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          Let's play FIFA! Wolves win #UltimateQuaranTeam Cup after beating Groningen in final

          • Chris Wright, Toe Poke writerApr 7, 2020, 08:55 AM

          We all thought live football was gone from our lives, but clubs all around the world are signing up for FIFA tournaments -- and we're keeping track of them!

          JUMP TO: Asensio steers Real Madrid to FIFA 20 glory

          With real football postponed until further notice, Leyton Orient organised a huge 128-team #UltimateQuaranTeam competition that has seen real world clubs taking each other on in video game form.

          As well as passing the time during a football blackout, the "Quaran-Team" tournament is also raising vital money for charity and Football League clubs, many of whom will be facing financial uncertainty in the coming months.

          Initially aiming for 64 clubs, Orient had to expand the competition to welcome 128 teams from all corners of the footballing community to create a festival of FIFA football.

          The grand finale saw Wolverhampton Wanderers take on FC Groningen on Monday with both sides having impressed on their respective runs to the big stage.

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          What followed was a tense and nervy encounter as both formidable FIFA players -- Flavio for Wolves and Nick den Hamer for Groningen -- struggled to make gains.

          In the end, a single goal separated the two sides as Flavio emerged victorious after scoring a precious winner just five minutes from time to seal a 2-1 triumph.

          The final whistle sounded, thus securing the club's first cup silverware since the Sherpa Van Trophy (now the EFL Trophy) in 1987-88!

          There were excuses from Den Hamer, who blamed his weak WiFi connection for the lag that ultimately saw him condemned to defeat.

          Beginning with a round of 128 win over Adelaide United, Wolves scored as they saw off Sligo Rovers, Grimsby Town, Mansfield Town, FC Sion, Standard Liege and Groningen to lift the inaugural Ultimate Quaranteam trophy.

          For the record, Istanbul Basaksehir triumphed in the third-place playoff, though it took three attempts for them to beat Standard Liege and claim the bronze medal.

          Still, the real winner was charity, with over £57,000 ($70,000) being raised and donated to the EFL trust, MIND, and to the World Health Organisation's fight against coronavirus.

          Indeed, the donation page is set to remain open for a while longer so people can still pledge money should they wish.

          After revelling in the final, Orient also hinted that a second edition of the Quaran-Team cup might be just around the corner.

          Stay tuned, FIFA fans.

          Asensio steers Real Madrid to FIFA 20 glory

          The La Liga FIFA 20 tournament reached an exciting finale last 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.

          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 the coronavirus.

          "It has been a spectacular tournament," Asensio said after securing the win, with which he was clearly delighted.

          "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.

          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.

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          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:

          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.