SELECT Sport International

First ball without outer string

In 1951, Eigil Nielsen entered into an agreement with the Danish Football Association (DBU) to supply balls to the national football team’s matches. This was the beginning of a long collaboration between SELECT and the DBU, which still thrives today, with SELECT continuing to supply balls to all of the Danish national football teams.

In the same year that the agreement with the DBU was signed, SELECT launched a new football with a built-in valve and no external string. This meant that the ball could better retain its round shape and that there was no string to interfere with kicks and especially headers.

First football with 32 panels

In 1962, SELECT introduced one of the greatest inventions in football history – the 32-panel ball. With 32 panels (20 hexagons and 12 pentagons), SELECT managed to create the roundest ball ever. The 32-panel design means that the ball meets wind resistance later in its flight through the air, thus maintaining a stable high speed for a longer period of time. This provides a stable and more predictable flight.

First handball with 32 panels

In 1972, SELECT entered the world of handball in earnest when the first 32-panel ball was launched.

first hand-stitched synthetic leather ball

In 1974 SELECT stopped using cow leather and produced the first hand-stitched synthetic leather ball. Synthetic leather quickly became the preferred choice of players, and today almost all balls are made of synthetic leather, regardless of the manufacturer.

The world's first intelligent football

In 2012, SELECT once again presented a groundbreaking new product – the world’s first intelligent football called SELECT iBall.

The world’s first intelligent handball

In 2018, SELECT presented the world’s first intelligent handball. This iBall has already been used in several international finals.

A league ball made with cutting-edge technology

In 2021, SELECT was able to present the first football welded together using ultrasonic sound waves. Called Brilliant Super UZ, it is the official 3F Danish Premier League football. It is also this ball that all Danish national football teams play with.

First FIFA-approved ball with a chip

The latest addition is the brand new SELECT Brilliant Super iBall, which is a new and improved version of SELECT iBall. Created in collaboration with German KINEXON, this ball is the first football that has a tracking sensor approved by FIFA to be played in football matches at the highest level. The data provided by the new SELECT iBall can be used for both match and training analyses, but also to engage fans more – this ball is a gamechanger when it comes to offering useful live data to coaches, clubs, fans, referees and the media.