Dutch Finally Win World Cup News

At the third annual FIFA Interactive World Cup in Amsterdam's Westergasfabriek, the Netherland's own Andries Smit has gone one better than his real-world compatriots and beaten to become the 2006 title holder. The tournament had been played with EA Sports' FIFA 07 for Xbox 360.

Just under 1,500 spectators watched Smit's Brazilian team topple Wolfgang Meier's Barcelona 6:4 in the final, with the Dutchman winning $20,000 as well as a trip to the FIFA World Player Gala on December 18th in Zurich.

"I'm absolutely amazed, stunned and delighted! I thought that it was just great to be in the Grand Final, but here I am leaving with the title and a trip to Zurich to the FIFA World Player Gala! I can't believe it! The whole tournament was just brilliant," said Andries Smit, after receiving the post-match plaudits and the USD 20,000 prize money from the official FIFA delegate and FIFA Executive Committee member, Chuck Blazer.

"Congratulations to Andries, the FIFA Interactive Player 2006, whose incredible skills on EA SPORTS FIFA 07 have brought him this well deserved title," said Clive Downie, Vice President Sports Marketing, EA. "We've seen some spectacular performances throughout this year's tournament, with the Grand Final providing the crowing glory of talent. It's been exciting to work with our close partners at FIFA and Xbox to provide an international stage for the world's best virtual footballer to be honoured."

"The final match looked amazing and we are really proud to have exclusively bringing next generation, high-definition football gaming action to players across the globe with FIFA 07 in the FIFA Interactive World Cup. The matches looked fantastic on the big screens just like being at a big match for real." said Richard Teversham, Head of Marketing, Xbox Europe.

We'll have more news shortly...