An enormous spectacle of a day has come to a close on the beach in Barcelona. As the sun sets over the Mediterranean and simply awesome group of drummers entertains the dispersing crowd, we can announce the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2009 champion is Frenchman Bruce Grannec. Bruce Almighty - the headlines are writing themselves…

Bruce injured his ankle playing football before flying to Spain, but manfully played through every round, taking victory pretty comfortably in every match he played.

He met Mexican Ruben Zerecero in the final on the main stage. Flanked on all sides by TV crews and performing before an impressively large crowd, both competitors kept level heads to play out a dramatic final game. Both playing as Manchester United, Bruce led for most of the first half after an early goal on the break. Shortly before half-time, Ruben levelled the score with an impressive header. But while the second half proved a tense, closely fought affair, two more goals from Bruce secured his victory, the $20,000 prize, a Kia Soul car and an invite to the FIFA World Player Gala in Zurich.

The only downside to the victory of the softly spoken Frenchman was that he doesn’t speak a word if English. Not to be put off, Stevie began his interview in French and successfully completed a whole half sentence before relying on the assistance of an interpreter.

It has been a grand day out indeed, and we’re already looking forward to next year. There’s a World Cup happening, too, I hear.