20 players kicked off the day in Rio at the FIWC Grand Final with only 4 surving for today’s main event. Check out all the results and shocks, as the day was full of them, as only one of the top seeds made it in to the last 4!
The day began at the peak of the Corcovado Mountain, where the FIWC 2014 Grand Finalists were able to see Brazil’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in person. After which, the stained glass windows inside Fluminense FC illuminated the sets of consoles set up for the Group Stage and quarterfinal matches of the FIWC 2014 Grand Final.
The setting
In the history books of Brazilian football, Fluminense’s Estadio das Laranjeiras holds a great significance for the Brazil national team. The Seleção played their first ever match here in 1914, securing their first ever title – the South American Championship – some five years later at this very ground. Today the stadium entered the virtual football record books as the official host of the Group Stage for the FIWC 2014 Grand Final.
The Biggest surprise
Defending champions Spain crashed out of Brazil 2014 at the Group Stage and similarly, FIWC 2013 champion has been knocked out of the tournament! ‘The Machine’ failed to win a single match in his group, drawing two matches and losing to Brazil’s Rafael Fortes and Dutchman Alban Xhemajli. In his five Grand Final appearances, it’s the first time the two-time champion will not appear in a semi-final.
Group Stage highlights
Group A came to the most dramatic of finishes as Ty Walton and Jorrick Boshove finished level on all tiebreakers. The pair met in a winner-take-all rematch to decide things. Ultimately, just like the recent Round of 16 FIFA World Cup matches, it all came down to a penalty shootout. Jorrick edged out Ty 4-2 on penalties to claim a quarterfinal birth.
In Group B, local boy Rafael Fortes steamrolled through the group stage, winning all four matches. Fortes was the only finalist to go undefeated in today’s group stage. Fortes told FIFA.com:
I began as the only Brazilian in the tournament this year, so I felt a lot of pressure on my shoulders. Even more because it’s in Brazil.
The Brazilian’s dreams however would come undone in the quarterfinals.
Tournament newcomers Adrien Viaud (France) and 19-year old Steven van de Vorst from Netherlands advanced out of Group C, ensuring their first ever appearance at the Grand Final was an impressive one. Meanwhile in Group D, First time finalists David Bytheway and Farid Diffallah stunned the highly experienced Ovidiu Patrascu, Julien Dassonville and Irving Velazquez to claim a quarterfinal birth.
Quarter Finals
August Rosenmeier cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over Alban Xhemajli to ensure a place in the final four.
It’s amazing. No matter how it works out tomorrow I will be proud of myself, I came here first in Dubai 2012 and went out in the groups. Last year I was out in the quarters. Now I’m in the semi-finals and maybe I can even win tomorrow, so no matter what I’ll be happy with my performance.
The Dane is joined by England’s David Bytheway and Dutch pair Steven van de Vorst and Jorrick Boshove in the semi-finals. Steven van de Vorst told FIFA.com.
I feel incredibly happy. All the players are so good and the matches were really close. I had luck today, I feel incredibly happy.
Quarter-final results
- August Rosenmeier (DEN) 3-0 Alban Xhemajli
- Rafael Fortes (BRA) 1-5 Jorrick Boshove (NED)
- Steven van de Vorst (NED) 2-1 Farid Diffallah (FRA)
- David Bytheway (ENG) 1-0 Adrien Viaud (FRA)
Re-Live Day 1
Watch the highlights from the groups and quarter finals.
[su_button url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzwVpn6qqpw” target=”blank” background=”#A00622″]Watch Final Showdown[/su_button]
What’s next?
20 started the day with hopes of a world title. Only four remain. Join us for live streaming of the final showdown at the Sugarloaf. The final showdown will include the semi-finals match for third place, and then the Gold Medal final.
Live Stream Times
3 July: Day 2 Live Stream: 4pm – 5.30pm (local time Rio de Janeiro) 8pm – 9:30pm UK time: The Final Showdown
[su_button url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0R4J35825uU” target=”blank” background=”#A00622″]Watch Highlights[/su_button]
