The Swiss women’s water polo team will take part in a European Championship next year for the first time in 30 years.

In the last match of the qualifying tournament in Novi Sad, the Swiss women beat Ukraine 10:7 and finished in 2nd place in the four-team group behind the hosts Serbia.

The Swiss women will be taking part in a European Championship in 2026 for the third time after 1993 and 1995, but for the first time since the introduction of qualifying rounds. The venue is not yet known.

At the Class B state qualifier meet hosted by Batavia at VanDetta Stadium on Friday, Section V presented the Devin Snyder Class B2 MVP awards based on last week’s sectional results. 

The boys’ track MVP was Cameron Garofalo, and the boys’ field MVP was Sheldon Siverling. For the girls, the track MVP was Karizma Wescott, and the field MVP was Ella Shamp.

The Devin Snyder award is named in memory of Devin Snyder, an outstanding student-athlete from Wayland-Cohocton who excelled in track and field, as well as other sports, during her varsity career. The award is presented by Section V to recognize top track and field athletes in various classes, honoring Snyder’s legacy and contributions to the sport in the region.

Who needs a beach vacation when North Texas serves up white sands, lobster rolls and even a roaming herd of goats? This week’s top reads prove that local life knows how to surprise, whether it’s real estate making waves or schools making deals. With summer heating up, now is the perfect time to lean into the unexpected — and maybe pick up a few fun facts for your next dinner conversation.

Plano City Council recently approved the $8.4 million purchase of two former elementary school properties from Plano ISD. The deal, part of an interlocal agreement with the district, includes the sites of Davis Elementary and Forman Elementary schools. READ MORE

Maine lobster meets live jazz this summer at Eddie V’s in Plano. Running through July 25, the Golden Nights Summer event blends indulgence and ambiance with a limited-time pairing: a lobster roll, a glass of wine and a side of sultry live music. READ MORE

At Windsong Ranch, you can spy sunseekers strolling along white sand beaches as electric turquoise waters from a vast lagoon lap their feet. Atop the oceanic ripples, kayakers plunge their paddles into deep waters as paddleboarders skim across the surface in full view of those loafing in sand-lodged lounge chairs or spiking serves on the beach volleyball court. READ MORE

The culinary minds behind celebrated North Texas restaurants Rye and Apothicary are back in Collin County with a bold new concept. Flamant, a European-inspired live fire cocktail bar and bistro, is now open at 5880 State Highway 121 in Plano at the Boardwalk at Granite Park. READ MORE

If you’re out for a stroll along McKinney’s Wilson Creek Trail and think you hear bleating instead of birdsong, you’re not imagining things. This month, the city welcomed 450 goats to take over landscaping duties between Bonnie Wenk and Al Ruschhaupt Parks. READ MORE

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Both the Tewksbury High boys and girls track teams competed at the two-day Division 4 outdoor track and field state championships last weekend at Merrimack College.

The boys netted 19 points for a 15th-place finish, highlighted by a fourth-place finish from Colby Mengata in the shot put (50-07.25) and a third-place finish from Manny Mengata in the discus (151-10).

Salvatore Catanzano also found success in the pentathlon, placing third with 3,083 points. In the event, he placed first in the 1500 (4:41.37), sixth in the 110-meter hurdles (16.30), second in the high jump (6-00.75), eighth in the long jump (19-00.50) and sixth in the shot put (33-06). Mason Veits posted a 10-6 in the pole vault for seventh place.

On the girls side, Teagan Claycomb competed in the girls pentathlon and placed 11th. In the events, she placed 10th in the 100-meter hurdles (19.04), ninth in the 800-meter run (2:42.93), third in the high jump (4-07), 12th in the long jump (13-06.25) and 11th in the shot put (19-04.25).

Shea Macdonald came in 13th in the high jump (4-09), while Maggie Kinnon netted a 6-06 in the pole vault for 12th.

Germany end their first Final Four in the Nations League without a win. At its home tournament, the team of national coach Julian Nagelsmann also lost the match for third place against France 0:2.

Unlike in the semi-final against Portugal (1:2), Germany created many chances to score, but failed to convert any of them in a clearly dominated first half. The video referee intervened twice against the hapless Germans: On a penalty awarded after just over half an hour, which was disallowed due to a foul by Karim Adeyemi, and later on a goal by Deniz Undav, which was preceded by a foul.

France were efficient in the first half and took the lead through Kylian Mbappé shortly before the break. It was the captain of the World Cup runners-up’s 50th goal in his 90th international match. In the 84th minute, the Real Madrid striker made the difference for the French, who were superior in the second half of the match: after a German defensive error, he ideally set up Michael Olise for the goal.