Zurich, Switzerland, 22nd April 2009: Following months of heated online competition and qualifying events around the world, the FIFA Interactive World Cup (FIWC) 2009 is set to reach its dramatic climax at the Grand Final in Port Olympic, Barcelona on 2 May. Over the last seven months, over 500,000 virtual footballers from around the world been competing for a shot at glory and now, just 32 players from 24 countries remain. The finalists will go head-to-head in Barcelona on EA SPORTS™ FIFA 09 on PLAYSTATION®3 for the title of FIFA Interactive World Champion 2009. Among the finalists this year is reigning champion Alfonso Ramos, who will be returning to defend his crown against a strong field of challengers including FIWC 2006 winner Andries Smit and a number of previous FIWC finalists keen to go one better this year.
Spectators at the grand final on 2nd May will enjoy an action packed day of football, gaming and top music action in a fantastic party atmosphere. In addition to watching the FIFA Interactive World Cup Grand Final unfold live, they can check out all the latest EA™ and PlayStation games in the interactive arenas and test their real-life football skills at the FIFA beach soccer clinic with FIFA Beach Soccer World Player 2008, Ramiro Amarelle. There will also be exclusive freestyle football performances from Komball throughout the day as well as live music from guest bands and DJ’s including top Salsa Band, Ray Callao.
The 2009 Grand Final winner will receive a cheque for US$20,000 and a brand new KIA ‘Soul’, along with an invitation to join the world’s elite football talent at the FIFA World Player Gala in Zurich to receive their official FIWC champion’s award. The 2009 runner up will receive $5,000 whilst 3rd place will receive $1,000.
“With more than half a million participants, the FIFA Interactive World Cup has set new records and I am really impressed how fast this tournament is growing”, says FIFA Executive Committee member Chuck Blazer, who will attend the Grand Final in Barcelona. “I am a passionate gamer myself and I am really looking forward to learning some new tricks from the world’s best virtual football players! I know they practice very hard and as for every other FIFA tournament, players will have to perform at their best in order to be crowned FIFA Interactive World Champion 2009.”
“The FIWC 2009 grand final in Barcelona promises to provide a fitting finale to this year’s record breaking competition in one of the world’s greatest footballing cities” said Matt Bilbey, Vice President International Marketing, EA SPORTS. “We believe that FIFA 09 is our best ever football title and it is fantastic to see a such an overwhelming number of gamers connect to the PlayStation Network and come to qualifying events all over the world in order to play the game and stake their claim to the trophy.”
“This year’s final in Barcelona promises to be a fantastic event, with great football, top class entertainment and a perfect venue,” said Darren Carter, Vice President, Consumer Marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. “This year has shown what can happen when you take a great game like EA SPORTS FIFA 09 and combine it with the most powerful and complete entertainment system available in the market, PLAYSTATION 3. This season’s FIFA Interactive World Cup has most certainly been the best yet and we look forward to welcoming the finalists to Barcelona in May.”
Admission to Grand Final is free to the public. Media are requested to pre-register at the FIFA Media Channel - http://media.fifa.com
Interactive Areas open at 11am. Gaming Tournament kicks off at 1.15pm, the final is scheduled at 7 pm.
To find out more about the FIFA Interactive World Cup please visit www.FIFA.com/FIWC
For images of FIWC 2008 winner Alfonso Ramos receiving his award at the FIFA World Player of the Year Gala, please visit: http://www.fifa.com/newscentre/photogallery/gallery=992184.html#992139
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Full list of 2009 FIFA Interactive World Cup Finalists and Nationalities:
1. Stephen Coorey (Australia)
2. Jason Mac (Australia)
3. Michael Pommer (Australia)
4. Markus Serkan Boyer (Austria)
5. Andre Buffo (Brazil)
6. Samuel Lage Liberato (Brazil)
7. Radim Kluka (Czech Republic)
8. Frederik Nordmark Laursen (Denmark)
9. Ryan Haywood (England)
10. Chris Bullard (England)
11. Danny Taylor (England)
12. Adam Winster (England)
13. Hesham Khater (Egypt)
14. Bruce Grannec (France)
15. Patrick Straschek (Germany)
16. Andries Smit (Holland)
17. Péter Kovács (Hungary)
18. Daniele D'Alterio (Italy)
19. Omar Jaleel (India)
20. Mergim Sadriji (Switzerland)
21. Jose Alberto Reyes Loera (Mexico)
22. Ruben Morales Zerecero (Mexico)
23. Daniel Sykes (New Zealand)
24. Marcin Raptis (Poland)
25. Francisco Cruz (Portugal)
26. Mohammed Nasser Al Khathlan (Saudi Arabia)
27. Gordon Butler (South Africa)
28. Alfonso Ramos Cuevas (Spain)
29. Marcus Lee (Singapore)
30. Mustafa Aguez (Turkey)
31. Giuseppe Guastelle (USA)
32. TBD
