2008 FIFA Interactive World Cup Champ Crowned

A champion has been decided in Berlin for the 2008 FIFA Interactive World Cup. 32 of the world’s best interactive footballers (virtual soccer players) met face to face to compete for the ultimate title of FIFA Interactive World Player.

Alfonso Ramos beat Michael Ribeiro from the United States 3:1 in front of a cheering crowd, securing the title and the $20,000 USD prize money. Alfonso also received an invitation to attend the FIFA World Player Gala in Zurich on 12 January 2009 where he will rub shoulders with real life football heroes.

“I came here to do my best but really didn’t believe I would make it this far. It’s been an absolutely fantastic day – to test myself against the world’s best virtual football gamers is what this tournament is all about,” said Alfonso Ramos. ” I’m really proud to be the first Spaniard to be crowned FIFA Interactive World Player and look forward to defending my title next year.”

20,500 spectator attended the event, with appearances by German hip-hop artist Das Bo. Anthony Baffoe, a former Ghanaian international and the first African player in the German Bundesliga co-hosted the event.

“Congratulations to Alfonso Ramos, the fourth ever FIFA Interactive World Player of the year, who impressed us all with his skills today,” said Romain Rossi, Marketing Director, EA SPORTS. “This tournament is a fantastic demonstration of the passion we all hold as football fans and has really managed to bring the emotion of the real game to the virtual world. It’s been a great season and together FIFA and PlayStation we cannot wait to see the kick-off of the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2009 later this year.”

”This year has been the first year PlayStation has been involved in the FIFA Interactive World Cup and it has very much lived up to all of our expectations,” said Darren Carter, Vice President of Consumer Marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. “This tournament has truly highlighted the wonderful technology of PS3, where real football and virtual football are closer than ever before, as well as the fantastic connectivity provided by the PLAYSTATION®Network. We look forward to continuing our partnership with EA and FIFA in the years to come and heartily congratulate Alfonso on his tremendous win.”

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