Sports
How Unrivaled built brand partnerships that are more than logo slaps
When women’s 3-on-3 basketball league Unrivaled was founded in 2023, it promised a compelling value proposition for players: a chance to make the highest average salary in women’s sports without having to travel overseas during the WNBA offseason. For marketers looking to take advantage of the increased attention and investment in women’s sports, Unrivaled represented […]

When women’s 3-on-3 basketball league Unrivaled was founded in 2023, it promised a compelling value proposition for players: a chance to make the highest average salary in women’s sports without having to travel overseas during the WNBA offseason.
For marketers looking to take advantage of the increased attention and investment in women’s sports, Unrivaled represented a rare white-space opportunity to get in on the ground floor. By the time the league tipped off in January, its roster of brand partners included Miller Lite, Sprite, Under Armour and State Farm.
Unrivaled wrapped up its first season in March, nearly breaking even with revenue of more than $27 million and averaging 221,000 viewers, per a Front Office Sports report. A Feb. 14 game between the Lunar Owls and Mist — captained by league co-founders Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, respectively — averaged 377,000 viewers. The league quickly proved to be a chance for marketers looking to activate around women’s sports during a time of year when the WNBA and National Women’s Soccer League are dark.
“Brands are looking to invest more in women’s sports. They’re seeing true ROI now, but there’s still limited opportunity to deploy,” said Unrivaled President Alex Bazzell. “They want to have touch points quarterly, throughout the year, and we fit into a timing where it was a wide open landscape.”
But even with an opportunity to market around a new winter sport, Unrivaled was also unproven, from its style of basketball to data around viewership and social media impact. Although Ally Financial signed on as founding brand partner and jersey sponsor in July 2024, it wasn’t until the league secured a media rights partner in TNT Sports in October 2024 that “the floodgates opened” for partnerships, with brands like Sephora reaching out to the league, Bazzell said.
“Our vision of sponsorships is more of partnerships, where we need to be an extension of these brands,” the executive explained. “Everyone has a different storytelling mindset of what they want to accomplish.”
Samsung’s galaxy of devices
By starting a league from scratch, Unrivaled offered unique opportunities for brands to showcase their products in organic ways. Along with serving as the naming rights partner of the league’s venue, Wayfair helped outfit player housing in apartments a few minutes from the facility.
As official technology and presenting partner, Samsung Galaxy provided the computing power that coaches, players and the league needed, including mobile devices with artificial intelligence and health-tracking features. But the partnership also represented an alignment of shared values between brand and league.
“We have always been about innovation, inventing and reinventing ourselves and breaking boundaries,” said Olga Suvorova, vice president of mobile experience marketing at Samsung Electronics America. “Unrivaled … was exactly that: challenging the conventions in sports and investing in athletes and women’s sports in unprecedented ways.”

Basketball star Brittney Griner holds a Samsung smartphone.
Permission granted by Unrivaled
With Unrivaled, Samsung integrated its tech on and off the court, both in sports contexts and as part of an effort to make the league social-first and more engaging for fans. An in-game Galaxy Game Winner segment used the slow-motion feature of the S25 Ultra smartphone, while the Galaxy Huddle Cam used the phone’s Audio Eraser feature to remove background noise. But the players’ use of smartwatches and smart rings was perhaps the deepest part of the integration.
“My favorite moment was when the athletes, unprompted, started calling our devices ‘Sammies,’” Suvorova said. “That’s the moment where it’s part of their routine, their training and how they’re hanging out, outside of the games.”
Athletes as creators
Even as Unrivaled provides an opportunity for the highest average salary in women’s sports, the majority of players’ income will still come from off the court via their own brand sponsorships. In kind, athletes increasingly must operate as creators — a skill most don’t naturally have and one that takes time and energy to develop. The league hopes to help fill the void by capturing, creating and distributing content.
“Our job is to continue to help grow their brands, because it’s so valuable for them to leverage for these other partners that want to get into the space — they just don’t know where to enter,” Bazzell said.
Collectively, Unrivaled players’ social accounts grew by almost one million followers over the course of the season, a data point that proves that the league added more value to their social portfolios.
Similarly, Samsung has also integrated the league into its Galaxy Creator Collective, tapping Collier and Stewart as creators and bringing others to games to expand the league to their followings. The brand’s engagement rates on its owned channels went up exponentially since it started to create in-game and behind-the-scenes content with Unrivaled, demonstrating the value the partnership builds.
“It’s beyond just the logo slap — it’s beyond traditional advertising,” Suvorova said of the brand’s work with Unrivaled. “Reimagining how we deliver an experience to fans is going to continue being a priority.”
Sports
New Softball Coach Kendall Fearn Adds First Assistant, Tyler Heil
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State Softball Head Coach Kendall Fearn has selected the first member of her coaching staff, hiring Tyler Heil. “I am incredibly excited to welcome Tyler Heil to Long Beach State as our new assistant coach,” said Fearn. “He is someone of high character and is respected nationwide by […]

“I am incredibly excited to welcome Tyler Heil to Long Beach State as our new assistant coach,” said Fearn. “He is someone of high character and is respected nationwide by the coaching community. Over the years, it has been wonderful to get to know him professionally, as he brings a wealth of experience, including head coaching experience and a proven track record of elevating every program he’s been a part of.
“His impact has been felt at every stop, helping lead teams to NCAA Tournament and Super Regional appearances through his masterful defensive development and dynamic offensive strategy. Tyler is recognized as a driven and effective recruiter who knows how to build authentic relationships with student-athletes and help them thrive on and off the field. His work ethic, knowledge of the game, and values-based coaching philosophy will make an immediate and lasting impact at Long Beach State.”
Heil comes to the Beach from Santa Barbara City College, where he led the Vaqueros last season as the program’s head coach. Posting an 8-6 conference record, SBCC hit .322 as a team and had 29 doubles and six home runs on the year. That served as a return to SBCC for Heil, who got his start in coaching with the program in 2014, coaching with both the baseball and softball programs during his first stint in Santa Barbara, ending in 2017.
He then transitioned into Division I softball coaching for four years at New Mexico as an assistant coach. Responsible for the team’s hitting and infield development, the Lobos had seven All-Mountain West selections, and he worked with the program’s career doubles and career home runs leaders during his time in Albuquerque.
Taking a promotion in 2021, Heil then moved to Central Florida, where he was the lead assistant during a very successful run for the Knights. In 2022, his first season with UCF, the Knights went 49-14 and finished the year No. 14 in the nation as part of the NFCA’s Mideast Region Coaching Staff of the year. He helped UCF make back-to-back regional appearances in 2022 and 2023, as well as a Super Regional appearance in 2022. While with UCF, Heil was in charge of their recruiting efforts and secured two Top 25 ranked recruiting classes while in Orlando. Working with the team’s hitters and infielders, Heil mentored two top award winners in the American Athletic Conference in 2022, the Freshman of the Year and the Defensive Player of the Year.
“I am incredibly grateful and honored to join Beach Softball,” said Heil. “From the moment I spoke to Coach Fearn, it was clear that our values align in all the right ways. I’m excited to contribute to a culture that is both competitive and transformational, where we pursue championships while also developing well-rounded women prepared for life beyond the game. Doing this in Southern California, where I can blend family and high-level softball, makes it even more special. I’m proud to represent Long Beach and can’t wait to get started.”
Sports
Chris Van Vuuren – Men’s Volleyball
2015 (Senior): Appeared in 16 matches and 43 sets primarily as a serving specialist … Had a career-high two aces in a 3-0 win over Harvard on March 13 … Added a career-best three kills and four digs against the Crimson … Also served up an ace at UCLA (March 6), vs. Pepperdine (March 26), […]

2015 (Senior): Appeared in 16 matches and 43 sets primarily as a serving specialist … Had a career-high two aces in a 3-0 win over Harvard on March 13 … Added a career-best three kills and four digs against the Crimson … Also served up an ace at UCLA (March 6), vs. Pepperdine (March 26), at UC San Diego (April 4) and vs. CSUN (April 18) … Earned his first career start against the Matadors.
2014 (Junior): Played in five matches and 17 sets … Registered two digs at Stanford on Jan. 31 … Had one ace at Pacific (Feb. 1).
2013: Redshirted.
Orange Coast College: Led Orange Coast College to a conference title and an appearance in the state finals as a sophomore … Named to the California Community College Athletic Association All-Tournament Team … Also earned first-team All-Pacific Coast Athletic Conference honors … Tied for the team lead with 30 service aces, while ranking second with 188 kills … Helped the Pirates reach the state semifinals as a freshman.
High School: Lettered at Fountain Valley High School … Received second-team All-Sunset League honors as a senior.
Quick Facts: Played for Balboa Bay Volleyball Club.
Major: Psychology
Sports
A&M–Texarkana Athletics Welcomes New Sports and Coaching Talent at Campus Press Conference
Director of Athletics Ryan Wall The Texas A&M University–Texarkana Athletic Department officially introduced its newest sports programs and head coaches during a press conference held Thursday, July 10, inside the Patterson Student Center on the A&M–Texarkana campus. University President Dr. Ross Alexander and Director of Athletics Ryan Wall addressed attendees, celebrating the continued growth and […]


The Texas A&M University–Texarkana Athletic Department officially introduced its newest sports programs and head coaches during a press conference held Thursday, July 10, inside the Patterson Student Center on the A&M–Texarkana campus.
University President Dr. Ross Alexander and Director of Athletics Ryan Wall addressed attendees, celebrating the continued growth and success of Eagle Athletics. The event also welcomed several coaches who are new to the department or recently promoted, showcasing the depth of leadership driving the university’s athletic momentum.
Beginning in Fall 2025, the university will expand its competitive offerings with the addition of men’s and women’s bowling, golf, and indoor/outdoor track & field. The following head coaches were introduced:
Men’s and Women’s Bowling: Michael Flanagan
Men’s and Women’s Golf: Ryan Huntze
Men’s and Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field: David Lawrence Jr.
Men’s and Women’s Tennis: Brian Nelson
Women’s Basketball: Deacon Jones
Baseball: Chase Brewster
Men’s Basketball: Darion Brown
Cheer/Dance: Michael Flanagan
Esports: Rick Allen
Men’s and Women’s Soccer: Don Koontz
Softball: Tony McKnight
Volleyball/Beach Volleyball: Madeleine Halford
Other key department members include Assistant Athletic Director Fachaitte Kinslow, Athletic Trainer Erica Erwin, and Assistant Director of Sports Information Camry Dillie. All coaches were available for media interviews following the formal announcements.
With 21 sports now under its umbrella, A&M–Texarkana continues to cement its place within the NAIA’s Red River Athletic Conference as a growing hub for collegiate athletics. The press conference underscored the university’s commitment to expanding opportunities for student-athletes and strengthening the Eagle community.
For more information about Eagle Athletics, contact Camry Dillie at cdillie@tamut.edu or visit www.tamut.edu.
Sports
Day-one women’s water polo preliminary round
Preliminary Round Group Match Reports Match 5, Group C, JAPAN 25 CROATIA 12 (7-3, 4-3, 11-5, 3-1) Japan made sure of victory with a solid first quarter that was needed to withstand the Croatian onslaught in the second quarter. It was 2-2 two and a half minutes into the first quarter and looking like a […]
Preliminary Round Group Match Reports
Match 5, Group C, JAPAN 25 CROATIA 12 (7-3, 4-3, 11-5, 3-1)
Japan made sure of victory with a solid first quarter that was needed to withstand the Croatian onslaught in the second quarter. It was 2-2 two and a half minutes into the first quarter and looking like a brilliant contest, especially with Croatia debuting at this level. Japan missed Doha last year but was the host in Fukuoka the year before. With the score level, Japan went on counter and buried the next five goals, three on counter and one on a drive while the first of the string came from the top and the safe arm of Yumi Arima. She was to go on and make her stamp on the match. Saya Sekine scored consecutive goals for 7-2 and then Croatian captain Matea Skelin converted an extra play off the right-post position for 7-3 at the turn.
Arima opened the second half with two blasts from the top, well-weighted shots that found pinpoint targets beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. Fuka Nishiyama converted a penalty foul, watched as Nina Medic fired from the top for Croatia and then swam up and scored her third goal for 15-7. Eruna Ura netted her fourth when finishing extra. Kako Kawaguchi scored twice in the closing stages with Arima scoring her sixth as Japan moved out to 22-11. Rozic twice and Skelin kept Croatia in play but it was all about Japan and how many goals it could finish with in the final eight minutes.
Arima and Kobayashi led the charge, but it took time and Croatia called a timeout at 3:06 when 24-11 down and earned a penalty foul. Jelena Butic converted for her second goal. Japan countered with the last goal for 25-12 in a quarter that Croatia would have been happy with, considering no Croatian player has played at this level.
Match Heroes
Arima was the undoubted star with seven goals in a total team effort. Ura and Nishiyama netted four apiece as 10 Japanese players made the sheet. For Croatia, Rozic grabbed four and Skelin three. The goalkeepers had a grand start to the tournament with Manami Noda pulling down nine saves and Haruka Inaba five for Japan. Croatia’s Latica Medvesek made 10 saves.
Turning Point
Moving from 2-2 to 7-2 and when Croatia came back to 8-6 behind, Japan romped out to 14-6.
Stats Don’t Lie
Japan converted three from four on extra and stopped two from six. Japan scored both penalty attempts and stopped one of three Croatian efforts. On steals, Japan made two to none and on overall shots, Japan went 43-34.
Bottom Line
Japan has been here before and played the Olympic Games. Croatia is just starting its journey.
Match 4, Group D, FRANCE 9 GREAT BRITAIN 12 (4-3, 0-3, 2-5, 3-1)
Image Source: Great Britain/Istvan Derencsenyi/World Aquatics
Olympic team France felt the wrath of Great Britain after leading 4-3 at quarter time. Great Britain won the match 9-5 from then on for what was something quite historic. France missed the goalkeeping services of Olympian Mia Rycroft while the Brits played up to their expectations brilliantly on the opening day. This was a match where penalty fouls outshot exclusion fouls.
France started quickly with Great Britain responding twice. France regained the lead with successive shots. Harriet Dickens lobbed to equalise at three, however, Ema Vernoux, who was such a revelation at Paris 2024, rightfully put France back in the lead at 0:38. It was looking good for France, but Great Britain turned the tables in the second quarter, keeping its cross-Channel cousins at bay for the entire period. Katie Brown drilled from the deep right; Lily Turner scored from the top left and skipper Kathy Rogers drove in down the left post and slapped in a rebound for 6-4 at 1:32. France had no answer at this stage.
France was not out of it yet and worked tirelessly while denying Great Britain valuable chances. Rogers and Brown doubled the difference early and France slowed the match down, scoring through Erica Hardy. Britain took a timeout at 2:51 and put away the shot, thanks to Brown and at 9-5 the improbable was becoming a strong possibility. On extra, Cutler rifled one in down the right for 10-5 at 0:53. Vernoux powered in a French cannon, sliding the ball to goal for 10-6 and at the other end, Turner converted a penalty foul into 11-6 — three goals inside a half minute. It became the final-break scoreline, gifting Britain a magnificent five-goal buffer.
Image Source: Valentine Heurtaux (FRA)/Istvan Derencsenyi/World Aquatics
Vernoux and Hardy changed the face of the match with the first two goals of the final period, giving a shaky look to the result. Vernoux shot from penalty and Hardy from the top left. Two minutes after Hardy’s shot, Turner accepted a cross pass to the far left on two metres to score the most important goal for 12-8. France went to a timeout and fumbled the ball in front of goal. Britain called time at 2:12 and hit the crossbar. France fired up to centre forward and gained the penalty at 1:40 with Vernoux scoring her third goal and second from five metres. There was still 1:40 on the clock but neither team could find a way through the defence, allowing Britain to start the fortnight with a big “W”.
Match Heroes
Vernoux scored four goals for France and Turner and Brown three apiece for Britain. Best goalkeeper was France’s Pasiphae Martineaud Peret with nine saves.
Image Source: Great Britain coach Jo Mountfield/Istvan Derencsenyi/World Aquatics
Turning Point
From 4-3 down to 8-4 up, Britain worked hard to maintain the difference.
Stats Don’t Lie
France missed the only extra-player chance; scored two to one on penalty; made eight steals to seven, outshot Britain 29-28 and still lost the match!
Bottom Line
France may be the more experienced team but changes since Paris 2024 proved insurmountable. Britain proved it is capable of finishing in the top 10 in Singapore.
Image Source: France v Great Britain/Istvan Derencsenyi/World Aquatics
What They Said
Lara ANDRES (FRA) — Goal Scorer and Captain
On the team’s performance:
“It was a very close game. It’s a completely new team with a lot of young ones. We lost but I think the two first quarters were good enough but it was a bit difficult as Britain is a good team and not a new one, so they have a lot of experience, unlike us. It was such a difficult game and we lost, so I’m not very happy, but it’s just a game.”
On positives that can be taken away from this match:
“In terms of attacking, we were good and we made very good shots and in defence.”
Match 3, Group B, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15 CHINA 7 (3-1, 4-3, 6-1, 2-2)
Image Source: Amanda Longan/Istvan Derencsenyi/World Aquatics
China, now under the coaching spell of Spanish Olympic champion player and coach Miki Oca, kept USA honest for large periods of the first half. USA may have talked down the experience of his team but his experience and guile led these newcomers to a comfortable victory. Goals were traded at the start with USA missing a penalty chance. Two more penalty strikes gave USA the 3-1 quarter-time advantage. Wang Huan brought China back to 3-2 at the start of the second period and then at 4-3 after Ryann Neushul scored off the left-post position. Wang Xuan took a pass to the left post for 4-4 at 6:02. Then USA put the foot on the pedal and rammed home the next three goals, including a penalty to Emily Ausmus for 7-4 at the long break.
The third period was where USA proved its brilliance, lifting to 10-4 and then finishing 13-5, so three goals, a Chinese extra-player score to Yan Siya and then three more with Emma Lineback collecting her third from deep right on extra. Emily Ausmus earned her star rating with her third goal coming on extra from the left post off a near pass. Shao Yixin finished a polished extra play for 14-6 but Tara Prentice spoilt the Chinese mini-party with a powerful centre-forward turn at 2:49. With the clocking ticking to the one-minute mark and China running out of possession time, Nong Sanfeng put away a long shot from top right into the top left for 15-7. China went to a timeout at 0:27 and goalkeeper Amanda Longan was the thorn in the side. She stopped the shot and kept the ball until the final buzzer for the first victory of its title defence.
Image Source: Emily Ausmus (USA)/Istvan Derencsenyi/World Aquatics
Match Heroes
Ausmus and Lineback scored three each for USA but it was goalkeeper Longan who proved best in pool with her magnificent 13 saves. Wang Huan was best for China with two goals.
Turning Point
After that 4-4 scare, USA pulled away to 7-4 at halftime kept the pressure on in the third quarter.
Stats Don’t Lie
USA struggled on extra at one from six, as did China at two from seven. USA sent in four from five on penalties. USA had the better of steals at six to one and outshot China 36-32.
Image Source: Wang Huan (CHN)/Istvan Derencsenyi/World Aquatics
Bottom Line
USA is the reigning world champion and this proved that even with a new batch of players, it is still a major threat, no matter what the stage. However, with Oca at the helm of China, more can be expected in Singapore.
What They Said
Adam KRIKORIAN (USA) — Head Coach
On his team’s performance:
“It’s a little bit of a shaky start; I think we were a bit nervous. As we settled down, we were much more organised defensively, and much more efficient offensively.”
On facing a strong opponent:
“What comes to mind is (China’s) number eight (Wang Huan). She hit a couple of nice shots against us. I think it’s not so much them, but playing the first game is always difficult. There’s the anxiousness and having to kind of deal with that.”
On the team’s future goals:
“For the very near future, it’s just to go back and watch the video (playback and) learn. We have such a young group here, that it’s really important we learn as much as we can in each one of these games, and then try to fix those (mistakes). We’re gearing up for the Netherlands (for our) next match — they’re such a talented team, it’s going to be a tough task for us.”
On message for fans back home:
“I think we’ve got incredible support in America for the women’s team, and they always inspire us to give a little bit more to make them proud. Hopefully, we made them proud today, and will continue (to do so) through our effort in our attitude.”
Isabel WILLIAMS (USA) — Athlete
On USA’s mindset going into this match:
“Mindset is just to play together, play our best, work really hard.”
On how the team stayed focused after the close start:
“We relied on each other; we talked to each other and just remembered what we practised every time.”
Miguel OCA (CHN) — Head Coach
On how he feels about representing China as a coach on the world stage, being from Spain:
“Feels good, feels good. I mean I knew a few months ago but I knew before that I was going to coach this team. It was very challenging and I am very much into it.”
On how he keeps his players motivated:
“Wow, well this is the world championship. If we aren’t motivated now when will you be motivated, you know?”
Tactics that his team employed to face off against strong opponents such as the USA:
“We needed good defence and help from each other with many movements. Because the US has a good centre, good shooters. We need to protect the centre but also the shooters. So, we have to move along and help each other a lot that we have been trying.”
His feelings about his team’s performance:
“Well let’s see, let’s see. This is the first game of the tournament and we will work on growing, game after game.”
WANG Huan (CHN) — Two Goals
On how she feels after the match:
“Good and bad. I feel like we performed quite well, but our performance fell off during the second half. We were feeling a bit tired during the third quarter, so we were slower, but we managed to turn that over in the fourth quarter.
On whom she’s looking forward to face this year:
“We’re quite a new team, we changed a lot of members after the Olympics. So, we’re looking forward to facing many teams.”
Match 2, Group B, ARGENTINA 6 NETHERLANDS 25 (1-6, 2-6, 2-7, 1-6)
Image Source: Nina ten Broek (NED) defends/Istvan Derencsenyi/World Aquatics
Netherlands came through as expected but what wasn’t expected was the opening goal to Argentina, earning a penalty in the second minute with Julieta Auliel converting. Never mind, the Dutch were in control thereafter with the next six goals, Simone van de Kraats gaining two down the right unattended. Captain Sabrina van der Sloot split the goals from the same position. The Dutch were equally impressive in the second quarter with van de Kraats and van der Sloot picking up extra goals. It became 9-1 before Argentinian captain Maria Canda scored from the top and at 10-3 Isabella Mastronadi converted from the five-metre line. Vivian Sevenich backhanded from two metres and captain van der Sloot also enjoyed a penalty shot for 12-3 before the halftime buzzer.
The second half was much like the first with the Dutch swelling the score to 18-4 with a raft of different scorers. Argentina made the sheet for the fifth time at 18-5 through Anahi Bacigalupo on penalty. Bente Rogge also scored from the line for her second goal in just over a minute. Kitty Joustra opened the fourth period with a centre-forward sweep shot and turned for her next at 21-5. Lieke Rogge scored a pair and the last two shots were traded for 25-6.
Image Source: Isabella Mastronardi (ARG)/Istvan Derencsenyi/World Aquatics
Match Heroes
Van de Kraats, Fleurien Bosveld, Joustra and Lieke Rogge all scored three each for the Dutch. Mastronardi and Canda netted twice for Argentina.
Turning Point
Netherlands overcoming the tentative start and running out to 9-1.
Stats Don’t Lie
Netherlands scored four from six on extra and defended five from six. Both teams shot three from the penalty line while Netherlands grabbed 14 steals to five and shot 38 times to 24.
Image Source: Argentina v Netherlands/Istvan Derencsenyi/World Aquatics
Bottom Line
Netherlands won this title two years ago in Fukuoka and was the bronze medallist at the Paris Olympic Games last year and also took bronze at this year’s World Cup. Argentina was 16th in 2023.
What They Said
Sabrina Van der SLOOT (NED) — Captain
On what went well for her in this performance:
“I think for the first game early in the morning, we did OK. We can improve, but it was OK.”
On how this helps her team mentally for the next match:
“Well, I think we already knew we had a big chance of winning this game, so we just used it to practise some tactics that we want to use, so in a way, it helps us prepare against the USA.”
On helping rookies and those new to the team:
“We try, every summer when we start preparing the national team to have team meetings, and talk about our values, so that the people who are new to the team can learn and understand the values before the big tournaments.”
Ana AGNESINA (ARG) — Centre Forward
On her team’s performance:
“Actually, I think we could do better. Obviously, they are better than us in many ways. We need to prepare better, and we want to get (at least 20 to 25 points in the next match) but it’s OK.”
On reasons causing the team’s defeat:
“In Argentina, we don’t have (as many preparation opportunities as we would like. We have fewer) trainings and pools, and we don’t have people who want to play water polo (because) nobody knows (about it. So,) it’s difficult to get better.”
On learning takeaways:
“I would say (we played rather aggressively). We need to (work on faster) defence. When we (see) that (the opponent) is about to (make a pass), I (should) swim back to defend (nearby opponents, to prevent the pass from going through). That’s something we need to practise on.”
Match 1, Group D, SOUTH AFRICA 4 SPAIN 23 (1-9, 0-5, 2-4, 1-5)
Image Source: Spanish head coach Jordi Valls/Istvan Derencsenyi/World Aquatics
Spain made its intentions known early with the first four goals from four shots. It took six minutes before Spain missed a couple as South Africa tightened its defence. However, goals were hard to come by as there were more blocks than misses. The goal that got away from Spain was Georgia Eccles’ lob from top right at 4-1. It was a dry affair for South Africa from there as Spain rattled off the goals to 9-1 at the quarter and 14-1 at halftime. The goals were spread around for Spain with Elena Ruiz the first double scorer.
Image Source: Paula Prats (ESP)/Istvan Derencsenyi/World Aquatics
South Africa came alight in the third period after a timeout, scoring consecutive goals after Spain went out to 16-1 with two Paula Crespi strikes. Jo Williams had her shot deflected into goal and Boati Motau made sure of an extra-player goal from deep right for 16-3. Paula Camus and Ariadna Ruiz with their second goals gave Spain the 18-3 margin by the final break. Irene Gonzalez enjoyed her first world championship match with a penalty goal for her third to start the fourth period and then again from deep left. With the match coming to its conclusion, Gonzalez netted her fifth from deep left after a Danielo Moreno penalty goal. South African captain Shakira January finished her team’s scoring with as penalty goal five seconds from the final buzzer.
Match Heroes
Gonzalez with five Spanish goals was the best in pool. Elena Ruiz netted three as four others scored twice. For South Africa it was four different scorers. Both goalkeepers netted nine saves between them.
Turning Point
The opening four-goal haul before South Africa stopped the charge. Spain then swam away with the match to 14-1 at halftime.
Image Source: Jo Williams (RSA)/Istvan Derencsenyi/World Aquatics
Stats Don’t Lie
Spain had the better of the stats with three from three on extra to South Africa’s one from three. Penalty goals went Spain’s way two to one while Spain made 11 steals to two. On total shots, Spain ripped in 36 to South Africa’s 25.
Bottom Line
Spain is the Olympic champion, so this was like the world’s best versus a nation that fills the bottom positions at this level.
What They Said
Anni ESPAR (ESP) — Captain
On the team’s performance:
“I think we had a very good performance. A very good start to the tournament.”
Feelings on representing her country on the world stage:
“It’s really good, I’ve been on the team for a while, representing Spain and to keep being here with my team-mates, younger team-mates. I just feel really proud.”
Opinions on the atmosphere:
“I think it’s a bit early. I think we’ll have better matches in terms of people coming to watch. 9am isn’t the best time to come and support the team, but it’s still good. We had some people in the stands cheering for us; it was good.”
Shakira JANUARY (RSA) — Captain
On how the team feels:
“It’s not every day that you get to play the Olympic champions. We’re happy with the result, we focused on (it) and we’re happy with the small wins and goals we set for ourselves. I mean, we just focused on hitting our small goals and we’re happy with the outcome.”
On what results the team is seeking:
“So, we’re obviously always striving for (a) top 12 (placement). I think our games (with) France and Great Britain are the two ones we’re looking for a much smaller goal margin than this one. But we are definitely excited and pushing for (a win) with Great Britain.”
On what message she wants to send to her rivals:
“Watch out for South Africa!”
Progress Points
Group A: Australia, Italy, New Zealand, Singapore.
Group B: Netherlands 3, United States of America 3, China 0, Argentina 0.
Group C: Japan 3, Greece Hungary, Croatia 0.
Group D: Spain 3, Great Britain 3, France 0, South Africa 0.
Day 3 Schedule
Match 09. 09:00. Group B, China v Argentina
Match 10. 10:35. Group C, Hungary v Japan
Match 11. 12:10. Group D, Great Britain v South Africa
Match 12, 13:45, Group C, Croatia v Greece
Match 13. 16:00. Group D, Spain v France
Match 14. 17:35. Group A, Australia v Italy
Match 15. 19:10. Group A, New Zealand v Singapore
Match 16. 20:45. Group B, United States of America v Netherlands
Sports
New renderings show Green Bay’s vision for Shipyard additions
GREEN BAY (NBC26) — Green bay’s vision for its Shipyard district near the Fox River is one step closer, with new renderings being released by the City’s Parks Department at Wednesday’s Parks Committee meeting. The renderings show Phase II of the Shipyard improvement projects, which City Alder Brian Johnson says will include a beach volleyball […]

GREEN BAY (NBC26) — Green bay’s vision for its Shipyard district near the Fox River is one step closer, with new renderings being released by the City’s Parks Department at Wednesday’s Parks Committee meeting.
The renderings show Phase II of the Shipyard improvement projects, which City Alder Brian Johnson says will include a beach volleyball courts, a dog park, a grass amphitheater, playground, and what he calls an urban beach.
Johnson says construction on that phase of the project will begin in in 2026, and that, so far, the project has been supported by grants and tax increment district (TID) funding rather than directly by taxpayer money.
See Johnson’s full post about the renderings here, and the renderings below.

City of Green Bay | Ayres Associates

City of Green Bay | Ayres Associates

City of Green Bay | Ayres Associates

City of Green Bay | Ayres Associates

City of Green Bay | Ayres Associates

City of Green Bay | Ayres Associates

City of Green Bay | Ayres Associates

City of Green Bay | Ayres Associates

City of Green Bay | Ayres Associates

City of Green Bay | Ayres Associates

City of Green Bay | Ayres Associates
Sports
Leon Marchand in All 4 Events
World Championships Entry List Released: Leon Marchand Entered in All Four Gold-Medal Events World Aquatics has released the entry list for the 42 pool swimming events that will be contested at the organization’s upcoming signature event in Singapore. These entries contain the swimmers entered in each event in alphabetical order by country, not in order […]

World Championships Entry List Released: Leon Marchand Entered in All Four Gold-Medal Events
World Aquatics has released the entry list for the 42 pool swimming events that will be contested at the organization’s upcoming signature event in Singapore. These entries contain the swimmers entered in each event in alphabetical order by country, not in order of seed times. The pool swimming competition will take place July 27-August 3 at a special venue at the Singapore Sports Hub.
View the full entry list here.
Little new information can be gleaned from these initial entries as each national federation had staged selection meets or announced their rosters heading to Singapore. However, these lists do confirm that Leon Marchand is entered in all four individual events in which he won Olympic gold last summer in Paris. It was unclear if he would attempt both the 200 butterfly and 200 breaststroke in addition to the individual medley events. Previously, he skipped the 200 breast at global meets in 2022 and 2023.
Marchand did not race at the French Championships in June, but he did post some reminders of his 2024 dominance at the Longhorn Elite Invitational in May, where his times included the world’s best 400 IM this year.
Summer McIntosh is the headliner on the women’s side, with the 18-year-old Canadian set to swim five individual events following her historic performance at Canadian Trials. McIntosh will be the top seed in both medley events, the 400 free and 200 fly and the No. 2 seed behind Katie Ledecky in the 800 free.
One unresolved entry was cleared up with this release: James Guy will be the second British representative in the 200 free along with 2023 world champion Matt Richards. Guy had tied with Duncan Scott for the win in the event at the British Championships, but only one spot was available with Richards pre-selected by virtue of his Paris Olympic silver in the event. Guy receives the nod while Scott has several other individual events and relays on his Singapore slate.
For the United States, this list confirms several adjustments to the roster that took place following U.S. Nationals. Bobby Finke has opted out of the 400 IM to focus on the distance freestyle races, ceding his spot to Rex Maurer, while both Katie Ledecky and Torri Huske declined spots in the 200 free, putting Erin Gemmell in position for the individual nod alongside Claire Weinstein.
While the pool events are still more than two weeks away, the World Championships officially begin Friday with water polo action taking place over two weeks (July 11-24). Open water swimming will follow with competition starting July 15.
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