002Pat Nevin signs The Ball 2002
    Friday 31 May, interviewed by Nicky Campbell and Pat Nevin

  • BBC Radio 5 Live
    Rated 8th in Simon Mayo’s list of Top Ten World Cup websites

Newspapers

  • Moscow Times
    Photo-shoot in Red Square and article
  • Korea Herald
    front page article Saturday, 8 June 2002
  • The Chosun Ilbo
    article in Korean national daily published Sunday, 16th June 2002; feature article published the following Wednesday
  • The Guardian
    featured in back page article published Monday, 17th June 2002
  • The Brighton Argus
    feature article
  • Western Daily Press
    feature article

Internet

  • FIFA
    featured in German version of the Official website
  • FIFA
    featured on Friday, June 7 2002 in their Photo Gallery
  • Ananova
    Coverage of our journey
  • The Guardian Online
    featured on Wednesday, June 12 2002 in their World Cup blog
  • Rediff Guide to the Net
    featured in review of football-related weblogs
  • This Is Eastbourne
    featured in local news section
  • UEFA
    video interview by Mark Tompkins. Click on “Mark Tompkins explores Daejon ahead of Spain’s match against South Africa” to see the video.
  • PlanetGoGo.net
    featured in their review of World Cup weblogs

The Ball 2018 left England on 25th March 2018 and travelled to the World Cup in Russia.

The Ball 2014 kicked off from England on 9th Jan 2014 and headed to the World Cup in Brazil.

The Ball 2010 left England on 24th Jan 2010 headed to the Opening Ceremony in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Ball 2006 travelled from London to the Opening Ceremony in Munich, Germany.

The Ball 2002 was carried 7000 miles across Europe and Asia to the World Cup finals in Korea & Japan.