CPL UK is on our doorstep, but, frankly, why all the hype? This will without a doubt be one of the most "random" CPLs ever. "Why?" you might think, or even "Wow, are you a f*ckin lune? Get a clue". Therefore I'll explain a little further. I'll do this by looking at the best 5 teams at CPL UK, starting off with SK Gaming Sweden.
SK Gaming Sweden (ahl, fisker, Snajdan, SpawN, vilden)
SK.swe is a legendary team, but nonetheless, they are still pretty new after their recent breakup and reform. Also, fisker stated in an interview that they weren't going to practice as much as they otherwise might've, as his mother, who he hasn't seen in about 10 years (correct me if I'm wrong), is coming to visit him in Sweden. However, SK.swe are fresh off a recent CPL win in Dallas (CPL Dallas 2005 Summer), where they managed to go through almost unbeaten and finally beat EG in the final.
- Prediction: 4th
Ninjas in Pyjamas (HeatoN, Potti, walle, zet, ins)
NiP, a team that many might consider an underdog, but I am certainly not. I expect them to be the absolute best team there. They have practiced with their new team for quite some time now, and even after a disappointing placing at ESWC 2005, the Ninjas has won GameGune 2005, and are definitely not to be underestimated.
- Prediction: 1st
/ NoA (XeqtR, DarK, Red, speedi, Kixer)
NoA, recently reformed and with new sponsors, new manager and, most importantly (?), new players. Only XeqtR remains from the "old" NoA, that won WEG Season 1 and CPL Winter 2004. However, the team is barely a week old, and therefore, I expect them to play like a überpsychohighskilled mixteam, placing:
- Prediction: 5th
Four Kings (Mangiacapra, aKuJii, GoodFella, natu, myssE(standin))
Hardly a UK team anymore, but nonetheless the best bet to keeping the win within the English borders. This lineup has recently acquired finnish superstar natu, who will probably have given this team much of his experience and will hopefully have shaken this team together, because it's no longer just 4K who needs a good placing at an international event, the entire UK CS scene would be in a state of euphoria if 4K (or any UK team, for that matter) won the CPL. However, 4K are playing with a standin (myssE), who is filling the empty spot for elemeNt. Even though the team has gone through massive roster changes recently, I predict 4K to finish:
- Prediction: 3rd
Catch-Gamer (bsl, Juve9le, zevy, Juzam, DaY)
After an acceptable CPL Spain (7-8th finish), CG flew to Korea to participate in WEG2, and what a brilliant showing. From being completely underestimated, to finishing 2nd after losing to Begrip in the final, people has finally opened up their eyes for this Norwegian allstar team, who has an incredible ammount of potential, skill and a will to win. Also, Catch is pretty much the only top team attending CPL UK that haven't undergone, more or less, massive roster changes lately, therefore I place them:
- Prediction: 2nd
All these teams has one thing in common, except Catch-Gamer, which is roster changes lately, therefore, CPL UK will probably be the most "random" tournament of the year. Only Catch-Gamer can truly be "judged" by their performance in Sheffield in the next few days.
I hope I haven't bored you. Feel free to flame me, because, frankly, I don't really give a shit.
/fsk