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Winner of 2009 FIFA Interactive World Cup Gets a Kia Soul

Bruce Grannec, winner of the FIFA Interactive World Cup final in Barcelona, Spain, was awarded $20,000, an invitation to the FIFA World Player Gala 2010 and a brand new Kia Soul.

The 22-year-old gamer beat more than 530,000 online gamers and football enthusiasts from 52 countries around the world. He won the final in Port Olympic, Barcelona, after competing with the world’s 31 best virtual footballers. Grannec will also receive his FIFA Diploma at the next FIFA World Player Gala, where he will stay next to the best real-life football players in the world.

"I am very proud of this victory", said Bruce Grannec after the final. "It pays back hours and hours of practice which prepared me to compete on such a big stage. It proves that, if you work hard, you will have success."

In order to increase brand awareness, 11 Kia vehicles were used during the final tournament for members of the press and other VIP guests in Barcelona.

“Our new Kia Soul truly speaks to the hearts and minds of a young-at-heart audience,” said Hyoung-Keun Lee, Senior Executive Vice President and COO of the International Business Division, Kia Motors Corporation.

“Participating in this on-and-offline tournament in conjunction with FIFA was a great opportunity to showcase the Soul and its customizable options for tech-savvy, individually-minded drivers. They can truly appreciate what this car, and our brand, has to offer.”

The partnership between FIFA and Kia Motors began in 2007 and will continue for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

"With more than half a million on-and-offline participants, the FIFA Interactive World Cup has set new records and I am really impressed with how fast this tournament has grown," says FIFA Executive Committee member Chuck Blazer, who attended the Grand Final in Barcelona. “Kia has certainly contributed to that growth and everyone is enjoying the benefits of this partnership.”
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