We all thought live football was gone from our lives, but clubs all around the world are signing up to FIFA tournaments -- and we're keeping track of them!
JUMP TO: Orient's #UltimateQuaranTeam update -- City scrape through, Irish team thrashed 10-0
The La Liga FIFA 20 tournament reached an exciting finale on Sunday as Real Madrid ran out winners of the inaugural quarantine-friendly competition.
With Marco Asensio at the helm, the virtual Real powered to a 4-2 victory over Leganes (represented by Aitor Rubial) in the final after seeing off Eibar in the semis.
Luka Modric was among the scorers in the final for Asensio's all-conquering XI, who now have the honour of being the inaugural winners of both the European Cup and this (no less prestigious) online competition.
? El @realmadrid de @marcoasensio10 acaricia el título de #LaLigaSantanderChallenge...#QuédateEnCasa#EsteVirusLoParamosUnidos pic.twitter.com/ZzLCbiKwwP
— eLaLiga Santander (@esportslaliga) March 22, 2020
The championship was organised by Spanish YouTuber and gamer Ibai Llanos and involved players from all of Spain's 20 top-flight teams.
As well as helping to keep folks entertained in the absence of real football, the event has also helped raise around €142,000 ($152,000 to help in the fight against coronavirus.
"It has been a spectacular tournament," Asensio said after securing the win, with which he was clearly delighted.
#WearetheChampions !! @realmadrid pic.twitter.com/w75OJj4ww6
— Marco Asensio (@marcoasensio10) March 22, 2020
"The goal was to have a good time, laugh, entertain ourselves in these difficult times for everyone, and donate in the fight against COVID-19 and we have succeeded!"
Whether Asensio will be forced to defend his crown in a second installment of the franchise, only time will tell.
¡Enhorabuena, madridistas! ?
? El @realmadrid de @marcoasensio10 se proclama campeón de #LaLigaSantanderChallenge ?
Y lo más importante: ¡Más de 140.000€ recaudados! ? pic.twitter.com/pDsY9WTufi
— eLaLiga Santander (@esportslaliga) March 22, 2020
The idea to create a full tourney came about after around 60,000 football-starved fans tuned in to watch a virtual derby between Borja Iglesias of Real Betis and Sergio Reguilon of Sevilla -- which saw the former triumph in a dramatic 6-5 win for Betis.
The competition is the brainchild of Esports aficionado Llanos, who serves as tournament organiser, host, drawmaster and even live commentator -- all while remaining comfortable in his bathrobe at home.
Here's how the first edition of the competition shook out, in full:
El camino del campeón: ¡este es el cuadro final de #LaLigaSantanderChallenge! ?
? Todavía puedes seguir donando para ayudar en la lucha contra el COVID-19: https://t.co/TZUdr10dNd#QuédateEnCasa#EsteVirusLoParamosUnidos pic.twitter.com/dTMB1rEnCz
— LaLiga (@LaLiga) March 22, 2020
Congratulations to all involved, namely:
Alaves: Lucas Perez
Athletic Bilbao: Gorka Guruzeta
Atletico Madrid: Marcos Llorente
Barcelona: Sergi Roberto*
Celta Vigo: Kevin Vazquez
Eibar: Edu Exposito
Espanyol: Adri Embarba
Getafe: Jason
Granada: Jose Martinez
Leganes: Aitor Ruibal
Levante: Carlos Clerc
Mallorca: Alex Pozo*
Osasuna: Ruben Garcia
Real Betis: Borja Iglesias
Real Madrid: Marco Asensio
Real Sociedad: Adnan Januzaj
Real Valladolid: Pedro Porro
Sevilla: Sergio Reguilon
Valencia: Carlos Soler
Villarreal: Manuel Morlanes
*Clubs had to forfeit games due to their clubs' deals with PES creators Konami
Orient's #UltimateQuaranTeam update -- City scrape through, Irish team thrashed 10-0
The first round of Leyton Orient's grand FIFA 20 tournament has been completed with plenty of dramatic results on the opening day.
With real football postponed until further notice, the League Two club have organised a huge 128-team competition that has seen real world clubs taking each other on in video game form.
In one of the standout ties, Belgian side KV Kortrijk bravely took Manchester City to a replay, only for Premier League quality to win out eventually.
Let's goooo!!!
After a 1-1 draw in the first leg, @Shellzz takes the replay 3-0?
gg's @kvkofficieel , we move onto the next round of #UltimateQuaranTeam ! pic.twitter.com/mj3vE9DpzM
— Man City Esports (@mancityesports) March 22, 2020
Orient published a full list of the classified full-time scores as Standard Liege thrashed Bolton Wanderers and Angers powering to a comprehensive 10-0 decimation of Waterford Town.
⏱FIN DU MATCH
Grosse performance de @Sneaky_FIFA pour son entrée en lice dans le tournoi #UltimateQuaranTeam ! Le SCO passe au tour suivant ⚫️⚪️
[0-10 #WFCSCO] pic.twitter.com/K6Zu0N0K2O
— Angers SCO (@AngersSCO) March 22, 2020
Reports that Waterford may have been suffering from a faulty controller are as yet unconfirmed.
As well as passing the time during a football blackout, the "Quaranteam" tournament is also raising vital money for charity as well as Football League clubs, many of whom will be facing financial uncertainty in the coming months.
The draw for the second round will take place early next week, ahead of Tuesday's round of 64 matches.
Initially aiming for 64 clubs, they had to expand to competition to welcome 128 teams from all corners of the footballing community to create a festival of FIFA football.
?♂️ Sure, connect four is cool but we've got a better idea!
We need 63 other teams to enter a knock-out FIFA 20 tournament.
To enter, all we need is the club to RT this tweet.
We will host a live draw this Tuesday...
? for an away day to @ManCity #UltimateQuaranTeam #LOFC pic.twitter.com/7aycsrn48r
— Leyton Orient (@leytonorientfc) March 15, 2020
Almost immediately interest began to flood in from the Premier League and beyond, from Benfica to Ibiza.
To clarify a couple of things...
- Each club will chose a representative to play throughout. Could be a first-team player, or fan - their call.
- To enter, the club has to be on FIFA, and play as themselves.
- More info to follow...#UltimateQuaranTeam #LOFC
— Leyton Orient (@leytonorientfc) March 15, 2020
We're in! ?? https://t.co/vSu3sogWyK
— Wolves (@Wolves) March 16, 2020
Are we late? pic.twitter.com/6Ycy1rGN6u
— SL Benfica (@slbenfica_en) March 16, 2020
Count us in! We'll let you know our rep shortly...
UTO ?⚪️ https://t.co/ftvyPJTu04
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) March 15, 2020
? Ibiza away on the cards for the Orient. Sensational.#UltimateQuaranTeam #LOFC https://t.co/bW6NTcAU3H
— Leyton Orient (@leytonorientfc) March 16, 2020
Crystal Palace confirmed that winger Andros Townsend will be the star name manning their controller.
⭐️ Representing Palace... @andros_townsend! #CPFC https://t.co/yfLdX2sCWV
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) March 16, 2020
Orient also found time to have a quick jab at cross-London neighbours Tottenham.
? four places left!@SpursOfficial, this is a realistic shot at some silverware for you lot!#UltimateQuaranTeam #LOFC https://t.co/MOWKqJWTA0
— Leyton Orient (@leytonorientfc) March 16, 2020
Also at a loose end, BBC Sport commentator Guy Mowbray even offered his services.
Available and ready for commentary pic.twitter.com/7RdS1BiKAy
— Guy Mowbray (@Guymowbray) March 15, 2020
Then came the moment when the 64-team competition was expanded to 128, such was the sheer amount of interest.
I know a landslide when I see one.
Executive decision...
PLAY ON https://t.co/NvJpkjfvL9 pic.twitter.com/u1GK7ew3hA
— Leyton Orient (@leytonorientfc) March 16, 2020
The likes of Man City, Leeds United, Shrewsbury Town and Hamilton Academical will be representing British football, while international guests such as Benfica, Marseille, Fiorentina and PSV Eindhoven are also involved.
In fact, no less than 16 different nations will be represented from the off, including Adelaide United from the Australian A-League and Finn Harps of the League of Ireland.
? SAY HELLO TO YOUR CONTENDERS!
Here is the full list of 128 teams competing in the #UltimateQuaranTeam Cup!
Represented:
??????????????????????????????????? ???????? ?? ??
The draw will take place on *Wednesday* now - more info to follow.
Who's do you make as the favourite then? ?
— Leyton Orient (@leytonorientfc) March 16, 2020
The schedule:
Round of 128: Sunday, March 22, 7pm GMT
Round of 64: Tuesday, March 24, 7pm GMT
Round of 32: Thursday, March 26, 7pm GMT
Round of 16: Saturday, March 28, 7pm GMT
Quarter-finals: Monday, March 30, 7pm BST
Semi-final: Wednesday, April 1, 7pm BST
Final: Friday, April 3, 7pm BST