This team is impressive': Curaçao advances to Little League World Series

Curaçao footballer Jurich Carolina and his club Borac Banja Luka have learned their opponents for the UEFA Europa Conference League league phase. The draw was held yesterday, placing Borac Banja Luka in a group alongside seven other clubs from across Europe. Their opponents include Italian side Atalanta, Greek club Panathinaikos, Spanish outfit Getafe, Finnish side KuPS, Scottish club Hearts, Latvian side Riga FC, and Swedish club Mjällby AIF. The competition represents a significant stage for both Carolina and Borac Banja Luka, who will face a challenging mix of established and emerging European football clubs. For Carolina, a Curaçao international, competing at this level in a major UEFA club competition is a notable milestone in his career.

Thakaidzwa Doran, former president of FEBEKO and director of FDDK, appeared as a guest this week on the local sports talk show 'Kayente di Wega' in Willemstad, Curaçao. During the appearance, Doran discussed his ongoing production of a documentary centered on baseball legend Andruw Jones, the Curaçao-born MLB star. He indicated the documentary is expected to be completed and released by the end of this year. In addition to the documentary, Doran also spoke about ways local athletes in Curaçao can better promote themselves and build their personal profiles. The conversation highlighted both the island's pride in Jones's storied career and the broader challenge of elevating homegrown athletic talent on an international stage. Doran's dual background in sports federation leadership and film production positions him as a key figure in advancing sports culture on the island.

The second round of the 2026 Kopa Kòrsou (Curaçao Cup) football tournament kicks off today in Willemstad. Nine teams from the local third division recently competed in the first round of the competition. Of those nine clubs, four successfully advanced and qualified for the second round, which begins today. The Kopa Kòrsou is an annual domestic cup competition that gives lower-division clubs the opportunity to compete on a broader stage within Curaçao's football pyramid. The advancement of four third-division sides sets the stage for what could be competitive matchups as the tournament progresses.