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The Armada

Started by Adam Williams2 · · 👁 52 views · 3.6K replies

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Participants Adam Williams2Nicholas Moore9Carol LewisTerry Lee3copperdriver21analogsailor16urbanmarlin8cosmicravenDennis Doyle3William Chavez9ruggedfalcon30Edward Hernandez332briskgull4Samuel Morgan6Nicole Jackson3placidnomad50boldhound8Lisa Jones5ABrandon Castillo4Donna Sullivan7darkstag8Eric TurnerJohn Perez13 …
Jerry Booth63 Jerry Booth63 Newcomer
5 messages
joined Nov 2008
#641 ·
http://www.bljesak.info/content/view/25344/155/
They’re absolutely steamrolling everything in their path. Let's go, Cleveland! 👍
Sean Wright5 Sean Wright5 Member
29 messages
joined Jan 2009
#642 ·
NFL fans turned out in impressive numbers today for the Winter Cup, traveling to support their club. Their energy was top-notch, providing a massive boost to the boys in white. Sadly, the squad couldn't quite capitalize on that momentum, ultimately dropping the match to the tournament hosts from the Adriatic Sea region.
A small group within the NFL fans (about 24 individuals) were detained by the Police Department following the game, a direct result of sheer arrogance and excessive drinking.

It is worth noting, rather surprisingly, that the Cleveland fans were nowhere to be found during the first day of the tournament when the club suffered a loss against a second-division local sports team.
Carol Lewis Carol Lewis Active Member
222 messages
joined Oct 2008
#643 ·
Terry Lee3 said:R. I. P. Luis Šokota 1975-2009
01.29.2009.

There’s going to be a spot under the cliffs in San Francisco that stays empty forever now... It’s just so hard to wrap my head around the fact that we lost our dear friend and fellow member, Luis Šokota, when he was only 34 years old... such a tragic way to go... We are all going to carry his memory with us through the good times and the bad, because honestly, he was just one of us... May you find peace in this American soil...

Cleveland fans

May the American earth rest lightly upon you...😢

Auuuuu, a familiar face 😢😢

Rest in peace 😢
cosmicgardener9 cosmicgardener9 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Jan 2008
#644 ·
Looks like the Horde isn't showing up for the rematch, boys—did they get cold feet or what? Honestly, it’d be a pretty classy move if they actually gave you guys a shot at redemption on 11/2.
Terry Lee3 Terry Lee3 Member
21 messages
joined Jun 2007
#645 ·
cosmicgardener9 said:Looks like the Horde isn't showing up for the rematch. Did they get cold feet or what? It’d be pretty classy if they actually gave you guys a shot at redemption on 11/2.

You talking about that throwing competition?
Who said they weren't coming? 😢
Terry Lee3 Terry Lee3 Member
21 messages
joined Jun 2007
#646 ·
Under the Microscope: Cheers!
03.02.2009.

I have to admit, Tomislav Klauški—who, for the record, I actually think has some real journalistic talent—totally beat me to the punch with his piece, "Gods and Bulls." It’s about time someone had the guts to call out the blatant, shameless drinking going on in the Verizon suites throughout the entire World Men's Handball Championship.

It all came to a head during the championship finals, and the main culprits were none other than top officials from the Government of the United States—the exact same people trying to ram that "Fan Law" through Congress on an emergency basis. Honestly, I wouldn't mind if those folks just sat down and enjoyed a nice glass of wine; we all know there's a massive difference between having a drink and being total degenerates. Still, I think the rest of the public—or the "fans," if you want to use the term that basically treats regular Americans like second-class citizens—would also love to toast to the incredible moves made by our handball players. To be fair, it doesn't even matter if it's red or white wine; a cold beer would do just fine too. After all, the big breweries are the ones actually footing the bill for our athletes.

Look, we all know how this goes. Laws are never actually applied equally to everyone, regardless of what that fancy document they call the Constitution of the United States says. It’s a joke. Now, security cameras have caught people cutting corners in the VIP suites at the Arenas, but let's be real—those same cameras could easily catch the exact same thing happening at Yankee Stadium, San Francisco, or even over at Unešić whenever officials and managers decide to play fast and loose with the rules.

They don't have to worry about some guy stumbling in and spilling his drink all over them. And honestly, they definitely don't need to stress about getting tackled with that classic "hands behind the back" move, only to accidentally crack their skull against the door of a police cruiser. Seriously, they really don't have anything to worry about.

Now that I’ve actually caught a glimpse of the World Men's Handball Championship, I’m weirdly relieved I only saw one match. Honestly, if I’d somehow managed to snag a ticket to the finals, I probably would’ve just tossed it in the trash. While the handball itself was top-tier, the atmosphere was an absolute train wreck. Everyone else seems thrilled and keeps raving about how great the crowd was, but personally, I’ve never experienced anything worse. I’m sure there were plenty of other fans feeling the exact same way. It was enough to make me realize exactly where this whole scene is headed.

The new arena is sleek, modern, and functional—everything from the locker rooms and restrooms to the hassle-free parking is top-notch. But honestly? It’s completely devoid of any actual fan spirit. If you grab a snack or a drink inside, don't even think about bringing it to your seat. I guess they're terrified someone might actually spill a little something on the floor. While the crowds shuffling toward this massive building looked more like a damn carnival parade than a group of die-hard fans, the cheering felt totally hollow. Everything was pre-packaged and micromanaged by some hack of a host. To make the whole parody even worse, the D.J. kept blasting these studio-recorded jingles that nobody ever actually chants in the stands. Then the host starts in with that tired old "Run people, run! The drunks are coming!" line, and right after the French team scores, he cranks up the "Warsaw, Warsaw!" chant. Run where? Who exactly is "the crew" he's talking about? And why on earth would you try to exploit the name of a city like Warsaw just to artificially pump up the energy while we're losing to the French? If it wasn't so ridiculous, it would be tragic. As for those other "hype" songs—stuff like "Garavušto," "Blue Shirt," or that absolute bottom-of-the-barrel "Dalmacijo"—it was just pathetic.

So, the World Men's Handball Championship is finally over. Now we’re left with a bunch of massive arenas, contractors who already cleared their checks, and the rest of us stuck holding the bill. It really makes you wonder what happens to these venues now. What kind of sports are actually going to pull 15,000 people into these seats, and how much more money are they going to drain from the community? I guess it’s not impossible to break even, but honestly, we’ll just have to wait and see how badly we get burned.

If these things end up being a total money pit, the smart people in charge really ought to take it as a lesson. We need to stop even entertaining the idea of building massive football stadiums and finally start funneling that cash into hospitals, schools, and smaller community sports facilities. It shouldn't just be about dumping money into whatever looks flashy on TV; we actually need to care about the less profitable parts of life too.
Kimberly Alvarez7 Kimberly Alvarez7 Member
27 messages
joined Dec 2008
#647 ·
👍 regarding the text, if I had a ticket, I definitely would've trashed it without a second thought. I simply couldn't handle being inside or even near the arena..
rustypanther rustypanther Newcomer
5 messages
joined Dec 2008
#648 ·
Andrew White32 said:👍 regarding the article—honestly, if I’d had a ticket, I probably would have drowned it without a second thought. The atmosphere in and around the arena would have been just too much to handle..

I suppose it's because you're such a hardcore hooligan, an ultra, a die-hard fan, a true supporter—whereas those guys in the checkered jerseys are somehow a lower class, a different breed, or just a bunch of unrefined peasants, right?🤮

I am completely fed up with these fan stereotypes... when you listen to one person, it feels like you're listening to all 20,000 of them—though I think that was a crowd size mentioned once or twice!
there isn't a single person on this forum who considers themselves a "bigger" fan and wouldn't repeat this exact same sentence like a parrot!
Terry Lee3 Terry Lee3 Member
21 messages
joined Jun 2007
#649 ·
Dr. Ivo vs. Michael Phelps
03.02.2009.

Just a little something to distract you all while we're coming down from that handball euphoria, waiting on paychecks, or wondering if the league is even going to continue. Who’s actually stronger here? Let’s call this a head-to-head showdown between Dr. Ivo and Michael Phelps. Think of it like some weird matchup in an American sports league. Picture this: both Dr. Ivo and Michael Phelps have photos leaked in the media showing them breaking the law. One’s sipping wine at a sporting event, while the other’s caught smoking a little weed. Under the laws in Dr. Ivo's neck of the woods, Article 4 states:

The following is considered unlawful conduct under this Act:

– The possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages (excluding non-alcoholic beer) or controlled substances, as well as the possession of pyrotechnics, weapons, or any other items capable of causing injury or inciting riots and violence by individuals attending sporting events, during the period starting two hours before the start until two hours after the conclusion of the event, and while using public transportation from the moment of departure for the venue until arrival at the sporting facility.

Meanwhile, in South Carolina, County Sheriff Leon Lott is hunting down Michael Phelps, and according to reports:
"This case isn't any different from the others. In fact, this one might be much simpler given there's an authentic photo and a de facto confession from the suspect. This case will become incredibly easy to process once we pin down exactly where the violation took place."

Under current law, Dr. Ivo is looking at a fine, and if he’s a repeat offender, he might get banned from stadiums or forced to check in with the Police Department whenever the American national handball team plays—and honestly, nothing is bigger than God, as the old song goes.
But Dr. Ivo's buddies are saying otherwise, and news outlets are reporting:
"There’s really no difference, but I can’t recall a single instance where a hooligan was punished solely based on a newspaper photo for drinking alcohol," says Krunoslav Borovec, a spokesperson for the Police Department. "It only counts if they’re caught red-handed."

True enough. Is it just hard to get into those VIP suites you guys hang out in?

So, who wins this one? Who comes out on top without getting busted?

Any resemblance to actual persons is purely coincidental and unintentional; the author accepts no responsibility for any potential damages. Thanks.

http://www.clevelandfans.com/report.php?id=427

😁
Alex Phillips74 Alex Phillips74 Newcomer
2 messages
joined Feb 2009
#650 ·
Politicians are the lowest form of life on this planet. If we actually started listing all the ways they enjoy special privileges while living off the people who FUND them and VOTE for them, we’d have an entire thread dedicated to it and still crash the server. That’s why I’m done. I’ll never show up to vote again—not for President, not even for my own HOA board. Instead, I'm going to screw them over on my taxes as much as legally possible, and then maybe I'll give them a little extra hell just for dessert.

p.s. And these so-called "Americans" are just arrogant jerks too... honestly, they're the absolute worst of the worst!
Kimberly Alvarez7 Kimberly Alvarez7 Member
27 messages
joined Dec 2008
#651 ·
Alex Phillips74 said:vote for the HOA president and then I'm going to screw them over on taxes as much as possible, and they can just take it.

🤣 😂
Terry Lee3 Terry Lee3 Member
21 messages
joined Jun 2007
#652 ·
Alex Phillips74 said:so I'm done. No more voting for anything, whether it's a local election or just picking the head of my HOA

At the end of the day, you're stuck with the same old mess, or maybe something even worse... personally, I’ll just always vote for whoever's the lesser of two evils...😁
Kimberly Alvarez7 Kimberly Alvarez7 Member
27 messages
joined Dec 2008
#653 ·
rustypanther said:Because you think you're some big-shot hooligan or hardcore supporter, while everyone else in those red, white, and blue jerseys is just second-class citizens—low-life peasants.🤮

I don't recall ever saying any of that. Simple as that. I go to the games when I can. I guess that makes me a fan, not just some bystander. 🤷

I wouldn't want to sit through a single one of those commercials featuring Americans. I couldn't stand watching all those useless executives who sold out the fans just for a ticket. And I definitely couldn't endure seeing a silent crowd when the handball team is struggling and needs the loudest support from the stands. Everyone sits there like cowards because they're too embarrassed to raise their voices and cheer. They don't know any words besides... nothing. Just that one word. And similar stuff.
Kimberly Alvarez7 Kimberly Alvarez7 Member
27 messages
joined Dec 2008
#654 ·
I agree with that hero team. Pick the lesser of two evils, I guess. But as time goes on, you realize it’s all just more of the same bullshit. It sucks..😵😵

But at least we have Seattle Sounders FC. All those worries just fade away when there's nothing but wins and good times 😁😵🙂🙂🙂 😬:klap:
Terry Lee3 Terry Lee3 Member
21 messages
joined Jun 2007
#655 ·
Andrew White32 said:but hey, at least we have Seattle Sounders FC to deal with—it’s all just pure joy and wins over there, no worries at all 😁😵🙂🙂🙂 😬:klap:

😁
rustypanther rustypanther Newcomer
5 messages
joined Dec 2008
#656 ·
Andrew White32 said:I’m not sure I follow any of that—I don't really see myself in those descriptions. To put it simply, I show up to the games whenever I can. If that doesn't make me a real fan, then I guess I'm just some guy drifting through the stands. 🤷

I honestly don't think I could stomach watching all those commercials featuring Americans. And I definitely wouldn't have the patience to sit through seeing those out-of-touch executives who sold us out for a ticket price like that. It’s infuriating. You look at the field when the handball players are struggling—when they actually need the crowd to step up and show some backbone—and everyone is just sitting there, silent and useless. Why? Because they're too embarrassed to raise their voices or actually cheer? Because they can't seem to shout anything meaningful besides... well, you know. Just the same old nothingness.

Honestly, I’ve been over all of this for a long time now—it just doesn't sit right with me anymore. But since you brought it up, can we talk about how many people in the top-tier supporter groups act like complete cowards the moment things get real? They talk a big game until it’s actually time to show up. And don't even get me started on the ones who would sell their own soul for a ticket, only to end up watching the match from some dive bar while they're getting paid to be there... it's pathetic.
Is that actually what being a fan is all about?
That’s exactly where we run into trouble—the fans have started acting like they aren't even supporters anymore. There’s no pride left in it. Instead, everyone is busy pointing fingers at anyone else who doesn't fit their specific mold. It feels like there's just so much posturing and empty rhetoric in the supporter scene lately—all that nonsense about how "ten quality fans are better than a hundred hooligans." Honestly? It’s just a hollow talking point.
Let’s be real for a second—what are we actually looking at when it comes to the World Cup? Handball? This isn't meant for the fans—so there’s really no reason for any fan to be getting worked up about it.
Kimberly Alvarez7 Kimberly Alvarez7 Member
27 messages
joined Dec 2008
#657 ·
Sure, there’s plenty of variety here. But when it comes to the core group, I have one word: respect. If someone from the inner circle isn't in the stands for certain reasons, I don't care. I know they give everything for the group; they love the club and the city, and they aren't just putting on an act. To be honest, I'm not out there screaming my head off every single time either.
What I wrote, I wrote for... Mine. The first teams vary from group to group, rather than the rest. I don't care to get into how things look elsewhere.

I doubt anyone from that first group would have even stepped up if this were a World Cup final at MetLife Stadium. Of course, that assumes fans actually had a fair shot at buying tickets and that the stands weren't just filled with corporate sponsors instead of actual fans.

rustypanther said:That’s exactly where the issue lies. The fans have lost their pride and stopped acting like true supporters, yet they’re quick to judge anyone else who does the same. It’s all just empty rhetoric and clichés—people claiming "ten quality fans are better than a hundred hooligans," but it's nothing but nonsense.

I partially agree, but how exactly? Ten real fans are worth more than a hundred posers; that’s just pathetic. By that logic, nobody would even show up to the stands, let alone away games. It’s easy to act like a tough guy in a group, but we aren't living in some old-school era where being a rebel was everything. Those days are over. Some people are way too obsessed with posturing and violence. It’s toxic for the fans themselves, especially the younger generation who are losing their way. I get the feeling some of them don't even know if they're there for the club and the city, or just to cause trouble and play tough for an audience.

rustypanther said:Let's be real about the World Cup. Handball. It isn't for the fans, and there's no reason for any fans to be confused.

And who exactly is the ice for? I don't follow what you're trying to say. 🤷
rustypanther rustypanther Newcomer
5 messages
joined Dec 2008
#658 ·
I think you’ve grasped my main point, except for that last bit which seems to be flying right over your head...
No, the handball World Cup isn't really built for the hardcore fans—certainly not the soccer kind.
The handball World Cup is more of a circus, honestly. It’s a setup where there isn't much room for, let's call them "ultras." Instead, the crowd is mostly made up of families. You see this not just at the World Cup, but even in the German Bundesliga—which is basically the epicenter of handball—where arenas stay packed for domestic league games. But are there any actual die-hard supporters following a specific handball club? Not really. What you *do* see, though, are the soccer fans showing up.

On another note, tell me why the handball World Cup should be considered "for the fans" rather than just a bunch of casuals? We all know the deal—nobody follows this national team during qualifiers or friendlies once they leave the States.
It’s a different story with the soccer national team. When they travel for qualifiers, you usually see people who are actually members of organized supporter groups. And yet, those people constantly get sidelined by the system. Take the Euro, for example—you see these random types, these "Taric Filipović" characters, grabbing tickets they haven't earned, simply because they aren't the ones who are going to show up to support the team in a place like Belarus or Kazakhstan tomorrow.
And then, at the Euros, you still have these "high-quality citizens" from all walks of life showing up in places like Vienna or Klagenfurt just to flip tickets for profit. It's honestly pathetic.🤮
Kimberly Alvarez7 Kimberly Alvarez7 Member
27 messages
joined Dec 2008
#659 ·
😕 🤷

I don't get your point. Are you saying tickets are too hard to find, or are you just against fans and ultras showing up for handball and other sports?
Edward Hernandez332 Edward Hernandez332 Active Member
76 messages
joined Oct 2006
#660 ·
Andrew White32 said:😕 🤷

I honestly can't tell what you're driving at here—are you complaining about how hard it is to snag a ticket, or are you just against the idea of hardcore fans—or "ultras," if you want to get technical—showing up to handball matches and other sports?

The truth is, those die-hard crews only show up when the team is actually winning—it’s a simple fact that a massive crowd of casual fair-weather fans—what we'd call "tourists" in the supporter scene—just floods the west stands whenever San Francisco is actually performing well.

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