UPDATE: Both matches are finished, after struggling their way through cp_fastlane and its uber-tight final cap point. Scores have been posted!




(GotFrag) - With the upper bracket finals over - in which Pandemic sent Sway Gaming to the lower brackets with a 5-0 sweep on cp_well - we're left with a few losers brackets matches coming up. Pandemic gets a nice long break until August 28th, which they will be at the Nvision LAN, but somehow has to play a final that day too.

Also CEVO has, in another stunning act of genius, decided that this deep in the tournament, cp_fastlane would be perfect to test out on. For those who haven't played it, it's a very linear map (think cp_badlands in a straight line and all 1 flat level) except even harder to cap on. This map has plenty of health packs everywhere on the map, as well as ammo, which would be one of its only redeeming qualities. This map is fun to pub because even lopsided teams can defend their last point for minutes on end since the respawn doors are right next to the cp - how awesome!

Hopefully people got the sarcasm in my text.. but that's what this sentence is for.. anyways, on to some predictions!




Xensity v ferveNt

First up we have Xensity vs ferveNt. ferveNt finds themselves here by beating Ghosts of Darkness (who?) 5-0 on cp_well, and Xensity being sent here by Pandemic from the upper brackets. This is an interesting match up because no one really practices fastlane, and classes played can vary so much on it. I can easily see clans try to run a pyro or a heavy or a sniper, or combinations of it all. There are at least 3 points of entry to every cp, which insures greater variance of classes. If both teams decide to run the standard affair of 2 soldiers/2 scouts/1 demo /1 medic, I would give the edge to Xensity, but I don't think either one will run the standard this game.

Xensity on paper is the better team, but that hasn't had much meaning these playoffs. I expect this to be the better game of the 2 games being played, and is my pick for MOTW. While I see it being a very close game, I still give Xensity the edge in most situations.

Xensity [5:3] ferveNt

Devastation v Gay Zombies from Outer Space


This is an interesting match up simply because I didn't think GZOS had what it takes to beat focaL (boy was I wrong). It was probably due to the favorable match up on Gravelpit which relied on individual talent and plays to make things happen, and GZOS had the edge there. Devastation finds themselves here after losing to Sway 2-1 in a close, but not so close, game. Sway defending their A capture point for 9 minutes after losing their B quickly, and managing to hold on and win it.

Dev recently has undergone some roster shake ups, with REM hanging up the grenade launcher, and pokey stepping up to be Dev's new demo, while cyzer finally gets off the pine and into a starters roll. I think this line up is actually better for Dev than their previous line up. Honestly, on cp_fastlane, I don't know what to expect. This is a new map, and these are the first matches ever being played on it. I am going to give this one to Dev on sheer persistence, I think that they will not get bored as fast and stick to the game plan for what it takes to win. I see GZOS getting bored and throwing in some random attack classes, and pulling out a few rounds, but not much more than that. I have been dogging on them all tournament, and they have shown me up once so far, so lets see what happens Monday night.

Devastation [5:3] Gay Zombies from Outer Space

GotFrag Brackets can be found on the next page. Official CEVO Brackets can be found here.