Graphics by Alejandro "GrawP" Rivero

Everybody now is asking, "Why the Furia Countdown didn't announce Zerecero?". Now his face is being showed in our Furia official roster line, but no announcements have been made so far. Why ?

Let's talk a bit about Ruben "Zerecero" Morales. Well known FIFA gamer in Mexico, member of the FIFAsticos Squad, Ruben has been in the top of the console world for years. He represented his country in the FIWC, placing in a very good position, and now he's again a representative, after winning the Live Qualifier in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Last year, when Miguel "ScoreR" Sotelo was unable to attend the CGS World Finals, we had to call our Taxi FIFA player. Ruben was picked as our Taxi in the Live Combine and Draft in Mexico City, and quickly started playing FIFA 2007 in PC, since he was coming from Xbox 360. With very short time for practice, Ruben started a 24/7 training schedule, that caused an amazing improvement in his game. Additionally to that, his attitude and outstanding personality gave the team the bump needed for playing against any CGS franchise as an equal.

Unfortunately, in the World Finals he had to face one of the best (if not the best in our opinion) players in the League. Rostyslav "Manyna" Nedoviz, Berlin Allianz's FIFA superstar, had a great background and an amazing gamestyle. Trying to do his best and facing him not only with his skills but with the support of the whole team and audience, Ruben started losing 2-0 but cameback with an amazing Goal 1 minute after the adversary's last goal. With a renewed spirit, Zerecero began to play more agressively. However, Manyna capitalized that tactic and started to use counter attacks, with an ending result of 4-1 against us. Despite of the score, Ruben played an excellent match, using his skills as an equal.

After the World Finals, Ruben started his training schedule for the FIWC 2008. Playing online against the best of the world, he tried to reach the ticket to the finals first in Los Angeles, losing against Michael Labelle in the semifinals, a match that in the opinion of most analysts, was the real final. Without losing his hope, Ruben decided to buy a ticket to Sao Paulo, Brazil for the last chance to Berlin. The favorite, Andre "Scorpion" Buffo, was the adversary to defeat. Once again, the destiny wanted to have the Final played in Semifinals, with Zerecero playing against Scorpion. In a very close match, Ruben defeated Andre, getting the pass to the finals, a final match that obviously, was a victory for our Furia player, getting the ticket to Berlin.

After his return, Ruben started playing FIFA 2008 in PC. With the Season 2008 of the CGS ad-portas, Ruben put his biggest effort in learning all the glitches and tricks of this new version. However, the time was his enemy again, and he had to stablish a very intensive training schedule. Playing almost all day, with a very stressing routine and with challengers from all the continent trying to get his position, Ruben showed that besides the short time of training, he had the potential to play in a very high level.

However, as we said before, many gamers are behind Ruben's position. With the lack of a real Challenge or Combine to prove their skills, all the challengers were sent to play against Ruben online. Some of those challengers, went to play with him in LAN. With a permanent monitoring of the results, development of games and past achievements, this humble General Manager has decided to create a very sui-generis FIFA Challenge.

The current Taxi Player for the Mexico City Furia is Jaime "SHeVa_Mx" Solis. Well known by his achievements in many online leagues and LAN Tourneys, Jaime is a respected member of the mexican gaming community. He attended the Live Combine and Draft, being one of the strong candidates to win it. However, he had to face Miguel "ScoreR" Sotelo, former Furia Member and drafted in that time. Losing with a close score of 2-1, SHeVa returned to his training headquarters decided to be the next player of the Furia in the Season 2008. With the announcement of a selection process that will not include a combine, Jaime decided to challenge Ruben for his place. Playing against him in LAN, he defeated Ruben in many matches, and was defeated by Ruben too. With such a demonstration of skills, he deserved the Taxi position in our team, and asked for an opportunity to officially take over the position of a Full Member of the Furia.

His opportunity has arrived.

Like we have said before, both contendors have a great potential and skill. However, Zerecero was picked due to his ability of pressure handling, his potential and his fast learning of the game. He will have to show this fast learning to fight against somebody that has been playing this version since it was launched. In June 7th, both Furia players will compete, to determine who will be the full Furia Member that will attend the Latin American Finals this July 20th in Los Angeles, California against Rio Sinistro to fight for a spot in the World Finals. Considering the position that Ruben is currently a Full Furia Member and that Jaime is the taxi player, we have decided to make this like a Loser Bracket - Upper Bracket match in Counter Strike. Usually, in Counter Strike, when you come from the Loser Bracket in a Double Elimination System, the winner of the Upper Bracket has to win only one match to be the champion. The challenger coming from the Loser Bracket, has to win twice to be declared victorious. In this case, both Furia Members will play NINE MATCHES. The rules to be determined winner are as follow :

- If SHeVa_Mx wins SIX of those NINE MATCHES, he will be declared official Full Member of the Furia. Matches should end BEFORE the Penalty Kicks, otherwise it won't be considered.
- If SHeVa_Mx wins FIVE of those NINE MATCHES, he will have another shot in June 14th, under the same rules. If he wins again only FIVE matches, Zerecero will be declared as the official Furia Full member.
- If SHeVa_Mx less than FIVE of those NINE matches, Zerecero will be declared as the official Furia Full member.

We know that there will be a lot of pressure of those matches, that will be played in the house of our good friend, David "Davisso" Pineda, former member of the Rio Sinistro Squad. However, a Full Furia Member MUST handle pressure and use it for winning.

Good luck to both contendors, and despite the result, we know that the winner will make us proud. ARRE FURIA!.