Microsoft has said that it has sold "well over" five million Xbox 360s in Europe, putting it ahead of Sony and the PS3.

Speaking in an interview with MCV, David Gosen (European VP of strategic marketing for interactive entertainment at Microsoft EMEA...phew) has indicated that the console war is far from over, stating, "Anyone trying to call a winner this Christmas is calling too early.

"We are incredibly well positioned – our installed base in Europe is well over five million and contrary to what's been reported we are at least, if not more than, three quarters of a million ahead of PS3."

"What's been reported", of course, is the assertion by David Reeves back in May that the more PS3s than Xbox 360s had been sold in Europe.

Gosen isn't the first Microsoft man to question Reeves' assertion, with Aaron Greenberg, director of product management for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live, having said that Reeves' statement was "not based on actual data". If SPOnG understands Greenberg's English correctly, he also said at the time that the 360 was over a million units ahead of the PS3 - more of a lead than Gosen is claiming now.

Gosen also hit out at analysts who have said the 360 has hit a wall in Europe, saying, “If we look at the momentum in the business in the last few months, the trajectory has changed significantly. My only message to the analysts is to check their numbers”.

^{Source: MCV}