A lack of focus, desire, and support scuttle the Croatian handball team.
Photo by AFP
The game opened up with an exchange of handshakes during the player announcements. Red, Blue, and White stripes covered the lower section of the Belgrade stadium. As the camera panned further into the stands, a small group of checkers was able to be seen in the upper level. The Croatian anthem started while a sea of jeers, whistles, and boos filled the stadium while the small amount of Croatian fans tried to make themselves heard over the sea of Serbian supporters. Once the ever so eloquent mob quieted, the game took off.
Things looked promising for the Hrvati as they drew a penalty and went a man up within the first 15 seconds, as Cupic was able to convert again from the penalty spot. The Serbian team was not phased by the quick Croatian attack, and they stayed neck and neck with a man down. The teams exchanged their share of the lead in the first half, but the Hrvati were able to control it for the most part. Even with the control of the lead, and a boatload of chances, Croatia were never able to gain more than a 2 goal advantage. A lackluster defensive effort from Duvnjak stifled the Croatian effort to grow the lead. The lack of defense provided Alilovic with double duty, and with the amount of goals going in, Alilovic’s confidence began to dwindle . The Hrvati were up by one going into the tunnel at halftime, but you could sense that this Serbian team was still not firing on all cylinders.
Photo by EPA
Croatia’s small problems in the 1st half were magnified by the Serbs in the 2nd. Things started off normal, as the Balic, Lackovic, and Kopljar were able to string some beautiful passes together to get the ball in the back of the net. 10 minutes in Croatia’s one dimensional offense began to slowly come apart. With no production from the wings, missed opportunities, offensive penalties, and a revived Serbian goalkeeper Croatia let the lead go and was never able to get it back. Coaching on a prayer and down by 3, a desperate Goluza made a terrible decision by subbing out Alilovic for Croatia’s 2nd string goalkeeper. With what seemed like a wide open net now to the Serbs, the Croatian goal started getting pummeled. On the other side of the court, Serbia’s goalkeeper Darko Stanic turned into a force field. Blocking a total of 11 shots during the match, the Hrvati were helpless. With no goals going into the back of the net and a constant barrage from the Serbian front men, you could see the Croatian side slowly giving into their fate.
With half of the match left, mistakes and goals were piling up. Balic, Lackovic, and Kopljar provided some brilliant goals to get their team to a one goal deficit, but it was never enough as the Serbs provided an answer every time they drove down the court. With just under 5 minutes left, Croatia were able to turn a few quick turnovers into scores, but the 5 goal lead as already too much to come back from. When the final whistle blew, the stadium erupted as the Serbians dominated the Croatians 26-22. As players shook hands at the end, Alilovic embraced his rival goalkeeper Darko Stanic. Stanic ended up receiving man of the match honors shortly after, as he was the extra kick the Serbs needed to get past a strong Croatian side.
Photo by EPA
With Hrvatska going down to the Serbians in 2 of our 3 strongest sports, many Croatian fans are hoping that we’ll be able to right our wrongs with victories against Serbia in World Cup qualifying. As we’ve seen in other sports, Croatia’s lack of a strong coach, role players, and a consistent focus throughout a match is what crushed their chances of a victory. Hopefully Croatia will be able to fix their problems in all 3 sports in the upcoming year, and hopefully the Serbian fans will learn a touch of class.
tough to be wrong, when i’m correct.
to each his own.
@Ziva Istina
Oh NO sir you were DEAD WRONG!
Don’t know if it was you or someone else, but I said population is not the determing factor is a country’s success in soccer. It goes way beyond the population numbers.
I’m not correcting anything and thanks for showing i was correct.
@ziva
You said population has nothing to do with it.
I was trying to get across that it certainly does, along with other factors, like passion for the game, and all that other shit. But you said none whatsover.
so now your trying to correct yourself, and grub off the point i was making. Not once did i say its the only factor.
so in actual fact you proved me right.
actually Harrison, you made my point for me……i said its more than population. Multiple factors.
Thanks for proving me correct.
I think you guys are all arguing the same point. Population in combination with other factors, (mostly interest) combine to make a great soccer nation.
India could have a billion people but they are likely to never find 11 good players. This is due to lack of interest, bizarre social conventions and poor infrastructure.
@ziva budalistina
China: Not a soccer nation, dominate most other sports.
India: Not interested in soccer, love their cricket, dominate cricket, world cricket champs.
United states: Soccer clueless, most hate the sport, 5th sport of choice, American football king, baseball love, basketball 1st in world, successfull in most other sports, do well in the olympics.
Indonesia: Like their soccer, but no history in the sport.
Brazil: enough said, kings of the round ball game because they have passion for the sport.
Pakistan/bangledesh: Not soccer nations, Love their cricket, play cricket well.
Nigeria: big nation big on soccer, but poor as hell, still hold their own in the sport, sleeping giants.
Russia: Soccer nation, ranked 9th in the world, big league, only getting better with the right infrastructure, ready to make their mark on the euro cup, already with success in past with the soviet union.
japan: More into soccer in modern times, but already not to be taken lightly, can only see improvment from this nation.
Mexico: soccer mad, great talent, but lack of funding in the sport, still quite good, sleeping giant, consistantly progress to next phase in world cups.
If you thought that was going to get your point across you failed ziva.
anybody read this?
http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/20205/50/
serbian player might lose sight in his eye from getting a dart throw in his eye post-match in belgrade that was intended for balic?? sickening.
those are all portions of a conversation based on specific comments or questions posed…..
population size is not the main determining factor in a nation’s success. There are a bunch of factors. For you guys that think population is the main factor, here you go:
here are the top 20 countries in population:
1 China
2 India
3 United States
4 Indonesia
5 Brazil
6 Pakistan
7 Bangladesh
8 Nigeria
9 Russia
10 Japan
11 Mexico
12 Philippines
13 Ethiopia
14 Vietnam
15 Egypt
16 Germany
17 Turkey
18 Iran
19 Congo
20 Thailand
And here is the current Fifa rankings (for what they are worth):
1 Spain
2 Netherlands
3 Germany
4 Uruguay
5 England
6 Brazil
7 Portugal
8 Croatia
9 Italy
10 Argentina
11 Denmark
12 Chile
13 Russia
14 Greece
15 France
16 Switzerland
17 Sweden
18 Côte d’Ivoire
19 Bosnia-Herzegovina
19 Japan
Of the top 10 in population, only one nation is considered a top-tier soccer nation and a few others that are competiitve.
@Ziva
“population size has nothing to do with success on the field. Apples and oranges. ”
or
“Listen, population size does have something to do it with along with supporting factors. Coaching and development, infrastructure, money, history/passion.”
I’ll let you correct yourself on this one. Which one is it as both of your posts contradict each other.
“the discussion is about soccer, not other sports……..Chinas medal count at the 2008 games means nothing to this discussion.”
As it is, though you claim population has no effect when it comes to soccer. In which is a general sport, population has a very large impact; example look at the Soviet Union compared to Russia today, larger the population the more chances for more results.
@Hulkster………all too true. The developmental system is flawed in the US. If you look at the best soccer and basketball players in the world they are mostly from poor or middle income families. Right now soccer in the US only reaches kids whose parents can afford the high costs of club soccer/academies. This needs to be corrected for the US to enjoy international success.
Danijel Subasic signed for Monaco.
Additionally, there is a boy on my 5/6 year old team who is light years ahead of every other child in the league.
He runs at pace with the ball close to his feet, is eager to win the ball, changes direction well and shoots well with both feet.
Last week he scored on a volley (ball 12″ off the ground) with his weaker left foot from about 6 yards out.
The shame of it is, he will probably not be developed because of the cost parents must incur in American soccer.
@Ziva:
That story was just the tip of the iceberg. I “coach” a 4/5 year old and a 5/6 year old coed teams during winter at a local indoor facility.
The 4/5 year old is half training/half game run by a licensed trainer and a referee as well as 2 coaches that merely assist with shoelaces, substitutions etc.
Just last night, the other “coach” started correcting players on my team. I politely asked him to bring any issues regarding my players to me, the trainer or the referee. He immediately through up his obese arms and started saying “come on” over and over again and then said “he was going to report me”.
I tried to explain that the children needed minimal influence from us and that the trainer & referee had everything under control.
This same 300lb Lawrence Eagleberger lookalike has lectured me on the various coaching strategies he has learned from whatever book he read.
Listen, population size does have something to do it with along with supporting factors. Coaching and development, infrastructure, money, history/passion. You need to have all of the parts to generate players year after year.
The coaching and player development at the US level is way behind the rest of the world. I laughed when I read your comment about a coach trying to assign positions to 4 year old girls. That is typical with american coaching and that is a shame.
Kids shouldn’t be given any tactical nonsense until at least the age of 10. Let them play and see who has talent. Work on individual skills.
^^^ This is how I feel sometimes when reading posts. You guys are awesome.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2rzAaJRLaM&feature=related
@Ziva:
I was shocked that you were finally reluctantly agreeing that population size does influence a countries sporting performances (” Sure as long as it is organized….”). Then you reverse with your “Dragi” statement.
I am a fan of statistics. Check out Soccernomics, it provides tons of useful statistics and mentions Croatia frequently as a statistical anomaly.
I agree that many other factors affect youth development of any kind, but without children all those things are irrelevant.
IMHO good players can be manufactured with good training, nutrition,parenting and coaching, but World Class players come from a small segment of the population. They possess an extra element that is so hard to put into words.
For soccer, I watch how a player runs with the ball at their feet and their off the ball positioning. Modric, Prosinecki and Cruyff come to mind.
I am currently putting two children through American youth soccer programs, and I am not surprised that America does not consistently produce talent.
Many fellow coaches are overweight pear shaped NFL jersey wearing slobs that yell incessant nonsense at 4 and 5 year olds. The whole experience is far from organic. My assistant coach last year insisted that I assign positions to 4 year old girls. He was indignant when I tried to explain why that was not necessary or beneficial.
Look at this, we have two little boys who want to come at me because they are pissed because I just negated their arguments….all good.
Remember, I don’t make myself important. You guys do that for me. Don’t make this about Ziva Istina, because I am sure you can do better than that.
Dragi, infrastructure, dollars and organization have more to do with success in sports than the size of a country.
Toe to toe with a BBB…..what the hell is this? Are you rally calling me out on an internet board with a fake name attached to it. Trust me buddy, for you to take me out would take one tough SOB. But, all the best in your efforts.
What pussy attitude for our handball team???? They lost in the semis to a decent side that had an entire arena behind them. No shame in any of that. And do us a favor, don’t comment on a sport or sporting event when you did not watch it. I don’t comment on cricket because I don’t care for it.
And as for you croatian family tree…….is that the same tree that my neighbors dog takes a shit and piss on???? Just checking.
@Toronto Croatia
Well said man. This fool ziva has nothing better to do with his life, so he tries to make himself feel important by putting fellow croatians down.
No class, i never like his tone, but you gotta come to the realization some people are just jackass’s, and thats what ziva is, the local cs.com’s jackass.
@ Ziva Istina…do you need a hug or something?
Calling me an idiot and a moron…you’re such a mean little fella…but you’re gonna have to step your game up if you want to go toe to toe with a BBB.
I dont know who you THINK you’re talking too, but I promise that I can make you irrelevant very quickly.
Mihovil makes a good point. This site is about ‘uniting’ Croatians and you seem to attempt to do the opposite.
Regarding the game…no, I didn’t watch it, but wasn’t that the whole point of this website posting a synopsis of what took place?
And no, I’m not impressed with a Croatian team that supposedly had a great shot at winning this tournament….losing to Serbia.
In your cute opinion…they simply lost to a better team. Awww, well isn’t that sweet……but winners aren’t born……they are made.
I personally don’t give a shit about handball but the National Team better not go in with a pussy attitude like yours during World Cup Qualifying against Serbia.
As Ante Kvartuc put it correctly…“it’s a forever rivalry, transcending even sports. It is what it is….”
Ziva Istina, although you and I may both be Croatian, I can assure you that we are not cut from the same cloth.
My Croatian family tree won wars…and your tree probably wishes your branch was snipped off.
@hulkster
@Black zodiac
You guys are dead right, anyone who knows anything about sports knows the size of the population of a country is always going to be a big difference in winning and success.
@ziva istina
Come on man are you serious? size of populace has nothing to do with how successful you are in sports.
Larger population wider options and talent pool to choose from. Any dummy knows that. Sure it helps if the country has the right develepment programs and if the country is into the sport.
Uruguay is a soccer mad nation, china is not. But like the black zodiac said china is a monster in most other sports.
Compare uruguays olympic record with them smartass.
All the best soccer national teams in the world have a healthy population. eg; spain,germany,brazil,italy,france.
How many small nations have won the world cup? just the one, uruguay, and how long ago was that? the 30’s and 50’s.
While the bigger nations consistenty make to the big dance and make an impact. Because the have lots of stock to replenish their squads.
While smaller nations continuely get left behind and its not through lack of ambition and drive, sure they may get lucky where everything aligns and produce a golden generation, but usually they have to make do with what they got.
They dont get the luxury of having 3 million ready made soccer atheltes to choose from. They may not even have that many people in their land.
Use a little commonsense pal, before you offer your opinion.
the discussion is about soccer, not other sports……..Chinas medal count at the 2008 games means nothing to this discussion.
@ ziva look at china in the Olympics, period.
As I myself competed for my own amusement back in elementary school and high school track events for high jump, long jump 100m or relay; I can say we were all put in separate divisions based on population of the school. A lot of the smaller schools could not get past the first stages of qualifying for ofsaa and their athletes were jokes.
Sure, as long is its organized and they have proper coaching. Look at China…..nothing
Look at Uruguay on the other end.
@Ziva:
The larger the population, the greater the number of children playing any given sport. There is direct statistical evidence to support this. This is not the only factor, but it is a large factor.
@Ziva Istina
“I doubt people are going to stop coming to a website because I called an idiot an idiot. People will stop coming if or when there is not much content on this website. That’s what happens with most websites.”
I know people that have joined and left already but I did not want to say anything.
fair enough…….
I doubt people are going to stop coming to a website because I called an idiot an idiot. People will stop coming if or when there is not much content on this website. That’s what happens with most websites.
@Ziva Istina
“@Mihovil…..touch a nerve, did I???? Go read that idiot’s post. He wants to discuss something he was not watched or witnessed, that to me is a prva liga budalestina. Using generic terms like our guys did not want it and need a fire lit up their asses. What kind of nonsense commentary is that????”
Touch a nerve? To be honest I am indifferent.
However, I still say that it is not needed on the site and it is classless and rude. My opinion on that matter will not change.
People will eventually leave the site because of it and it does not help your cause any. You do what you want to do because you are going to do that anyway. I just do not agree. Nothing more nothing less.
population size has nothing to do with success on the field. Apples and oranges.
I”ll take Brazil in every WC and you can take the field in every WC.
@Mihovil…..touch a nerve, did I???? Go read that idiot’s post. He wants to discuss something he was not watched or witnessed, that to me is a prva liga budalestina. Using generic terms like our guys did not want it and need a fire lit up their asses. What kind of nonsense commentary is that????
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30rSHY9aFBI
@Ziva Istina
“@Toronto Croatia……..you are an idiot.”
Very classy comments from you once again. Please refrain from calling people names. This is the upteenth time I have had to read you calling someone an idiot or a moron. Say what you have to say but please abstain from the name calling as there is no class in it. If this was a one time thing I would not bring it up at all but it happens on a constant basis.
I know we all get emotional on here but come on now!
If I am out of line on this subject matter I apologize but I just don’t see the need for it and I don’t see that you need to resort to that for effectiveness. Besides it is quite rude on so many levels. Members will eventually stop posting because they are being called names and being belittled.
My two cents.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIDjobAJMco&feature=related
By overrated I mean that Brazilians claim they play beautiful tiki taka style, when in reality they play dirty and constantly mob the referees when decision doesn’t go there way.
I don’t dispute that they produce some of the greatest talent in world, but they should given their population and passion for soccer.
The last two Brazil NT games I watched were
1. The friendly against Mexico in which they did exactly as I describe.
2. The U-17 against the US in Florida. They acted like a bunch of little bitches.
Germany,Spain,Netherlands,Croatia, Uruguay are far better in proportion to population size. Just like the US is horrible considering it has a population of over 300 million.
I guess I have never forgiven Leonardo for breaking Tab Ramos’ skull.
@Hulkster…..Brazil overrated??????? On what planet. Last I checked they have won the most World Cups.
@Toronto Croatia……..you are an idiot. Don’t comment on something when you did not watch. And its not simple as lighting a fire under each croatian athlete…..these guys were motivated yesterday, but they simply lost to a better team that featured a hot GK coupled with us missing some easy shots. it happens, that is part of sports.
If you are going to be a guy who thinks we should beat the serbs every time and all it takes it lighting someones ass, then you have no clue about sports.
For all the good comments we get here, we still get morons posting.
I’ll just leave this here
http://i.imgur.com/l7BWC.jpg
@ Matt Lebo: Good coverage, thanks.
@Ante K:
Perhaps Croatia does well in athletic competitions because of high expectations, but I do agree that our expectations can be unrealistic.
Perhaps I am delusional, but I think Brazil is overrated in regards to soccer. They have a population of 200 million who love soccer and they do not dominate countries with far smaller populations. Additionally, IMHO they play dirty and then have their whole team encircle the referee when they don’t get a decision.
@LEbo,
Great Handball post BTW
@ Mihovil,
Bringing some great vids to the table. Love it!
I understand that you can’t win em all…but someone needs to light a fire under the ass of every Croatian athlete……’Don’t ever lose to Serbia!’
I didn’t watch the game because I’m not that interested in handball (perhaps its the North American in me) …but if the Croatian players didn’t go out there and give absolutely everything they had for this game…then ALL of them have lost some of my respect. (Sorry to say)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vGJwQVdeJ0
I would fucking love to go to that game! Hrvatska v Serbia @ Maksimir would be better than any Make-A-Wish foundation request!
CROATIA Fan for life! !
Haters keep hating !!! CROATIA did great here! Go CRO TEAM ! We still the only one from ex Yugo thats playing in world cup!!!!!! What izzz it ! .!,,,Just so you know CRO fans had to be secured by police so they can watch the game ! SERBS want to kill CRO fans damn ! SERBS-get a life and chill the hell back! stop being animals …..its 2012 …the haterrisam is old for real!
Only a couple hundred away from a “good” trip back to Hrvatska. With another year, my savings will make it an “excellent” trip. I’m down to go.
Is there anyway humanly possible that CS.com can arrange a trip to the WC Qualifier game on March 22 2013 with Serbia at Maksimir?
I realize there are a multitude of factors at play here and that people would be coming from all over the place so it would be difficult to set something like this up but I thought I would just throw it out there.
With the connections that the site and some of the people that visit this site have maybe it can be done?
I realize there is a Vegas trip in the works for September 2013 but going to Maksimir to watch that game would be a once in a lifetime opportunity and what would make it even better would be if our group all went to the game.
Just a thought.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1qcae9rdZc
U boj u boj za narod svoj!
@Ante Kvartuc
“it’s a forever rivalry, transcending even sports. It is what it is….”
You’re @#$%^%$ right it is!
As for the jeering during our national anthem…wait till Serbia comes to Maksimir. You think our fans will just sit there and twiddle their thumbs silently? I don’t think so…
it’s a forever rivalry, transcending even sports. It is what it is….
@AllenInnovation
“Well at least hostility can return to the site.”
True enough.
I am not being a sore loser beacue what bothers me is in rukomet we are dominant clubs and country wise. WE CANNOT COMPARE THIS TO NOGOMET our nogomet team is another tory dont have high expectations because we are an average soccer team nothing special. This summer if we lose all three i will not bitch because i have no expectaions from this team hrvatska but i will alway be a fan.
Well at least hostility can return to the site.
Here we go with Croatian fans not being happy unless we take first. That was a tough tough tough game today. We were good all the way until halftime. Came out flat and the crowd starting feeding the Serbs once they started getting momentum….no reason we don’t make the Olympics.
Croatian mentality sucks ass.. I see it on a weekly basis, not only in croatian professional sports, but even with Croatian kids born outside. They don’t get their way on the pitch or go down early and the huffing and puffing begins. All of this is a game. Have fun with it. Do the Brazilians ever bitch at each other??????
there was a point in the second half with 15 mins or so to go that Cro needed to go balls out to catch up. They played a bit too conservative for my liking and the Serb defense didn’t give an inch. No shame in making the semis….
Ajmo Danska!!!
Vamos Rafa!!!
i Crna Gora isto…why not
This was missing today http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ03yKhWfLM
Bice bolje! What to say our run in handball i coming towards end it wa a great 8 years i count 2002-2010 The lino cervar era. we never played as a true team in those years alot of mised chances but i am proud this is apart of life getting old Remember this team to me over achieved in this tournament ill be happy with bronze. But an era of rukomet is over NO guts players boy i miss and thank these players Firt coach Cervar then EL Capitan Petar Metlicic, Sola, Dominikovic, Valcic, Spoljaric, Sulic, Kaleb, Dzomba, Matosevic, Sprem, Zrnic, And the last golden era players still playing Balic,Vori Lackovic, HVALA
Nice article.
“As we’ve seen in other sports, Croatia’s lack of a strong coach, role players, and a consistent focus throughout a match is what crushed their chances of a victory”
This was not applicable against the Turks.
Bring on the Chetniks and bring on an injury free squad for us! – March 22 2013