Madaj opened the game and set only a spell or trap. Gress drew into his sixth card and Madaj confirmed the number of cards in his opponents hand. Gress used Reinforcement of the Army to fetch a Don Zaloog, then he summoned the Warrior, but Torrential Tribute cleared the field. Gress activated Premature Burial in order to bring Don back to the field, and Don dealt 1400 damage and stole Heavy Storm from Madaj's hand.

The game was interrupted by our Head Judge Donato Marro, and everyone was quiet when he spoke up. Marro commented on Madaj’s banter, and the crowd started laughing. Madaj acted like he didn’t hear the comment, summoned Breaker the Magical Warrior and took a shot at Call of the Haunted.

Breaker attacked into Don, then Madaj passed and Gress special summoned Cyber Dragon. After he also summoned Sangan to the field, Breaker was destroyed by the Dragon and Sangan dealt some damage. Madaj wasn’t defeated yet and special summoned a Cyber Dragon of his own together with Don Zaloog. After the predictable double trade, Don attacked Sangan and picked Dark Hole from Gress’s hand. Gress summoned Mystic Tomato, which traded with Don. A searched-out Spirit Reaper dealt some further damage and Madaj lost Strike Ninja in the attack. Gress felt comfortable behind his set spell or trap and was done with his turn.

Reinforcements of the Army fetched out another Strike Ninja for the local player. Then the Ninja attacked into Strike Ninja, dealing some damage, and Madaj set another spell or trap. After Smashing Ground forced Madaj to shift the Ninja, Spirit Reaper was able to attack into an open field. The next card from Madaj’s hand was put into the graveyard, and was revealed to be Spirit Reaper. Madaj accepted the invitation and dealt some more damage with his Strike Ninja attacking into Spirit Reaper, then Gress switched his monster to defense position and passed. A Mystic Tomato was able to attack directly, and after Brain Control destroyed the annoying Reaper, Gress was left with only 700 life points!

Gress had another chance to turn the game around. He set a card to each zone and was done with his turn. Madaj’s Strike Ninja destroyed the last monster, but his Mystic Tomato was stopped by Sakuretsu Armor. Madaj set another monster and was done with his turn. Gress revealed Brain Control targeting Strike Ninja . . . but after a minute, Madaj finally realized that Gress had no life points for the Brain Control.

Madaj wins the first game!

Game 2

Gress decided to start, although Madaj did his best to convince his opponent of the advantages of going second. The player from Offenbach set a spell or trap and passed. Breaker the Magical Warrior was Madaj’s preferred monster for handling the situation. He took a good shot at Enemy Controller, but Breaker was switched to defense position. After two set spells or traps, Madaj was done, and it was up to Gress again. He summoned D. D. Survivor after Cyber Dragon hit the field. The Warrior took an attack at Breaker and the Dragon attacked into Sakuretsu Armor. Gress had another set for his second main phase, then finished his turn.

Madaj used Snatch Steal on D. D. Survivor after he summoned Spirit Reaper to the field, but the little Zombie attacked into Sakuretsu Armor. Gress dealt with the situation with another Cyber Dragon and tributed it right away for Mobius the Frost Monarch. Snatch Steal was destroyed and the D. D. Survivor switched sides again. Madaj activated Scapegoat to bring out some sheep tokens that protected their master, but two of the brave sheep had to go, and Gress was done. Madaj opted to only set a spell or trap and after two turns, Mobius the Frost Monarch dealt 2400 damage, because Madaj still had no answer.

Gress set another spell or trap as Madaj remarked, “You are Joey,” much to the amusement of the audience. Then, Gress attacked for the win!

Game 3

Madaj started with two set spells or traps, together with a monster, before he passed. Gress special summoned Cyber Dragon and tributed for Mobius the Frost Monarch again, but the Monarch had to go to defense position due to Enemy Controller. Gress set another spell or trap behind Mobius and passed.

Madaj summoned Strike Ninja and flipped Mystic Tomato face up. The vegetable ran into Sakuretsu Armor, but the Strike Ninja was able to take out the Frost Monarch. The next Cyber Dragon from Gress prompted Madaj to comment, “He's playing ten of them!” Gress, unfazed, set another spell or trap in his second main phase before he passed the turn. Madaj summoned Sangan and his searcher changed sides with Creature Swap, then Cyber Dragon had a good hit at the little fiend and Madaj got a Spirit Reaper. Gress set a monster and a spell or trap and finished his turn. The local Madaj attacked with Cyber Dragon into Spirit Reaper after he summoned a Reaper of his own.

Gress set another monster and passed, Madaj continued his attacks and revealed a Sangan, switched Spirit Reaper into defense position, and passed. Nothing happened during the next turns—the excitement was growing while both players were passing for a few turns and drawing into new cards. Gress activated Premature Burial and Madaj commented “800 damage,” and Mobius the Frost Monarch was summoned back to the field, together with a flipped Sangan and a switched Spirit Reaper. Gress summoned D. D. Warrior Lady, removing Madaj's Spirit Reaper and his remaining monsters hit Madaj hard! The Monarch had a good shot at the Cyber Dragon, and Spirit Reaper picked a Strike Ninja from Madaj's hand.

Madaj entered his last turn, attacking into Spirit Reaper with Mystic Tomato, but then he passed. Gress played Snatch Steal on Mystic Tomato, summoned Mystic Swordsman LV2, and attacked with his remaining monsters for the win in this very close final match!

Roland Gress wins the biggest German Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG tournament ever held! Nonetheless, Adrian Madaj was able to represent his hometown in a great way—finishing second out of 1,104 players isn’t easy.

Congratulations to Roland Gress, Pharaoh Tour Bremen Champion!