Wednesday 8th February, 2006

By: Jooney 

World Cup Fever hit the small suburb of Miranda last week, as 16 Pro Evolution Soccer 5 fans made their way to Game On Interactive for the first of many PES5 tournaments. The tournament was made up of a good mix of locals like Looben and Jooney, to some of the PES5 Xbox Live heavyweights, such as Grim Wally, Spides and W8.

The tournament commenced at 7pm, and the games were played on Game On's huge 61inch DLPS.

Comfort Zone: 'the beautiful game' was played in style

The tournament was structured into four pools of four players, with each player playing each other player in their pool once. From there the top two players from each pool would bracket off into the quarter finals; the winners from these would then proceed to the semi finals and then finals. There was no 'legs' at this stage - it was all one game elimination. The participants got a taste of what World Cup 2006 in Germany would be like!

Fast & Furious: the competition was intense during the pool play

There were a few upsets during the pool play. Xbox Live player and Mojo man W8 was unlucky not to qualify to the quarter finals. Scoorey, who dominated the Fifa tournament just a fortnight prior, could not get his groove on for PES5. Some of the locals boys stepped up and showed some skills. Included in that list was Spides, game on staff member Frank, aka loooberto carlos, his brother Con, aka Kaka #22, and Pietro. Two of XboxZone's favourite sons, Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, also showed up and put their moves on display.

The Original Odd Couple: Spides and Grim Wally ham it up

The quarter finals were action packed, with some of the best games of night being played in this stage. Grim Wally went down to Pietro in a thrilling penalties shootout match. Kaka #22 edged out Ian on penalties after a goal-less draw. And Loooben held out against a resurgent Adriano to advance to the semis after a nail-biting 4-3 win. Spides was too good for Mr Pacino, beating him 6-2.

The semis were tight. Loooben held on to his 1 goal lead to beat his brother Kaka #22. Pietro beat local shire boy Spides 4-3 in one of the upsets of the night. The final was down to Loooben and Pietro.

Center Stage: Pietro vs Loooberto Carlos in the finals

So it all boiled down to this - the big guns had fallen. Hearts were broken. Dreams were shattered. Pizza was eaten. Jooney was humiliated. Everything had let to this moment: Game On's very own Loooben vs Giant Slayer Pietro. The couches were crowded as everyone watched on for the finals.

Turns out that loooben has some skill after all. His Chelsea team (isn't that bandwagon getting awfully full now?) was too good for Pietro's Juventus side. With some early goals against him, Pietro had too much of a hill to climb. The final match went down 3-1 to Loooben.

The Result: Chelsea beat Juventus 3-1

The Runner Up: Pietro - one to watch out for

World Cup Champion: Loooben, in what was probably the happiest day of his life. Congratulations Mate!

Congratulation to Loooben and Pietro who took home a game of their choice for their troubles. A big thank you to everyone who participated in the tournament, hope to see you at the next one.

Final Standings

Group A
1.  Grim Wally
2.  Mr Pacino
3.  John X
4.  Sam ii am

Group B
1.  Spides
2.  Pietro
3.  Scoorey
4.  Alcarr

Group C
1.  Adriano#10
2.  Kaka#22
3.  Robert De Niro
4.  W8

Group D
1.  Ian
2.  Loooben
3.  Chiko
4.  Joooninho

Quarter Finals
1.  Grim Wally vs Pietro     2-2 (Pietro won on penalties)
2.  Spides vs Mr Pacino     6-2
3.  Adriano#10 vs Loooben     3-4
4.  Ian vs Kaka#22     0-0 (Kaka#22 won on penalties)  

Semi Finals
1.  Pietro vs Spides     4-3
2.  Loooben vs Kaka#22     1-0

Final
Loooben vs Pietro     3-1

PHOTOS
Photos of the tournament can be viewed here.