A Watford FC fan has won the world championships of a “creative map-making” board game.

Matt Tucker, from Croxley Green, was the winner of the Carcassonne World Championships which was held in Herne, Germany at the weekend.

The board game is a tile-based German game which is designed for two to five players to build a medieval landscape as they move through the board.

Watford Observer:

The 32-year-old was one of 42 players from 37 countries and it was his first time attending, with the support of his girlfriend who watched every one of his games.  

He said: “It was an amazing win, I really wasn’t expecting it. The day went pretty well but I couldn’t believe it when I won, everyone watching realised before I did.

“It was very different to playing online but I knew deep down I would be able to win. My girlfriend, Sam attended every match I was in and was the biggest support.”

Watford Observer: Matt and the other finalist, Alexey Pegusevs before the game. Matt and the other finalist, Alexey Pegusevs before the game. (Image: Sam Tulip)

The Watford FC fan made sure to use the yellow pieces as he has a season ticket for the Hornets and has always been a fan of the team that plays in yellow.

The game, which first came out in 2000, lasts around 60 minutes and involves placing tiles down to build cities, the game ends when the last tile is placed and then scores are counted, with the highest score winning.

Matt took on Alexey Pegusevs who represented Latvia but lives in Cambridgeshire in the final, despite having previously been beaten by him during an earlier stage of the competition.

Watford Observer: Matt with his trophy at Watford Junction. Matt with his trophy at Watford Junction. (Image: Sam Tulip)

Matt added: “Everyone was super friendly, kind and welcoming, I was impressed by the amount of effort everyone put into the weekend.”

The software engineer won the “intense” final by two points.

The tournament was livestreamed for others to watch as well as all other people attending being able to view his victory.

Watford Observer:

Matt has always been interested in board games, but his hobby exploded after university when he started playing weekly games with his housemate and brother.

He is also involved with the Mind Sports Olympiad as he helps run the annual event in London, which focuses on competitive board games.

He “hasn’t stopped smiling since the win” and is looking forward to what is next.