Baseball
The first games of the 55th National Series, classic baseball in Cuba, concludes today with matches to be played from the center to the east of the Island.

If the weather improves in the southern part of the country, today's matches between defending champions Ciego de Avila, and Industriales, and that of unbeaten Villa Clara vs. Isla de la Juventud, current runner-up, will be determined.

And in another of baseball, the Cuban selection defeated Chinese Taipei 3-2 in the 5th round of the Baseball World Cup U-18, based in Japan.

The Cubans scored 3 runs, with 8 hits and 2 errors, to ensure their 4th win in the tournament.

Rowing
The duo composed of Cubans Eduardo Rubio and Adrian Oquendo advanced to the semifinals stage, two pair, lightweight category, at the World Rowing Championships, which takes place in Aiguebelette, France.

Basketball (M)

The Cuban men's basketball team will its 1st victory against Puerto Rico in the Preolympics Tournament of the Americas, with a stage in Mexico City until next September 12th.

Volleyball (F)

The women's team of Cuba lost to the United States in 3 sets today at the close of the 2nd stage of the World Volleyball Cup taking place in several cities in Japan, where 12 teams are vying for 2 Olympic tickets.

According to the website of the contest, the Americans dominated the match from start to finish, with partials of 25-15, 25-11 and 25-15, and highlights for Tetori Alvarez, top scorer of the match with 21 points, supported by Kimberly Hill with 15, while Regla Gracia (12) and Jennifer Dixon (9) highlighted among the young Caribbeans.

The superiority of the United States was reflected in all statistical categories, with large positive balance in the attack, 42-21, blocking (11-4), and errors (6-18), although the service were coupled (4-4) with Cubans.

In the remaining matches, Russia, Kenya and China overcame 3-0 to Peru, Algeria and Argentina, respectively, while South Korea decided 3-1 over Serbia and Dominican Republic edged Japan by 3-2.

The program in the 1st day of the 3rd round will be next Friday with meetings between Dominicans and Chinese, Argentines and Peruvians, Russians and Americans, Cubans and Serbians, Kenyans and South Koreans, and Japanese vs. Algerians.

The United States, with 22 points, 7 wins and 1 reverse, leads the table followed by Russia and China (21-7-1), Serbia and Japan (18-7-1), Dominican Republic (13-4-4), Argentina and South Korea (9-3-5), Cuba (6-2-6), Kenya and Peru (3-1-7) and Algeria (0-0-8).

Cuba Finished 10th in Athletics World Championships

Cuba finished 10th at the Athletics World Championships held in Beijing China, with 2 gold and 1 silver medals.

Kenya topped the standings with 7 gold, 6 silver and 3 bronze medals, trailed by Jamaica (7-2-3), the United States (6-6-6), followed by Great Britain (4-1-2), Ethiopia (3-3-2), Poland (3-1-4), Canada (2-3-3), and Germany (2-3-3), according to the website of the event.

Russia, which hosted and won the previous championships in 2013, also finished 10th but with a bronze medal more than Cuba.

The Cuban delegation won its first gold medals since 2009, this time Yarisley Silva in pole vault (women) and Denia Caballero in discus throw while triple jumper Pedro Pablo Pichardo took the silver medal.

Volleyball (M)

The European giant Italy defeated Cuba 3-1 (25-22, 18-25, 25-23, 25-21) to secure the bronze medal of Men's U23 World Championship at Al Nasr Hall in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Monday. Italy revenged their Pool stage defeat to get the bronze medal, while Cuba finished 4th.

Italy's Gabriele Nelli led the way with an impressive total of 25 points while center Elia Bossi scored 14. Osmany Uriarte led the losers with 21 points followed by Abrahan Alfonso 12, supported by Rodriguez Osoria attack in the 2nd set.

The dominance in blocking and back-line defense were key factor for the Italian team to gain the bronze medal as they could won the crucial points of each set to capture the victory.

Though Cuba fought early through the wing spikes to lead 2-1, 4-3 and 5-4 before Italy's setter Luca Spirito conducts some combinations putting his team ahead 8-7 at the first TTO, the Caribbean team made many mistakes.