Handball is a tricky sport for most of us, especially in the diaspora. In North America, we don’t play it growing up (or ever for that matter), but then again, we love all things Croatian; and Croatia has always been pretty damn good at the sport. So naturally, we follow it, try to learn the game and cheer on our boys when they go deep into tournaments.
Well, that time is now.
Tuesday night in France, Croatia defeated Spain 30-29 in an absolute nail biter. The game went back and forth, staying within one goal for most of the second half, until the Cowboys denied Spain on the last possession of the game to hold onto victory. Marko Mamić (no relation to the tyrant) led all scorers with nine goals and Croatia’s fortitude payed off as they will now play Norway in the second semifinal of the 2017 World Handball Championship Thursday night at 2:45PM (ET). The other semifinal will showcase hosts France versus Slovenia. France will be heavily favored in Paris.
The last minute of the match
@Poglavnik
Yea, basketball players are constantly jumping up and down every day, and icing their knees after every game and practice to “control” the inflammation.
The reality is, the inflammation is there for a reason. It’s working to heal the injured area. By icing it, you’re relieving the pain and swelling, but your body wants you to rest while the inflammation does its thing. I always hate to see people ice their backs and knees or whatever, thinking it’s actually a good thing.
However, these pro basketballers are paid tens of millions to play every single day (so they don’t get a week off to rest the daily wear and tear). Eventually these guys all get knee surgeries, injections, reconstruction, etc. Most of them are fat when their careers are done since they can’t even run on a treadmill anymore. Small price to pay I guess for the crazy money.
I always assumed handball players were basketball player dropouts.
It would be stupid if they were drawing talent away from the basketball pool.
Our pool of 4M people (half of them men) is already too small. It’s hard to dominate in sports with such a small population.
Very much a shocker of a win. Upward an onward.
Basketball courts are hard on the legs.
I can play soccer 2-3 times a week no problem.
One game of basketball and I’m in recovery mode for days.
I could see the appeal of the pool.
Toooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!
@ Ante
It is funny for us Amerikanci as we love Croatia so much that we embrace the corniest of sports.
Actually saw the crew at Falkensteiner resort in Petrčane this past summer getting ready for Rio.
Average height was 2 meters +, all athletic.
Has to be at least 3-4 that would make millions playing Košarke.
Instead they play team handball !
The grassroots coaches get the boys before basketball and hold them down and not allow them to play anything other than handball.
I love that we are good but see it as a waste of talent and a drain on the basketball program.
All good.
I hope they can get through Norway and take care of unfinished business against France.
IDEMOOOOOOOOOO (no pun on my name)
What a great win!!!!