Posts by Carl Barrett11

Michael Martinez86 said:I don't understand why you are judging me as being biased. Do I have any reason at all to be? What specific answer am I supposed to give you? You have fabricated some sort of conspiracy within the USA Handball Association and assigned roles however you pleased. Is that truly how things are, and where did you get the information for all these claims? I assume you have watched the games, followed media reports, and perhaps more than anything, read and participated in online forums. Even so, all of that is mostly just speculation. It is difficult to know anything about this firsthand. Only those directly involved in the inner workings surrounding the national team can reliably know how things actually stand.
The same applies to me. I watch, I follow, I read, and I listen. I draw conclusions. However, I do not pass judgment nor do I put on rose-colored glasses simply because I enjoy seeing things in that color.

First of all, by what right do you come at me calling me some girl obsessed with Ivano Balić and such? Do you even know me enough to attack me on a personal level? Have I attacked you on that level? I exchanged opinions with you, and you responded by invading my privacy, clearly because you had nothing else to say. I am old enough and have a life established enough that you should not be insulting or evaluating me based on three posts.

I haven't fabricated anything, I haven't. How and why I make certain claims is my business—whether I choose to share them on this forum or not. If you are unable to exchange opinions civilly, learn to control yourself and stop making personal attacks. Especially on a forum, and especially based on only three posts.

Greetings to the team at The New York Times. 😛

Link

🙏 Once again, I have watched this video ten times now. It was an exhausting process; it feels as though he collectively dismissed all of us. Ivan. 🙏

Thanks for the upload!

Matthew Rodriguez9 said:That moment was priceless. 🙏

Honestly, I preferred that over even winning.

Goluža is just a complete amateur and a total nobody. 👎

The same goes for me. 🤣

Ivano Balić 🙏 deserves nothing but respect for everything he's done. 🙏

Susan Ward23 said:It is actually quite easy to dispute that. We don't even know him personally, so how can anyone claim to know his true character? Even if he did push Goluža, what does that really prove?

Exactly. But look, you're just a smitten girl right now, so you're idealizing him. It doesn't matter what your reasoning is; that’s just how it is.

I certainly wouldn't dream of making claims about someone's character without any actual basis for doing so.

Goluža lacks any sense of accountability; he simply refuses to take the blame when things fall apart. When the French team was struggling, I didn't see Onesta pointing fingers at specific players or claiming everyone was equally responsible. Instead, he stepped up and took full responsibility, stating that the failure rested solely on his shoulders because he is the coach. Is that not how leadership should work?

Exactly right. They are playing exactly how they have to. Is that really the coach's vision? What is his actual goal here—to drive an even deeper wedge into the national team? If that is indeed his intention, then he has certainly succeeded.

I won't even go there when it comes to Červar. The only thing I'll concede is that he managed to assemble such an incredible generation of talent and kept the peace within the locker room for as long as he possibly could.
After everything he has done for our national team, Ivana is pushing things in the exact same way they pushed out Mirza and Pero. Honestly, I will never regret the fact that Džomba, much like Pero, was never truly given the closure from the national program that he deserved. He certainly didn't deserve to have the doors slammed in his face by Gobac and Linek, acting as if he never contributed a single thing to this team. It is tragic, but it looks like the same pattern will be repeated with Ivano Balić.

Signature.

It is also quite incredible to me that Goluža failed to react to Gobčev's errors or step up to defend his player and his defensive strategy. A single player cannot be held solely responsible for a failure. The responsibility lies with Goluža; he is the one in charge. Yet, once Ivano Balić rightfully calls him out, suddenly Goluža is being labeled as capricious.
It was a good observation—you can really see that gesture at the end when Goluža pushes him. 🤣
Honestly, the whole thing is just laughable to me.
We will never make any real progress until our Grey Eminence finally steps aside.

And one more signature.

Michael Martinez86 said:I understand where you're coming from. You're head over heels. A lot of young women go through this exact same thing—you end up putting the person on a pedestal. Once you get a little more life experience under your belt, you'll start looking at things through a different lens. You might eventually understand why someone like Ruud van Nistelrooy would make that move, choosing to join Real Madrid just to wrap up his career at a Royal Club. It’s really no different than what you're feeling right now.

And what about you? Are you just bitter because you can't manage a concrete response?

Of course I want him to be the father of my children. Is that even a question? 🙄 A little respect goes a long way. The links. With whom exactly are you speaking? If you don't know how to conduct yourself, perhaps it is better if you don't speak at all.

I wish you a pleasant day.

Grace Adams32 said:Look, let’s be honest: Ivano isn't exactly a saint, and he definitely has a difficult personality. But nobody ever brought up his temperament back when he was setting up plays, or when he was sending passes to Vori while staring at Maša in the 18th row of the Arena—all while trying to dodge Didier Dinart. Back then, he was the hero, the king, the golden boy of the nation. Now that things aren't working out—and we all know exactly why they aren't—suddenly he’s just a "difficult character" that both the EHF and IHF love to complain about. Give me a break. 🙄

Exactly right.

Pešić 🎉

Things could have gone this way before. 😬

Why push Alilović so hard?

jao Gobac, hats off to you for waking up Ivan. Look, even those folks from FIBA won't be getting an appeal in time now.

Michael Martinez86 said:I don't believe Goluža is playing dirty at all. It’s more accurate to say he simply struggles to adapt to the role he's been given. Similarly, I don't view Ivano Balić playing through an injury as some sort of sacrifice for "King and Country." Handball is his profession and his life. Who knows where he would be without the sport and the national team? We all head to work every day and grind away until late afternoon despite having back pain or a virus. Let's be realistic when discussing Goluža and Ivano Balić...

There is no consensus regarding Goluža. He is a mediocre player.

Believe me, Ivano didn't play with those kinds of back issues just because he had to. Players with minor injuries usually sit on the bench or take a sick day.

And what Ivano was dealing with wasn't just painful back issues that might keep you or me from going to the office. 😉

Harold Perez said:I am not sure if someone has already mentioned this, but Ivano Balić pushed through this entire game solely to ensure the national team qualifies for the Olympics, just so he wouldn't let his teammates down.

Given how much Gobac was riding him, along with his little assistant Slavko, I would have headed straight home if I were in his shoes.

Because of that, Ivan deserves nothing but respect; hats off to him.

And I highly doubt he will play for fifth place; he will likely just walk away from them.

Ivano is a legend.

Exactly. That is one reason behind Goluža’s outburst. For the hundredth time, he played for that "sacred jersey" he spoke about on the front pages, for his teammates, and ultimately, for us.

He did the same thing when his back was literally failing him and he was in agony. But wait, are we talking about the same Ivano Balić—a decent man, certainly, but perhaps not performing at his peak on the court?

I am unsure if he will ever represent the national team again; we will simply have to wait and see.

Both Lino and Goluza were similar types of players. However, Goluza is nothing more than a complete amateur—the very definition of incompetence. As long as Gobac and his personal agendas are calling the shots, this national team is headed straight for disaster. The only reason we even stayed relevant back in 2003/04 was because of the players, specifically Balić, whom they are all criticizing so relentlessly now. Even if I suspect whose orders those were, I cannot forgive Lino for how they disgracefully cast aside Džomba, Sulić, Špoljarić, Dominiković, and of course, Pero. These men were humiliated just so certain people could profit, effectively destroying an entire generation of talent. How does Gobac have the nerve to put words in Ivan's mouth while Goluza performs exactly as he did tonight? It is precisely because of these actions that this situation hurts even more.

Good grief, I just realized I missed the previous page. Could someone please upload the highlight reel to YouTube?🙂 x10

ironpanther5 said:It was a solid game. I liked how Balica reacted to Slavkecov's scoring run, and the celebration at the end was great. 🙏

Just as guests arrived at my place—what exactly was the reaction like?

Michael Martinez86 said:Gobac is an entire topic on his own. I would never suggest, let alone claim, that Balić "operates from the shadows." I was simply pointing out his intense and neurotic nature. This is quite common—almost a rule, really—among exceptionally gifted and creative individuals in any field. Therefore, I would never characterize him as some shadowy figure pulling strings behind the scenes or acting out of calculation.

I wouldn't go so far as to call Balić neurotic. That is too heavy a word. Balić reacts based on emotion; there is no pretense involved (unlike what we witnessed tonight from Goluza himself), he simply is who he is. It is part of his character: when he is angry, he is angry. When there is an injustice, he feels it, and frankly, how can he smile when everything in him screams otherwise? How can he play his best game under these conditions?
He has restrained himself regarding certain matters for a long time, but this went beyond all reason. I agree that he has a difficult temperament; that much is true. He possesses an inner fire, which is undoubtedly a trait of talented and creative people, I concur. Yet, it is precisely because of him and that specific side of his nature that we have achieved everything we have over the last eight years. Does a man like that truly need someone like Goluza to constantly cater to him?

Vain? No. It is simply difficult to deal with him when you are playing the crooked game that Goluza is currently playing. Ivano is not playing to his own advantage. Just look back at how he used to play with his back to the defense.

Neno Kljaić’s statement...

One more hour to go. Hang in there.

Sean Gonzalez95 said:Good grief, now we have a new term for terrible play: "Kopljar-style."😂

But look, the kid is a beast in practice. He performs at like 500% of his actual capacity during drills, only to step onto the court during a game and completely black out. If you judged him solely on training sessions, the Lakers would be signing him tomorrow.

If you don't believe me, that's your prerogative.☕

Honestly, what is the point? What good is a player who dominates in practice but freezes up during the actual game? How is he useful to the team?

No, wait. It’s actually Balic's fault.

What a goal by Lavoie. I'll be remembering one like that for a long time. 🙏 🙏 🙏

swiftbison2 (No content provided to rewrite.)
Go check out the thread about Sweden. You'll see how they will never let him ruin their reputation; people aren't as foolish as they think.🤣

Exactly. My fingers are already aching from typing out posts on this topic that ultimately lead nowhere. It’s honestly exhausting—the level of susceptibility here is just staggering.

coastalpanther44 said:He obviously didn't boycott anything, but given the current political climate and all those shady backroom deals, Ivan just doesn't thrive in that environment. He's far too principled to deal with that kind of maneuvering.

That is exactly my point. I know that's how he feels, and frankly, he's right to feel that way. It’s unsettling to watch how he's being treated—and how he will continue to be treated if the national team decides to part ways with him, which, quite honestly, they have every right to do.

The concept of a "sacred jersey" is undeniable; I agree there is nothing more significant than that. However, there is a massive difference between honoring that legacy and watching people who haven't earned the right to wear it use it as a tool for personal profit and corruption. It seems Gomez believes he stands above the jersey itself, reshaping its very identity to suit his own whims. The issue isn't that the players are disrespecting the uniform; it's that they are reacting to Gomez. If you have followed this team from the beginning, you know these men would never disrespect the national team itself. They poured their hearts and souls onto the court for this country. For a man like him to then turn around and slander them is disgraceful. Leaving the national team is likely exactly what he wanted, so let's not engage in empty patriotism where it isn't earned.

Sean Gonzalez95 said:Does anyone actually want this? Who would even consider disrespecting the national jersey by boycotting the game just because of some idiot like Gobac? If that's how someone feels about representing the country, then they have no business being on the team at all.

John certainly isn't that type of player, nor would he ever intentionally sabotage the game. If you look closely at his reactions, isn't it obvious how much he truly cares?🙏

Who exactly should be playing for the national team when there is no accountability for Gobčev’s nonsense? This jersey doesn't hold the same respect it used to.

It wasn't a boycott. He simply couldn't fight against his own circumstances; the man was playing in total agony, constantly burdened by something weighing him down. Someone in that state can't be expected to perform at an elite level. He wouldn't resort to boycotting—that isn't his character—but how can he fight himself when he knows exactly what's happening? His frustration was plain for everyone to see. Time and again, he has left his heart on the court, and it is obvious how desperately he wants to deliver a result. But how is that possible when you have a Cop who can't provide a single assist, yet is forced to play all 60 minutes just to accommodate Gobčev's tactical whims? This isn't just about John.

coastalpanther44 said:John won't tolerate those reckless tactics, and that is ultimately what ruined his performance. That is why he played without creativity and looked so tense. You cannot force John to play a certain way; if you try, you will lose him entirely before the tournament even begins.

Exactly. John’s style of play and his mental state are direct reflections of the mismanagement practiced by Gobac and Slavko Goluža. John is simply not the type of man who can perform at his peak or leave his heart on the court when forced to follow such directives.

Therefore, I am signing my name to Johnny's post, though I would also welcome the support of Vori, Lac, and Zrnić.