Greece Unveils 2014 National Team Kit with Nike

The 2014 national team kit for Greece was unveiled today during the team’s training session prior to the international friendly game against Korea. Young footballers joined the national squad at the training ground to present the kit and inspire their heroes ahead of the journey to Brasil.

The symbolic handover of the jersey was designed as a continuation of Nike's “Attack as One” social activation during the tournament qualifiers. The campaign celebrates the spirit of unity and cohesion of the Greek team and their aspiration to play daring and attacking football even though they are famous for their rigid defense.

“It is very special to receive the national team jersey from the young footballers who aspire to wear it one day  It is a great honor for me and my teammates to represent the country. We will be united as a team, as always, and we will do our best to bring joy to our supporters in Brasil this summer,” said Georgios Samaras,  Greece national team striker.

In 2014, Greece will play in a stylish and contemporary new kit embedded with the best in performance innovation.

“In addition to providing leading performance benefits, our aim is to celebrate each country, and we sought to give Greece an attractive and modern new kit that showcases their deep patriotism and the colors of their national flag,” said Martin Lotti, Global Design Director, Nike Football.

GREECE NATIONAL TEAM KIT DESIGN

The new Greece home jersey is white with a blue polo collar and deep blue cuffs on the sleeves, both featuring a thin white stripe. The long concealed collar placket reflects the best of modern tailoring.

The new shorts are 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 a meshs insert panel to aid in cooling and allow for moisture management. The new home socks are also white.

The new away kit has a reverse design with the blue jersey featuring a white polo collar and white cuffs on the sleeves, both with a thin blue stripe. Away shorts and socks are also blue 

ULTIMATE IN COOLING AND COMFORT

The kit aids performance by helping regulate player body temperature over the course of 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 more quickly. Laser-cut ventilation holes and engineered mesh in key areas where heat is generated 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 Martin Lotti, Creative Director for Nike Football.  

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

In line with Nike’s commitment to superior performance with lower environmental impact, the shirt and shorts feature fabric made from recycled plastic bottles. 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 over 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.”

NIKE PRO BASELAYER

The new Nike Pro baselayer is the lightest ever from Nike and features increased venting and breathability.

Players have a variety of Nike Pro baselayer styles for players to choose from. These are designed for the varying temperatures and conditions athletes will encounter in Brasil, which are expected to vary from high heat during mid-day matches, to much colder temperatures in the southern match locations during evening games. 

Nike 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 and 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.

The Greece national team home kit is available in Nike stores from March 5.