Who Will Win The All German Final Battle Of The Brands
Nobody could have predicted that the home nation would be willing on a final without the hosts, but all is still to play for as the battle of the biggest sports brands in Germany takes place.
That all familiar sibling rivalry will reach fever pitch as France take on Italy, the brothers Adolf (Adi) and Rudolf Dassler who Founded Adidas and Puma respectively. There are still families divided in the small German town of Herzogenaurach, near Nuremberg, where the brothers who died in the 1970s have been buried at opposite ends of the towns cemetery.
Adidas is one of the official sponsors of the tournament supplying the match ball and sportswear. Adidas was thrust into the global domain when Germany won for the first time back in 1954. However Puma have been making massive in roads they are the kit supplier to 12 of the 32 nations who took part in this years tournament. They have also put on an impressive marketing campaign using one of their first sponsorship recruits, Pel้ who is arguably the worlds greatest ever player.
The burning question is who will reign victorious? Will it be the Leaping Cat of the Azzurri or the Three Stripes of Les Blues led by Zinedine Zidane in what will be his last ever game as a professional. Could this be the catalyst to reinforce Puma as a Global sporting brand.
