THE FIFA INTERACTIVE WORLD CUP

Some of the UK’s finest football gaming talent battled it out in London last night in the latest leg of live qualification for the FIFA Interactive World Cup (FIWC).   In the race to be crowned FIWC 12 Champion, 18 contestants from across the UK were in London’s Oxford Street, with Premier League footballers Jay Bothroyd of Queens Park Rangers and Dickson Etuhu of Fulham among the spectators.

The FIWC is the world’s largest online gaming tournament, organised by FIFA in association with EA SPORTS ™ and PlayStation®. The event gives football fans the chance to live out their passion for football by competing against each other at FIFA ‘12. With over 800,000 players already registered around the world, the FIWC is a fiercely contested tournament, with the FIFA ’12 game boasting Wayne Rooney, Gerard Piqué and Nemanja Vidic among its fans.

Birmingham resident and 2011 Grand Finalist Ty Walton emerged victorious last night, securing his place in May’s Grand Final, where prestigious prizes of an invite to the FIFA Ballon d’Or and a coveted $20,000 prize will go to the eventual World Champion.

In an unusual match-up, Ty Walton’s Real Madrid met Adam Johnson’s Real Madrid in last night’s Final of the UK Qualifiers. Walton, a 2011 Grand Finalist, endured a tough night but claimed his place at the Grand Final after beating Irishman Adam Johnson 2-1 in last night’s final.

QPR striker Bothroyd said: “The FIWC is a fantastic way for football fans from all walks of life to come together and showcase their FIFA 12 skills.  The competition was fierce and the some of the goals scored were incredible, I played against one lad who told me I should stick to my day job!  Congratulations to Ty Walton, I'll be making sure I stay away from him online!"

Dickson Etuhu and Jay Bothroyd attended the UK final of the FIFA Interactive World Cup on EA SPORTS’ FIFA 12, which was won by Ty Walton. Players can still compete online through their PLAYSTATION 3. For more information, visit www.fifa.com/fiwc