Developers World Championship: Match Report - Romania v Estonia (Group B)

ROMANIA F.A.S.T. (Revo Solutions)

VS ESTONIA Shipwreck (Candycane)

The Cruyff turn. The Blanco bounce. The Ronaldinho flip-flap. The Brown banana. Ok, that last one may just be wild optimism on my part, but the rest are famous examples of soccer signature moves from World Cups' past which future generations would try to master.

Speaking of Master, Estonia’s boat routing entry, Shipwreck, bore more than a one-touch passing resemblance to another Harbor-based game, although it remained to be seen if this new generation could emulate its forbear.

Meanwhile, soaring over the iStadium at a fair old lick, F.A.S.T., by Revo Solutions seemed more focused on putting on its own display and ensuring an eventful aerial vs nautical showdown in the iGDWC's own virtual version of the Royal Tournament.

Kick Off: 3pm, 17th June

The critical view: Whilst the battle may have looked intriguing on paper, out on the field it was immediately clear that aerial supremacy would rule the day and F.A.S.T.’s jet-heeled winger was a handful for the Estonia side from the ref’s first peep on the whistle to the last. This elusive flier caused all manner of mayhem with its incredibly smart AI, smooth accelerometer control, and range of passing manoeuvres.

Under a seemingly ceaseless barrage of air-to-sea missiles, it appeared only a matter of time before Shipwreck’s net would be bulging. 12 minutes’ time, to be precise.

Estonia’s five ships and two docks just couldn’t match the wealth of aircraft and playing modes in F.A.S.T. Almost inevitably, a ship sank in the eastern European’s rearguard, leaving the path clear for a Romanian laser-guided missile launched from the edge of the penalty box into the roof of the net.

Capitalising on the confusion in the Shipwreck’s rear, Romania’s wingman almost delivered an immediate second via a global leaderboard, but the shot was deflected away by a despairing dive dive dive.

Resistance was temporary, though, as Revo Solutions’ dogfighter pulled off a sensational fly-by, Gold Award proudly in tow as it ran loops around (and above) the routed Seamen.

Half time: Romania 2 – 0 Estonia The Fans’ 45: Clearly some changes were needed in the Estonian camp and Candycane duly employed their subs (and a battleship) in the hope of stimulating a wave of public support and ultimately turning the tide of the match. However, for a country that had posted a handsome opening win in their first outing, the support from Estonia's fans was strangely muted when they needed it most with barely a ripple of enthusiastic applause.

Perhaps they'd been intimidated by the critical acclaim bestowed upon F.A.S.T. the season before last or maybe they were too busy on Facebook and YouTube.

Either way, none of this mattered to the Romanians, who watched with glee, as an appreciative crowd and the online wi-fi and Bluetooth multiplayer locked on target to finish the tie off and ensure that both sides would have something to play for in the final round.

Full time: Romania 4 – 0 Estonia Latest Group Tables - Fixtures & Voting - Squads

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