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Mbappe breaks nose in France Euro 2024 win

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Kylian Mbappe of France receives a treatment after suffering an injury during a Group D match between Austria and France at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Duesseldorf, Germany, Monday, June 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Kylian Mbappe will not need surgery but will wear a mask when he returns to action after the France captain suffered a broken nose in his team’s 1-0 Euro 2024 win over Austria on Monday, the French Football Federation said.

Mbappe’s head violently collided with the shoulder of Austrian defender Kevin Danso as they competed for the ball in the air late in the Group D opener in Duesseldorf.

The star striker left the pitch in the 90th minute as blood poured from his nose, with a source close to the player later saying it was broken.

Philippe Diallo, president of the French federation (FFF), told reporters that Mbappe would “not require an operation”.

READ: Mbappe rules out representing France at Paris Olympics

A statement published by the FFF confirmed the extent of the injury, saying Mbappe had undergone tests at a hospital in Duesseldorf before rejoining the France squad at their base in Paderborn, a two-hour drive to the east.

“A mask will be made which will allow (Mbappe) to contemplate a return to action after a period of treatment,” the FFF said.

However, it is not clear if that means Mbappe will be able to play in France’s next game, against the Netherlands in Leipzig on Friday.

France coach Didier Deschamps was not optimistic when he spoke to reporters after Monday’s match, which was decided by a Maximilian Woeber own goal late in the first half.

“He is in a bad way. He is not well. His nose is a mess, that’s for sure. That is the black mark of the evening for us,” Deschamps said of Mbappe.

Play had initially continued after the accidental collision, with Mbappe prone in the opposition box until Austria goalkeeper Patrick Pentz signaled to the referee that the Frenchman required attention.

READ: Kylian Mbappe finally joins Real Madrid

Mbappe was treated by the France medical team and his white shirt was streaked with blood as he wandered down the touchline holding his nose.

The new Real Madrid signing came back onto the pitch and promptly sat down as the referee brandished a yellow card in his direction for re-entering the field of play without permission.

Mbappe was then replaced by veteran attacker Olivier Giroud.

“It is not a little scratch. I know he is always being talked about but I can’t say more,” Deschamps added, before expressing hope that his star player would not be sidelined for any length of time.

“I have always said that the France team will be stronger with Kylian in it.”

Deschamps was at least pleased with the result, as France kicked off with a victory in their quest to win a first European Championship title since 2000.

“It is good to start with a victory against such opponents,” he said.

“We could and should have done better with certain opportunities. But overall, it was positive, and we showed we were up for the fight as well.



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“That is important. We have quality and talent, but we need to remain solid as well.”

Canada denies fan favorite Japan in five sets

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Canada celebrates a point against Japan in the VNL 2024 Week 3 match in Manila, Philippines. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

VNL 2024 SCHEDULE: Week 3 Manila, Philippines leg

MANILA, Philippines — Most of the Filipino crowd may have been cheering for Japan, but Canada got the last laugh in their crucial Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2024 Week 3 match on Tuesday evening at Mall of Asia Arena.

In front of a good weekday crowd, Canada denied Japan’s fightback in five sets, 25-21, 20-25, 25-15, 20-25, 15-10, to keep its Final Eight chances on track with an improved 5-4 record in seventh place.

Thousands of Filipino fans may be on the side of the Japanese, who are playing in their third straight VNL in Manila, but Stephen Maar, who led the collective effort of the Canadians with 24 points, was dauntless.

READ: ‘Great expectations’ ahead for Japan in VNL Manila leg

“Sometimes it’s nice to be the villain so I enjoy that,” Maar said after drilling 22 kills and two aces.

Eric Loeppky had fun in his first game in the country, delivering 15 points built on 13 kills and two blocks as Canada also played in Manila for the third straight year.

“It’s the first game of the week. You never kind of know what you’re gonna expect and I think we came out really strong and they’re a good team so we battled,” Loeppky told reporters. “The fans were awesome here it’s my first time in the Philippines so I really enjoyed that but we’re really happy we came out with the win.”

“I wasn’t here last year, unfortunately. I’ve heard legendary stories all year about how amazing the fans are and I finally got to see it and they can really make some noise. So it’s awesome and it’s a fun environment and I really enjoy playing,” he added.

Arthur Swarc also scored 15 points off 12 spikes, two blocks, and an ace, Pearson Eshenko and Danny Demyanenko chipped in eight points each as Canada got its act together in the fifth set, pulling away with a 10-6 advantage en route to a big win.

Loeppky puts a premium on consistency as they battle Germany on Thursday at 11 a.m.



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“I think for us it’s consistency. Last week, we were able to get big wins but in the following game we struggled a bit. I think that’s our next goal to see how consistent can we play for the next match,” he said.

Japan slid to a 6-3 record still in No.6 despite the efforts of Yuji Nishida and Yuki Ishikawa. Ran Takahashi added 13 points before its next match against the Netherlands on Friday.

It takes time to win–a lesson Luka Doncic is dealing with

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Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after slipping against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter of Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. Adam Glanzman/Getty Images/AFP

Michael Jordan needed seven seasons to win his first title. LeBron James needed nine seasons and two futile trips to the NBA Finals before he became a champion. Shaquille O’Neal got swept in his first finals. And the newly crowned champion Boston Celtics lost the finals in 2022 and lost in the Eastern Conference Finals last year before now breaking through.

The lesson, as everyone knows: Winning the biggest prize almost always takes time. Not always. But usually.

Such is the reality for Luka Doncic. At 25, he’s already one of the best players in the world, if not the very best of the bunch. But he’s not a champion. Yet.

READ: Luka Doncic: NBA Finals loss can be springboard for Mavericks

The wait for his first championship will now extend until at least 2025, which really shouldn’t be all that surprising. Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks weren’t a logical pick in this series against the Celtics; one was a 50-win team that caught fire at the end of the regular season, the other was a 64-win team that was better than everyone from the very beginning. The smart money said Dallas would fall in these finals, and that’s what happened. It ended Monday night in Boston, the Celtics winning 106-88, an 18-point margin for their record-setting 18th title.

“They’re a great team. They have been together for a long time, and they had to go through everything, so we just got to look at them, see how they play, the maturity, and they have some great players,” Doncic said when it was all over Monday night. “We can learn from that. We’ve got to fight next season.”

Let’s be clear: losing these NBA Finals should in no way be an indictment of Doncic. He could have played better, of course. Smarter at times, for certain. He spent some of the finals arguing too often with referees. He knows that. That said, letting a finals loss take anything away from the first six years of his body of NBA work would be ridiculous.

He’s scored 11,470 points so far, 15th-most of anyone through their first six NBA seasons. Throw in his 3,472 rebounds and 3,317 assists, and Oscar Robertson is the only other player with such stats through Year 1 through Year 6. James came close. Jordan came close. But they didn’t have those numbers.

READ: A postseason like almost none other for Doncic, even without NBA title

It’s not like this needs explaining, but just in case: Doncic — already a five-time All-NBA first-team selection — is on an absolute Hall of Fame trajectory.

“He’s played as best as he can despite the circumstances, just injuries and stuff,” Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving said earlier in these finals. “He’s been giving it his all.”

Doncic played through knee and ankle issues in the playoffs. He had a thoracic contusion that required painkilling injections to get through the NBA Finals. He wasn’t at his best, and he would have had to be otherworldly for Dallas to have had a real chance in this series.

He finished the playoffs as the leader in points, rebounds and assists anyway. Not the Mavs’ leader. The NBA’s leader.

“He’s one of the best players in the world, and so I think the biggest thing for him is that we all would like to be healthy, but there’s going to be bumps and bruises along the way,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “So, for him at the age of 25 to get to the finals, to be playing his basketball at the level that he’s playing, now it’s just being consistent. … When you have one of the best players in the world, you should be always fighting for a championship.”

Luka Doncic Dallas Mavericks NBA Finals

Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks high fives a staff member against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter of Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. Elsa/Getty Images/AFP

The Mavs felt that Doncic was the real MVP of the league this season, and their argument was compelling even though it didn’t resonate much with voters. Kidd says Doncic’s greatness gets taken for granted, which may be true. When Doncic gets it going, it’s must-watch TV. He makes scoring look as easy as anyone has in this generation. He’s not a high-flyer like Jordan, not someone who plays with the force, flair and power like James does. But when he’s on, forget it.

He might not be “the” face of the league. But he’s in the conversation, especially globally. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver watched Doncic closely on the day before the finals started and, in his own words, came away with yet another “example of how international this league is.”

“Someone who grew up in Slovenia and trained in Madrid and Spain was doing interviews in three different languages,” Silver said. “Again, many of you spend time with him, but he’s an exemplar of the modern NBA.”

The Mavs bristled at criticism Doncic took during the finals, but in some ways, that’s welcome-to-the-club stuff. Jordan heard doubters. James still does. The Celtics, until Monday night, did as well. They don’t doubt nobodies. Comes with the territory, and Kidd hopes Doncic converts it into fuel for his future.

“When you’re on the biggest stage, someone’s got to poke a hole,” Kidd said. “This will only make the great ones better. When you look at … LeBron, Michael, the greats, the GOATs, they all were poked at, and they came back stronger and better. I truly believe Luka will come back stronger and better.”



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PVL: Cloanne Mondoñedo banks on familiarity with ZUS Coffee

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St. Benilde Blazers star Cloanne Mondoñedo during Collegiate Press Coprs Awards. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — After steering the College of Saint Benilde to an unbeaten ‘three-peat’ in the NCAA, Cloanne Mondoñedo prepares for the next chapter of her career with ZUS Coffee in the PVL Reinforced Conference starting in July.

Mondoñedo, the Collegiate Press Corps’ NCAA Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year, is tempering her expectations heading to the pros although she and some of her fellow Lady Blazers already experienced playing in the PVL as guest players for Farm Fresh.

“We will just show what we’re capable of and perform [our roles],” the NCAA Season 99 MVP and Best Setter.

READ: PH women’s basketball, men’s volleyball standouts feted

“It’s gonna be like big adjustments for us not. It’s a huge job for us,” she added.

Mondoñedo won’t need to undergo the PVL Rookie Draft as she and her St. Benilde teammates Gayle Pascual, Michelle Gamit, and Jade Gentapa already played for Farm Fresh last year.

As she runs the plays for ZUS Coffee, formerly Strong Group Athletics, the young setter is grateful to have her coach Jerry Yee and fellow Lady Blazers leading a rebuilding team.

“Our familiarity is a big factor for us. It will be easier for us to bond and communicate,” she said.

ZUS Coffee has a 40% chance of getting the top pick in the draft lottery on Monday.



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VNL 2024: Brazil fends off Netherlands to boost Final Eight bid

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Brazil’s Darlan Ferreira Souza goes for a hit against the Netherlands defenders in a VNL 2024 Week 3 game at Mall of Asia Arena. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

VNL 2024 SCHEDULE: Week 3 Manila, Philippines leg

MANILA, Philippines — Brazil overcame a slow start and the 38-point explosion of Nimir Abdel-Aziz for the Netherlands, 24-26, 25-23, 31-29, 25-20, to solidify its chances for the Final Eight in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Week 3 on Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Brazil leaned on a collective effort led by Darlan Souza to recover from a first-set loss, where it squandered a 23-21 lead, before getting its act together to improve to a 6-3 record in third place.

Souza powered the Brazilians with 26 points off 20 attacks, three blocks, and three aces to get the win over Abdel-Aziz, who drilled 33 kills and five aces for the Netherlands.

“We got a little nervous. The Netherlands played so well but we eventually managed to boost our pace and we’re happy to get the win,” Souza told reporters. “It’s always good when we get a win. It’s a boost in our morale and the matches are very hard so we have to stay focused with our [remaining] matchups.”

Brazil survived a tight third set, where it fought back from a 23-24 deficit before taking five set point advantages but Maarten Van Garderen’s kill tied the frame to 29-all.

However, Van Garderen missed his serve that brought back the Brazilians at set point, 30-29, before Flavio Resende delivered a big block on  Abdel-Aziz to take a 2-1 match advantage.

The Brazilians pulled away in the fourth set with an 18-13 spread and never looked back to win their first assignment in Manila before facing Team USA on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Lucas Saatkamp also stepped up for Brazil with 12 points including three blocks. Flavio delivered 11 points off five attacks and six blocks, while Lucarelli Souza and Leal Hidalgo added nine and eight points, respectively.

The Netherlands dropped to 13th place with a 3-6 card amid Abdel-Aziz’s big game. Van Garderen stepped up with 15 points as they battle Iran on Thursday.



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Salenka, Jabeur rule out Paris Olympics to avoid risking health

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Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka celebrates a point against Poland’s Iga Swiatek during the Women’s final at the WTA Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 18, 2024. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)

BERLIN — Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and two-time Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur ruled themselves out of the Olympic Games in Paris on Monday.

Both top-10 players said they didn’t want to switch from grass at Wimbledon back to clay at Roland Garros for the Olympic tournament and then immediately start the hard-court season in North America.

World No 3 Sabalenka from Belarus said she’d rather have a break.

READ: Sabalenka overpowers Zheng to retain Australian Open crown

“It’s too much for the scheduling and I made the decision to take care of my health,” she said in Berlin, where she’s warming up for Wimbledon.

“I prefer to have a little rest to make sure physically and health-wise I’m ready for the hard courts. I’ll have a good preparation before going to the hard-court season. I feel that this is safer and better for my body.”

World No. 10 Jabeur from Tunisia wrote on X that not being able to play at a fourth consecutive Olympics was unfortunate.

“We (and my medical team) have decided that the quick change of surface and the body’s adaptation required would put my knee at risk and jeopardize the rest of my season,” Jabeur wrote.

READ: Andy Murray uncertain if he’ll play in Paris Olympics

“I have always loved representing my country in any competition, However, I must listen to my body and follow my medical team’s advise.”

Jabeur competed at the last three Olympics without winning a match.



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VNL 2024 Week 3 Manila June 18

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 VNL 2024 schedule June 18

5pm – Netherlands vs Brazil
8:30pm –  Canada vs  Japan

FULL SCHEDULE HERE.

USA team captain Micah Christenson during a press conference ahead of the VNL Week 3 in Manila. –PNVF PHOTO

VNL 2024 schedule: Week 3 Manila, Philippines leg

MANILA, Philippines — Team USA braces for a tough climb to the Final Eight of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) as it plays crucial games in its first stint in Manila for Week 3.

All eyes are on the Americans as they play at Mall of Asia Arena for the first time in the Philippines’ third straight hosting of the prestigious world tournament.

“It’s a pleasure to be here. It’s our first year here. We felt a lot of love online and on social media from Filipino fans so to finally be here and experience it in person is a real pleasure,” USA skipper Micah Christenson said. “We’re excited to experience it all.” FULL STORY

‘Great expectations’ ahead for Japan in VNL Manila leg

VNL men's volleyball

Team captains and coaches who will be participating in the VNL men’s volleyball
competition that will be held in MOA Arena in Pasay City. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Yuki Ishikawa and Japan are elated to play in Manila for the third time in a row in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2024 Week 3 starting Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Japanese men’s volleyball team, the fan-favorite of Filipinos, resumes its VNL campaign against Canada at 8:30 p.m. after the Netherlands and Brazil’s match at 5 p.m.

“We are so happy to be here again. We played for the last two years and we are doing well. This week is very important for us because, after our pool matches, we have the (VNL) finals and the Olympic Games,” said Ishiwaka, who will play in the Paris Olympics 2024. “Our goal is we’ll take good lessons to the Olympic Games. We’ll do well this weekend.” FULL STORY



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Choco Mucho, Alinsunurin hope to overcome stars’ absence

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Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin in the PVL.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin braces for big adjustments in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference in July as they are set to miss Alas Pilipinas players Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag.

Alinsunurin, who was hailed by the Collegiate Press Corps as the first-ever UAAP Men’s Volleyball Coach of the Year on Monday evening, bared some updates ahead of the upcoming second conference, where former MVP Rondina and veteran middle blocker Nunag will miss the action due to their duties with the Philippine women’s volleyball team.

Although the Alas members won’t play in the midseason conference due to the upcoming FIVB Challenger Cup in July and SEA V.League in August, the two-time PVL silver medalist coach is still hoping to get their players back in the latter part of the Reinforced or in the Invitational Conference in September, where the top four of the import-laden tournament will qualify and play with two guest teams.

READ: Dante Alinsunurin sculpts UAAP title after PVL shortcoming

“They won’t be able to play in the [early part of the conference]. That’s for sure. Because of the competitions in July and August. But we’re hoping that once the SEA V.League is done, they can make it at least in the Invitationals,” Alinsunurin told reporters. “We are currently requesting if they can rejoin our team after those leagues.”

For now, Choco Mucho is seeking to sign free agents, which he didn’t disclose, and draft players in the first-ever PVL Rookie Draft, where the Flying Titans will select the 11th pick.

“We’re hoping to sign free agents and use our draft picks to help our team and fill in the void in the second conference,” Alinsunurin said.

READ: Dante Alinsunurin back with PH men’s volleyball team as assistant

“We want to draft the players who can help us. It’s hard to give a specific position because we’re drafting the second to the least but we’re looking for a middle blocker, an outside hitter, and an opposite spiker.”

Alinsunurin, though, bared that Kat Tolentino, who missed the latter part of the All-Filipino Conference due to an auditory condition, is slowly regaining her form, while Des Cheng and Aduke Ogunsanya are still recovering from their ACL injuries.

“Kat has started [training with us]. At least her movement is back to 50 percent and she’s slowly recovering,” he said. “Des has started training but she’s still working her way back, she’s at 30%, while Aduke is still undergoing rehab.”



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Jayson Tatum says past pain inspired Boston Celtics

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Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates during the closing seconds of the fourth quarter of Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. Elsa/Getty Images/AFP

Jayson Tatum said the bitter sting of past postseason defeats powered the Boston Celtics to their record-breaking 18th NBA championship on Monday against the Dallas Mavericks.

The 26-year-old Celtics star produced a masterful 31-point performance as Boston completed a 4-1 series triumph with a resounding 106-88 victory.

The win couldn’t have been sweeter for Tatum, who just over a year ago was being derided as a playoff “choker” after the Celtics suffered a traumatic game seven home court defeat to Miami in the Eastern Conference finals.

That shattering loss came a year after the Celtics had lost 4-2 to Golden State in the NBA Finals, with the Warriors clinching the series on Boston’s home court.

Tatum said those back-to-back defeats had left Boston with a “relentless” desire to finally close out a championship.

READ: Celtics rout Mavericks to win record 18th NBA championship

“It took being on the other side of this and losing in the Finals and being at literally the lowest point in a basketball career that you could be, to next year, to the following year, thinking that was going to be the time, and come up short again,” Tatum said.

“Coming up short and having failures makes this moment that much better. Because you know what it feels like to lose.

“You know what it feels like to be on the other side of this and be in the locker room and hearing the other team celebrating, hearing them celebrate on your home floor.

“That was devastating.”

Tatum though was all smiles on Monday after finally entering the NBA’s winner’s circle.

“It’s a hell of a feeling,” Tatum said. “I dreamed about what it would be like, but this is 10 times better.”

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla, who at 35 is the youngest head coach to win an NBA crown since Bill Russell in 1968 at the age of 34, said past disappointments had forged a determination to succeed amongst his players.

READ: Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla goes from Division 2 coach to NBA champion

“It really starts with them,” Mazzulla said. “You can’t have a philosophy or a way of playing if you don’t have a group of guys that are willing to buy into it and be disciplined.

“Quite honestly, this group of guys has been through so much in the league, they know what it takes.”

The Celtics win was also a personal triumph for Mazzulla, who was thrust into the head coaching role in the 2022-2023 season after the abrupt departure of predecessor Ime Udoka due to a sex scandal.

After last year’s playoff flop against Miami, several pundits called for Mazzulla to be fired.

The Boston coach however maintained that taking disappointment in his stride had been part of his and the Celtics success.



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“I think just having an understanding that praise and criticism are both just as dangerous,” Mazzulla said. “If you don’t handle them well, and I think we talked about that as a team this year, like winning is just as dangerous as losing if you don’t handle it well.

“I think our guys handled winning the right way by, whether we won or lost, we just moved on to the next game.”

NBA Finals loss can be springboard for Mavericks

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Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts during the fourth quarter of Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. Elsa/Getty Images/AFP

Dallas star Luka Doncic was still absorbing the bitter blow of NBA Finals defeat, but one big lesson from the Mavericks 4-1 loss to the Boston Celtics was already clear.

“We’ve got to fight next season,” the 25-year-old Slovenian said, adding that the example of the Celtics themselves — back in the winner’s circle after falling in the finals in 2022 then missing out on the title series last year — was one to note.

“They’re a great team,” Doncic said. “They have been together for a long time, and they had to go through everything, so we’ve just got to look at them, see how they play, (they have) maturity, and they have some great players.

“We can learn from that,” Doncic said.

Doncic spearheaded an often sluggish Mavs offense throughout the series, despite playing with nagging knee and ankle injuries and a painful chest contusion.

READ: A postseason like almost none other for Doncic, even without NBA title

“It doesn’t matter if I was hurt, how much was I hurt,” said Doncic, who scored 28 points in Monday’s Game 5 defeat that saw Boston clinch a record 18th NBA title.

“I was out there. I tried to play, but I didn’t do enough.”

Having extended the series with a game-four blowout, Dallas never led on Monday, trailing by double digits throughout the second half.

But Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said just booking the title showdown with the 64-win Celtics — a year after Dallas failed to make the playoffs — was a harbinger of what this Mavs team can accomplish.

“This is just the beginning,” Kidd said. “A lot of people — excluding the people in the locker room — didn’t have us here.

READ: Doncic, Irving can’t deliver for Mavericks in NBA Finals clincher

“Yes, we lost 4-1, but I thought the group fought against the Celtics and just unfortunately just couldn’t make shots.”

As the game ended, Doncic exchanged an embrace with teammate Kyrie Irving, an NBA champion alongside LeBron James with Cleveland in 2016 who was brought in to bolster the Mavs in February of 2023.

“We said we’ll fight together next season, and we’re just going to believe,” Doncic said.

The Mavs’ post-season push was buoyed at the trade deadline by the acquisitions of P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, and guard Josh Green said Dallas has the raw materials to challenge again.

“I think we got here and everyone is hungry now and obviously we didn’t get what we wanted. We need to regroup and be back here again next year,” Green said.

Added Irving: “Failure at this stage definitely sucks. It’s a bitter feeling because you want to keep playing and you feel like your best game is coming up next.



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“But I’m grateful for the opportunity to grow with these guys in this locker room, and everybody across the organization.”