2022 the World Cup title went to Germany again. Three years ago, Mohammed ‘MoAuba’ Harkous achieved this coup. A look back.
It was 4 August 2019: at around 8pm, Mohammed ‘MoAuba’ Harkous completed his summer fairytale at the Millennium Dome. He defeated Mosaad ‘Msdossary’ Aldossary 4-3 in the FIFAe World Cup final – an all-round success, but one that few expected.
Towards the end of the FIFA 19 season, the German participant fell into a slump in form. His game seemed too predictable – coupled with difficulties in defence. In some tournaments, Harkours was eliminated early in the group stage – “it can’t go on like this,” he said after his elimination in the eChampions League. The trigger was the falling training time due to the multitude of tournaments.
Often on the virtual training court and with the goal of “playing well again”, he made it to the Grand Final of the Virtual Bundesliga (VBL). There he failed against Michael ‘MegaBit’ Bittner, his teammate at Werder Bremen at the time – but the defeat seemed like a victory. He found his ease again – the familiarity with the mode was back.
Curse conquered
Narrowly surviving the group stage of the FIFAe World Cup, he showed command in the knockout phase. First beating Stefano ‘StefanoPinna’ Pinna, he gave Corentin ‘Maestro’ Thuillier no chance with a 5:1. In the console final, his “eternal rival” Nicolas ‘Nicolas99fc’ Villalba was waiting.
At the Global Series Playoffs in Berlin he still lost to Villalba, at the World Championships he defeated the curse. After a 5:5 tie, it went to a penalty shootout, where he won 4:3 to make it to the World Cup final. There he faced defending champion Mosaad ‘Msdossary’ Aldossary, whom he dominated against the expectations of the experts. Harkous kept his concentration until the last second. Then he achieved what had eluded him in the Grand Final of the VBL – winning the title.
All he wanted to do was “pick up some money, buy his mother some new shoes and then chill out some more”. Whether the shoe rack has been filled in the meantime is unclear. However, he was to remain world champion for some time, because: In the two following years, the tournament was cancelled due to the Corona pandemic. It was not until 2022 that the succession was settled, and the title remained in Germany. Umut ‘Umut’ Gültekin defeated Villalba in the final – on penalties, by the way.
