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Handball World Cup Bronze Medal Match: USA vs. Canada 31-26

Started by Jonathan Barnes5 · · 👁 6 views · 171 replies

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Participants Jonathan Barnes5Raymond Palmer8Olivia White25Jose James15Robin Fox2Brenda Gonzalez18Rebecca Peterson54Keith Parker3Nicole Patel70Amanda Williams13darkmarlin16analogmason16Walter Palmer3George Hill4Gregory Ramos3rustyridge10Linda Vaughnquietbison86Arthur Martinez7Keith Moore21Nicholas Ward59ironharbor22Jeremy Brown43Noah Smith5 …
Jonathan Barnes5 Jonathan Barnes5 Active MemberOP
191 messages
joined Jul 2018
#141 ·
Adam Wilson said:When we face Denmark or Canada, or if we run into France, things get serious, but against most other teams, it’s barely even a contest—it’s almost funny, really. You might be misreading my point; I was simply suggesting that our current keeper is a middle-of-the-road player, someone who lacks that specific spark needed to shift the momentum of a high-stakes game. In my view, we need to find someone with higher caliber talent because this current level just won't cut it at the highest levels of competition, regardless of how much praise he gets. It reminds me of that 2005 World Cup semifinal in Tunis, where Vlado Šola absolutely caught fire when we were trailing France by four or five goals, single-handedly dragging the whole squad back into the fight and eventually propelling us toward the final. There have been plenty of moments like that, and honestly, ever since Sola left, we haven't seen that kind of gold standard again. 😁

In my eyes, Vlado Sola was actually less reliable than Alilovic. He was more like a wild card—much like a gambler playing a high-stakes hand—where if he hits his stride, he's brilliant, but if he doesn't, he's completely ineffective. On the other hand, Alilovic has been incredibly steady and convincing throughout this tournament; he’s performing at an elite level and providing the kind of save percentage you desperately want in a goalkeeper heading into a final. Sola was a "player of the moment" whose consistency was always in question, whereas Alilovic is just entering his prime and likely has another eight solid seasons ahead of him to reach even greater heights. It’s a bit like how Fritz lost his edge after leaving Magdeburg.
wearybison35 wearybison35 Member
11 messages
joined Feb 2010
#142 ·
Honestly, Sola has had some seriously rough outings on the big stage during those high-stakes games...
analogmarlin44 analogmarlin44 Member
17 messages
joined Jan 2007
#143 ·
What's the goal for next year? Winning the group?

Just making the tournament. We'll be the "moral winners." Bronze is already in the bag... 🙂

The national team really needs a top-tier psychologist...

First and foremost, the coach. He needs an entire staff covering every possible angle. Starting with a tire technician just to deflate that massive ego. Then maybe a good lobotomist to reset his brain. Followed by a strength coach. And perhaps a handball coach with actual experience...

After the French curse, we've inherited the semi-final curse.

Next up is the Denmark curse. DanskeTheMighty...
🙏
boldhound8 boldhound8 Regular
437 messages
joined Oct 2007
#144 ·
Alilovic is statistically tied for 9th among keepers in save percentage, but he’s actually NUMBER ONE in total saves with 97 under his belt. Li-La is riding with Landin, who sits at 8th in percentage and holds the second-highest total with 90 saves.
If you just strip away those guys sitting at the top of the table solely because they’ve played way too few games, you’ll see that Mickey is easily a top 3 keeper in this whole tournament.🙂
If we had even a couple more players performing at that kind of level, we would’ve walked away with the gold, regardless of how much the coaching staff completely botched the tactics.

Look, whether people like him or not, the guy did his job at an elite level. Yeah, sure, there were mistakes—he let in some Pacers goals—but he also pulled off some absolute monster saves. All things considered, he put together nine seriously impressive performances.🙂I can only hope he plays at this exact same level during the next tournament...
link: http://www.ihf.info/files/competitio.../pdf/TOPGK.pdf
George Robinson43 George Robinson43 Regular
472 messages
joined Oct 2017
#145 ·
Alilovic has played his absolute best season since I've been following him.
People tend to forget that he used to be someone who could pull off one or two huge defensive stops in clutch moments.
He has never possessed this level of constant, unwavering consistency before.
Henry Adams3 Henry Adams3 Member
13 messages
joined Jun 2012
#146 ·
Let's talk about Alilovic's attitude. 🤦
Adam Wilson Adam Wilson Newcomer
2 messages
joined Mar 2009
#147 ·
That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to tell the trolls... whenever things got intense, he always choked. That crucial edge consistently slipped away to the other side, whether it was Omeyer, Hvidt, or whoever else was standing there. We would have been toast—just look at the tournament results from the last few years. People love to bring up Vlado Sola as a subpar keeper, but they conveniently forget how many games he won purely through his saves. Look back at Portugal in 2003 or Athens in 2004 when we grabbed those last golds. And if you want an example, just think about Sola in Tunis back in 2005 against France, or that moment he pulled off that save against the Mexicans in the final seconds to send us through. There's plenty more where that came from. 😁 Go ahead, give me one single example of when Alilovic turned a game in our favor during a high-stakes, clutch moment. Seriously, I’m dying to hear it. Now everyone starts throwing statistics at me. Newsflash: our first truly serious match was that quarterfinal against France, where their main shooters were completely out of form (Narcisse, Karabatak, and that guy Barachet, Acambrej, or whatever his name was). We played defense fueled by pure euphoria, which is why he ended up with three more saves than Omeyer. So what? Where was he against the Danes when they were carving us up like it was nothing—the same guys who just got dismantled by 20 against Spain?

The point I'm making is simple: he's fine when the defense is airtight. When the backline is clicking, he's fine. But when things start breaking down? He’s useless. He doesn't have the quality to shift the momentum or elevate us to the next level. On those mediocre days when he makes a few saves to settle a game, you all forget his limitations because that's been the pattern for years.

Honestly, I wouldn't even be getting into this if it didn't drive me crazy seeing him act like a theater kid instead of focusing on actually playing defense. And yeah, I'll admit, I've found him obnoxious since back when he was celebrating his saves in the Ademar game against Chicago with that whole "heartfelt" routine. 😁
Susan Kim2 Susan Kim2 Active Member
94 messages
joined Jan 2019
#148 ·
Adam Wilson said:That’s exactly what I’m trying to tell the trolls...

Trolls? Give me a break.
Are you seriously questioning the goalie who leads the entire tournament in saves? He’s easily one of the top three players on this US squad. Who are you even trying to lecture here? If you don't know what you're talking about, maybe just sit this one out. You keep bringing up Vladimir Šol, but he was just an average keeper at both the pro and national levels. So, his performance bothers you? Why should anyone care if it bugs you, as long as it isn't bothering Musa, Vori, or Gojun?
dustypanther6 dustypanther6 Member
18 messages
joined Jul 2012
#149 ·
Adam Wilson said:Where was he acting all tough against the Danes when they were absolutely tearing us apart? That Markussen crew—the same guys who just got hammered by 20 points by the Spanish squad today—was basically playing for fun while we struggled.

Seriously, go back and watch that game against Denmark again. Take a good look and see who actually kept us in it until halftime.
My god, what a "know-it-all."
Adam Wilson Adam Wilson Newcomer
2 messages
joined Mar 2009
#150 ·
Carl Garcia22 said:Trolls? Really? You're calling us trolls now?
You’re actually trying to pick fight with the goalie who has more saves than anyone else in this entire tournament? He's easily one of the top three players on Team USA right now. Who do you think you are, lecturing me? Just cover your head and stay quiet when you clearly don't have a clue. And bringing up Vlad Šol? The guy was mediocre at best, both for his club and the national team. If his performance bothers you, fine, but nobody cares—especially since Musa, Vori, or Gojun aren't complaining.

And I don't know why you're whining when you haven't even participated in this debate... read the thread before you start talking handball. Stop throwing insults without any actual arguments and stop using sixteen question marks and exclamation points like an idiot. Try having a concept instead of just jumping in with random nonsense... you're not welcome here. 😍
Besides, it's a public forum, so I can say what I want. Not sure why you're being such a jerk about it... and I'm not insulting anyone, so chill out. 😁

dustypanther6 said:please watch the game against Denmark again and notice who kept us in it until halftime
Oh, look, a genius.

So?
Where was he after that? Gone. Suddenly it wasn't "his save" that brought us back from -2, it was just luck? Find a game where he actually carried us to a win in a big match...
Give me some real arguments. ☕
Alex Cook Alex Cook Active Member
157 messages
joined May 2009
#151 ·
Look, everyone, let's just dial it back a notch... there’s way too much aggressive language being thrown around here for no real reason.

Adam Wilson, if your big, burning argument against Alilović is basically just that he’s an unpleasant guy with an asymmetrical face, then honestly... maybe this isn't the right forum for you. 🙂

EDIT: that last post of yours was pretty spot on. 🙂
dustypanther6 dustypanther6 Member
18 messages
joined Jul 2012
#152 ·
Adam Wilson said:So what?
Where was he actually effective in the second half? Don't give me that "he was so much better when we were down by two" nonsense—it's just standard stuff. Find me an actual game where he stepped up as the hero and carried us to a win in a high-stakes matchup...
give me some actual arguments here
☕

Give me a break. They were hitting shots right in his face from six feet out. What was he supposed to do, magically dodge 50% of everything thrown at him?
Adam Collins4 Adam Collins4 Regular
502 messages
joined Apr 2013
#153 ·
It’s pretty funny watching this guy play the expert—he can talk about Šol all day long, but suddenly he develops total amnesia when it comes to Loserotve and what Matoševićev actually brought to the table during those championship runs... especially Matoševićev's part.

Look, I like Šol, I really do—but let’s be real, the guy was basically a circus act in the net... yet everyone acts like he was some legendary figure just because of his "personality," you know, that ridiculous hair, and a couple of flashy saves here and there...

Meanwhile, the actual backbone of the team—guys like Matoševićev—barely get a mention, even though their contribution to our success was way more significant than anything Šol ever did...
Terry Fisher2 Terry Fisher2 Active Member
64 messages
joined Apr 2005
#154 ·
Adam Collins4 said:The role Loserotve and Matoševićev played in those medals, especially Matoševićev's part...

image
Andrew Flores7 Andrew Flores7 Member
15 messages
joined Nov 2010
#155 ·
Man, who could ever forget how Matoševićev held down that defense in the 2003 semifinals against the Spanish squad just to force overtime! 🙂 A total crime!
graniteotter6 graniteotter6 Member
49 messages
joined Jan 2016
#156 ·
He barely even touched her before she bounced off the post, but thankfully, it was just enough.
He also saved that penalty against Russia in Atlanta—a massive one, basically deciding the whole tournament.

Just as a reminder for everyone, we actually faced Sweden twice while playing in Atlanta.

Two questions for you all:

-How did that fifth-round match go, specifically after both teams had already secured advancement by beating the reigning European champions, Russia?

-And what about the final?

Does nobody remember? I mean, I assume you know the answer to the second question... but there were two questions asked here.

☕
Noah Ross7 Noah Ross7 Regular
355 messages
joined Dec 2008
#157 ·
How can anyone even talk trash about Alilović?
He's honestly pretty easy on the eyes.
And his skills in the net are beyond question ☕
wiredseal7 wiredseal7 Regular
320 messages
joined Jan 2009
#158 ·
graniteotter6 said:Even when he barely touched it, it bounced off the post—luckily enough.
But hey, he also saved that penalty against Russia in Atlanta. A penalty shot in what was basically the semi-finals.

Just a reminder for everyone—we actually played Sweden twice while we were in Atlanta.

Two questions for you all:

-How did that fifth-round match go, back when both teams had already secured advancement after beating the reigning European champs, Russia?

-And how about the final?

Nobody remembers? Fine, you all know the answer to the second one, sure... but I asked two questions.

☕

If I recall correctly, they crushed us in the group stage, but in the final, we managed to pull away and just barely hang onto the lead—just enough to take home the gold.😁
graniteotter6 graniteotter6 Member
49 messages
joined Jan 2016
#159 ·
wiredseal7 said:If I recall correctly, they absolutely crushed us in the group stage, but in the finals, we managed to close the gap and somehow cling onto a lead—just enough to walk away with the gold.😁

Exactly. 😉
Do you really think they were so much better than us that they could steamroll us in groups, only for us to perform some deep, exhaustive tactical analysis overnight just to suddenly hold our own in the finals and go—whoops, we won? The surprise of the century? Yeah, right.🙄

No need to reply to this.

I'm just curious about what those people think regarding the gold in Atlanta have to say—specifically the ones claiming we should have beaten the Spaniards "fairly and honorably."

I've already asked, but nobody seems interested in answering; everyone just stays quiet and ignores it.
Linda Vaughn Linda Vaughn Member
10 messages
joined Apr 2020
#160 ·
graniteotter6 said:Precisely. 😉
And what is your theory—do you truly believe they were so vastly superior to us that they simply tore through our group stage, providing us with the necessary data to conduct a deep, exhaustive analysis of their playstyle just so we could somehow hold our own in the finals, where—whoops—we ended up winning? The shock of the century? Yeah, right. 🙄

There is no need to reply to that specific point.

What I am genuinely curious about is how those who insisted we should have beaten the Spaniards "fairly and honorably" feel now about that gold medal we secured back in Atlanta.

I have already posed this question, yet silence remains the only response; everyone seems to be keeping quiet and choosing to ignore it.

🙏

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