FIFA 15: Daniel Butenko dominates in Cologne
In a performance reminiscent of Germany against Brazil in the semi-finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™, Daniel Butenko slotted six goals past Mirza Jahic to win the Final match of the Germany Live Qualification Event for FIWC 2015.
“I was really nervous, because I am very young,” the winner told FIFA.com shortly after winning the final, “they all know each other and are really experienced. I was definitely the underdog today.”
As the host nation live event winner, 15-year-old Butenko has received a seat at the FIWC 2015 Grand Final in Munich, which will take place from 17 to 19 May. At the Grand Final, 20 players will compete for the interactive world title, USD 20,000 and a trip to the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2015.
A day to remember
Butenko employed Real Madrid to devastating effect, scoring six and conceding none on his way to the German final. First to fall against Butenko was 33-year old Sebastian Huber from Salzgitter. The youngster scored four goals past his older opponent to win and progress to the semi-finals. Riding the adrenaline from an impressive quarter-final win, Savas Destan Oglu attacked Butenko from the very start of their semi-final. Savas rattled the bar after just eight minutes of virtual time and seemed the favourite to secure victory. Butenko had other plans, scoring after 19 minutes to take the lead and then again shortly before the final whistle to secure a place in the day’s Final.
Jahic’s journey
In both his matches en route to the final, Mirza Jahic would first concede and then climb back to win. The 24-year-old self-defence instructor and reigning Virtual Bundesliga (VBL) champion started his day with a quarterfinal against 2013 VBL champion Kevin Assia. Jahic would concede in the first half, but draw level in the second. The game was settled late into extra-time, when Jahic sent an impeccable cross into the net with a powerful header. Jahic sighed heavily in relief as the final whistle blew and match commentator Leigh Smith summed up the game: “very close defensive work, great attacking work and clearly a tense, tense match between these two players,” he said. Jahic would win his second match of the day more comfortably to position himself one victory away from his first ever Grand Final appearance.
The final
The 24-year-old reigning Virtual Bundesliga champion against a 15-year old from Neumarkt-Sankt Veit, this was to be the unexpected finale to the Germany Live Event. A goal after just 10 minutes confirmed Jahic’s status as the favourite. However, Butenko shook off some early nerves and levelled the game after 30-minutes. Five minutes later, Butenko scored again. Jahic countered almost instantly, scoring three minutes later to bring the match level at 2-2. Three minutes later, another goal! This time from Butenko after a back heel pass from Luka Modric set up Cristiano Ronaldo to score. Moments before the half-time whistle, Butenko struck again to take a 4-2 lead into the break. Jahic’s initial energy dissipated and the young underdog scored a fifth (52’) and finally a sixth goal (77‘) to mark the biggest upset of the day and win himself a seat at the Grand Final of the world’s largest gaming tournament.
Quarter-finals
Savas Destan Oglu (Chelsea) 2–0 Demis Durante (Real Madrid)
Daniel Butenko (Real Madrid) 4-0 Sebastian Huber (Real Madrid)
Erhan Kayman (Real Madrid) 3-1 Jan Zimmermann (Real Madrid)
Mirza Jahic (Real Madrid) 2-1 Kevin Assia (Real Madrid)
Semi-finals
Savas Destan Oglu (Chelsea) 0-2 Daniel Butenko (Real Madrid)
Erhan Kayman (Real Madrid) 1-3 Mirza Jahic (Real Madrid)
Final
Daniel Butenko (Real Madrid) 6-2 Mirza Jahic (Real Madrid)