Nike Wins The Euro 2016 Boot And Kit Battle
It was not only the title-winning goal this time. After Mario Götze two years ago scored the decisive goal in the 2014 World Cup final wearing the all-new Nike Magista Obra boot, a Nike boot this year was not only worn by a player to score the title-winning goal, but also the majority of goals were scored in France by players wearing Nike cleats. We take a closer look at the Euro 2016 kit and boot battle to see which brand ultimately won the tournament.
"We are very proud to have seen two Nike teams playing the European final in Paris and we congratulate Portugal for its achievement. Portugal demonstrated tremendous team spirit and resilience today to achieve victory in spite of the loss of their captain Cristiano Ronaldo. The game marks a terrific summer for Nike Football and confirms our global leadership in the most popular game," states Bert Hoyt, Vice President and General Manager Nike Western Europe.
First-Ever Euro Champion to Wear Nike Kits
Portugal is the first-ever Euro champion to wear a kit by the Swoosh after most of all previous winners wore Adidas kits, except Denmark who won thee 1992 title with jerseys from Hummel. However, the majority of kits worn in this year's Euro were made by Adidas (9 in total), closely followed by Nike (6) and Puma (5). But while Puma definitely lost the Euro kit battle as their kits 'ripped apart by paper', it was the small Italian brand Errea who could gain the most attention in this year's Euro with Iceland's impressive and unexpected Euro campaign. Here are some more facts.
- Germany's jersey sales are much lower than compared to the 2014 World Cup when Adidas sold more than 3 million kits
- Sales of the FFF national jersey are extremely strong compared to 2014
Over 50% of Goals Scored in Euro 2016 Have Been in Nike Boots
While with Griezmann a Puma player won the Golden Boot, it was Nike who definitely dominated the Euro 2016 boot battle. Not only the Euro-winning goal was scored by a player wearing Nike cleats (Eder - Nike Mercurial Vapor 11), the majority of goals was also scored by players wearing boots from the Swoosh (59 goals - 59% - In 2014 the majority of goals was scored by players wearing Adidas cleats). Nike is followed by Adidas (31 goals - 30%) and Puma (11 goals - 12%).
Over 60% of all players in Euro 2016 have worn Nike boots
The boot that scored the most goals was the Nike Mercurial (36 goals), followed by two Adidas boots (Adidas X and Adidas Ace - 22 and 9 goals, respectively). Here are some more facts (Check out the Euro 2016 section at www.footballbootsdb.com for all details):
- Over 60% of all players in Euro 2016 have worn Nike boots
- Griezmann scored half of all Puma Euro 2016 goals
- Only two goals were scored by players not wearing boots from Adidas, Nike or Puma (Mizuno and New Balance, one goal respectively)
- Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the joint top scorer in Championship history
It was definitely Nike's Euro, even though Adidas has been the official supplier and sponsor of the tournament. What was the biggest surprise this Euro for you in terms of boots and kits? Let us know in the comments below and recap all what happened in terms of boots and kits this Euro here.
