THE EIGHTH MEGA DRIVE TOURNAMENT

STAGE ONE REVIEW:

Stage One of the Eighth Mega Drive Tournament produced very little in the way of shocks. Both Arsénio Ferraz and Ferdinand Menéndez attained a 100% win record, undefeated in groups A and E respectively, but largely speaking, those who were expected to qualify, qualified. Of the five new members to the competition only Pedro Dantas was able to achieve qualification to the second phase, with David Ferrão, Sandro Souto, Paulo Barros and Fábio Henriques all eliminated at this early stage. Joana Hamrol also failed to progress into the next round of the tournament, however, she was up against some tough opponents in Group C.

STAGE TWO

STAGE TWO REVIEW:

As ever, with the increased level of skill and the decreased number of qualification places available, a number of quality players were dispatched at this point of the competition. Group 2A it was Fátima Campos who finished top of the elimination league, marginally beating her more illustrious brother, Alberto, into the guaranteed qualification place. Both João Pires and Pedro Dantas were debuting at this stage of the tournament, however, both were unable to reach either the automatic qualification spot or the second-placed play-offs. Group 2B was a very tight affair featuring some of the best players in the competition and, in the end, all four players finished with six-points. It was David Magueijo who took first spot at the expense of Dário Pelixo, who made the play-offs, Hugo Vieira and Ferdinand Menéndez. Group 2C, while arguably the weakest of the three, however, it was dominated by Arsénio Ferraz who won all his games in order to progress to Stage Three for the first time in his history. Luis Xavier took the play-off spot a head of Nuno Folhadela and Francisco Espadinha. It was one time tournament winner and two times finalist, Alberto Campos, who won the second-placed play-offs, beating Dário Pelixo and Luis Xavier in order to claim his place in the final four.

STAGE THREE

The Grand Final: Alberto Campos duels Arsénio Ferraz
on Street Fighter 2: Championship Edition

STAGE THREE REVIEW:

Alberto Campos and David Magueijo had to be the favourites heading into Stage Three of the tournament. Fátima Campos had never progressed beyond the semi-final before and Arsénio Ferraz was making his debut in the Third Stage. A four-player game on Olympic Summer games would be contested before the Street Fighter 2: Championship Edition final, with the two players who won the most events advancing and the other two being eliminated. Alberto Campos won the Olympic Summer Games section with ease - taking six wins from the eleven events. The second place in the final was scrapped out between Arsénio Ferraz and Fátima Campos. David Magueijo failed to make any form of impact at this section of the tournament and was unable to record a win in any of the events. Eventually, Arsénio earned his place in the final, winning three events to Fátima's two. Now, head-to-head for the title, Fifth Tournament Winner, Alberto Campos, and Stage Three rookie, Arsénio Ferraz, duelled on Street Fighter 2: Championship Edition. While Alberto is statistically the greater player, Arsénio tore him to pieces as he secured four victories to Alberto's one and a new Mega Drive Champion of Portugal was born.