Anze Kopitar returned home to Slovenia yesterday to a great welcome. Kopitar’s day with the Stanley Cup in his hometown will come later this summer, but here are a couple videos. First, Kopitar arrives at the airport, and then there’s a celebration in his home village of Hrusica.
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Don’t want to hijack the post, but I wrote a lengthy blog entry about my time this past year in Europe and how it relates heavily to hockey and the Kings.
Check it out if you’d like and leave a comment as it’s nice to hear from all.
http://thingsneverlast.blogspot.com/
[Reply]
Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 12:34 pm
@Verno, Fun stuff.
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Verno Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 12:49 pm
It’s packed with Links to pictures from meeting Kopi in SLO, Pre-season in Hamburg, Opening in Stockholm, various other places I went to in Europe as well as the Cup Finals Game 4, Game 6, and the Cup Rally with my awesome Dad/family.
I hope you guys enjoy it.
Go Kings!
http://thingsneverlast.blogspot.com/
[Reply]
Anica Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:03 pm
@Verno,
Hi, great story.
I’m happy that you enjoyed in our beatiful Slovenia.
We are very proud on Anze and Kings.
He is our “king” now:).
Enjoy in next season on NHL.
Regards from Slovenia.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:23 pm
@Anica,
As long as you’ll let us borrow him back for like 8 months out of every 12, then no worries!
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Anica Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:35 pm
@Duncanz,
Agreed, and we will support him and all team.
LA_1968 Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 2:40 pm
@Anica,
Before anything, thanks for Kopitar.
I have a question for you about the region. My grandmother was born in Split, Croatia (Brac island). How tight or friendly or brotherly are the Slovenians and Croatians today? It’s been a while since it was all Yugoslavia, obviously
.
[Reply]
Bambam Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 4:20 pm
@LA_1968,
Over the last 20 years we had our ups and downs with Croatians. No war or anything like this but some tensions for various reasons. I’d say things are quite OK now, I’d compare it to USA/CAN relationship. Brac, Split… whole Dalmatia region is a lovely place, just got back from my vacation there, friendly people, I like that part of the world very much.
LA_1968 Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 5:45 pm
@Bambam,
I am grateful for your reply. Good to know things are okay. If it’s anything like Canada/USA then things are fine. Those kind of difference are normal for neighbors and nothing compared to places like the Middle East.
As you can imagine being from Brac fishing was the trade. When my grandmother was less than a year old, my great-grandmother brought her by boat, then land to Zagreb where they got their passports. From there the took trains to Cherbourg, France and finally the boat to NYC. Then train again to Los Angeles where my great-grandather had just become a US Citizen in 1929. He’d started his fishing business in San Pedro, CA that he brought from Dalmatia.
Anica Reply:
June 22nd, 2012 at 2:13 am
@LA_1968,
vau, lot of ex Yugoslavia people migrated in USA on that way. Cruel but real stories.
As Bambam sad we are fine with our neighbor Croatian. For me they have the most beatiful beaches I ever seen. You need to visit them and check your familly tree.
Regards.
s-love-king Reply:
June 22nd, 2012 at 3:50 am
@LA_1968, yes when you come, you’ll be surprised that your grandfather and grandmother still live in their stories…I’m going to isle Pag today….Pa ti posaljem pozdrave iz “Lijepe Nase”
LA_1968 Reply:
June 22nd, 2012 at 6:05 am
@Anica, @s-love-king, Thank you for replying. I will take my wife and son to Brac, Split and the Croatian coast very soon. I have seen photos and wanted to go for a long time. I think our family house is still there. We will also spend a little time in Slovenia because your people are very nice as I can see.
SLIM Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:21 pm
@Verno,
I forget how , but I saw you on this TV show
a month or two ago…The girl was cute…
And their America……! Yeah…was funny…
Good for you and thanks for sharing..
[Reply]
jp Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:50 pm
@Verno, Nice post! I spent a bunch of time in Europe last fall, as well, and had the chance to visit Slovenia and attend the Berlin game. I went to Jesenice and met many great folks and rubbed some Slovenian dirt on my jersey that I didn’t wash all season. I still wouldn’t wash it, but all the beer and guacamole stains are forcing my hand. GKG!!!
[Reply]
Verno Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 4:06 pm
@jp,
That’s rad! I hope you enjoyed the experience as much as myself. I am sure you did as the place is outstanding.
[Reply]
variable Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 2:29 pm
@Verno,
wowowow….(!!!)
loved reading yr story, about yr trek and experience…
great, great story….great vids and pics….
this is actually my favorite kings fan story this year….
awesome stuff, VERNO…
thank you so much for sharing yr story…:)
[Reply]
Verno Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 4:04 pm
@variable,
Thanks a lot. It was a wild ride, for sure. I have been reading this blog from the beginning and you always bring something logical/knowledgeable to the party which is much appreciated.
-Verno=Great character from my favorite movie
[Reply]
variable Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 4:35 pm
@Verno,
thanks for yr compliment…very humbling…:)
PP Anybody? Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 2:29 pm
@Verno, Did you get chafed when you were standing and fighting your way through Slovenia?
[Reply]
s-love-king Reply:
June 22nd, 2012 at 4:57 am
@Verno, Bravo!!!
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Hey, what’s the deal? It’s like those people speak an entirely different language or something.
[Reply]
neil Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 12:29 pm
@Jack Aubrey, they have a different word for everything….
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 12:48 pm
@neil,
Whoah, Steve Martin?
[Reply]
neil Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:01 pm
@vplaza, iam impressed! i was wondering if anyone would get it!!!!
DesertKing Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:01 pm
@vplaza,
Can’t be. I didn’t see a single banjo.
vplaza Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:27 pm
@neil,
LOL, I guess I wasn’t the only one who thought some of his stuff back then was pretty funny.
LA67 Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:17 pm
@Jack Aubrey, why is the reporter yelling….j/k. Pretty cool all I understood was “Los Angeles” and “Anze Kopitar.” And I swear she kept saying “Brown.” Thank you Slovenia for giving us Kopi !
[Reply]
fuzzerson Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:57 pm
@Jack Aubrey, Who cares about the language, I am watching the video to stare at the reporter.
[Reply]
fuzzerson Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:58 pm
@fuzzerson, What is Boobs McGee in slovenian?
[Reply]
LVKINGS88 Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 2:30 pm
@fuzzerson, I say next year let’s put the reporter behind the opposing teams bench when we face them in the SC, how about that Tippet and Debore?.
Wow, quite the turn out…must have been a great feeling for Anze.
The question is…Does Anze’s face appear on Slovenian Currency yet?
[Reply]
slovenian fan Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 12:38 pm
@Sebastian,
sorry, but we use Euro in Slovenia as our currency and there are only bridges on the notes. Maybe he will get his own coin once, as national states can choose to issue couple of special series every year on coins for collectors.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 12:55 pm
@slovenian fan,
Things are kind of different there behind the Euro Curtain ….
[Reply]
That awards show was just awful. Badly produced, and the crowd was dead. Most of the jokes did stink but even the ones that had humor were met with silence. Just awful. And to Nickelback, there is only one Metallica no matter how hard you try to emulate them.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:31 pm
@Klong,
And, even then, you can’t emulate Led Zeppelin …
Yes, the crowd did seem a bit dead. Looked like they had been warmed up by Martin Short or somebody.
Hey NHL, take some advice and next time, try George Carlin!
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:43 pm
@Duncanz, and if George isn’t available, maybe they can dig up Sam Kinison?
[Reply]
toemas_sandstrom Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:50 pm
@Stuart, I’d take Mitch Hedberg or Greg Giraldo at this point.
LA_1968 Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 2:57 pm
@Stuart, Kinison. That is one of the only people, if not the only one, who made me laugh so hard that tears came out. I saw Carlin and Eddie Murphy live circa 87. Kinison on a cassette made those guys look like minor leagers.
Hot news chick…….czech
[Reply]
There you go @DesertKingsfan, Now the Cup will be free’d up for August 21st. he he he
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:02 pm
@Dominick (defrim65),
WooHoooo! Second Cup, here we come!!!
[Reply]
so cute…that must have made Anze feel great. Nothing like home town crowd support.
[Reply]
Good to see one of the best centers in the NHL getting his due both at home and abroad.
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Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 12:44 pm
@Sam,
Potential to be the best Slovenian hochey player ever. Only time will tell, but now he has some hardware to back it up.
[Reply]
prosmar Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 12:54 pm
@Dominick (defrim65), what do you mean potential?
He was the best Slovenian hockey player ever even before he won the cup.
[Reply]
TheSlovenian Reply:
June 22nd, 2012 at 1:12 am
@prosmar, More or less yes.
Duncanz Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:00 pm
@Dominick (defrim65),
Yeah you!
That’s like saying Gretzky has the potential to be the best Torontan hockey player ever!
Where do guys like you get your hockey news, SI?
[Reply]
Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:14 pm
@Duncanz,
Don’t you guys know anything? Juraj Mikus is from everywhere!
Seriously, He’s not done yet, and his legacy has the potential, not just to be great, but to reach mythic proportions.
I am so happy that we have such a “Truely Humble” superstar in Anze Kopitar. To see the greeting he gets at home I can’t wait to see what happens when he brings home the Cup! He is something special!
[Reply]
I thought his nervous twitch of rubbing the back of his head was only cause he felt uncomfortable speaking English…must be just uncomfortable speaking in front of people in general…
My son and I live in MIchigan and in October we went to see the Des Moines Bucs vs the Green Bay Gamblers, saw Gasper play and my son said, “That’s probably the closest I’ll ever get to seeing Anze play.” We fortunately were able to go to Chicago (twice), Detroit, Columbus, Minnesota and Nashville to see the Kings play and were able to watch Anze go all the way to the CHampionship. Pretty sweet.
[Reply]
How about some subtitles here?? LOL
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Just wait until Mr. Kopidar gets to Slovenia and the reception he gets! On a more serious note, enjoy it all Kopi as you certainly deserve it!
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Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:09 pm
@King Alex, The reception for Brad Doty, when he goes to Canada, will probably be bigger.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:18 pm
@Dominick (defrim65),
Was there an APB?
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:29 pm
@Dominick (defrim65),
They play basketball in Canadia?
[Reply]
nikko Reply:
June 25th, 2012 at 1:41 am
@vplaza, Ever hear of the Toronto Raptors? Lol
King Alex Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 4:40 pm
@Dominick (defrim65), Mr. Doty could run for Prime Minister & win easily!
[Reply]
Kopi’s the man!
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Nobody, and I mean Nobody, rocks the accordion like Slovenians rock the accordion.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:17 pm
@Michael J.,
Slovo Bordello!
[Reply]
Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:21 pm
@Michael J.,
The big ones, or the small hand held ones that the monkeys dance around too with their hats out asking for change? lol
[Reply]
Robert R Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:46 pm
@Dominick (defrim65), It’s a hard way to earn a buck and leaves me with tired, sore feet by day’s end
[Reply]
SLIM Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:27 pm
@Michael J.,
I think they are called “hand organs”…
BTW…..Who’s Eric Stonestreet [or whoever]
And Ray Liotta looked not so good…
Didn’t recognize him…Didn’t look well…I said that already..whatever..
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:37 pm
@SVELTE,
I was thinking that about Perry.
Looked like he hadn’t been to bed since he drank Red Bull out of the Cup when Kopi took it over.
I’m still bummed about that story, by the way.
[Reply]
Deke'r Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:51 pm
@Duncanz, ….I’m more bummed about Beckam pressing the cup over his head….thought only the winners of the cup were to do that….
SLIM Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:54 pm
@DONUTS
So was Cory Manteeth..
Duncanz Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 2:39 pm
@SVELTE,
He’s a ‘nuck!
variable Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 2:09 pm
@SLIM,
henry hill dies last week in a west hills hospital due to complications from smoking….
[Reply]
Steve W Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 2:39 pm
@SLIM, Actor who plays a gay dad in ‘Modern Family’.
[Reply]
grega11 Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 1:29 pm
@Michael J.,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2O5LuPltUg
[Reply]
variable Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 2:11 pm
@Michael J.,
the accordion will make it’s comeback…and the slovenians will have the market on the future newest craze…
sorry yankovics….:)
[Reply]
Bickleton Wigglesworth III Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 6:54 pm
@Michael J.,
i demand more accordions at staples center next year!
[Reply]
Anzefest looks way more fun than Oktoberfest.
[Reply]
Drew Doughty's Mustache Reply:
June 22nd, 2012 at 9:09 am
@DoublePeaceSigns, No…no it doesn’t
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Free translation, anyone, please?
If no one can translate, I’ll just assume that everyone is saying “what a f____n good player!; f____n good team there in Los Angeles!”
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variable Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 2:07 pm
@Robert R,
“anze kopitar ist radt…!”
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slovenian fan Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 2:12 pm
@Robert R,
just one translation – the older man in second video at 3.40 explained that he saw all 502 games of Anže in NHL and he knew the cup will come one day. Maybe Kings management could invest 2000$ and invite him to first game of the next season in LA?
[Reply]
likid Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 2:57 pm
@slovenian fan,
That older man is Kopis grandpa.
[Reply]
likid Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 2:57 pm
@slovenian fan,
That older man is Kopis grandpa.
[Reply]
Anica Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 2:24 pm
@Robert R,
In general they are talking how they are proud,happy, how they watched all games…
A lot about his caracter and what he did for his home county Slovenia.
The man who wached all his 502 games is his grandfather.
[Reply]
what a rockstar…hard to believe he is only 15 months removed from a broken ankle. So many big goals for us…what a journey for him on so many levels
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they should open up a broadway play, “Jesus Christ Kopitar”
Jesus Christ, Kopi-tareee, do you think you’re who they say you aaaaare
[Reply]
variable Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 2:07 pm
@Shakes,
i think yr on to something….
let’s start writing the script or musical…
or maybe we can hire trey parker and matt stone to do it for us….
[Reply]
Just how cool is it to see all of those people in Slovenia rocking Kings gear?
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Shakes Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 2:13 pm
@Eric, it’s like that movie Eurotrip… i sorta expect some guy to look into the camera and yell some dated late 80s early 90s catchphrase in an un-ironic manner, like “Hey, Hang Tough!”
[Reply]
y’know…
somehow i think i understand every word….
i need to get a passport…(!)
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Nice to know the Kings are the national team of Slovenia, the whole country loves them, from looking at all the Kings gear being worn. Team LA should open up a satellite store in Slovenia.
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Duncanz Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 2:24 pm
@NMKingsFan,
Don’t have the Nth Koreans launch it, though.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 2:32 pm
@Duncanz, Koreans to the Nth power?
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 2:33 pm
@Stuart,
… oxymoron?
Wow
Go Kings Go!
[Reply]
i think more than half of the slovenia population has a kings/kopitar jersey…
how cool is that…?!
[Reply]
Shakes Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 2:14 pm
@variable, sadly now the Team Slovenia store is left overstocked with Jack Johnson jerseys for some reason
[Reply]
variable Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 2:48 pm
@Shakes,
maybe they could pawn them off to the blue jacket fans….
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I hope these guys don’t grind themselves into the ground with all the post cup winning activities..I would hope that in a few days they decompress, relax, heal and not tire themselves out…
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Stuart Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 2:33 pm
@Jack, it aint called the TC hangover for nothing! besides, they’ll have about 6 extra weeks to get back into shape for 40 game season… plus another 20 game postseason!
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Stuart Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 2:34 pm
LOL I’m on dope or something! SC not TC!
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Duncanz Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 2:46 pm
@Stuart,
This was actually a ‘Terreudian Slip’… to the Nth degree!
Darrell Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 7:04 pm
@Stuart, In the behind-the-scenes vid from the awards, Quick mentions to Elliot that the Kings off-season workout schedule starts next week!
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liki Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 10:49 pm
@Jack,
Kopi already said he’ll rest till end of this month and then immediately start with preparations for next season.
[Reply]
Hey Slovenian fellow Kings fans!
What charities, foundations, etc is Kopi involved with over there?
Or what philanthropic pursuits, in general, is he known for?
[Reply]
TheSlovenian Reply:
June 22nd, 2012 at 1:09 am
@Duncanz, There is an annual charity golf tournament in Bled:
http://sportida.photoshelter.com/gallery/20110611-SLO-Golf-Anzes-Eleven-Charity-Golf-Tournament-in-Bled-by-Ice-Hockey-Star-Anze-Kopitar/G0000q_IIgNUHAJY/
[Reply]
Kempman Reply:
June 22nd, 2012 at 5:13 am
@Duncanz, A charity golf tournament on the 30th this month…
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grega11 Reply:
June 22nd, 2012 at 11:45 am
@Kempman, interesting… kopi just said, that JW will participate in this tournament. how cool is that?
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thank you google translator
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No idea what they are saying…but Cup Champion rings thru loud and clear.
Awesome to see such and warm welcome for Kopi….you could tell he was proud. Thanks Slovenia
[Reply]
And Voynov’s triumphant return to Russia? cue the chirping crickets.
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Tyfighter77 Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 3:42 pm
@A Cup B4 I Died!,
My in-laws live in Chelyabinsk. I’ll get the scoop from them.
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We had two players (nesterovic & udrih) winning nba cupmwith san antonio, but nobody really cared. And that’s not only becausecAnze is something special, but the real reason is that the whole kings spirit can not be beaten. Maybe also we feel to be the part of the story. Btw, try to visit Slovenia, you’ll be surprised by the beauty of central european country? No real connection with the images of eastern block as shown in Eurotrip movie. Next plan is to visit la and to see Anze & other guys in action.
[Reply]
Verno Reply:
June 21st, 2012 at 4:50 pm
@MatijaCatch,
When I was there…literally everyone that I talked to at least knew who Kopitar was and that he was playing in the NHL. Even if the person didn’t care about hockey, they all knew exactly who he was. That to me was incredible. I know that the country only has 2 million people but for almost all of them to know who he is is amazing.
Definitely try to come to LA, see a game, and road trip the rest of California. It’s a beautiful state.
http://thingsneverlast.blogspot.com/
[Reply]
He is . . .
The Captain of the First Attack!
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Hearing from people from Slovenia on here makes me happy!
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What is with all the black out flashes. Was it a subliminal hypnosis, am I now Solvenian?
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@Anica, I guessed as such. If I were Slovenian, I too would be extremely proud of him (actually, I am proud of him and all of his teammates.
Here in the Cleveland area, there is Slovenian community, sizable enough that there is a radio program containing music and news from Slovenia, partly in English. Here I am one morning driving along and catching up on all of the major news events of the country.
[Reply]
Anica Reply:
June 22nd, 2012 at 2:06 am
@Robert R,
I know about community, they are very active.
hope you hear enough good news that you will visit us.
I was in your neighbor county Michigan for 5 times.
Have a nice day.
A
[Reply]
I had no idea what they were saying, but they all came across as lovely people. Even without the hockey connection it sounds like a great country to visit. Now it’s on my wish list.
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Kingstane9 Reply:
June 22nd, 2012 at 12:26 am
@Lilcarp, you’re not suppose to, hehe, except if you know how to speak our, Slovenian language, but I doubt that.
[Reply]
Another link from Hrušica. Made with my phone.
Favorite SLO band of Kopitar playing.
Kopi gets a wooden piece to put the Cup on it, a large Kings photo for his bedroom, ovations…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40Mt_n_1br4
[Reply]
finally someone from Slovenia known around the world, who is not Slavoj Žižek!:-)
As dominick said: “his legacy has the potential, not just to be great, but to reach mythic proportions”. Cannot be said better.
One day Kings will retire his number.
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I am part Slovenian (my mother’ side). I don’t speak Slovenia, but I enjoyed seeing the videos and the joy of the Slovenians with their new champion.
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That was awesome. Is that Kopi’s wife arriving at the airport with him? Smokin’!!
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Very cool. A well-deserved hero’s welcome for Kopi!
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