Posts by hollowrider2

It isn't just about Mario Mamić, but that Spanish penalty was basically gifted on a breakaway that should have been a red card anyway.

Against Spain number 3. (for 4:4). We definitely need Mamić; he’s got the guts and the shot, so whatever happens, happens.

mellowtinker2 said:I look at this and I just think... man, I wonder what they would do to us. 😲

That's right, unfortunately. It's France vs. Sweden—we're watching high-stakes handball right now. 🙏

They’re incredibly fast and decisive, both sides. Dangerous and efficient across the board, and they've got plenty of ideas and solutions. I guess it's 13-14 for the Swedes right now.

Both sides are just rushing headlong into counterattacks, forcing them whenever they get the chance, but the defensive unit is sprinting back too slow. Our guys are just way too sluggish for this style of play. I guess that Swedish efficiency from the perimeter is actually impressive, though we can only dream of playing like that. They’re picking apart the defense like a senior citizen on crutches; it's enough to make anyone lose their mind.

Well, we finally made our comeback and hit back. I guess it’s about time, honestly.

2. (0:2)

I'm just keeping track of the counterattacks from the Spanish side:

1 (0:1)

It’s not even about finding a way to win anymore; I guess we can't even see a way to lose by less than five. We are completely falling apart, and maybe those Spaniards just love punishing teams that play that fast.

Get the booze ready for the game, if only to take the edge off. And grab some snacks—pretzels, preferably.

So, let's say the Spaniards are feeling a bit gassed. What does that make us?

We’re basically buried two feet underground from pure exhaustion. That's how it looks on the court, anyway. Even the coaching staff is whining about being tired, acting like they've never played in a tournament before, as if everyone else isn't equally worn out. Because our guys look so slow and uncommitted, the serious teams around us look like superheroes flying across the floor during their first tournament ever...

Honestly, anyone who can't track back to stop a fast break should probably get slapped by an assistant coach. You can't just stroll backward and watch them breeze past you, passing to a pivot that nobody even bothered to guard, only for him to tuck the ball into the net like some elementary school girl at practice.

The betting odds still undervalue us. They’ve got Spain at 1.50, which is basically the same line you see for Norway against Canada or Canada against Qatar. I guess our matchup is actually a much safer bet for the favorite than picking Canada or Norway.

1. We don't run fast breaks anymore; we aren't even attempting them because we always get caught out.
2. The offense lacks any real vision, long-range shooting is terrible, and we aren't feeding the pivots at all.
3. Leaving massive gaps in our formation is becoming the norm.
4. Our transition back to defense is too sluggish for fast teams like Spain; they'll tear us apart.
5. Injuries have gutted our bench strength.
6. Duvanjak is playing at maybe 50% capacity.
7. That typical North American mentality where morale collapses easily, leading to systemic breakdown and loss of focus.

--- Maybe the only glimmer of hope is a defense that could hold steady for a few minutes and that third-string goalie, whom everyone on the forums and news sites was calling a total lunatic for choosing right before the Egypt game.

But honestly, even if the defense plays well and the keeper stays sharp, it won't matter given how bad this offense is. We just keep giving up quick goals on broken plays.

Brazil played an incredible game—their offense was clicking, their keeper was solid—yet they still lost because they panicked in the final five minutes and froze up. In those moments, their offense looked just as bad as ours did all night.

We need to fire the coach; this isn't even recognizable anymore.