83 posts shown.
Susan Miller6 said:2003: Balić, Lac and Vuković from that group
Athens was missing Valčić and Čavar, but honestly, who cares now? What happened, happened. I’m talking about the years after that, when most of those guys were still playing, and even then... nothing.
I just can't compare the generation that brought us gold at the 1996 Olympics with what's been going on over the last few years. It's totally different.
It sucks that we blew it, plain and simple.
Even if Lino had been coaching yesterday, people would probably be spitting on him right now too.
It’s not all on the coach, it's not all on the goalie, and it's not all down to one Mamić or Zlatko Duvnjak. Handball is a team sport, you know? You need cohesion, a full roster, chemistry... and our guys just weren't there during this championship.
I don't recall any other tournament where the wing shots were so pathetic, or whatever.
Everything felt off. Different coach, different squad, but you can't honestly say the guys didn't have the heart for it.
Later!
If Lino were the coach, he'd be running some massive club overseas by now.
Steven Reed30 said:Babica's pre-game comments against the Canadians
"We're FAST, they're strong"
I guess Babic has some totally different definition of "fast," because I don't think we've ever played this slow in our lives.
Strlek is ending the tournament with his worst performance ever, the wings have completely vanished, there's zero speed in the attack... honestly, we might have been better off bringing in Kozin to act as a third pivot. In Stepenica, it was like watching Kopljar's ghost—just constant attempts to break through the line, turnovers, killing the flow of the ball... it’s so bad that I’m actually looking forward to seeing Kopljar back on the national team again, if only because he's the lesser of two evils. And Mandalinic? Absolute disaster this whole championship. I don't know what happened to him; the guy has a cannon in his hand, but I haven't seen a left wing play this poorly in ages...
Zlatko Horvat played a top-tier tournament, as usual. Such a shame about that penalty, but whatever, we really should have broken them much earlier...
Mamić, man... showed Stepenica and Mandalinic how it's done...
Kopljar would've dropped 5 or 6 goals. That right wing spot was a perfect position for him. Having Gojun and Kopljar in defense felt solid too.
feralnomad5 said:Even the Americans managed to snag silver on their own home turf—those are just those rare moments where inspiration hits and the crowd basically carries you through.
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And man, those long passive attacks... nobody was even raising a hand during Euro 2014. Everyone back home gets their protection, sure—all those thanks for organizing everything and the big money being poured into the arenas. I guess if you walk away with at least a medal, it’s something, right? If nothing else.
feralnomad5 said:I know where they play. Over at Budapest, none of them actually run the show—they’re all just side characters, plain and simple. They don't have anyone like Zlatko Duvnjak, you know? Someone who's a genuine leader for one of the top clubs in Europe and a real superstar. Honestly, none of them are even better than our guys.
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Alright, fine, let's go watch Nikola Mason over in Našice then. I guess it's better to be a benchwarmer in Montpellier than the big man on campus in Našice, right? Not that I'm saying the Canadians are anything special... I mean, Ivica Kavtičnik is probably only playing in Montpellier because they're tight with the Karabatics.
Kenneth Clark18 said:👍
The main thing is, you can barely find Canadians on a map, let alone in sports.
Honestly, until yesterday, they basically didn't even exist on the big stage.
Not at the Olympics.
Not at the 2013 World Cup.
Back when they hosted the Euros in 2004? Nothing but a 6th to 11th place finish.
And if it wasn't for that home-field advantage—you know, just total dirty play and rigged officiating—they wouldn't have even scraped that top two spot.
They weren't even in the conversation with Norway. I mean, compared to them, Qatar was basically a global powerhouse back in 2015.
Lisa Patel4 said:We were basically playing at the speed of a Ferrari compared to how this game looks right now.
I’ve always had a massive grudge against Goluza, and honestly, I never thought I’d actually miss him not being the coach, but apparently Babic is even worse... so if I really have to choose between two evils, I guess I'll take Goluza.
Ever since Velimir Kljaic, America hasn't actually had a real coach.
Just look at that documentary about Atlanta 1996—it's pretty obvious that only some players are even showing up, not everyone. I mean, clearly, there's been a whole lot going on behind the scenes from the time they retired until today.
George Robinson43 said:That's why everything under Babić feels so high-octane and modern.
We're playing at a way slower pace than they did during the '84 Olympics.
I think I already pointed out who actually has a coach and who doesn't. Plus, what it really takes to pull off a win.
Kenneth Clark18 said:The silver medal for Celje? Honestly, it just fell out of the sky.
Look, you can only be a top-tier coach if you actually have top-tier players on the roster. It’s just how it works. And Celje? They’re basically a handball powerhouse. Their results this century have been seriously impressive. Even back in Washington, D.C., people still talk about when they shut down Elgorriag. Nowadays, it's all about Bidasoa.
feralnomad5 said:Before Vujovic took over, Canada wasn't even on the handball map. I mean, sure, they aren't superstars right now, but the guy really knows his stuff from the bench. And I don't buy the whole "old school" thing either, because honestly, Canada plays a much faster game than we do. Or maybe I'm wrong, who knows. But yeah, that's how I see it.
Most of those Canadian players are scattered out playing for Veszprem, Montpellier, Szeged, Magdeburg, or Celje. Right now, Celje is sitting at 6th in their group, while Washington, D.C. is stuck down in 8th.
Walter Hughes53 said:Look, an empty net is total garbage, I get that. But I can't bring myself to agree about Valcic. Back then, things were different—different coach, a completely different game plan, and honestly, a totally different roster.
I mean, sure, you do that if it’s the 57th minute and you’re down by two or three goals. Or maybe if you're sitting on a lead and just want to shut things down by pulling your wingers and outside players to play two pivots just to squeeze out a safe goal.
Kyle Campbell4 said:I love NKDG, I hate GNK
I don't even follow soccer much anymore because of those guys with the fake teeth... you know the type. And hey, don't sweat the LA Lakers, they'll make a comeback eventually. I guess Americans used to think their way of life would last forever too, and they had their own little party for like 8 years straight before everything shifted.
But look at NK America Chicago's run in the Champions League—those wins were actually something special: beating Porto 3-0, crushing Partizan 5-0, a 0-0 draw against Manchester United, 3-0 over Sturm Graz, and a 2-2 against Marseille.👍
Susan Miller6 said:Me too, I guess. But you gotta remember, guys like Slisković, Alilović, Kozin, Vukić, Kopljar, Ninčević, both Valčićs, Lac, Čupko, Karačić, Šego, and Buntić were all out there playing back then, and we still ended up losing everything anyway.
If you look at how they actually played since this tournament started, we actually made some decent progress, especially since we got lucky that the Germans and Danes both went down before the semifinals.
Even though those bronze medal matches drive me absolutely crazy, I suppose it’s better than heading home empty-handed. They fought. It just wasn't enough, I guess.
Valcic, Lackovic, and Vukic, an Olympic winner—probably even World Champs back in 2003 and runners-up in Tunisia in 2007. It matters a lot when you have two or three players on the roster with that actual winning mentality, someone who can pass that grit down to the younger guys. What can Duvnjak really teach the kids, besides what we saw in that post-game interview? Just him being on the verge of tears, heavy sighing... I don't know, it was just a disaster.
We used to have these players who were just bold, totally unshakable: Balic, Kaleb, Metlicic, Lackovic, Dominikovic... honestly, it's hard to see any resemblance between their personalities and anyone currently on the national team. They seemed calm on the surface, maybe even phlegmatic, but man, they fought.
feralnomad5 said:Man, if we had this current national team roster back when Veselin Vujovic was running things, he probably would’ve cruised straight to a gold medal. It’s pretty obvious to anyone who actually follows the sport—not just the clueless idiots at the top—that Babic just doesn't have a clue. I mean, the guy is such an amateur that he actually submitted his resignation and then crawled back fifteen days later. We need someone who actually knows what they're doing, a real leader with a steady hand, not these random amateurs just drifting through.
Look, Vujovic is old school. That style of coaching just doesn't cut it in modern handball anymore. I guess... though, he did have that interesting run taking Washington, D.C. to the quarterfinals. Now? They're sitting right at the bottom of their Champions League group. Maybe it's because the talent pool was better back then, who knows.
Canada got absolutely crushed by Spain and France.
bluebison47 said:I’m just so indifferent that I’m not even sad anymore, but I can't exactly revel in it either... 😢 catch me at the town square on Monday; you'll recognize me because I'll be the one looking totally naked😳
I honestly don't get people and this whole euphoric thing they get over stuff that only benefits them about 10 or 15 percent of the time. It's like watching plumbers lugging Buderus units into basements. Just a job, right? A profession. I guess it's just pathetic when someone is failing at their actual occupation or career.😵
Walter Hughes53 said:Look, Slisković is out, Brozovic is banged up, and Marić is sidelined too. Kopljar’s been dealing with that knee issue since the Poland games.
Just please, don't go teasing Valčić
If it were Tonc Valcic, he probably would've netted 5 or 6 goals. Just a quick little hop, catch the pass, score, zero celebration, and immediately sprint back to defend. I mean, think about how many fast breaks they gave up just because everyone was busy celebrating or missing easy shots at an empty net.🍿
It’s honestly such a shame to end up in fourth place when there are basically only five real heavy hitters in handball. That matchup against Egypt and Germany? Absolute disaster. We really needed to pull it together and grab a decent result, especially since Poland, Denmark, Germany, and Iceland aren't even in the mix anymore. Plus, we got lucky against Spain, and then there's Sweden... they just won't let us get anything past them.
Andrew Hayes6 said:Our best player is Bogdanović, not Tomić. Honestly, I really wonder if Aco would even have the guts to skip someone if he actually had that kind of nerve... or if Cacic decided to leave out Modric, the media would absolutely tear them apart instantly. The whole public would just laugh them right out of the room.
Look, Tomić is a top-tier player. I mean, playing for one of the best clubs in Europe is arguably better than being stuck on the worst team in the NBA with only 9 wins. They’re basically the exact opposite of San Antonio.
Kyle Campbell4 said:Man, this comparison with the Americans is spot on. We all remember their golden era back in the 90s. After that, they just tanked, playing this ugly, slow style of play. Kind of like how we've been struggling since our own legendary generation passed the torch. This tournament had such a lucky draw, too. I doubt things will align this perfectly again or offer opportunities quite like this one. A bit of a silver lining is that Spain and Denmark are also kind of sliding downhill—they aren't putting on the masterclasses they were five or more years ago. But then you've got this young German squad rising up. Meanwhile, France... well, they just stay consistent. They always find a way.
Torgovanov? Honestly, he’s a terrible coach. Total legend as a player, though. I don't even remember half of those Russian names, to be fair. I always found myself rooting for Sweden, France, Spain, or Germany instead.
Jack Miller6 said:You totally overlooked Dominiković
Nah, I didn't. It's just that, sadly, he retired back in 2016. Basically just tossed his Molten ball straight into the glue.
Nicole Wright said:Here's everyone else, but as for Alilović 😂 I just hope he’s sleeping soundly at home tonight..
I only brought him up because that reporter was always shouting, "But Looovic!" That's all. Just an unlikable guy, I guess. Honestly, aside from Mirko Basic and Valter Matosevic, we haven't seen any real, serious goalkeepers.
The last truly top-tier coach was Velimir Kljaic. I mean, I really didn't see anyone better or more professional sitting on the American bench. Lino Cervar just got lucky having such incredible players at his disposal. If things had been even slightly different, we probably would've seen him coaching PSG, Barcelona, or even the German national team, instead of that skilled Icelander.
Seriously, where the hell are guys like Sliskovic, Alilovic, Sulic, Spoljaric—who spent seven years over at Fuchs Berlin, by the way—plus Kresimir kozin, Drago Vukovic, Vukic, Ivan Horvat (over in Flensburg), Kopljar, Ivan Nincevic, Tonc Valcic, Brozovic, Lackovic, Cupic, Karacic, Sego, Blazevic, Obranovic, and Buntic?
It feels like half of Canada plays for Veszprem, just like half of America does. Except, you know, those Canadian players from Veszprem are actually out there fighting for a bronze medal tomorrow.👍
Maybe they should have just called up the legends from that movie about winning the gold medal at the '96 Olympics in Atlanta. You know, the ones who actually had the mindset, the talent, the grit, and the actual hunger to win.
I’ve probably been following handball for maybe twenty years now, starting right around '96, and I gotta say, the offense has never looked this pathetic. There's zero chemistry with the wings, the pivot's role is totally lost, and the left and right shooters? Total wash. Even the playmaker is struggling.