To get back to balls (and why does that sem so apt when 'Spaw posts!?)
The new balls have made a massive difference to the game. The other night on UK TV they showed the 1970 England-Brazil game, played with an old-fashioned leather ball, and the style of play was vastly different to today's long-passing, fast-flowing game. To punt the bal just half-way down the pitch required a helluva kick, and the work in the air, using head, chest and whatever, was much more gentle than the players today (which is hardly surprising, given the risk of concussion with the old-style balls!).
For myself, I just wish they'd had the new plastic jobbies back when I was a kid - I still have 'orrible memories of being thwacked by a sodden lump of leather weighing as much as a medicine ball during compulsory games at my prep school. And of having to dub my leather boots with massive amounts of grease after every game lest they turn into concrete.
As for Sunday - neither team inspires, but I reckon Brazil by one goal.