National team striker Mario Mandzukic was on hand to present the new home jersey to Josip Juranović, the winner of the day's session as a special reward. The symbolic jesture was designed to emphasize that the kit inspires players at every level, not only those who currently wear it.
“Many
great Croatian players inspired me when I was a young kid. I remember dreaming
about the day when I could represent my country on the world's biggest stage.
And it is a very special occasion to be here today and reward the players that
are commited and determined to become the next generation that will wear this
iconic jersey,” said Mario Mandzukic.
“We
wanted to celebrate Croatia’s rich history and provide them with a new kit that
would inspire national pride and help embolden the team each time they take to
the pitch,” said Martin Lotti, Design Director for Nike Football.
HOME
KIT
The
jersey has a bold red V-neck collar and proudly features Croatia’s famous
red-and-white checks, which were first used on a national team kit in 1990.
Inside
the back of the neck is a woven pennant tab inscribed with the phrase
"Budi Ponosan," which translates to "Be Proud."
The
new shorts are in the traditional Croatian white. Simple and iconic, the fit is
slimmer and more tailored to the body, with a cut specifically designed to aid
movement and comfort. The center back of the shorts feature Nike’s signature
laser vents to aid in cooling and allow for moisture management.
The
new Croatian home socks are blue, ensuring the kit represents all three colors
of the Croatian flag.
The
bright blue away kit features red-and-white checks, which have been a source of
inspiration for the Croatian people since first being used in 1499. The red and
white checks represent freedom for Croatia — white for serenity, peace and
honesty, and red to signify the bravery and strength of the Croatian people.
“The
red and white checks resonate so deeply with the Croatian people that we wanted
them to appear on both the home and away kit,” said Lotti. “So we’ve showcased
them here in the away kit in a different and more subtle fashion.”
The
bright blue jersey features a red crew-neck collar and red-and-white checks in
a panel, with red trim on the shoulders from the collar to the hem of the
sleeves.
The
new away shorts are bright blue with the same panel of red-and-white checks
running down each side.
The
kit aids performance by helping regulate player body temperature over the
course of a match. By using a combination of Nike Dri-FIT technology, mesh
panels and laser-cut ventilation holes, designers are able to localize cooling
where players need it most.
Nike
Dri-FIT technology pulls moisture away from the skin to the outside of the
garment where it evaporates quickly. Laser-cut ventilation holes and engineered
mesh in key areas allow for increased breathability and airflow across the
skin.
“By
managing sweat and keeping the body cooler longer, players feel more
comfortable, sweat less and perform better,” said Lotti.
In
addition to helping players stay cool, the kit is made with a new dual-knit
fabrication that incorporates cotton and recycled polyester for the best in
moisture-wicking properties, while adding a softer feel and more flattering
shape.
In
line with Nike’s commitment to superior performance with lower environmental
impact, the shirt, short — and for the first time in a national team kit, the
socks — all feature fabric made from recycled plastic bottles (100 percent
recycled polyester in the shorts, 96 percent recycled polyester in the shirt
and 78 percent in the socks). Each kit is made using an average of 18 recycled
plastic bottles. Since 2010, Nike has diverted almost two billion bottles from
landfills, enough to cover more than 2,800 full-sized football pitches.
“Incorporating
environmental sustainability is a key part of the design and development process
for us,” said Lotti. “Our aim is to create a kit that performs for players and
is good to the planet.”
Designers
utilized three-dimensional body scans of elite footballers to collect data on
the form of today’s players and identify an updated fit, improving comfort and
allowing the body to move more naturally within the kit.
While
looking at every element of the modern football kit, Nike designers even paid
special attention to the kits’ socks. Combining athlete insights and research
with new materials and fabrications, the Nike Elite Match Fit sock for 2014
features a sleeker fit specific to football. Strategically cushioned zones
provide comfort and protection at the big toe and anklebones where the majority
of impact occurs, while arch support locks down the foot to help prevent
slipping. Material was also eliminated to enhance touch and decrease bulk, and
flex grooves were added to the ankle and the top of the foot to prevent
bunching.
NIKE
PRO BASELAYER
The
new Nike Pro baselayer is the lightest ever from Nike and features increased
venting and breathability.
Nike
has redesigned its baselayer short for 2014 taking insights directly from some
of the best players in the world.
“When
we asked players to talk about the kind of protection they need during a match,
they showed us scars and abrasions on their upper-back hip area from sliding,”
recalled Lotti. “Several players showed us these same injuries so we set out to
add more protection, while balancing the need for lightweight breathability.”
The
result is the Nike Pro Combat Ultralight Slider Short. Featuring increased and
adjusted abrasion protection zones to match the athlete’s sliding pattern, the
short is also 20 percent lighter than previous versions and made with 87
percent recycled polyester. Weight was eliminated through the addition of mesh
for increased breathability and cooling where the athlete generates heat.
