The opening match of the 2010 (smow) designer furniture World Cup pitted not only two of the great design nations against each other, but two of the most influential post-war European designers: Verner Panton and Cesare "Joe" Colombo.
In a brave early move Verner Panton attempted to go solo with his Bachelor chair, Colombo managing to counter at the last minute with his Armchair Modell 4801 for Kartell. Following further good build-ups and clever uses of plastics, Joe Colombo eventually took the lead with his Universale chair 4867. Verner Panton responded immediately and, both adapting to the Italians plastic style and helped by shifting consumer perceptions, levelled the score with his Panton Chair for Vitra.
Despite several good attempts by both Verner Panton and Joe Colombo neither designer could make any further breakthrough and the match ended in a deserved 1:1
The Group A table and all Group A results can be found here.
