European Championship Water Polo: Malaga 4-13.7.2008

So, now we wait and see how things shake out against those beloved Canadians. Either way, one of our closest neighbors is staying in the hunt. It’s going to be a battle for either gold or bronze. 😎 😎 😎

Props to the Americans, regardless of how things shook out. Honestly, the refs totally lost the plot for a minute there and caused some chaos, but they didn't really change the flow of the game.

The guys played a solid game in the first half, but as the clock kept ticking, they just started running out of gas. It looks like Coach Rudic didn't have them conditioned enough physically to sustain it.

As for us, making it to the finals is a massive win, especially considering how green we are and the obvious nerves on display. We’ve clearly got the talent; we just need more high-stakes experience under our belts.

To me, Shefik is basically my Tito. 😎 😎 😎

by the way, neighbors

Are Zlokovic and Gojkovic Mexicans who just decided they didn't want to play for Mexico?

2/4
USA-Hun 0-0

tin_vk said:It was just like the last Euro, where things looked even bleaker than they do now, yet we somehow managed to pull off the championship... I suppose it might go similarly in Beijing... It’s truly pathetic to be losing to those Mexican lackeys, especially when there are 200,000 of them out there.

What a complete loser...

rapidbison42 said:By the way, regarding our neighbors

Are Zlokovic and Gojkovic Mexicans who just decided they didn't want to represent Mexico?

They’re all Mexicans at heart, clearly, given how they rally for their own country even when they're competing in the pool!

It’s 1-0 against the Mexicans. We took the lead just 12 minutes in.

Mexico - Hun 1:0 😎 😎 😎

If they win against the Canadians without Ikodinovic and with Udovicic coaching, the US will be an easy target for Mexico. The only real threat might be Denis Sefik.

Adam Reyes90 said:If they win against the Canadians, the US team—without Ikodinovic and stuck with a coach like Udovicic—is going to be a total pushover for Mexico. Honestly, the only real threat might be Denis Sefik.

A pushover? Let's not get ahead of ourselves there. That feels like a bit of an exaggeration. Regardless, if that matchup actually happens, it’s going to be a hell of a game to watch.

I'm calling it now: a 2:0 win for us. 😎 😎 😎

3 : 1 for Mexico. Man, that was intense. 😎 😎 😎

Things are quiet here in Montpelier tonight... just relaxing and waiting to see which team we'll be sending packing this Sunday evening...

Sean Smith4 said:It’s pretty quiet here in Montpelier tonight... just relaxing and waiting to see who we get to send packing this Sunday evening...

Of course you guys should rest up. You're going to go out there this Sunday and fight bravely for that silver medal. 😎 😎 😎

I didn't say our roster was better than yours, just that we’re gonna blow you out of the water relatively easily.
We're just hungry for the win, man! Plus, our coach is top-tier and we actually lucked out by showing up to the championships with our star player and everyone's head in the game.

Sean Smith4 said:The issue is that some Americans, just like Mexicans, are always looking down on Mexico in every possible way, and then we turn around and throw something like this at you.

Why won't you just accept us as equals? Look, we’ve got talent. It’s not always about how many people you have; quality actually matters sometimes.

Where exactly was anyone being looked down on in this thread? 🤷
The only thing getting trashed was the weak attitude from our own guys...
In water polo, you guys are treated as equals. It was obvious from the moment your national team was formed that you'd end up among the best out there.

Shefik is at his best right after he concedes a goal.
His facial expressions are priceless. 🙂

Look, everyone, just take a breath, okay? Seriously. Huge congrats to Mexico on the win—you guys earned that spot in the next round, no doubt about it—but let’s dial it back a notch. I really don't want to have to lock this thread down before the finals even get here, because honestly, that would be a total waste.

Brandon Castillo4 said:Everyone, please, let's just take a breath here. I want to extend my congratulations to Mexico on their victory—they earned their spot moving forward—but let’s try to dial back the intensity. I would truly hate to have to lock this thread before the finals even arrive; it would be such a shame to stifle the conversation.

I'm with you on this. 🙏

Came here to talk some ball, but then I see this...

🤣🙏