Ljubomir Vranjes was a magician with the ball in his hands.
He could really beat the crap out of anyone.
And then it didn’t matter if some of the world’s best players – and goalkeepers – were standing in front of him.
On paper, Ljubomir Vranjes may not have had the perfect conditions to become as good as he actually became. He was 166 centimeters tall in a sport that often requires height and physique. But Ljubomir Vranjes refined his skills to perfection, and had a career that became downright iconic.
Incomparable career
Vranjes was nicknamed “The flying meatball” for his direct and often magical playing style. He was the left winger who became one of the big crowd favorites in Bengan Boys, and in 164 games in the Swedish national team, there were a total of 451 goals. The CV is impressive to say the least with a WC gold, two WC silver, an Olympic silver and three EC gold.
Vranjes went home in the cottages for his way of breaking patterns and always doing that unexpected thing, and it was perhaps not so surprising that after his career he became one of the best handball coaches in the world. Vranjes was a true magician when he had the ball in his hands, and he could really spin the pants off any opponent. Even in the most important stages of a match or tournament.
Conjured away all of Russia
Sweden had many and heated quarrels with Russia during the 90s. Russia won World Cup gold in both 1993 and 1997, as well as Olympic gold in 2000. But Ljubomir Vranjes had an almost unique ability to always be at his best in those matches. And the Olympic final in Sydney 2000 was a golden example of that. Sweden was at a disadvantage in the first half when Vranjes got the ball, as usual, to the left. Russia’s block defense looked almost impossible to pass, but that’s when “The Flying Meatball” did what he did so many times in his career.
He feinted to go to the right, and before the opponents knew it, Vranjes had already made a quick move to the left, and he took the gap immediately. Once free against the giant Russian world goalkeeper, Vranjes continued to conjure, with a truly fabulous lob that bounced teasingly inside the goal line. That’s exactly what makes Vranjes so incredibly legendary – a real showman who you never knew what to expect from him.
Today, Ljubomir Vranjes also turns 50 – please share the article to wish a real Swedish sports icon congratulations on the big day!
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