The Chinese are the best women university footballers and the Ghanians the best men, as they beat Canada (Laval University) and Brazil (Paulista University) to claim gold. Beijing Normal University and Granada University win the bronze medals.
Dalian definitely is the best football city of China, as more than 40,000 people showed up at Suoywan Stadium on Saturday and Sunday to watch the very best of university football.
On Saturday, two teams from their country were fighting for medals. First for bronze, when Beijing Normal University beat the University of the Extreme South of Santa Caterina (BRA) 1-0.
At 15:30 on 27 September the Dalian 2025 FISU University World Cup Football women’s final with Shanghai University of Sport (CHN) taking on Laval University (CAN).
In the 3rd minute, Emilie Grondines scored the first goal, putting the Canadians in the lead. But only one minute later, Sun Fangxin equalised and the 21,566 spectators went wild. At the 21st minute, Yin Lihong scored her first goal of the day. Shanghai University of Sport was therefore leading 2-1 at half time.
Yin Lihong managed to score again on the 73rd minute and the score stayed the same until the final whistle. Shanghai University of Sport (CHN) defeated Laval University (CAN) 3-1 becoming wonderful world champions after an impeccable tournament.
“I must admit all of us were pretty nervous to play in front of such a big crowd”, said Yin Lihong shyly. “But we but the right pressure on our opponents and managed to seize the right opportunities. It is so exciting wo win in such an atmosphere. We must enjoy the moment but also not forget our studies, which are as important as football to us!”
The women's final
Three medals, three continents in the men’s tournament
On Sunday, after two ranking matches, it was time for the bronze medal game, between Chouaib Doukkali University (MAR) and the University of Granada (ESP). The Spaniards (in white) won the match on penalty shootouts 4-2 (1-1 during regular time) and climbed onto the third step of the podium.
“I think we deserved at least this bronze medal”, smiled goalkeeper Francisco Fernando Caballero Santiago. “It’s been a beautiful experience. Great facilities, amazing pitches, and we enjoyed it a lot. Hopefully Granada University will be in many more events like this.”
It was then time for the 21,820 spectators of the Suoywan Football Stadium to watch the game they had been waiting for: the men’s final between the title holders Paulista University (BRA) and the spectacular “outsiders” from the University for Development Studies (GHA).
Extra goal, extra time
The game was intense and tight, and just as everyone thought the Brazilians were going to lift the trophy for the second time in a row – after Gabriel Vieira Barbara had score the only goal on the very first minute of the match – but whoever has followed the Dalian 2025 FISU University World cup knows that the Ghanians never ever give up. Mohammed Asigre Sulemana equalised at the 93rd minute, taking his dream into extra time.
His teammate Ezedeen Alhassan went completely crazy with joy as he scored the winning goal at the 120+1 minute, crowning his University for Development Studies world champions!
“It was a very long and tough match”, admitted number 9 Abdul Ganiyu Musah. “Thanks to our determination, we didn’t give up. Though the time was almost up, we still didn’t give up. We were determined, and we hoped that we could equal the goal and score. And this is what happened! I just want to congratulate all the team for the hard work we showed!”
The men's final
Individual awards for seven different universities
The individual awards for Most Valuable Player, Best Goalkeeper, Top Scorer as well as the Fair Play award were distributed to the key elements of both the men’s and the women’s tournament and seven different universities will be carrying trophies home.
The event finished with a beautiful closing ceremony in a full stadium. Thank you Dalian, thank you all the participating teams, delegations, members of the organising committee and volunteers.
You can find all the results and pictures on the event’s official website and watch the replay of all games on FISU.tv (which is temporarily on YouTube).
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