Handball World Cup: USA vs. Poland (28-24)

Arthur Martinez7 said:Check out the video where you can see Goluza using his hand to shove Balić at the very end🤣—it’s actually more entertaining than the play itself... first he gives him a little nudge and then goes straight for the shove.🙏

Man, Keta is just too much!🙏 🙏

The absolute legend🙏 🙏

Rachel Gomez81 said:You can't make that claim unless you actually know Ivan personally.

It’s the same story with everything happening right now—nothing is ever just black and white—yet people keep stubbornly denying Gobac's role in the decline of American handball. It's been going on for years like this. It’s much easier to point fingers and say Ivano Balić is pulling the strings from the shadows. But would we be seeing this kind of reaction if that were actually true? Would he be in this specific mental state during this tournament if he were? Meanwhile, let Gobac keep playing his dirty games.

Gobac is a whole different animal. I wouldn't go that far, and I certainly wouldn't claim Balić is "pulling strings." I was simply pointing out his intense, neurotic nature—which, frankly, is almost a rule for anyone exceptionally gifted or creative in any field. So, no, I'd never suggest he's some shadowy mastermind within the federation orchestrating calculated moves.

nimblesurfer17 said:Look, nobody said the whole forum was out here shouting, "Lino, come back, you're better than Goluza—no real expert is ever going to show up as long as Gobac is running the federation, so you're still our best bet..." It was just stated that most people are saying, "Lino, come back." Period... so your response kind of missed the mark..
I honestly think most of us would sign a petition for Goluza to leave, even if Lino doesn't return—we just want a real expert on the bench..
And yeah, I can agree that Lino is a better pick than Goluza, but let's be real, that's not exactly a winning choice either..☕

And what the hell do you actually know about Lino Červar's expertise?...

Ivano. 🙏 🙏

Anthony Perez55 said:What on earth do you actually know about Lino Červar's expertise?

Honestly, with an attitude like that, you might as well just head straight to the trash bin... I won't even bother trying to have a conversation with people who act this way.☕

George Robinson43 said:Keta is just too much 🙏 🙏

The absolute unit 🙏 🙏

car 🙏

That is classic bully behavior, isn't it? Someone who gets knocked down, tries to play the victim to avoid consequences, but then immediately reverts to aggression once they realize their tactics didn't work. It seems like those are the only two modes such a mind can operate in—either sulking or striking back. 🤣

Anthony Perez55 said:Reading this feels like listening to a parrot mimicry. What a joke.
Červar's biggest flaws were his inability to take criticism and how much he flailed his arms by the sidelines. Unbelievable. That’s democracy for you—giving a loudmouth a vote. People like that belong in the gutter.

As if those are actually meaningful traits for a (semi)successful coach, or any kind of relevant criteria.
The fact that he couldn't stomach reporters' critiques.

Everything else you wrote was spot on.

Look, it doesn't really impact his coaching ability, but I'll say it: personally, it rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe others don't care, but to me, it felt slimy when he used award ceremonies just to settle personal scores with journalists. Or how he’d lose his mind whenever someone asked a tough question. He always dove into these pointless arguments...

The absolute worst-case scenario is being forced to work alongside someone who lacks even basic competence. And Goluza is exactly that kind of person.

nimblesurfer17 said:Look, it wasn't really said that most people on the forums are out here shouting, "Lino, come back, you're way better than Goluza, and no real expert is going to step up while Gobac is running the federation, so you're a better bet than him..." It was more like everyone is just saying, "Lino, come back." Period. So, I guess your answer missed the mark a little bit.
I guess most people on here would probably sign a petition right now to have Goluza out, make sure Lino doesn't come back, and just get some actual expert sitting in that coach's seat... maybe.
I mean, I guess I could agree that Lino might be a better pick than Goluza, but honestly... it’s not like we have a ton of great options to choose from here.☕

I guess I'd be totally down to see nimblesurfer17 take over as the new head coach. Maybe. ☕

Whenever I start getting really frustrated with things, I feel like I just want to go to extremes. I guess maybe both Bolton and Vanjuska—even that Swiss guy—would actually prefer having Lino here instead of Keta. If I remember correctly, those guys have always had a bit of a grudge against Linek, too...

I mean, I think your answer is actually pretty off, even though you're acting like you've got it all figured out. You said a whole lot, but honestly? It feels like you didn't really say anything at all.

I guess most people on here would probably sign a petition right now to have Goluza out, make sure Lino doesn't come back, and just find some actual expert to take over the bench... maybe.

I mean, what even is this?
It’s not just Einstein's opinion, really. I think most people—probably like 99% of anyone who actually follows handball—would agree, but that doesn't seem to be happening, or maybe it never will. So, I guess I'll just be the first one to say it: Lino, please come back. 🙂

Anthony Perez55 said:And what the hell do you actually know about Lino Červar's expertise?

Look, you don't need to be some high-level handball guru to see the obvious—the team Lino Červar led had actual structure, unlike this current mess. Back then, they actually played with a cohesive plan—head and tail, simple as that.

Michael Martinez86 said:Gobac is an entire topic on his own. I would never suggest, let alone claim, that Balić "operates from the shadows." I was simply pointing out his intense and neurotic nature. This is quite common—almost a rule, really—among exceptionally gifted and creative individuals in any field. Therefore, I would never characterize him as some shadowy figure pulling strings behind the scenes or acting out of calculation.

I wouldn't go so far as to call Balić neurotic. That is too heavy a word. Balić reacts based on emotion; there is no pretense involved (unlike what we witnessed tonight from Goluza himself), he simply is who he is. It is part of his character: when he is angry, he is angry. When there is an injustice, he feels it, and frankly, how can he smile when everything in him screams otherwise? How can he play his best game under these conditions?
He has restrained himself regarding certain matters for a long time, but this went beyond all reason. I agree that he has a difficult temperament; that much is true. He possesses an inner fire, which is undoubtedly a trait of talented and creative people, I concur. Yet, it is precisely because of him and that specific side of his nature that we have achieved everything we have over the last eight years. Does a man like that truly need someone like Goluza to constantly cater to him?

Vain? No. It is simply difficult to deal with him when you are playing the crooked game that Goluza is currently playing. Ivano is not playing to his own advantage. Just look back at how he used to play with his back to the defense.

shadowgardener10 said:Look, maybe it doesn't matter for his actual coaching ability, but I’ll say it again—it rubbed me the wrong way personally. Some people might not care, but to me, it felt greasy when he used award ceremonies as an excuse to settle personal scores with reporters. Or how he’d just lose his mind if someone asked a tricky question. He kept getting sucked into all these pointless, petty arguments...

When you're constantly in the spotlight like Lino was for years, those damn reporters will suck you dry every single chance they get. It's no surprise he eventually reached his breaking point—he simply couldn't handle the constant pressure anymore.

Michael Martinez86 said:When you're constantly in the spotlight like Lino has been for years, reporters will try to bleed you dry at every single opportunity. It’s hardly surprising then that they eventually got under his skin to an unbearable degree. He simply reached a breaking point with that level of constant pressure.

It isn't a mystery why they get on his nerves, but that seems to be a standard pattern for American public figures across the board—on one hand, they act completely dismissive toward the press, yet on the other, they turn around and beg for coverage when they need it, even calling journalists themselves to offer up exclusives.

Linek and those in similar positions really ought to realize that once you become a public figure—especially in a role subject to such intense scrutiny—handling the media becomes part of the job description. You can't just take offense like a child at every minor critique. Sure, there are malicious reporters and hit pieces out there—so fucking what? You either manage it or you step down; that's just the price of admission for the position.

What would people in England say if the Sun tore them apart in the most humiliating way possible? They’d probably feel like giving up every single day... Buuuu, mean old journalists, buuu 🙂 🙄

Both Lino and Goluza were similar types of players. However, Goluza is nothing more than a complete amateur—the very definition of incompetence. As long as Gobac and his personal agendas are calling the shots, this national team is headed straight for disaster. The only reason we even stayed relevant back in 2003/04 was because of the players, specifically Balić, whom they are all criticizing so relentlessly now. Even if I suspect whose orders those were, I cannot forgive Lino for how they disgracefully cast aside Džomba, Sulić, Špoljarić, Dominiković, and of course, Pero. These men were humiliated just so certain people could profit, effectively destroying an entire generation of talent. How does Gobac have the nerve to put words in Ivan's mouth while Goluza performs exactly as he did tonight? It is precisely because of these actions that this situation hurts even more.

Rachel Gomez81 said:I wouldn't go as far as calling Ivano Balić neurotic—that’s a massive stretch. He just reacts emotionally. It isn't an act (unlike what we saw tonight from Goluža himself), it’s just who he is. When he's pissed, he's pissed. If things aren't fair, he feels that injustice—so what? How is he supposed to just smile through it when everything inside him is screaming the opposite? How can anyone be expected to play their absolute best under these conditions?
He’s held back on certain things for a long time, but this? This was beyond insane. Look, I agree he has a difficult personality—he's got that internal fire, which, let's face it, is usually a trait of truly gifted and creative people. But thanks to that exact temperament, we've achieved everything we have over the last 8 years. Does a guy like that really need someone like Goluža constantly sucking up to him?

Arrogant? No. It’s just hard to deal with him when you're playing the dirty games Goluža is pulling right now. Ivano isn't playing to his own advantage. Just look at how he was playing through that back injury.

I don't think Goluža is playing dirty at all. Honestly, I'd say he's just failing to handle the role he's been given. And I'm not buying the idea that Ivano was some martyr sacrificing himself for "King and Country" by playing through injury. Handball is his job and his life. Who knows where he'd be if it wasn't for the sport and the national team? Let's get real here—when it comes to Goluža and Balić, we're talking about professionals. How many of us drag ourselves to work every single day, grinding away until late afternoon while dealing with chronic back pain or a nasty flu? Let's keep our feet on the ground regarding Goluža and Balić...

I’m not sure if someone has already pointed this out, but it seems to me that Ivano Balić endured this entire game solely to ensure the national team secures an Olympic berth—doing it just so he wouldn't abandon his teammates.

Considering how much Gobac was riding him, along with that little lackey Slavko, I honestly would have packed my bags and headed straight home if I were in his shoes.

So, hats off to Ivan; he truly deserves every bit of respect.

And frankly, I highly doubt he’ll show up for the fifth-place match—he’ll likely just walk away from them entirely.

Ivano is a god.

Adam Williams2 said:I mean, I’d totally be down if Sagi became the new head coach☕

I’d go with Nok☕

Harold Perez said:I am not sure if someone has already mentioned this, but Ivano Balić pushed through this entire game solely to ensure the national team qualifies for the Olympics, just so he wouldn't let his teammates down.

Given how much Gobac was riding him, along with his little assistant Slavko, I would have headed straight home if I were in his shoes.

Because of that, Ivan deserves nothing but respect; hats off to him.

And I highly doubt he will play for fifth place; he will likely just walk away from them.

Ivano is a legend.

Exactly. That is one reason behind Goluža’s outburst. For the hundredth time, he played for that "sacred jersey" he spoke about on the front pages, for his teammates, and ultimately, for us.

He did the same thing when his back was literally failing him and he was in agony. But wait, are we talking about the same Ivano Balić—a decent man, certainly, but perhaps not performing at his peak on the court?

I am unsure if he will ever represent the national team again; we will simply have to wait and see.

Michael Martinez86 said:I don't believe Goluža is playing dirty at all. It’s more accurate to say he simply struggles to adapt to the role he's been given. Similarly, I don't view Ivano Balić playing through an injury as some sort of sacrifice for "King and Country." Handball is his profession and his life. Who knows where he would be without the sport and the national team? We all head to work every day and grind away until late afternoon despite having back pain or a virus. Let's be realistic when discussing Goluža and Ivano Balić...

There is no consensus regarding Goluža. He is a mediocre player.

Believe me, Ivano didn't play with those kinds of back issues just because he had to. Players with minor injuries usually sit on the bench or take a sick day.

And what Ivano was dealing with wasn't just painful back issues that might keep you or me from going to the office. 😉

Anyone know if any sportsbook is actually offering odds on Ivano Balić leaving after the World Cup? I’m curious what the line is... maybe something crazy like 1.03?