The former FIFA World Champion Umut Gültekin from RBLZ Gaming has missed the early qualification for the individual World Championship in FC 24. In the decisive round, the professional from the Red Bulls narrowly lost. His teammate, on the other hand, secured the ticket to the final event in the summer.
This was the situation:
- Due to their strong performances in the Global Qualifiers of the FC Pro Open, Umut “RBLZ_Umut” Gültekin and Anders “RBLZ_Vejrgang” Vejrgang from RBLZ Gaming, the eSports division of the German Bundesliga club RB Leipzig, qualified for the final tournament of the competition.
- As two of a total of 20 participants, the two professionals fought not only for the title and a prize money of 80,000 US dollars for the winner but also for one of the four coveted World Championship slots.
- Both managed to survive the group stage and thus advance to the quarterfinals as two of the eight remaining players. However, only reaching the semifinals guaranteed a World Championship ticket.
Umut faced the Dutch pro Levi “LevideWeerd” Weerd from Team Gullit as the second-placed player in group A. On the other hand, Anders, as the winner of group C, had to deal with the Brazilian Gabriel “Young” Freitas, who is contracted with Tuzzy E-Sports.
Quarterfinals turn into penalty shootouts
This was how the quarterfinal went: The tournament bracket ensured that the matches of both Leipzig players were held at the same time. A spectacular back and forth on both virtual fields finally culminated in the ultimate thriller.
Both Umut (3:3 vs Levi) and Anders (5:5 vs Young) had to go to penalties. The young Dane managed to save himself into the shootout with the last action just seconds before the final whistle and remained ice cold in the end.
Teammate Umut, on the other hand, suffered a dramatic failure and had to bury not only the dream of winning the inaugural title of the FC Pro Open but also the secure qualification for the World Championship in summer 2024.
This is how Umut can still make it to the World Championship: But there is still hope! Two more tickets will be awarded through the official partner leagues, which also include the virtual Bundesliga from Germany. If Umut reaches the finals of the local individual championship, he could still fulfill his dream of participating in the World Championship again.
For his 18-year-old RB colleague, the tournament ultimately ended just as dramatically. With a 4:3 victory against Umut’s conqueror Levi de Weerd, the Dane, known as a FIFA wonder kid, advanced to the Grand Final.
Last-minute goal secures title in the FC Pro Open – Winner provocatively cheers in Anders Vejrgang’s direction
However, Anders had to face Paulo “PHzin” Chaves from Brazil in the final in the most bitter way possible. With a last-minute winning goal for the final score of 5:4, the South American came out on top and denied the young talent his first individual title – and added particularly painful celebrations.
After his golden goal in injury time, PHzin couldn’t resist celebrating joyfully and provocatively. With the significant glasses celebration gesture, for which his opponent Anders Vejrgang is known, he made his rival truly feel the defeat.
The young Dane remained calm, however, and took the lost final at least outwardly composed – along with a fair handshake with the deserving champion. The prize of 60,000 US dollars for the second-place finish should help to digest the painful end. Umut at least secured 30,000 US dollars for his top-8 placement.
With the end of the tournament, the dynamic live cards of the FC Pro players have now also reached their final upgrade status. In our tracker, you can find out how strong the individual professionals are now.
