Zlatan Ibrahimovic introduces first interactive biography app, explains his tattoos

"Remember, there's only one Zlatan and this is Zlatan and this is my story." -- Zlatan Ibrahimovic (seriously)

And with that statement*, Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic introduces what is claimed to be the world's first interactive biography app now available (in English) for the iPad. Based around his best-selling book, aptly titled "I am Zlatan," the app includes the full text of his story (some fantastic, Guardiola-bashing excerpts here), as well as an impressive number of images and videos all presented in a unique and visually pleasing interface at the price of $18.99 (�13.49/?14.99).

Having bought the app, I can say that it truly is impressive and endlessly entertaining (both intentionally and unintentionally). It features Zlatan's video breakdowns of some of his greatest goals ("The journalists said I was shouting, 'Zlatan, Zlatan!' But that's not true. I was yelling, 'Showtime, showtime!'"), an interactive map spotted with stories of Zlatan's travels, and, in a rare non-Zlatan moment, a stop-motion study of Retired Ronaldo's technique (IamZlatan.com has a full preview).

One of the very best features of the app, however, is Zlatan's explanation of all his tattoos. There are two interactive pages devoted to his tattoos (one for the front and one for the back) and some of his statements on their meaning are just delightfully Zlatan...

Some choice cuts:

-On the barely legible "ZLATAN" tattoo in white ink across his stomach: "My first tattoo was a white line on my belly. You could hardly see it. It was mostly a test."

-On the "Only God can judge me" text along the left side of his toreso: "The words are from a song by the rapper, Tupac. 'They could write whatever they wanted in the papers. Scream anything at all from the stands. They still couldn't get at me. Only God could judge me! I liked that.'"

-On the red dragon along the right side of his toreso: "In Japanese culture, the dragon represents a warrior, and I was a warrior."

-On the Japanese koi on his left shoulder: "A carp, the fish that swims against the current."

-On the five faces of Buddha in the center of his back: "They stand for the five elements, water, earth, fire, and so on."

Those last two elements are tricky to remember. Even for Zlatan.

*Somewhere, Zlatan Muslimovic is crying.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/zlatan-ibrahimovic-introduces-first-interactive-biography-app-explains-233344985.html

Deco John Terry Zlatan Ibrahimović

Bob Bradley is standing up as a leader of Egypt

The face of the United States in the Middle East right now isn't President Barack Obama, any elected official or a military leader. It is Bob Bradley.

The 53-year old Bradley, who coached the United States national team to the second round of the 2010 World Cup after they captured their opening round group, took over as national team head coach of Egypt this past September. Now living in a Cairo apartment with his wife, he saw the impact of a riot following a match in Port Said, resulting in 74 dead.

Realizing he was a part of something bigger than himself, Bradley and his coaching staff joined the peace march on the next day.

"We felt it was important to show our respect to the families of the young people who lost their lives; we felt it was important to share that moment with the people there in Sphinx Square," Bradley told Yahoo! Sports.

"When there is a tragedy, it is important that all leaders stand up ? whether that is leaders in the government or in the community. When you are the national team coach in Egypt, you're a leader and you must stand up and help. And I've found that people here, when you do anything at all that they see as good for Egypt, they appreciate it."

Bradley was not at the rivalry match in Port Said between Al-Masry and Al-Ahly, instead he watched the first half on television with his coaching staff before heading to scout a league match in Cairo later in the evening. In the first half, he recalls a charged atmosphere but at no point did he think there would be bloodshed after the final whistle.

It wasn't just sports-related violence, Bradley explains. Al-Ahly's supporters club, known as Ultras Ahlawy, were a moving force in the ousting of former President Hosni Mubarak from office. The American coach bristles at the "hooligan" idea behind this incident.

There is a much bigger picture here.

"This was not a case of fan violence, this isn't the typical soccer story that people love to report around the world, of soccer fans and hooligans. This had a much deeper value stemming from the revolution and the things surrounding that. A big part of it is that in the revolution and the protests since, the ultras from Ahly, these young people were a driving force in the protest and the revolution. They continue to be, they feel that the military in charge is still part of the old regime. What it is important to say is that in the past year, what often happens is that political turmoil can be sparked by an incident," Bradley said.

"But this underlying current of trying to push the country forward, of trying to continue in the same way where people pushed to out Mubarak, this is going step by step and all these things continue to face different issues. And that's directly what happened in Port Said."

Follow Kristian R. Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/bob-bradley-standing-leader-egypt-212541782.html

Robinho Joe Cole Miroslav Klose

Repurposing condoms as soccer socks

Source: http://mysoccerblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/repurposing-condoms-as-soccer-socks.html

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Maxi was Just Hurt, Dalglish on Progress, and Other Friday Notes

In terms of slow-seeming weeks, this one couldn’t have come at a worse time. Saturday’s debacle at Old Trafford, the self-righteous moral crusades it inspired, and Sunday’s apology avalanche from Luis Suarez, Ian Ayre, and Kenny Dalglish made for a miserable 24 hours. We were desperate for a break from all that, and then nothing [...]

Source: http://liverpool.theoffside.com/team-news/maxi-was-just-hurt-dalglish-on-progress-and-other-friday-notes.html

Daniele De Rossi Michael Ballack Lucio

2012 MLS Allocation Order

You have asked, and now you shall receive. Below is the 2012 MLS Allocation Order. Here’s a little background on the allocation order: The allocation ranking is the mechanism used to determine which MLS club has first priority to acquire a U.S. National Team player who signs with MLS after playing abroad, or a former?[continue reading]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WVHooligan/~3/er2UjQctPek/

Maicon Jamie Carragher Sergio Agüero

La Liga: What is wrong with this picture?

Source: http://www.soccerblog.com/2012/02/la-liga-what-is-wrong-with-thi.htm

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic introduces first interactive biography app, explains his tattoos

"Remember, there's only one Zlatan and this is Zlatan and this is my story." -- Zlatan Ibrahimovic (seriously)

And with that statement*, Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic introduces what is claimed to be the world's first interactive biography app now available (in English) for the iPad. Based around his best-selling book, aptly titled "I am Zlatan," the app includes the full text of his story (some fantastic, Guardiola-bashing excerpts here), as well as an impressive number of images and videos all presented in a unique and visually pleasing interface at the price of $18.99 (�13.49/?14.99).

Having bought the app, I can say that it truly is impressive and endlessly entertaining (both intentionally and unintentionally). It features Zlatan's video breakdowns of some of his greatest goals ("The journalists said I was shouting, 'Zlatan, Zlatan!' But that's not true. I was yelling, 'Showtime, showtime!'"), an interactive map spotted with stories of Zlatan's travels, and, in a rare non-Zlatan moment, a stop-motion study of Retired Ronaldo's technique (IamZlatan.com has a full preview).

One of the very best features of the app, however, is Zlatan's explanation of all his tattoos. There are two interactive pages devoted to his tattoos (one for the front and one for the back) and some of his statements on their meaning are just delightfully Zlatan...

Some choice cuts:

-On the barely legible "ZLATAN" tattoo in white ink across his stomach: "My first tattoo was a white line on my belly. You could hardly see it. It was mostly a test."

-On the "Only God can judge me" text along the left side of his toreso: "The words are from a song by the rapper, Tupac. 'They could write whatever they wanted in the papers. Scream anything at all from the stands. They still couldn't get at me. Only God could judge me! I liked that.'"

-On the red dragon along the right side of his toreso: "In Japanese culture, the dragon represents a warrior, and I was a warrior."

-On the Japanese koi on his left shoulder: "A carp, the fish that swims against the current."

-On the five faces of Buddha in the center of his back: "They stand for the five elements, water, earth, fire, and so on."

Those last two elements are tricky to remember. Even for Zlatan.

*Somewhere, Zlatan Muslimovic is crying.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/zlatan-ibrahimovic-introduces-first-interactive-biography-app-explains-233344985.html

Frank Lampard Rio Ferdinand Deco