WCG wrap-up: Netherlands takes top honors

SAN FRANCISCO--Their injuries may add up to only a few blistered thumbs and sore wrists, but for the competitors in the World Cyber Games finals this weekend, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat were just as keenly felt as they were by the competitors in those other games a month and a half ago.

The closing ceremonies for the World Cyber Games were held on Sunday in downtown San Francisco. The Netherlands took home the overall championship--team members from the country took the gold medals for Unreal Tournament 2004 and Warcraft III: Frozen Throne, as well as the gold and bronze medals for Project Gotham Racing 2.

The Netherlands' flag was raised at the closing ceremony, and a special trophy was given to the team.

In the competition for the top slot, Netherlands barely edged out Korea, who took two golds (FIFA Soccer 2004 and Starcraft: Brood War), two silvers, and a bronze. For the past three years, the World Cyber Games has been held in South Korea, home of the event's founders.

The USA took home three medals in total. America's Team 3D took home the gold for Counter-Strike: Condition Zero, and top US Halo player Matt "Zyos" Leto is now officially the world's top Halo player with the gold medal to prove it. USA's Dave "Walshy" Walsh took the bronze at Halo.

Germany put on a solid showing as well, garnering the gold for Need for Speed: Underground, as well as a silver and a bronze.

The full championship results for the eight tournaments are listed below. Trophies and cash prizes were given to the top three players of each title. Fourth place through eighth place finishers were given prizes.

For more on the World Cyber Games, check out GameSpot's full coverage of the event.

Counter-Strike: Condition Zero
1. Team3D (USA)
2. Titans (Denmark)
3. MaveN (Korea)

FIFA Soccer 2004
1. Volcano (Korea)
2. g3xcarrico (Brazil)
3. aL_smeyer (Germany)

Need for Speed: Underground
1. [pG]Sliver (Germany)
2. LordOfGround (Korea)
3. andinhovsen (Brazil)

Starcraft: Brood War
1. xellos_kr (Korea)
2. midas[gm] (Korea)
3. [3wD]Christian (Bulgaria)

Unreal Tournament 2004
1. fnatic_Lauke (Netherlands)
2. mouzAOpen_Burnie (Germany)
3. Chip_masK[GSC] (Ukraine)

Warcraft III: Frozen Throne
1.[4K]Grubby (Netherlands)
2. WelComeTo (Korea)
3. yoanm (France)

Halo
1. Zyos (USA)
2. Junior_ca (Canada)
3. Walshy (USA)

Project Gotham Racing 2
1. KingTuur (Netherlands)
2. Sackl (Austria)
3. Prooff (Netherlands)