Handball EP - Norway 2008

Adam Collins4 said:You’re just reading what you want to see, not what's actually written.
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That’s a bit of a pretentious statement... even if it does involve John.
If it weren't for him and Metličić,Then we’d actually have something to worry about....

So, you're saying there's no reason to worry about Balić's absence.
That’s how I read the situation. Correct me if I've got that wrong.

Should the national team really pull out if their first perimeter defender goes down?
You said wings didn't matter, yet now you're preaching about interchangeability...

There’s no need to cancel the performance. Where on earth did I write that?
I’m just saying, that medal is going to be nothing short of a miracle.

I stand by my point: it doesn't matter if Džomba and Zrnić are out. It’s all about how much Balićev matters.
Ćupić and Horvat could step in quite effectively. It’s a different story with Duvnjak and Vuković, though—they just don't work as replacements for Balićev.
With the way Duvnjak has been playing this year, he didn't even earn that call-up.

Maybe Balić will actually step up and play.

And even if he does play, what kind of shape will he be in after sitting idle for a month without any championship prep?
I could really do with a miracle here—just hoping he finds that peak form.

We’ve always played them on even ground, regardless of how the roster looked.

Oh, please, don't start talking nonsense now... we only lost to them once, and that was in Canada during the EP when they dealt Peru an injury... what else was there? More gold... man, I really can't stand people who only focus on the negatives...
It’s true that those games against the Canadians were often intense... but that's where Balić would usually step up at the end—or rather, where certain individuals would show their class----

And that’s probably exactly how it’ll go this time too...

To be honest, the goalkeepers are what worry me most... who do we actually have? Alilovic... and Jerkovica??? If they hit their stride, we're even stronger... if not, then God help us... honestly, the solution might be calling Solo... because whenever he's needed, he just shows up... and when he shows up, he definitely delivers!!!

By the way, what was that guy Cupic's name again? I want to look him up on youtube.com

We seem to have forgotten about Vukic... he can play pivot too, and sometimes steps in on the wing...

rapidbison42 said:You wrote this: This is a bit of a pretentious statement... even if it relates to John...
If it weren't for him and Metličić,then we'd actually have something to worry about...

So, you're basically saying we shouldn't sweat the fact that Balić is out.
That's how I read it—so feel free to set me straight if my logic is off.

I never said the performance had to be canceled. Where did I even say that?
I'm just stating that any medal won would be nothing short of a miracle.

Look, I'm sticking to my guns here: losing Džomba and Zrnić isn't nearly as big a deal as losing Balić.
Ćupić and Horvat can step up and cover those spots quite easily—something you definitely can't say about Duvnjak and Vuković stepping in for Balić.
Honestly, with the way Duvnjak has been playing lately—it's been pretty pathetic—he hasn't even earned his spot on the roster.

And even if he does play, what kind of shape is he going to be in after sitting idle for a month without any actual prep for the championship?
God help us if a miracle happens and he actually finds his form.

I was thinking about Balić and Metličić as a pair... we can make up for one of them... though yeah, without Balić, things get much tougher...

I'm with you on Duvnjak, and on the whole issue of trying to find wing depth to replace Balić...

But since Balić is sidelined, it’s better if we have as much coverage as possible at the other positions...

Zrnić is out too...........

Yeah, he's out... what can you do? The pain was just too much for him to play... nothing left to say about it...

now they're gonna have to run with that little punk Horvat

Come on man, you don't have to be so harsh... who knows how he'll actually perform? What if he turns out to be the best right winger we've got? What if the kid absolutely shines during EP???

Anthony Wilson4 said:Come on, stop talking nonsense... we only lost to them once, and that was in Canada during the EP when they injured Peru... what else was there? Gold again... I really can't stand people who only think negatively...
It's true that matches against the Canadians were often tight... but Balić's class—or rather, individual brilliance—always showed up at the end.----
And that’s probably how it will be this time, too.

You're contradicting yourself here.
First you claim I'm talking nonsense when I say games against the Canadians have always been neck-and-neck, and then you write this: "it's true that matches against the Canadians were often tight... but Balić's class—or rather, individual brilliance—always showed up at the end."

So tell me, were the games against John's crew even close or not?

me, personally, am most worried about the goalkeepers... Who do we actually have??? Alilovic... and Jerkovica??? If they step up, we're even stronger... if not, I don't know either... I think the solution would be to call Solo... because whenever he's needed, he simply delivers!!!

And what's the name of that Cupic guy again? Let me look him up on youtube.com

We forgot about Vukic... he can play pivot too... and sometimes plays wing.

😂

You're right. Vukic plays left wing occasionally. 🤣Every now and then.

First, figure out the difference between a pivot (where we're set since we have both Sulić and Vori) and a left back (where we're lacking since Balić is out), and while you're at it, check Ćupić's stats at Asobal since you clearly haven't heard of him.

The goalkeeper situation doesn't even merit a comment.

End of discussion.

What are you even trying to say about the goalkeeper??? Isn't it just obvious???

Alright, I’ll give you that—things got pretty intense there... ...

When we play the Canadians with our full roster, the games are always dead even.

And what does "full roster" even mean to you...??? As far as I can remember, we’ve only had a full lineup once, and back then, we absolutely crushed them...

I honestly can't stand people who only see the glass half empty... and you're definitely one of those types...

Maybe we should just show a little more faith in the Vatren 😉
I mean, they haven't really let us down too much yet, so let's just stay hopeful and pray they don't pull a fast one on us this time around... 🙂

Like I said before, unfortunately, Balic is still nowhere near ready for EP - Norway 2008.

I heard he was already frustrated and in a bad mood right after the first practice session—partly because of those nagging aches and partly because he can't give it his all—but now, after three days, he’s started dealing with some serious stomach pain.

We’re going to have to move forward without Balic.

Nothing much... honestly, they can manage just fine without Balić... I mean, even he has to think about retirement eventually... sure, let him focus on getting ready for ZG09...

Well, looks like we’re heading out without him... though I still have a hunch he might show up... just as a backup if things go sideways...

Actually, maybe his absence isn't such a bad thing after all... It'll be interesting to see how the group holds up when he's not there to carry everything...

Plus, it serves as decent training for ZG09...

Come on, Lino, let's see if you can actually make it from the local high school track all the way to the Olympics...

We’ve got Vjence in goal, and honestly, he’s looking stronger than both Alilović and Jerković. Forget about Šola, the guy is practically ancient at this point. If Balić doesn't make the cut, I'm pulling for Vuković—he's a total powerhouse. I'm telling you, Horvat has been solid for the last two games; he just needs to find his rhythm... I'm also keeping an eye on Ćupić, though I haven't really seen him in action yet.

Where on earth did that goalie come from? What team does he play for? I haven't heard a single thing about him... and honestly, I'm really keeping an eye on Vukic too...

Anthony Wilson4 said:Where is that goalkeeper even from? What team does he play for? I haven't heard a word about him... and honestly, I'm keeping a close eye on Vukic.

Both are playing great in New York. 🤷

Anthony Wilson4 said:Where did that goalie come from? Who does he play for? Never heard of him... and man, I'm really curious about Vukic.

When he mentions "Vjence," he’s talking about Somić. As for Vukic, you definitely know him if you watched the last World Cup. He played then too, and people still remember that weird move where he just sticks his hand out to catch the ball, then raises it in the air like he was just about to shoot.

The legend Vjence is going to pull it off again this year, carrying both Šola and Jerković on his back while juggling a third goalie just to clinch first place in 15 games. Absolute legend.

Wait, isn't Alilović going to be our starting keeper? I mean, he actually held his own and looked solid when he was out there, didn't he? 😕

Alilovic is clearly our starting keeper, but if you ask me, he’s still just too young to carry that kind of weight on his shoulders.

The logic from the last World Cup feels more solid to me: Jerkovic as the starter, with Alilovic coming off the bench. But now we’re left wondering what kind of shape Jerkovic is actually in, and what role Somicev is even playing in all this. Honestly, I get the feeling Cervar is pushing the guys from the local club way too hard—players who, frankly, haven't earned their spots based on how they've played this season. Or at least, some of them haven't.

David Taylor13 said:Won't Alilović be starting in goal? He really stepped up and looked solid lately.😕

Dreaming of being in NYC right now. Honestly, who knows who’ll start—it all depends on how the guys perform on the court.

Alright... so we’ve got three keepers in the mix. That gives us plenty of room to shuffle things around and experiment... I really don't see why they'd need to run any tests there...

But, we still have two legitimate concerns: the right wing and the fullback position... specifically looking at Ivano Balic...

Well, look, we've got Vukic... and then there's that right wing spot... we have...

Anyway, let's just hope for the best...