Adidas 'Road to Lisbon’

The campaign centers on a 2-minute film, entitled 'Road to Lisbon', shot in the genre of a classic road movie. Thirteen of the world's best football players are caught on camera as they travel on customized scooters from their respective home countries to Lisbon for the UEFA EURO 2004 championships. Along the way they meet up for kick-a-rounds in forests, lay-bys and
anything remotely resembling a pitch. Eventually they even take on a whole Portuguese town before we see the huge squad reach Rossio (Praça Dom Pedro IV), the main square of Lisbon. The commercial is set to the tunes of Quincy Jones's 'It's Caper Time' from the soundtrack of the epic 1969 motion picture 'The Italian Job'.

"Road to Lisbon embodies adidas' everlasting passion and commitment to football. It shows how the world's top players always find an opportunity to play the beautiful game and how there is instant respect for each other's talent. I can't wait for Euro 2004 to kick off!" says Erich Stamminger, member of the Executive Board of adidas-Salomon AG responsible for Global
Marketing and President of adidas America.

In support of the 2-minute film and a number of various length cut-downs - including 60sec, 30sec, and 10sec commercials - an extensive print and outdoor campaign is developed, consisting of 10 executions, which will be running throughout Europe in sports and lifestyle magazines starting with June issues. Special executions for huge walls and building wraps were produced for UEFA Euro 2004ä host country Portugal. Prime locations such as Lisbon airport, the area near the Benfica Stadium and in the city of Porto will literally have football giants like David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane watching over the country.

All the players were outfitted in meticulously designed scooters, customized in national team colors for each player. David Beckham's bike is a mod-like number, badged in RAF emblems and St George Crosses, with chrome back wheel covers. The player liked it so much that he asked to keep it for himself. On the shoot day Beckham said: "The concept of this advert is great! All the players are on their way to Lisbon and the closer we come, the more excited we get. It's about the whole of Europe coming together. Not just the players, also the fans get involved and participate in the game. All these different people from all over Europe will be supporting their teams. I'm sure EURO 2004 will be great. I can't wait to get to Lisbon!"

180 Creative Director and Art Director Andy Fackrell explains: "I wanted the scooters to be an extension of the players' characters. For instance, Zidane's bike is elegant and refined but badged with his nickname, Zizou. And the three stripes are subtly designed into the chrome work. Roy Makaay's
(being Dutch) we couldn't resist sexing up with a leopard-skin seat cover. And of course the bike is orange."

The commercial in all features: Xabi Alonso, Spain, Real Sociedad; Michael Ballack, Germany, Bayern Munich; David Beckham, England, Real Madrid; Ashley Cole, England, Arsenal FC; Frank Lampard, England, Chelsea FC; Roy Makaay, The Netherlands, Bayern Munich; Raúl, Spain, Real Madrid; Patrick Vieira, France, Arsenal FC; and Zinedine Zidane, France, Real Madrid.