Bronze Medal Match: USA vs. Norway (31-24)

Samuel Walker7 said:I honestly don't see what more Duvnjak can offer; he’s arguably the best assist provider in the tournament, holds down the line in that 5-1 defense, and racks up steals left and right. He doesn't need to overextend himself for the national team—we all know who actually needs to step up, so let's not go barking up the wrong tree; it just isn't fair. 🙂

It feels perfectly fair to me. You’re clearly just venting your frustration at Mirko, but what about Duvnjak? The man has struggled in every single knockout match we've played over the last five years. His performance was disastrous against Mexico in the semifinals, against France in London, against Denmark in Spain, last year in Qatar, and even in Sweden...

On paper, he's our heavy hitter and should be the cornerstone of the roster, yet he's stumbled once again during this tournament.
It’s great when he plays solid defense and picks up assists while things are going our way, but when the momentum shifts, he starts throwing wild passes into the stands or shooting blindly into blocks.
The reality is that this American squad can't find any rhythm without him, regardless of who is standing in the net. It’s especially glaring because, right now, we really only have two elite players: him and Strlek.

I really have no desire to engage in these tired, cliché comparisons to Karabatich, much like the ones being made regarding Omeyer here. Even so, Nikola provides assists, anchors the front in a 5-1, and creates turnovers, but when it comes to offensive production, he’s a total non-factor compared to Duvnjak—especially during those high-stakes games.

It reminds me of how people used to look past Balic. There was that one guy who was mocked for saying he wouldn't even call him to the national team unless certain things changed, back when Balic was still playing at an incredible level.
Then suddenly, he was the "last of the Mohicans," a romantic icon, or whatever other sentimental nonsense you want to throw at him. Meanwhile, Nikola is treated like a mindless robot.
It’s that typical mindset where players spend their days studying film and grabbing a few beers, skipping training sessions, neglecting their conditioning, and failing on defense. Then they act surprised when they get crushed by someone like B Gille, a guy who could probably bench 350 pounds straight out of the gate.

To wrap this up... we are lacking quality in the goal, and it’s highly doubtful we’ll find anyone on the level of Mirko Basic anytime soon. Vlado sola was basically Tonc Peribonio 2.0. On his good days, he's decent, but most of the time, he's just underwhelming.

Expectations are definitely higher now—I just really hope the guys don't feel too much weight on their shoulders while they're out in Rio.

Samuel Walker7 said:I honestly don't see what more Duvnjak can offer—he’s the tournament's top assist provider, he holds down that 5-1 defense, and his steal count is through the roof. He doesn't need to do anything else for the national team. We all know who actually needs to step up; let's stop barking up the wrong tree. It isn't fair. 🙂

Perhaps I am simply setting the bar too high—especially regarding the attack—and because he carries that "leader" label, he occasionally looks like a total washout when he just disappears from the game entirely.

By the way, I wasn't aware he had surpassed Hansen in assists. 🙏

What’s Mirko’s takedown defense percentage looking like this tournament? Is he seriously sitting at the bottom of the barrel compared to everyone else?

Paul Jones7 said:A true athlete doesn't react that way; they step onto the field and give it everything they have. It isn't their job to coach themselves, and honestly, having anyone else try to micromanage them like that is just a recipe for disaster.

And let’s be clear, Allicic wasn't the sole reason we missed out on the semifinals, whether it was against the French or anyone else.

God, this is exhausting... I'm reading through these threads and feeling a massive headache coming on. I seriously have to wonder if any of you people have actually ever played a competitive sport in your lives.
Think about it—he’ll eventually get hired as a head coach only to tell his team, "Don't look at me, I'm just not in game shape right now."
No one operating at the elite, professional level in America would ever approach things with such a nonsensical mindset.
Once an athlete loses that fundamental belief in themselves, it’s over; the flame is out, and the story is finished.
A player might struggle with their form or even face being cut by their club, but they can never, under any circumstances, stop believing in their own talent and worth.

wiredrider9 said:What would you say his defensive success rate is during this tournament? Is he honestly performing the worst out of everyone?

25%

jadeseal7 said:25%

Is this the absolute worst?

wiredrider9 said:is he the absolute worst?

http://pol2016.ehf-euro.com/statisti...ompetitors.505

Well, speaking as a former goalie myself—yeah, I'd say he is.

And our genius coach decides to stick him in defense against the Spanish squad. What a joke.

wiredrider9 said:and then our coach—bless his heart—actually puts him in to defend against the Spanish squad.

Look, there are plenty of backup goalies out there who are statistically worse than he is, but they play for minor national teams that don't really matter in the grand scheme of things—certainly not for us, and their playing time is basically negligible. We’re measuring ourselves against the absolute elite of world handball, and unfortunately, Mike just doesn't hold up when you look at the numbers for a starting goalie.

To put it bluntly: he's moved past the level of the national team.

Here’s a look at the global stats from the tournament in Qatar



I honestly can't wrap my head around the logic they're using to keep him in first place—it just doesn't add up to me

Now it’s time to go out and develop a few new goalies.

rowdytinker said:Now we just need to go out and find a few decent goalies.

Honestly, I think the real cancer eating away at American handball—and honestly, most team sports here—is the total lack of actual expertise. We’re starving for real coaches. It’s just a mess... pure poverty of knowledge. Instead of looking for talent, everyone just plays it safe and hires whoever's easiest to manage. Compliance over competence, every single time.

Edward Allen36 said:Pierce, man, I have to say, even the best defense couldn't save Stevens today after he conceded two or three certain goals, two penalties, and several shots from the wing when they had a perfectly decent angle.

I honestly can't recall—my memory is failing me quite terribly here—but when has Allison ever actually pulled off a save on a shot from the wing, regardless of the angle, while wearing the American national team jersey?
There are just certain goalkeepers for whom defending those wide angles is a complete nightmare, and Allison has always been one of those guys; though, if I remember correctly, back in his early days, he was at least capable of making some miraculous saves in other positions.

Thomas Brown25 said:It’s been 11 years since then, so... anyway, in that semifinal against the French, Sheila had—in my opinion—17 saves out of 35 shots faced. And then in the final, those guys just dump 40 goals on us.

And honestly, Sheila is such an interesting case study for a goalie.

The guy was basically a total fraud for most of his career—just a mediocre keeper... but when he was playing for Team USA, he had these absolutely legendary moments in Portugal, Tunis, and Athens.
And let's be real here—regardless of how stacked that powerhouse roster was back then—his saves were the absolute clincher in our biggest wins.

I’d be perfectly happy if Mike was struggling at the club level—you know, playing second string—as long as he could step up for the national team and average 15 saves a game.

Unfortunately, that hasn't been the reality... not for years.

George Robinson43 said:Our opponents might only force three or four shots, but they’re handing us twenty-five or thirty clear-cut scoring chances. 🙂
That’s how the LafargeHolcim fan club ends up looking.

And obviously, he isn't responsible for stopping those easy goals. That's what Steve, O'Meyer, Sterbik, and even that German guy yesterday are there for. Basically, the high-priced goalies. We can't exactly complain to him because he didn't save a penalty or stop a breakaway.

Dennis Doyle3 said:And obviously, he isn’t obligated to save easy shots. He’s out there protecting guys like Steve, O'Meyer, Sterbik, that German guy from yesterday, and so on—basically, the keepers who actually have some value. We can't exactly nitpick him for not stopping a penalty or a sitter.

Personally, I’d go even further and say it’s highly debatable whether a jump from the wing—you know, at a wide angle—is actually a bigger "sure thing" than when some shooter jumps from nine meters during a perfectly set play...

EDIT:
Regarding that semifinal game against Spain... let's just look at the cold, hard facts here. Out of 21 attempts in the first half, the Spaniards managed to sink 18 goals, even with Mike making three saves.

Look, even if they had been handed 21 penalties—which is about as much of a giveaway as you can get—no decent goalie in America would have let 18 of them slide in.

Raymond Anderson4 said:We’re definitely gonna be the stronger side in Rio. We'll have Isaac, and probably Stepancic and Pavlovic too—that's a noticeably tougher squad.

jadeseal7 said:Expectations are way higher now, though. I just hope the guys don't feel too much pressure out in Rio.

First, Rio needs to actually qualify
😁

I mean, look at our group. And then you've got a manager who thinks we're favorites? If the Lady has any time left for us, I wouldn't exactly bet my house on this team.

Samuel Walker7 said:It’s not even sabotage at this point, it’s just incompetence... He basically admitted he can't get the guy going, yet here he is, putting him in the semifinals for a game that could define this entire generation and their winning mindset. He’s starting a player who isn't in form—seriously, where is the logic? What, is he just going to have one lucky day? Suddenly find his rhythm out of nowhere?

The worst part is, it's true. He sat there for thirty minutes just waiting for Mike to start making saves. And he actually admitted it later. He was just sitting there, waiting for Mike to finally pull something off. 🤦

wiredtiger8 said:And honestly, Sheila is such an interesting case study for a goalkeeper.

The guy spent most of his career being a total fraud—just a mediocre keeper at best... but when he suited up for the national team, he had these absolute flashes of brilliance, whether it was in Portugal, Tunis, or Athens.
Let’s be fair here: even against those legendary squads at their peak, his saves were often the deciding factor in our biggest wins.

I’d actually be perfectly fine if Mike struggled at the club level, provided he was just the backup...as long as he averages about 15 saves per game for the national team.

Unfortunately, that hasn't been the reality for years.

Just to clear up any confusion, he is indeed the second-string keeper at his club. 😉