On August 11, sponsored by Dalian Sports Bureau and undertaken by Dalian Anschutz Entertainment & Sports Development Co., Ltd., the three-day 2017 Dalian Four-Country Men's Basketball Elite Contest was rounded off in Damai Center (Dalian Sports Center-Stadium). On behalf of China, the Liaoning Team competed with the Serbian National Team, the Lithuanian National Team and the Montenegro National Team. The four top teams offered enthusiastic basketball fans six high-level international basketball matches over three nights. The fierce competition and breath-taking rivalry attracted a total number of 7,000 basketball fans to cheer up the teams. 

       The competition atmosphere was animated, and the audience’s enthusiasm was ignited, cheering up the players; players were full of vigor and morale, and strived make their efforts. They completed the offence, defence, assist, steal and dunk in one breath. The fantastic driving lay-ups, precise three-point far shots and cool ally-oops attracted applauses from the audience, making them the audience enjoyed themselves.

       During the half-time break, there was excellent performance from the cheering squad. Such hot atmosphere also made basketball fans in Dalian to be more enthusiastic. “I watched matches of the four basketball teams, and I had also watched Sino-Iranian Men’s International Basketball Challenge in June here. The atmosphere of the Challenge was also excellent. The stadium is grandeur and has international standards. It is quite excited for me to watch such high-level basketball matches ‘on my doorsteps’. I hope that the Sports Center will hold more competitions like this”, Mr. Sun, one of the citizens who watched the match on site, told the reporter excitedly.

       It is known that before the competition, in order to promote basketball promotion and development, the Serbian National Team, the Lithuanian National Team and the Montenegro National Team had met their fans in Economic and Technological Development Zone No.1 Senior High School, Metropolis, and Stadium of Xigang District. Through close interactions, players of the three teams were deeply impressed by the citizens’ enthusiasm, and young players’ persistence. This competition will become an impetus to push forward the basketball development in Dalian. One of the foreign players told the reporter, ‘I have heard that Dalian is a Sports City. I have the feeling that the citizens here are enthusiastic and the sports atmosphere is terrific. Moreover, the conditions of stadiums here are excellent and the services are also high-quality.’