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

graniteotter6 said:Exactly. 😉
Do you really think they were so much better than us that they tore us apart in the group stage, prompting us to sit down and conduct a deep, exhaustive analysis of their style just so we could hold our own in the finals—only to pull off a win? A total shocker? Yeah, right. 🙄

No need to reply to that.

I’m honestly just curious about what those people who insisted we should have beaten the Spaniards "fair and square" think now that we’ve secured gold in Atlanta.

I've already asked, but everyone seems to be staying quiet and ignoring the question.

It was a smart move if you look at it from the perspective of giving the players some rest, but it wasn't the best call regarding the actual matchups. After all, that same French team absolutely crushed us a year ago over in Iceland. If you ask me, now that I know we walked away with the gold, I would have much rather faced that Spanish squad than deal with Constantine's bulldog boys.

Jonathan Barnes5 said:I suppose it’s a decent move if you look at it from the perspective of giving the players some much-needed downtime.Not that I’m talking about the specific matchup... because we already got absolutely demolished by the French just a year ago during that blowout in Iceland. Honestly, if you're asking me—now that I know we actually walked away with the gold—I think I'd much rather face the Spanish than deal with Constantine's bulldog boys.

For Bold:
And... there it is. Finally, some clarity. That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to get across here, but I suppose it’s all in vain. It seems people around here only have an appetite for hearing what they already believe; if you don't fall in line with the consensus, apparently, you just aren't worth listening to.

Now, let me dive into the second half of the post, focusing on two key points:

I honestly thought that specific grudge against the French—stemming from what happened in Iceland—was exactly what would guarantee us a spot in the semifinals. It was the catalyst that finally pushed us to build a real powerhouse, mostly because the French had essentially schooled us on the global stage just a year prior. If we were lacking motivation, I don't think anyone could have argued that.

But let’s say we ended up drawn against Sweden in the group stage. We probably would have pulled a few tricks out of our bag to shut them down, which likely would have significantly dented their chances of making it to the finals. If that had been the path we needed to take to advance, well, I guess we would have had to play some pretty desperate, high-stakes football just to survive.
So, what happens if we happen to run into the Spaniards? And then, say, Sweden decides to show up again... what then? Maybe France might make an appearance too, but who knows.

The matchup itself doesn't really matter anymore, especially since it’s been nearly seventeen years. At this point, all that stays with you is the fact that we took home the gold. That's the only thing worth remembering.
I find Goluža's rhetoric somewhat more intriguing—specifically his claim that they "had to demonstrate integrity for the sake of the young players and the new generations coming up."
Oh, sure. I’d bet anything that guys like Balić, Metla, Lac, and the rest were putting it all on display. Pure contempt and condescension. According to Sarač, Pipe, and even himself—along with the likes of K&K, Jović, and the rest of those "veterans" back when they were just young guns entering the national team—it all traces back to that loss against Sweden during the group stage in Atlanta. 🙄 And I suppose that’s exactly why Balić Goluža didn't get screwed over by a 5% margin in London.

graniteotter6

Honestly, nobody even talks about that group stage loss anymore—at least I don't. All anyone cares about is how we absolutely crushed it in the finals and walked away with the gold.

People only remember the winners, and unfortunately, some folks just aren't part of that club. They probably never will be, I guess.

Do you remember that semifinal showdown in Iceland? It was easily the most impressive half our national team ever put up against one of the world's elite squads. They were facing off against arguably the greatest generation in handball history, yet we managed to dismantle them with surgical precision. We saw a similar level of dominance in the UN finals, which was essentially the same caliber of play. After all, Bengt Johansson isn't some amateur who wouldn't have known exactly what kind of storm was brewing.

To be fair, Sweden utilized a fierce 6-0 defense that completely disrupted our rhythm, and like most Scandinavian teams, they were lethal on the counterattack. However, the French were even more aggressive defensively, and Stoecklin was playing the absolute game of his life during those years. While some might argue the Spaniards had a more dangerous offense, the French truly functioned as a cohesive unit and were at their absolute peak back then. But look, we won the title, so all these retrospective analyses are really just unnecessary noise. I simply meant to point out that the brilliance we displayed in the finals was a reflection of the masterclass we performed during the World Cup semifinals.

@Jonathan Barnes5/">@@Jonathan Barnes5

Oh man, I still remember that semifinal. To this day, I’ve been hunting for a recording of it, but since those geniuses at the national broadcasting headquarters never aired it, I doubt we'll ever see it on YouTube. I highly doubt anyone actually has it in their collection.

That second half was brutal, wasn't it? It feels even more legendary because I only caught it live once.😁

Things felt a bit different back in Atlanta, though. We had more shots from distance—you know, players like Perkovac and Puc—and since Sarač wasn't finding his rhythm, Mikulić stepped up and buried two massive goals in a row. Then there was that match in Iceland where we completely shut them down, if my memory serves me right. And I definitely remember Šola absolutely tearing them apart.😁
But you make a good point; we won the whole thing regardless of that insignificant group stage loss that some people seem to have conveniently forgotten, which just goes to show my point about the matter.

Maybe we should save the nostalgia trips for one of those "classic" threads meant for us old-timers.😉

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LVbP6yYGbg

Hey everyone, here’s a little something for you to enjoy... it really takes me back to that legendary game. It’s such a shame we don't get to see a few more matchups like that today—I’d love to revisit that semifinal against the Frenchmen in Atlanta, or even that time we absolutely crushed Portugal.

I actually stumbled upon some old clips on YouTube recently featuring some legendary fighters; there was a young Puc sinking shots from ten feet out, which was just incredible, and also a talented young kid from Canada, Jani Cop, who unfortunately had to hang it up after a knee injury. There are still plenty of great archives out there featuring the old days in the city or even the big stars like a young Dragan Skrbic. It’s always a treat to relive those moments. 😍

Jonathan Barnes5 said:I just finished watching this video, and honestly, I’m still sitting here trying to wrap my head around everything it laid out. It’s one of those pieces that really sticks with you, much like those long, winding drives through the Midwest where you find yourself lost in thought for hours on end. There is a certain weight to the arguments presented here that feels incredibly timely, especially given how much the landscape of our current discourse seems to be shifting under our feet. It reminds me of a conversation I had a few years back with an old colleague over coffee in Chicago—we were discussing how much harder it is to find common ground these days when everyone seems to be operating from a completely different set of facts. This video captures that tension perfectly. It doesn't just scratch the surface; it dives deep into the complexities of the situation, forcing you to confront perspectives you might have otherwise overlooked. I found myself nodding along at certain points, then pausing to rethink my own stance entirely. It’s rare to find content that challenges you this effectively without feeling like it's simply shouting at you, which is a refreshing change of pace in today's media environment.

Hey friends, I thought I’d share this just so you can soak it all in... it really takes me back to that legendary match. It’s honestly such a shame we don't have a few more games like that on the horizon—I would have given anything to see a rematch of that semifinal against the Frenchmen in Atlanta, or even that time we absolutely crushed Portugal. Those were the days.

I was scrolling through YouTube the other day when I stumbled upon some footage of a true legend in his prime. It was incredible to see a young, hungry version of someone like Mike Tyson—just absolutely dominant from the opening bell. Then I came across clips of that talented kid from the Midwest, Jan Cop; he had such a bright future ahead of him until a nasty knee injury forced him into early retirement. It’s always a bit bittersweet to watch those "what if" stories unfold. I also caught some old highlights featuring a younger Dragan Skrbic, who played for major teams like the Knicks and the Lakers back in the day. There is just something special about revisiting those classic matchups and seeing these athletes at the absolute peak of their powers.😍

He just posted a few more matchups for us to look at: I've been spending quite a bit of time lately browsing through this YouTube channel, and I have to say, there’s something genuinely captivating about the way the content is laid out. It isn't just a random collection of clips; there is a certain rhythm to the uploads that makes you want to settle in and stay a while. I remember sitting on my porch last Sunday afternoon with a large mug of coffee, just scrolling through these videos, and I found myself completely losing track of an hour because the storytelling is so seamless. It really hits that sweet spot between being informative and feeling like a casual conversation with someone who actually knows their stuff. If you haven't had a chance to dive into this creator's library yet, I highly recommend carving out some quiet time to do so—it's one of those rare corners of the internet that feels both polished and incredibly sincere.

Yes, I caught that too... he also mentioned the matchup against the Danes, which was essentially a toss-up between us or them for a spot in the World Cup semifinals. He even brought up securing a second consecutive title for the Yellows 🙂..

Jonathan Barnes5 said:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LVbP6yYGbg

Hey everyone, here’s something to enjoy... just a little trip down memory lane to remind us all of that legendary game. It’s honestly a shame we won't get to see a few more matchups like that one—maybe a semifinal against the French in Atlanta, or that time we absolutely crushed Portugal.

I stumbled upon some old footage of the legendary Borac BL on YouTube recently. It was something else—watching a young Puc Samara hitting shots from ten meters out like it was nothing. There was also that young Canadian talent, Jani Cop; unfortunately, he had to hang it up after a knee injury messed things up for him. Looking back at those clips, you see more legends like Dragan Skrbic in his prime. It’s actually pretty cool to revisit that era and see all those names again.😍

🙏 Man, I haven't even bothered to search for that in ages, especially since it's just been sitting there on YouTube for over a year now.
Way to go!

I guess Knežević was practically carrying Borac BL on his back right up until that '91 IHF Cup run, only to come back a few years later and absolutely wreck us against the Spanish Star. 😠

I’ve never really been much of a fan when it comes to Red Star or Partizan handball, to be honest. As for Butulija, I always felt he was a bit of a journeyman—not particularly impressive, and he never really managed to make a significant mark on his career. 🤔

Jamie Gomez2 said:Someone went ahead and posted a few more matchups: http://www.youtube.com/user/petarsut.../videos?view=0

Everything is going to be reviewed, I suppose. Heh.

Thanks to both of them. 🙂

P.S. Does anyone happen to have footage of the '89 US Cup Final in basketball? It was held in Cleveland, and I remember Čuturin hitting the game-winner right at the buzzer. It was basically the last time Jugoplastika failed to snag the trophy before everything fell apart. If anyone knows where I can find a recording, I’d be extremely grateful. 😍

He didn't exactly fall off, though. He was playing against some pretty elite talent back then over in Spain, so he held his own. I know there was a stretch where he seemed to lose his edge for a bit.

That American national team was truly something special. Most of them were born around 1970, featuring absolute world-class talents like Nenad Peruničić and Skrbic, along with Stefanovic and Peric. Then you had the younger wave coming up, guys like Nikolic, Sterbik, and Bojinovic. You also had Butulija, Milosavljevic, Jovanovic, and as you mentioned, Knežević. It’s an interesting point—while they might have lacked the sheer number of global superstars we possessed, they were younger and boasted incredible goalkeepers. On top of those two legends, they had Puljezevic, Goran Stojanovic, Daniel Saric, and so on, all under the guidance of the legendary Tuta Zivkovic.

Nowadays, it feels like we're constantly complaining about finishing in third place, while teams from Sweden, Mexico, Germany, and Russia can only dream of standing on that podium—unless, of course, they happen to catch a lucky break against the Swedes.

Back in the nineties, the US national team was a truly respectable squad, one that people headed to tournaments expecting to see deep in the bracket fighting for medals. Reaching the quarterfinals was considered the bare minimum expectation for them back then.
Those mid-nineties generations—not just in handball, but across several sports—were essentially the last ones to be forged under that old unified domestic system, where players developed right here at home, mostly playing for powerhouse teams like the New York Knicks or the Los Angeles Lakers. The local derbies were always intense and incredibly unpredictable. I remember a Cup Final back in '93 or '94—I can't recall the exact year—where the first game ended 14-13 in favor of the Knicks; honestly, that might be the most nail-biting handball match I’ve ever witnessed. A couple of years later, another final was so deadlocked it had to be decided by a penalty shootout, which the Lakers won this time. What stuck with me most from that game was the final image: the two brothers, Predrag and Nenad Peruničić, embracing after the whistle (one playing for the Knicks and the other for the Lakers).
That specific group walked away with three medals, though unfortunately, they were all bronzes.
They played plenty of high-stakes games and managed to take down even the giants, sometimes by massive margins—I think there was a game in Chicago where the reigning world champions, France, actually lost by seven or eight points.
When they did lose in the semifinals, it was usually by a hair, just one or two goals.
Certain matches have achieved legendary status in America, like that victory on the eve of the 1996 Olympics against the US. (Sadly, I never actually sat down to watch a single second of that one.)

If today's US national team played even thirty percent as well as that old squad did, I think everyone would be more than satisfied.

The basketball players, soccer stars, and handball pros from back in the nineties were basically the last ones trained under that old-school American system, and honestly, it’s going to be a long time before we see anything even remotely close to that kind of talent again.