The DFB team are in the FIFAe Nations Cup play-offs after a dramatic Play-Ins finish – ‘Umut’ and ‘xMusti19’ battled their way from fifth place to top spot.
Ten points behind, the German eNational team had to make up before the last three matches in the Play-Ins. At least the match schedule gave hope to Umut ‘Umut’ Gültekin and Mustafa ‘xMusti19’ Cankal: On Friday, they faced the three presumably easiest opponents.
In addition to the ten points, there were also four teams to overhaul, Germany having finished Thursday in only fifth place in the first division in Conference 2. ‘Umut’ and ‘xMusti19’ made a successful start to their mission to catch up with Iceland, a 4-0 and a 3-1 secured six points.
Table situation continues to come to a head
At the same time, leaders Sweden suffered a setback in a 4-1 defeat to Spain, Italy and Portugal drew 2-2 – and the DFB team was back in the thick of the race. In the first match against their next opponents Estonia, however, Germany’s euphoria was slightly dampened.
Gültekin and Cankal did not manage more than a 2:2, but afterwards they saved the 4:1 in the overall standings with a 3:0. The Swedes lost 4-1 to Italy, Spain and Portugal shared the points with a 3-3 draw – the standings could hardly have been tighter before the last round.
Germany must hope for Spain
Italy and Sweden had 23 points, Spain and Germany stood at 21 points. While the Scandinavians also disappointed against Portugal (1:4), ‘Umut’ and ‘xMusti19’ did their homework in the 6:0 (3:0 and 3:0) against Scotland. The decision came in the duel between Italy and Spain, which started a little later.
Raffaele ‘Er_Caccia98’ Cacciapuoti and Francesco ‘Obrun2002’ Tagliafierro made it 1-0, and the Italians also took the lead in the second game. Afterwards, it looked for a long time as if the virtual “Squadra Azzurra” would be able to hold on to this narrow advantage and secure first place – until the 83rd minute.
Direct comparison as decisive factor
Spain’s Jaime ‘Gravesen’ Álvarez and Nacho ‘Pepeelbotellu’ Abella showed great morale despite not having a chance to finish first in Conference 2 themselves. The late equaliser to make it 1-1 meant “only” a 4-1 win for Italy – and equal points with the DFB team.
Although the Italians had the better goal difference, it was the direct comparison that was decisive – this had been won by ‘Umut’ and ‘xMusti19’ on Thursday. Incidentally, it was the only victory the German national team had managed in the first four matches of the fourth Play-Ins week.
FIFAe Nations Cup offline in Denmark
Germany thus saves the diversions via the Main Stage of the online qualifiers and moves directly into the play-offs of the FIFAe Nations Cup. This will take place offline in Denmark from 27 to 30 July – the host nation has already qualified directly. The remaining 23 tickets to the major event are still up for grabs.
In addition to the German eNational team, England also advanced directly to the play-offs via the ranking of the last Play-Ins week in the first European Conference, which took place at the same time. Via the Consistency Ranking, France and the Netherlands on the one hand, and Italy and Sweden on the other, also made it into the play-offs.
