EA SPORTS crowns World Cup champion
The 2014 FIFA World Cup is mere weeks away and to celebrate the biggest sporting event of the next four years, EA SPORTS held their own Interactive World Cup tournament at Brazilian restaurant Braza in Darling Harbour, Sydney last night.
32 lucky contestants were drawn a team to play with on EA SPORTSTM 2014 FIFA World Cup BrazilTM on PlayStation 3 on the night. The grand prize was a Sony Bravia LED Smart TV, PlayStation 4 and a year’s subscription to Four Four Two magazine..
After a few upsets and the highlight of Australia making it to the quarter finals thanks to Michael Azzi - who represented Australia at the FIFA Interactive World Cup (FIWC) Finals in Los Angeles in 2011, the tournament got down to the final stretch.
Another FIWC veteran, Stephen ‘Scoorey’ Coorey, playing as Greece defeated Azzi and broke Australian hearts before powering his way into the final against casual gamer Tim O’Neil playing as France.
O’Neil persevered despite being a goal down early, to win 2-1 in extra time and give hope to all casual gamers of one day winning against a higher ranked opponent.
“I’m a huge FIFA fan and am glad the hours I have invested into the game have paid off,” an elated O’Neil said.
Coorey was wistful in defeat, saying he felt sickened to lose a game after leading for most of it. He was comforted by his runner up prize – a signed FIFA World Cup jersey and Brazuca football from Tim Cahill.
Professional FIFA player Adam “Humpty” Kharman felt the tournament was a perfect way of bringing the community together.
“You feel the emotion, and the intensity when you’re playing FIFA. It’s a great atmosphere to play in,” he said.
NSW Waratah Matt Lucas said that while he doesn’t think he could join the Socceroos in their efforts in Brazil, he was looking forward to replicating the World Cup at home via his console.
