Sofascore

Sofascore was founded in 2010 by Croatian developers Ivan Bešlić and Zlatko Hrkać. The project began as a simple sports results aggregator for web browsers. After seeing significant user growth, the founders were invited by Google to its European headquarters in Dublin in 2011 to discuss the project, which prompted them to formalize the company. In 2012, ahead of the UEFA Euro 2012 football tournament, the service was rebranded from its original name to Sofascore to establish a more distinct brand identity. The company subsequently released mobile applications for iOS and Android, which became its primary platforms. According to a report in 2020, the application had surpassed 20 million active users. ==Application features==

The core function of the Sofascore application is to deliver real-time sports results and detailed statistical data. It covers multiple sports, including football (soccer), basketball, tennis, handball, water polo and motorsports. For many events, it provides advanced metrics such as heat maps, shot maps, and detailed possession statistics. A widely known feature is the Sofascore statistical rating, which assigns a numerical score to each player during a match, typically on a scale of 3 to 10. According to the company, the rating is generated by a complex, fully automated algorithm that processes hundreds of in-game statistics. Each player begins a match with a baseline rating of 6.5, which fluctuates based on positive and negative actions. ==Reception and criticism==

The player rating system has been the subject of both analysis and criticism. A 2025 study in the Journal of Sports Analytics found that Sofascore's algorithm, like those of its competitors, places a significantly higher weight on offensive actions (such as shots and key passes) than on defensive metrics when calculating a player's final rating. ==References==