6 Ways Technology is Changing Euro 2016
Football is a game that is steeped in tradition and has been largely unchanged since the rules were created back in the 1860s. But as technology comes into everything that we do and makes itself indispensable, even football has begun to embrace changing ways and adapting to technology. Here we look at some of the ways technology is changing the next big tournament, Euro 2016.
Goal line technology
Both the Premier League and the Bundesliga in Germany started using goal line technology in recent times and the development made its debut in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. There was a lot of debate about which system should be used with Hawk-Eye being the system used in both cricket and rugby being the winner. The system was used in the Champions League final a few weeks ago and UEFA confirmed it would be the system of choice for Euro 2016.
Anti-drone technology
On the slightly less positive side is the use of anti-drone technology with 'no fly zones' being established over stadiums and training grounds around France. The move follows several high profile drone incidents, most notably the one in the Albania vs Serbia qualifier in October 2014. Details of exactly what the technology is hasn't been disclosed for obvious reasons but the security chief of the tournament Ziad Khoury confirmed that it will include the ability to take control of a drone if it enters the no fly zone.
Experience Improvement Tech
If you have ever attended a big tournament in any sport, you will know it can be hard work. You queue to get in, you queue to get refreshments and everything seems to take an age. Of course, you always miss something vital when you dash for refreshments in the middle of the game so there is an inevitable crush at half-time. A range of new tech is being introduced to Euro 2016 to help speed up and simplify these processes including prepaid wristbands that work with contactless payment technology. This allows fans to order food and drink with a prepaid wristband then quickly collect their order.
Smart Football Shirts
Football is about to go high tech and a number of teams will be wearing gear that comes with built in sensors to monitor how players will perform. The shirts will have devices to monitor the player's body, taking into account VO2 levels, heart rate and a whole lot more and sending it via Bluetooth to the manager's tablet. Other tech includes accelerometers to track movement and G force. We've come a long way in terms of football kits in the last 20 or 30 years.
Manager Tech
Wearables are everywhere with smartwatches and VR headsets so it isn't a surprise that football managers can now make use of a range of wearable tech that can give them full information about their players and help formulate strategies. These include the OptimumEye S5 device from Catapult Sport that was used by Leicester City in the Premier League this season and is part of the reason the club suffered the fewest injuries of any of the top-tier sides.
Watching in Virtual Reality
Euro 2016 will herald the first time a big tournament is filmed with 360 degree cameras that allow the footage to be converted and watched on Virtual Reality headsets. Nokia's OZO system was tried out at the Champion's League final and is going to be used for many of the games. The experience is described as 'fully immersive' and means you will eventually be able to sit at home, using a special set of lens and microphones and feel like you are pitch-side.
