MEDIA CORNER

Arnaud "Sean" Garnier was crowned world freestyle soccer champion on Tuesday evening in São Paulo, Brazil at the Red Bull Street Style World Finals. Participants from 44 countries battled it out head-to-head in the South American footballing Mecca for the prestigious title. Superstars Edgar Davids (NED), Bebeto (BRA), and futsal champion Falcão (BRA) have "plenty to learn".

Displaying a truly unique urban style Gaurnier thrilled the crowd by mixing his skillful ball tricks with breakdance moves. In the final against charismatic Japanese Yokota, the eventual champion pulled an unexpected surprise: He frenzied the crowd and impressed the judges by sticking a pen on his teeth, then rolling the ball for several seconds on the pen’s tip.

"I love football, and winning a championship in Brazil is really special," said Séan. "Yosuke was great, but I knew that if I did my very best I had a shot at winning." On his way to the final, the Frenchman edged Brazilian Murilo Pitol in the semifinals. The 17-year-old admitted his rival’s superiority: "I just made too many mistakes against Séan, and he was able to pull off tricks that were more difficult than mine."

A star-studded panel of judges chose each battle’s winner. Dutch football star and freestyle icon Edgar Davids was joined by 1994 World Cup champion Bebeto and 2008 FIFA World Futsal Player of the Year Falcão, plus legendary New York breakdancer Crazy Legs. A fifth vote came electronically from the 28 players who didn’t make the world final’s top-16.

"It was tough voting for a Frenchman against a Brazilian, but Séan was simply sensational," revealed Bebeto. Known for his super-skillful moves on the futsal court, Falcao was impressed by the freestylers’ level: "I thought I had great skills, but after seeing these guys here I see I have plenty to learn."

Davids meanwhile summarized the historic night in one sentence: "I had never seen anything like this," the Dutchman confessed. "Brazil truly is a land of football passion, so there was no better choice to host this first World Championship. And what we saw here tonight confirmed that."

The world finalists made their way through 138 qualification tournaments in 44 countries judged by the criteria technical skill, ball control, and creativity the music. The next Red Bull Street Style World Final is scheduled for 2010 in South Africa.

• The World Final Results 2008