The Ultimate DJ World Cup

Image: World Cup

Group Stage:

Probably the biggest casualty from the group stage was Chile's Ricardo Villalobos. People warned us that his star was waning, but what with the South American conditions in this tournament, we expected better. Villalobos will blame the group of death he was placed in, alongside Armin Van Buuren and Alfredo, but it was still a shock to see Van Buuren's high tempo game winning through in such stifling heat.

Last 16:

Gui Boratto (Brazil) 3 Armin Van Buuren (Holland) 0

A visibly tired Van Buuren was never really in it against the hosts - the sheer pace of his game against Villalobos visibly taking its toll.

Alex Celler (Greece) 0 Dave Seaman (England) 0 (Alex Celler wins 3-2 on penalties)

In classic England style, Dave Seaman loses yet another penalty shootout.

Laurent Garnier (France) 2 Sash (Ecuador) 1

A lot of needle in this one as the feisty Frenchman Garnier locked horns with once-Frenchman but adopted Ecuadorian, Sash. After taking an early lead and looking very strong indeed, Sash ultimately couldn't sustain his charge, as Garnier's consistency eventually won the day.

Ben Klock (Germany) 1 Nina Kraviz (Russia) 0

A tough, hard-fought game, with Klock's technical superiority just edging it.

Alfredo (Spain) 4 Ilija Rudman (Croatia) 0

Past master Alfredo knows how to win a World Cup, and while Rudman is normally comfortable at a low tempo, Alfredo's experience won the game at a canter.

Tale Of Us (Italy) 0 Satoshi Tomiie (Japan) 0 (Tale Of Us win 4-2 on penalties)

An absolute bore draw; slow and stodgy. It was as if both were playing for penalties from the outset.

Guti (Argentina) 2 Deetron (Switzerland) 3

The game of the tournament so far, and certainly the shock of the tournament, as despite Guti having great footballing pedigree, Deetron's sheer invention won it for the Swiss.

2ManyDJs (Belgium) 2 Armand Van Helden (USA) 4

Both teams a shadow of what they were in 2004, but the electro house grudge match between these past rivals proved to be very watchable, with Van Helden's direct approach triumphing over the more fragmented style of 2ManyDJs.

Quarter finals:

Gui Boratto (Brazil) 1 Alex Celler (Greece) 0

Boratto scrapes through, but little evidence of the progressive style that made him pre-tournament favourite.

Laurent Garnier (France) 2 Ben Klock (Germany) 1 (after extra time)

Garnier's energy eventually overpowered Klock, who surprisingly struggled with extra time.

Alfredo (Spain) 2 Tale Of Us (Italy) 0

Tale Of Us never really got out of second gear in the knockout stages. Their limited style was just enough against Satoshi Tomiie in the previous round, but Alfredo's variety really showed them how it should be done.

Deetron (Switzerland) 3 Armand Van Helden (USA) 1

Deetron was fast becoming the story of the tournament, propelling little Switzerland into the semi-finals. But in truth the result was hardly surprising, with Van Helden's best performances clearly well behind him. 

Semi finals:

Laurent Garnier (France) 1 Gui Boratto (Brazil) 0

Despite home advantage, Boratto just wasn't as strong as in previous tournaments, as Garnier just kept on going.

Deetron (Switzerland) 2 Alfredo (Spain) 1

Perhaps a sign of the changing of the guard, as the emerging Deetron out-fought a tiring Alfredo.

Final:

Deetron (Switzerland) 4 Laurent Garnier (France) 3 

One of the greatest ever finals, as both threw the kitchen sink at it from the off. The matchup will go down in history for its tremendous variety. Such a shame there had to be a loser from two such great performers.