EURO 2024 is well underway – and there will be a new bit of technology in use for the first time at a major football tournament.
Germany are the hosts this year as they look to win the European Championship for the first time since 1996.
Italy are the defending nation after they beat England on penalties to claim the Euro 2020 title.
The Three Lions will return in Germany as they look to end a 58-year wait for an international triumph.
It’s been over half a century since England famously won the 1966 World Cup.
Football looks a lot different in the modern day with advanced technology widely used across the sport.
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Fans at home watching Euro 2024 will benefit from an equivalent of cricket’s “snickometer” this summer.
For the first time ever, broadcasters will be sent a “touch detection” graphic that is used by tournament referees to make key decisions.
The technology can offer greater clarity around offside and handball decisions made by officials.
Images will be available to viewers whenever they are used to make a significant judgement during any European Championship game.
Match balls at Euro 2024 are fitted with a motion-sensing microchip that can track every touch at a rate of 500 times a second.
The high-tech “Connected ball” was effectively used at the World Cup in Qatar two years ago.
It is capable of determining whether the ball makes contact with a hand en route to goal or whether a player strayed beyond the last defender at the exact moment the ball was played.
Think back to the World Cup in Qatar two years ago, VAR officials used the motion-sensing microchip in real time.
A famous example of the technology in use was a goal scored by Portugal in a group stage clash against Uruguay.
Cristiano Ronaldo thought he notched yet another important goal for his country only for his ‘glancing header’ to be awarded to teammate Bruno Fernandes.
The Manchester United captain’s cross flew straight past Sergio Rochet in goal despite viewers thinking Ronaldo got the slightest of touches.
Adidas confirmed that the technology used in the ball – which tracks external force – showed that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner hadn’t made contact with the ball.
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