By Marvin Montoute, the first official GCOX Celebrity Impression Challenge

I would recommend that anyone reading this to go check out their amazing platform where you will have the chance to connect with your favourite celebrities just like how I did.

This amazing journey started out with me coming across the GCOX ‘Celebrity Impression Challenge’ offering an all-expenses paid trip to the World Cup final in Russia. Being a massive football fan, not only did I decide I was going to go for it, I was really determined to win. Although, if I was being perfectly honest, a part of me didn’t think I would win because I always thought I was the unluckiest person on this planet. I’m talking as unlucky as winning the lottery and losing my ticket on the same day.

I submitted my entry, an impression of Eddie Murphy’s “Donkey” from Shrek, hoping for the best. After a few weeks without any news, I received the shock of my life when GCOX contacted me to say that I had won! Not only did I just win tickets to the WORLD CUP FINAL, my plus one and I would be watching the final in a VIP SUITE with MICHAEL OWEN! I honestly didn’t believe it and had to check a few times over but it was all legit, I WON! I was going to Russia for the World Cup final with my Dad, whom I chose as my plus one. It was really a joy to see my dad even more shocked and excited than I was.

When the day to finally fly to Russia arrived, I was anxious, elated and eager to see what awaited me. The flight was fantastic and I vividly remember enjoying airplane food for the first time in my existence. Since I had never been to Russia, I felt like an explorer conquering a new land upon arrival. The immigration officers were super nice and told us to enjoy the World Cup.

As I was exiting the airport, I received a text from the GCOX team inviting us to join them on a river cruise with Michael Owen. We happily obliged and as soon as we arrived, we were welcomed with open arms by the GCOX team. Their hospitality truly made us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. The river cruise was really breathtaking as it gave us a sense of how exceptionally beautiful Moscow city was during sunset. The food was exquisite and the company even more so.

Upon checking in to our hotel, my dad and I were amazed at how huge our suite was. This was the first time we actually got to process how lucky we were that GCOX organised something as amazing as this. Our travels left us exhausted but both of us went to bed extremely happy and with incredible anticipation for the world cup final the following day.

I woke up earlier than normal on the day of the final as the adrenaline that was fuelling my excitement did not allow me to sleep much. Being the explorers that we are, my dad and I decided to visit Red Square, Russia before the final. We were not disappointed at all as the fan culture and the patriotism of the Croatian and French fans could be felt throughout Red Square. All the flags and banners waving coupled with the deafening singing and chants really got us fired up with World Cup fever. Despite being neither French nor Croatian, we could not help but feel well and truly immersed in the atmosphere.

As we arrived at the stadium, we were touched by the amazing gesture of GCOX CEO, Sir Dr Jeffery Lin, who gifted us with a bag that contained a Michael Owen jumper, our World Cup final ticket and an official fan I.D. My Dad and I could not stop beaming from ear to ear as we entered the stadium feeling like royalty walking the red carpet passing numerous Russian ambassadors who greeted us with the utmost respect.

Our collective jaws dropped as we entered the VIP suite. We couldn’t help but marvel at the gorgeous decor, the amazing view and all the luxurious amenities laid out. We met the affable Michael Owen again we were once again humbled by how he was super down to earth and easy to talk to.

We enjoyed a most amazing meal in the suite and then we all walked out to witness the greatest sporting spectacle on earth, the World Cup final. The match was superb as it was full of everything a soccer fan could ask for; player mistakes, controversy, drama and of course goals galore. My dad and I were ecstatic with the full-time result as we were rooting for France to win the World Cup which they did. “ALLEZ LES BLEUS!”.

The closing ceremony was just as amazing as we saw many celebrities there including Will Smith, who is one of my idols. The entire experience was an amazing spectacle, one I will never forget and it was matched by the French celebrations and the amazing fireworks display. I was also pleasantly surprised when I received a replica of the World Cup final trophy from the Russian ambassadors.

As you can probably tell by now, I was and still am extremely elated by the amazing one-of-a-kind experience and hospitality that my dad and I received from GCOX. I would recommend that anyone reading this to go check out their amazing platform where you will have the chance to connect with your favourite celebrities just like how I did. GCOX’s public Initial Token Sale (ITS) is open from 8 am, GMT+8 on 8.8.18. Once you sign up, it might just be you going to the World Cup final or any other equally spectacular event. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading about my experience, a true blue #GCOXperience.

Special thanks to GCOX and Michael Owen for allowing all of this to be possible.