Belgium lost to Slovakia this Monday when it entered the competition for Euro 2024 (1-0). The Red Devils were deprived of an equalizer at the end of the match due to a hand from Loïs Openda detected by the new connected ball used during the competition in Germany.
A slow motion of the action with a small graphic in one corner of the screen. Euro 2024 spectators were able to discover the benefit of the new connected ball used during the competition, this Monday, during Slovakia’s victory against Belgium (1-0). At the end of the match, the Belgians were deprived of an equalizer after an overflow from Loïs Openda and a sudden recovery from Romelu Lukaku in the area (86th).
After first validating the goal, Halil Umut Meler, the referee of the match, was questioned by his assistants in charge of VAR. They informed him that the connected ball, called “Fussballliebe” (“love of football”, in German) and created from recycled polyester, had signaled a hand from Openda at the start of the action.
Technology developed by Adidas
The Turkish official then came to review the images at the edge of the pitch, with the help of a small graphic linked to the sensor placed inside the ball which was displayed on the screen. And the “Connected Ball” technology, developed by Adidas, allowed him to be certain that the Leipzig striker had indeed touched the leather of the hand.
Mr. Umut Meler therefore logically canceled Lukaku’s goal. Under the understanding gaze of the supporters present in Frankfurt, who were able to view the same images on the stadium screens.
