Is Gabbo Gavric still around?

I agree with Franky being one, but um, who are the other two? Im afraid you aged yorself a little with that comment Goodsie.

 

they coached the old school quakes. funny their names sound slavic to many people.

 

You are correct. Now we can try to figure out how to pronounce "spejic."

 

Bora Milutinovic

but he sucks compared to Gavric and Popovic.

Cheers!

 

This old school talk brings back memories of listening to the Quakes on 1500am KXRX with the great Hal Ramey doing commentary. Popovic was the best coach, but he had the most talent also..

 

Popovic had a lot more experience when he took the Quakes job than Frank did when he took over the quakes. I had a good friend that played on Quakes when Popovic was the coach so I met him on many occassons and he was a very nice man.

 

To answer your original question, I saw Gabbo at one of the final home games this season over in Sec. 114.

Mike

 

Unless Gabbo died in the last year or so, he is indeed alive--and kicking. Just ask Barney Boyce, who got real upset at Gabbo during the Old Timer's Game last year after getting his legs taken out. It was hilarious (never liked Boyce, always loved Gabbo.....what a hard-ass...)

Would your friend be George Katakalidis, by chance? (I seem to recall another Greek fellow on that team, a really young, big forward, but I don't remember his name....).

Comparing Popovic to Frankie: Popovic's teams in '83 and '84 were *loaded* with great players, but they tanked majorly in '84 (went from 20 wins to 8, with no championship in between). Frankie, with less coaching experience and an (arguably) less talented squad, won a championship and then followed that up by leading the league almost all season this year. I'd say Frankie gets the nod.


--PaulChild

 

Yes it was George Katakalidis. He is now a restaraunt tycoon in the San Diego area. He has 21 greek fast food places. The other forward you are thinking about might have been George's friend Igor Vrablic who was a very young player and made little impact for the Quakes

 

Yes, Igor! That's the guy. Interesting to hear what George is up to these days.

Hey, as a personal aside, you wouldn't happen to know Bill Tsolis, wouldja? He's a friend of mine from back in the day who also knew the above players.....


--PaulChild

 

Small world. My sister was very good friends with Bill Tsolis at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox church. I knew him more as a casual acquaintance. But yes I do recall him being friends with Katakalidis.

 

> Now we can try to figure out how to
> pronounce "spejic."

As another hint, the "j" sounds like a "y".

 

I've got it! Your name is pronounced "spay-itch." Now you'll know who is calling for you when we yell your name at Spartan.

 

Except that the "s" comes from my first name. And you won't see me - I keep changing my seat.

 

Somewhere in my collection I've got some cassette tapes of said Hal Ramey doing Quakes games -- one even has JM doing analysis.

 

Somewhere in my collection I have an old adidas poster of Igor playing for Team Canada in the '86 World Cup. He's trying to bowl over-through-and-around Jean Tigana, all under the watchful eye of the all-mighty Platini.

 

Wow, a Sparticus post. Blast from the past.

So, my wife wondering what is causing Gabbo's ill health. Anyone know??

 

Saw Gabbo yesterday at the Quakes reunion game. It brought tears to my eyes to see him as the game stopped as they brought him in and the guys all gathered around. A very touching moment.

One play in particular stands out in my mind about Gabbo. In those days, probably 1975, the stands had not been moved back as they were later and the field near the end-lines were nearly touching the wall. Gabbo dove head first in an attempt to intercept a pass, crashed head first into the wall. Everyone gasped and held their breath as you could hear the crack of head hitting concrete. After a few seconds, Gabbo stood up, shook his head a few times and carried on as if this were an every day occurance. One tough guy. We love you Gabbo.

 

I saw George Katakalidis the other night talking to Krazy George. He though seemed out of the soccer world. The only, Yugo I saw at the Brit I believe was Mirko the old GK. The only Americans Gabbo coached in those days were named Demling, Roboostoff, Ivanow and Zylker. All the rest were foreigners (Brits & Yugos). I don't think he could handle today's crop of Americans, although they are much better today than they ever were back then.


Someone said in the other 35 year reunion thread that he came out to the pitch yesterday...

Popovic was crazy when he was swinging the sideline flag at a fan but he was a great coach. I spoke with him a few times in the late 80's when he became a real estate agent. Great coach and a great personality. He had Zungul, Terlecki, Segota, Ingram. That 83 team should have won it all. Too bad they ended up losing to Toronto and Roberto Bettega. The difference between then and now is one thing....TALENTED PLAYERS!

 

I remember one game when Gabbo was a player-coach. He subbed himself out and as he was cooling down on the sideline, he lit up an smoked a cigarette!! I don't think you'd see that in any sporting event these days!!