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EURO 2008: Swedes looking to Zlatan Ibrahimovic for touch of genius

Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic reacts after the final whistle of the Euro 2008 Group F qualifying match against Iceland in Stockholm last June. PHOTO: AFP

Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be just as well called an "enigma" than his nickname "genius" given his inconsistent displays for his country.

Going into Euro 2008 Swedish fans will be hoping that the Ibrahimovic that turns up is the one that came off the bench to score a brace and secure Inter’s third successive Serie A title last Sunday rather than the one who failed to score in their qualifiers.

The 26-year-old son of Bosnian immigrants has consistently starred for Ajax, Juventus and Inter but intermittently for his country despite rave reviews before major tournaments.

The 2006 World Cup finals was a case in point when he singularly failed to step up to the plate and left most of the burden to veteran Henrik Larsson.

Larsson has again been called up at nearly 37 years of age but this time Ibrahimovic will have to assume his responsibilities.

However, till this season in the heated atmosphere of Serie A, Ibrahimovic in spite of his undoubted talent had given the impression that when he was involved in the major matches he lost his bottle or went missing.

Not that that seemed to be the case for former Inter coach Roberto Mancini who has described him as “the phenomenon.”

Despite such plaudits Ibrahimovic has not always gelled well with the Swedish public.

One particular incident irked them especially, deemed by Swedes to be emblematic of his arrogance, when he returned to the poor neighborhood of the town of Malmo where he grew up driving a Ferrari.

Ibrahimovic insists though that he is a different person from those days after having had two sons Maximilan and Vincent.

For as many people who don’t admire him there are also as many diehard fans who cite his genius, highlighted by a goal he scored for Ajax against NAC Breda in August 2004 in which he picked the ball up 40m out dribbled round several opposing players and scored.

Love him or hate him Ibrahimovic is never dull but Sweden awaits the time that he really replicates in a major finals what he has shown he can do at club level.
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