From May 8 to 31, the 2026 Dalian University of Technology “Yanfeng Cup” Graduate Student-Faculty Basketball Team Tournament came to a successful conclusion after nearly one month of intense competition. The Chinese and international faculty-student team of SIE fought with determination throughout the tournament and eventually finished as the runner-up after several rounds of high-intensity matches.This achievement marks a historic breakthrough for SIE’s basketball team after ten years. Rising from a period of limited competitive results, the team advanced all the way to the final and came within a narrow margin of the championship, writing a passionate new chapter for SIE basketball.
This year’s SIE team was a distinctive example of Chinese-international integration, bringing together faculty members and students from different cultural backgrounds. The team was also undergoing a key stage of transition between senior and new players. With a very limited roster of only eight student players and one faculty player, and with only five core players available, SIE had one of the thinnest lineups in the tournament. Short-handed and facing limited rotation options, the team encountered tough challenges throughout the competition. Nevertheless, every player upheld the spirit of sportsmanship, refused to give up, and fought with courage and perseverance.
In the group stage, SIE demonstrated strong resilience and solid competitiveness. The team secured two crucial victories, defeating the joint team of the School of Information and Communication Engineering and the School of Mathematical Sciences 51–33, and edging past the School of Physical Education 46–41. The final group match against the joint team of the School of Public Administration and the School of Marxism was a vivid reflection of the team’s fighting spirit. After four quarters of fierce competition, the two sides were tied. In the closing moments of the fourth quarter, SIE once took the lead, but a core player was forced to leave the court due to a serious injury caused by a foul. Despite the setback, the team refused to surrender. In overtime, with a reduced lineup and under tremendous pressure, SIE fought until the final whistle and narrowly lost the match. The perseverance shown in that game went far beyond the result itself.
Tempered by adversity, the SIE team grew stronger in the knockout stage. In the quarterfinals, the players maintained steady performance on both offense and defense, defeating the joint team of the School of Architecture and Fine Art and the School of Control Science and Engineering 54–44 and advancing to the semifinals. In the semifinal against the strong team from the School of Bioengineering, both sides remained closely matched throughout the game, with repeated exchanges in offense and defense. Relying on strong mental resilience and close teamwork, SIE finally claimed a thrilling 66–65 victory, successfully reaching the final.
In the championship game, SIE faced the School of Electrical Engineering in a peak showdown. The two teams were evenly matched, and every pass, defensive play, and shot reflected a high level of competitive performance. The score remained tight throughout the game, with both sides taking the lead at different moments. After a fierce battle until the very end, SIE narrowly lost by only one basket and finished as the runner-up. Although the result left some regret, this young team had already surpassed itself and achieved its best tournament result in a decade.
Looking back on the past ten years, SIE basketball has gone through a long process of accumulation and transformation. The last time the team reached the podium was in 2016, when it won third place. In the years that followed, the team experienced a period of relatively modest results, with seventh place in last year’s “Elite Cup” being its best performance in recent years. Over the past two years, under the dedicated guidance of faculty advisors and coaches, the team has undergone comprehensive improvement. Its tactical system has become more mature, cooperation among players has been greatly strengthened, and the team has regained its fearless, determined, and competitive spirit. Team captain Habib, with outstanding individual ability and a strong sense of responsibility, led the new generation of players to grow steadily, overcome obstacles step by step, and reach the final.
Behind this outstanding achievement lies SIE’s continued commitment to the educational philosophy of “promoting growth through sports and strengthening unity through competition.” Relying on the DUT SIEAGLE International Sports Club, the school has actively supported various sports teams and used athletic events as a bridge for exchange among Chinese and international faculty and students. Through sports, students from different countries learn from one another, build solidarity, break cultural barriers, and gather youthful strength through teamwork and competition.
The runner-up title in this year’s “Yanfeng Cup” is not an end, but a new beginning. Looking ahead, the School of International Education will continue to strengthen its support for the DUT SIEAGLE International Sports Club, deepen its model of sports-based education and cultural integration, and cultivate the spirit of perseverance, resilience, and striving for excellence. SIE will continue to encourage Chinese and international students to shine on the court and move forward with determination on their journey of growth. We look forward to seeing the SIE basketball team achieve even greater success and reach new heights in the future.
