just-style takes to the field at Herzo

By: Joe Ayling - 21 June 2010 16:18

Getting a feel for the Jabulani on the sidelines at Adidas HQ

It was a career first as I laced my boots for a football match against fellow journalists at Adidas' HQ in Herzogenaurach, Germany, today (21 June).

I was pre-warned by Adidas' excellent press team that all journos - English ones included - would be wearing Germany shirts for the game, but it still came as a shock.

As the whistle blew, opponents from rival trade publications were forced to put the odd scoop here and there to one side.

The game was played in good spirits, all glad to be starting the week away from our hack desks for a change.

After 90 minutes of, let's say, 'open' play, it is estimated the game ended approximately nineteen all.

Indeed, despite my worst fears of old Adidas icons like Zinedine Zidane turning out, it was a suitably amateur affair for me.

What hasn't been amateur today is the hospitality at Adidas' 114 hectare base, adorned with football pitches, a running track, tennis courts and even a barbecue area for warm days.

Still, time to fly back to the UK with my notes, having interviewed CEO Herbert Hainer this afternoon.

Hainer describes his management style as both honest, direct and challenging, all of which would also describe our very own World Cup of journalists.