Over 520 games of the game FIFA 21 were played online on the PlayStation 4 and in the end there were two deserved winners with Tim-Niklas Meier from SV Obernkirchen (youth tournament) and Maik Höhle from FSG Pollhagen-Nordsehl-Lauenhagen (adult tournament). “It was impressive and admirable how fair everything went,” said a delighted tournament organizer Timo Nottebrock from the Schaumburger Nachrichten.
The final round only took place online due to the coronavirus. Over the five and a half hours on Saturday, more than 400 viewers had gathered via the Twitch video platform, on which the games were broadcast. Several hundred were also on the sports buzzer Schaumburg, where the games could also be seen. Marco Biedermann, who comments on the virtual DFB Cup of the German Football Association, and Marc Oliver Kreft from Sparkasse Schaumburg were the two commentators for the entire duration of the final round. “That was a great tournament and was a lot of fun,” said Kreft. Who was especially happy about the fair behavior of the participants and the high level. “I hope that we can do a second edition next year.”
In the youth tournament, the eventual winner Meier initially didn’t really get going. The BVB fan, who of course played with the virtual Dortmunders, played defensively with a back four, which did not work at first. So he switched to a five-man chain and got along much better with it. Another trick: striker Erling Haaland only came on as a substitute. Instead, youngster Ansgar Knauf played. “I just celebrate it,” said the Obernkirchen resident. With an undisputed 3-0 win in the final against Benjamin Lohmann from SC Rinteln, he was then able to look forward to the 500 Euro voucher from Expert. “I didn’t think I’d get that far,” said Meier after the win. “The voucher will definitely be redeemed for the PlayStation 5.”
It was much tighter with the adults. Both semi-finals had to be detained and were only decided by a golden goal. Julian Lattwesen (MTV Rehren A / R) won 4: 3 against Philip Dunkley (SC Auetal) and Maik Höhle 5: 4 against Justus Herold (SV Obernkirchen). With a little delay, the final went because Lattwesen’s internet line went on strike. “It would be strange if we hadn’t had a single technical problem in the five and a half hours of the tournament,” joked Kreft on the comment. But after only five minutes everything was settled again and it could go into the final. Lattwesen, who played with Hamburger SV, found it better, led 1-0 and 2-1, but then Höhle got into the match better. His virtual Liverpoolers pulled away to 4-2 and in the final minute it then set the final score 5-2.
“Was it a game?” Said the finished cave after his victory. “I’ll definitely enjoy the winner’s beer.” Strange: The FSGler is actually a computer player and not at the console at home. “I borrowed the PlayStation 4 from a buddy and just hoped that I could get as far as possible.” Therefore, the 500 euro voucher for Expert will not go on a PlayStation 5 either. “But I’m just moving, so I can really use it.” However, his success did not come entirely from nowhere. At the e-football district championship in 2019, he and his partner were already in second place.
Over the entire duration of the 1st Sparkasse E-Football Masters, it was particularly noticeable how well the participants organized themselves among each other and how fair they treated each other. After leaving the preliminary rounds, some thanked them for the nice distraction during the dreary Corona period. For those who wanted, it continued in a B round. Artur Schmalenstroer from FC Hevesen won there among adults. Jannik Bartram from SC Rinteln celebrated the victory among the youngsters.
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