GAMERS GET THE CALL TO REPRESENT THE UNITED STATES IN GERMANY

National team named for Xbox® Cup Finals in Berlin

JUNE 14, 2006 – (Redmond, WA) Xbox® today named the team that will represent the United States later this month at the finals of the Xbox Cup in Berlin. The three lucky winners will fly out to Germany to compete against 31 other teams from across the globe on EA’s 2006 FIFA World Cup on the Xbox 360 console, in a bid to be crowned world champions.

The United States team is made up of the following members:

• David McLeese booked his place in the squad by winning the online leaderboard competition on Xbox Live. David, 18 years-old is from Dix Hills, NY.
• Eddie Terrell will join David in Berlin. Eddie, 17 years-old is from Brownsburg, INfinished second in the leaderboard competition to earn his spot on the squad.
• Greg Hengeli will complete the team, having won the Ultimate Fan competition on the Xboxcup.com website. Greg, 25 years-old from Hinckley, OH will be supporting the other playersand following them to all the games. 

The team will fly to Berlin on June 29^th to take part in the once in a lifetime event representing the United States at the ‘adidas World of Football.’ The tournament is completely unique to Xbox 360, giving both gamers and football fans the chance to represent their countries and most importantly, have fun. The matches will take place in an 8500 seat stadium at the heart of the adidas event park, right in the centre of the action in Platz der Republik. The winners - who will each be accompanied by a friend - will also get tickets to a FIFA World Cup™ quarter final match courtesy of adidas, along with a fantastic assortment of adidas kit, plus an Xbox 360 console complete with the latest EA games.

The tournament will be just like the other big matches going on in Germany at the same time, with teams being drawn into groups at a ceremony on June 29^th and going on to play each other at the opening stages and then on to the quarter finals on June 30^th. The final four teams will then play in the semi finals and then finals on July 1^st in the stadium to decide the ultimate winning team of the Xbox Cup.

Xbox, the Official Licensed Video Game Console of the 2006 FIFA World Cup ™teamed up with adidas, Electronic Arts and footballers from across Europe, earlier this year to find the team that has today been announced.

About Xbox and Xbox 360
Microsoft revolutionized the gaming industry with the November 2001 launch of Xbox (http://www.xbox.com), its first-generation video games and entertainment system, now sold in 26 countries around the world.  This Christmas season Microsoft debuts its next-generation system, Xbox 360, in Europe, Japan and North America, to be followed by availability in Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan in 2006. Xbox 360 is the most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox Live online gaming service, and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around you. 

About Xbox Live
Xbox Live continues to transform and unite Xbox game communities worldwide, with a presence in 24 countries worldwide and a global community of more than 2 million members. As the first and only global, unified online console games service, Xbox Live offers world-class games, intelligent matchmaking, tournaments, unique programming and integration with Xbox.com. For more information, go to www.xbox.com/live.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

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For more information, please contact:

David DiMartino

Alan Taylor Communications

212-714-1280 ext. 362

david@alantaylor.com

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