CHICAGO — Xander Ketrzynski’s 21 points helped Canada beat China in three straight sets on Sunday in both teams’ final match of Volleyball Nations League’s second men’s week.

The Canadians won the sets 23-25, 20-25, 23-25.

Ketrzynski had 14 kills, three blocks and four aces to lead Canada. Isaac Heslinga followed with 17 points.

Captain Chuan Jiang led China with 15 points.

Though Canada’s errors were high (23), the Canadian side scored more attack points (44-34), blocks (7-4) and aces (9-5).

Canada’s men have three Volleyball Nations League wins so far and currently sit in 14th place.

The league takes a break and resumes with the women’s competition on July 9. Canada’s women play Week 3 in Arlington, Texas.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 29, 2025.

The Canadian Press

CHICAGO – Xander Ketrzynski’s 21 points helped Canada beat China in three straight sets on Sunday in both teams’ final match of Volleyball Nations League’s second men’s week.

The Canadians won the sets 23-25, 20-25, 23-25.

Ketrzynski had 14 kills, three blocks and four aces to lead Canada. Isaac Heslinga followed with 17 points.

Captain Chuan Jiang led China with 15 points.

Though Canada’s errors were high (23), the Canadian side scored more attack points (44-34), blocks (7-4) and aces (9-5).

Canada’s men have three Volleyball Nations League wins so far and currently sit in 14th place.

The league takes a break and resumes with the women’s competition on July 9. Canada’s women play Week 3 in Arlington, Texas. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 29, 2025.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

The Cuban men’s team fought until the end but lost 2-3 to Argentina this Sunday in a thrilling match in the 2025 Volleyball Nations League.

The match, played with great intensity in Belgrade, Serbia, was decided with scores of 23-25, 25-23, 25-21, 21-25, and 15-11 in favor of the South American team.

The main star of the match was the Argentine opposite Germán Alfredo Gómez, who stood out by scoring 22 points. The Cuban captain Miguel Ángel López (18) was the most productive for his team.

José Massó (17), Javier Concepción (15), and Marlon Yant (12) also stood out, while for Argentina, Luciano Vicentin (13) and captain Agustín Loser Bruno (12) highlighted the group, completing the eight players with double digits.

After this unfavorable result, the largest of the Antilles currently sits in seventh place with a record of four wins and an equal number of losses, considering the performance of the first week (1-3), and they have accumulated 13 points, just like Argentina, but in sixth place, with five wins and three defeats, according to the site JIT.

According to the competitive schedule, in the challenging third week, based in Gdansk, Cuba will face Bulgaria (July 16), the hosts Poland (17), and France (18), will have a day off on the 19th, and will close out against China (20).

Frequently Asked Questions About Cuba’s Participation in the 2025 Volleyball Nations League

Bojan Bogdanović watches as countryman Mario Hezonja goes to the hoop (Photo credit: Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA/CC BY-SA 2.0)

One of Croatia’s greatest basketball players, Bojan Bogdanović, has officially announced his retirement from professional basketball at the age of 36.

The veteran shooting guard, who spent a decade in the NBA and represented seven teams, leaves behind a legacy marked by broken records, historic milestones, and a career earnings total exceeding 100 million US dollars, making him the highest-paid Croatian athlete in history.

Bogdanović shared the news on Instagram, reflecting emotionally on his two-decade-long journey through the world of basketball.

The decision comes after a 14-month struggle with a foot injury that required two surgeries and multiple attempts to return to the court.

“Sometimes in life, you do not choose the moment. The moment chooses you,” wrote Bogdanović.

“After more than two decades on the court, the time has come to say goodbye to basketball. Not just as a sport, but as a part of myself.”

From Mostar to the NBA

Bogdanović’s journey began in Mostar, where he first dabbled in football and water polo before turning his focus to basketball. His early club career took him from Zrinjski Mostar to European giants such as Real Madrid, Murcia, Cibona, and Fenerbahçe.

Bojan Bogdanović (Photo credit: Man Wiki/Dudek1337/CC BY-SA 2.0)

In 2014, his dream of playing in the NBA became reality when he signed with the Brooklyn Nets. Over the following ten years, he played for the Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons and, most recently, the New York Knicks.

Each stop added to a rich and respected NBA career. Notably, during his time with Utah Jazz, he signed a contract worth 73 million US dollars, the highest ever for a Croatian athlete.

Breaking Records and Making History

Bogdanović broke several long-standing Croatian basketball records in the NBA. He surpassed Dražen Petrović’s single-game scoring record with 48 points and overtook Toni Kukoč on the all-time Croatian scorers list in the league.

He also became the first player in NBA history to hit 11 three-pointers in a game without attempting a single two-point shot.

Above all, Bogdanović emphasised the honour of wearing the Croatian jersey. From cadet level to the senior national team, representing Croatia was, in his words, “not just a duty but an identity.”

“Wearing the colours of Croatia was the greatest responsibility and the greatest pride,” he said.

In his heartfelt message, Bogdanović thanked his coaches, teammates, doctors, fans and every club he played for along the way. He reserved special thanks for his family, whom he described as the foundation through every rise and every doubt.

“I have not reached the end,” his message concluded. “I have reached the other side of the beginning.”

Bojan Bogdanović departs as one of the finest players to wear the Croatian jersey and a respected figure in global basketball. His impact on the sport, both at home and abroad, will be remembered for generations to come.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Michael Jordan, Cristiano Ronaldo, Tiger Woods, Lionel Messi, NBA, Football, Formula 1, Golf