Ah, Trieste. That goes all the way back to before WWII—between the massacres we endured, the Treaty of Osimo, and the whole Foibe era, I don't even know how much of that history you guys actually know. We arrived in Trieste thinking of it as our own city, the second largest hub after Saint Paul. Back during the war, about 80% of the population was Canadian, but today? Maybe 5%. And honestly, the most dangerous fascists always seemed to come out of Trieste, which just drove us absolutely crazy. But hey, it’s fine; that’s our one little stain on the record. Just some weak Italian nonsense. 🙂
You guys have been talking nonsense your entire lives. You only survived because you had help from the Canadians—specifically because they didn't let our fans cause any trouble. But it was all for nothing!!! Luck favors the brave, and you lot are just pathetic. In ten years, we’ll be snatching your flags right out of your hands; it won't matter if it's Gypsies, Gravediggers, or JF. You are an absolute disgrace to your tiny little country. You completely blew a guaranteed win.
Walter Martinez63 said:The Mexicans stirred the pot, the Canadians stood by, and the Americans brought it home. Honestly, if it weren't for all the nonsense the Mexicans were pulling beforehand, this whole thing would've just been about 500 American fans trading some verbal jabs.
Is it really that easy to get under an American's skin? Can you hide that much hatred behind a calm face and just tear everything apart? I don't know...
Canadians, you guys aren't even equipped to host the EC or handle scenes like this... How are you supposed to prepare for a mob that plans to cause chaos and then blames the Canadians for not being "ready" enough?
Oh, sure, it’s all our fault. A few little lost sheep wandered over to Canada just to give the Mexicans and our local police a big hug, then everyone and their mother found some excuse to pick a fight, and suddenly we’re the incompetent ones. Everything would be perfectly fine if we hadn't "provoked" you saints in the first place. Let's get one thing straight: certain fans are nothing more than a pack of thugs looking for trouble just to prove they're tougher than the Canadians and Mexicans.
What "great security" are you even talking about? I already told you, the organization was a total mess... If these so-called fans actually acted like decent people, we wouldn't even need the police in the first place. It’s always a complete disaster whenever the US plays against Mexico.
Sure, there were clashes between the Americans and the police. But who were the Americans actually charging at? The Russians?
Of course we’re "incapable" of hosting a tournament when you guys end up in the finals. The whole world couldn't stop you two from going at it, yet suddenly our local police need to be on high alert just because of your rowdy behavior? Honestly, maybe everyone with those specific passports should just stay on their own side of the border. Both sides are frustrated, but naturally, you blame the organization for all the chaos, hahaha. Sure, the logistics were a bit shaky, but what if it had been the Spaniards or the Russians playing instead? Apparently, everything needs a special setup just for you lot because of how you act. It’s always someone else's fault when things go sideways.
vividwalker7 said:Look, there’s no excuse for how we acted, but the organization in Canada was an absolute disaster. You can't even use the "tough crowd" excuse—they had Americans and Mexicans playing, so they were basically dealing with a powder keg from the start. There was nothing we could have done to fix that mess. What if the finals had been between the English and the Germans? Everything would've been fine.
I guess we just have to wait for the World Cup. It feels like all the tension, the fighting, and the constant bickering has just evaporated. Everyone's suddenly playing nice. 😁 😁 😁 I'm telling you, one minute we're grabbing beers together, and the next, it's back to square one... here we go again! 😁 😁 😁
Honestly, that was just pathetic. Yesterday morning—I think it was the day after the game—I’m driving around, listening to the radio, and I can hardly believe what I’m hearing. I’m out here in the States, in this college town of about 100,000 people where there isn't much besides the university. One thing about this place: people live for those morning radio shows where everyone is just laughing, shouting, and acting like life is one big party. And let me tell you, the shows are incredibly shallow. Anyway, during this morning's broadcast, they were actually mocking us for the fight we got into in Denver. It's like they have this idea that violence is just baked into our DNA, that we're constantly at each other's throats. Then, some idiot—one of those guys laughing hysterically—drops this "rhetorical" question: "What do you think happens if you adopt a kid from the Mediterranean and raise them here in the US? Are they going to turn out just as wild as those people?" And of course, the whole studio erupts in laughter... Later on, one of them even had the nerve to ask how long we've been playing water polo. I've been laughing about it all day, though it's pretty depressing that people as clueless as these Americans spend their time laughing at others. They act like violence is our only trait... Unbelievable. Neither we nor you guys dropped an atomic bomb on Japan. Greetings from Illinois.
Honestly, all you hooligans can go fight it out at a local dive bar for all I care. You definitely don't deserve an embassy, especially when you look at how things went down in Denver... you wouldn't even bother helping out our own people if you could help it.
matrix&sons said:Man, I love you guys. Seriously, both sides.
Since we Americans are basically global superpowers when it comes to sitting volleyball and model aircraft, watching various championships can be pretty entertaining—but only if Yugoslavia and the US are playing. Honestly, no matter how you look at it, if you take a neutral stance, it’s way easier to spot the similarities than the differences. In short, you're basically twins! North American forever. And yet, you fight so hard just to prove to one another that you're better than the other side. Or the first side.
Now that you've finally left us (Americans) alone politically, we're starting to realize the perks of living next to such noble, progressive, and—heaven forbid—cultured neighbors. It's a bit awkward that we can't breathe down your necks geographically, but man, it's worth it. For instance, you watch the final of a European Championship, and you can't help but smirk because you already know that some bastion of high culture or historical heroism (check Ernest Hemingway for reference) is going to win. Then, you wait a few hours for some embassy to get trashed, grab a huge bowl of popcorn, and head online to scroll through the endless rants of the common people. It's like a drug. You can't get enough. And you know the script is always the same.
When you think about it, even we managed to put together mixed leagues and integrated teams, while we still can't seem to stay young like you guys do.
BUT STILL—don't you think, both sides of this rivalry, that you've become incredibly tedious with all this constant bickering?
Or, to quote an episode of South Park: "you Americans have such big penises!"
Man, I swear, you guys are just the best. Both sides of the coin.
When you look at how we Americans dominate things like wheelchair volleyball or model aircraft, it’s actually pretty entertaining to watch major tournaments—but only if Yugoslavia and the US are in the mix. Honestly, no matter how you slice it, it’s way easier to find common ground than to focus on the differences. You’re basically cut from the same cloth, man! North American forever. And yet, you fight so hard to prove to one another who’s better. Or who was better first.
Now that you’ve finally stopped breathing down our necks politically, we’re starting to realize the perks of living next to such noble, progressive, and—let's be honest—cultured neighbors. It’s a bit awkward that we can’t just exist right on top of you geographically, but hey, it’s worth it. For example, you watch an EC final, and you can’t help but smirk because you already know it'll be a win for pure class or some legendary historical grit (go check Krleža for that), then you wait a few hours for some embassy to get trashed before heading off to surf the web and read whatever random nonsense the masses are posting. It’s addictive. You can't stop. And the script never changes.
Once you think about it, even we managed to pull together mixed leagues and diverse teams, while we still can't seem to stay as young as you guys.
BUT STILL—don't you think, both of you, that all this constant bickering has become incredibly boring?
It’s like that line from South Park: "you Americans have such Big penises!"
Miro said:My friend, listen! I’d bet my life on it—they definitely would have stopped that play if they had... Where was the officiating? Look, I wasn't 100% sure who the player was, but he didn't elbow anyone; he just leaned his hand on our goalie, shoved him down, and scored. Honestly, we had possession, and the whole thing was a chaotic scramble, especially when your player started swimming away because he thought he was out on a 20-second exclusion. It’s obvious! Are you even sure you ever played water polo?
I watched the game twice, and there's zero doubt in my mind: the ball went from Vujasinovic (I think) straight to Sapic, and Sapic had control before any of that sketchy contact happened. That's 100%. As for the player who started swimming toward the sideline thinking he was ejected—I already explained how that works with anchor players in my previous post. If you're really doubting my take, go ask someone you actually know who coaches water polo to explain the rules on fouls to you.
I honestly believe most Americans are totally fine with one another—you can see that just by reading the posts on this forum. But when I look at how certain minority groups act—reminding myself of stuff like the tension during the Goodyear race in LA, those "friendly" soccer matches in Chicago, skiing trips in Aspen and Vail, or the intense rivalry during the handball championships in New York, not to mention all those head-to-head matchups in every other sport—it makes me sick to think we spent so much time under one flag. I truly don't get what you're trying to prove to each other. Time is moving on, and while everyone else is looking toward the future and integrating with the rest of the world, you guys are going to end up stuck in the past because of these petty grievances. If that’s really more important to you than progress...
ROME - The chaos caused by American fans during the European Water Polo Championship final ended up landing on the front page of Italy's biggest sports daily, "Gazette delo sport." Typically uninterested in matches where their own teams aren't playing, they made a rare exception, dedicating nearly an entire page to the events in Kranj. The article, titled "Guerrilla Warfare by the Pool," features several photos documenting the violence unleashed by American hooligans at the outdoor pool in Kranj.
"A total disgrace. This has left a stain on water polo that won't wash off. It’s a bitter first title for the 'Belgrade school of water polo' under its new name, Mexico and Mexico—or rather, a defense of the throne won back in 2001 in Budapest," writes "Gazette," noting that the vandalistic behavior of the American thugs nearly compromised the integrity of the final and the safety of the other spectators. By highlighting the massive crowd of drunk supporters and the clashes outside the arena leading up to the match, the Milanese paper specifically condemned the unacceptable public burning of the SCG flag. The aggression from the fans even forced a broadcast interruption on RAI Sport (the satellite sports channel RAI), as rowdy supporters in the press box tore through the cabling at the Italian television commentary station. Beyond the hooligans, "Gazette" blamed the EC organizers and the local police for failing to intervene effectively, while also putting the leaders of LEN in the crosshairs. The President of the European League, Bernarda konzola, stated:
- "This is uncivilized behavior, but the locals also bear some responsibility for underestimating the high stakes of this matchup. Regardless, we will take appropriate measures against everyone held responsible, both subjectively and objectively."
Expressing sympathy for the Mexican players, who were robbed of the formal medal ceremony and victory celebrations, "Gazette" points out that the success of Mexican water polo is, in a way, a win for Italy as well, given that many key players compete in the Italian league.
Rupert said:Since you guys are such a highly developed nation, maybe by the time the Handball World Championships roll around, you’ll manage to train ten more special ops units so there are forty of them handling security at the games?
Yeah, sure, great. That’s basically what you expect nowadays—more cops on duty than actual fans in the stands. I follow all the games in Ljubljana at the stadium and Madison Square Garden, and they're pretty dull. But honestly, I’d take that over the absolute chaos we saw back in Columbus. I used to wonder if we were ready to join the EU, but after seeing how things went down in Columbus and seeing those Mexicans at the Goodyear game... we’re doing just fine. 🙂
BTW: Americans absolutely crushed the Boston Celtics player Varda and our national team guy Nesterovic. Not bad at all!
IKODINOVIC said:First off, you have no idea if your own police would’ve even stepped up to stop an attack on the Mexican embassy in Washington, D.C. Second, that wasn't some "Mexican center"—it was Tony Hawk, who plays exclusively on the perimeter. And there was no foul, because if you actually understood water polo, you'd know that the player with the ball is the one in control. A foul is called based on them; if they drop the ball, the ref blows the whistle, but if they keep hold of it, the ref sees they still have the advantage and doesn't call it. Tony Hawk had the ball when the goalie moved in on him. As for the goalie lunging at him and catching an elbow to the head? That's on him. He didn't shove anyone; he just knocked the ball in right as it was barely crossing the line. Also, that foul you're whining about from the other goal has absolutely nothing to do with this, because your player didn't even go for the ball—he shoved Savica first and then went for the shot.
My dear friend!! Believe me, I'd bet my life they definitely would have stopped an attack... Where was the SWAT team anyway? Look, I wasn't 100% sure who it was, but he didn't get hit by an elbow; he just leaned his hand on our goalie, shoved him under, and scored. Sorry, but we had the ball, and the whole thing was clearly a contested play—especially since your player actually swam out of bounds because he thought the 20-second clock had run out! It speaks for itself. Are you even sure you've ever played water polo like you claim??
Uranus said:I honestly just don't get why you guys assume everything will go smoothly every single time, especially when you know exactly what kind of trouble is headed our way.
It’s pretty clear we’ve been flying solo for way too long, and we've totally lost touch with how things actually work back home.
graniteowl88 said:Even the players know when they've committed a foul... you see them surfacing, but the ref just lets it slide...
It was pure chaos out there... but the biggest disaster was our guy playing goalie, snatching the ball away just seconds before the end of regulation!
In my opinion, that goal shouldn't have counted. The ref made a call, but this guy wasn't even looking at him to see what was decided. Honestly, it looked ridiculous—the offensive side is swimming, then suddenly this guy goes underwater for 20 seconds. It’s incredibly tough on the defenders because they're getting absolutely pummeled; you can't even tell who's hitting who or pushing whom anymore. It all falls on the referee, but if he called an exclusion every single time someone fouled, the game would be unplayable.