Natus Vincere 's draw against WeMade FOX ended up costing Na`Vi an easier route to the final as fnatic topped Group B and will face off against the Ukrainians in the second semi-final. That means TyLoo will face their domestic rivals TyLoo raw, the second team in the organization.

TyLoo vs. TyLoo raw (4AM CEST)

These two teams have been at war for a long time, dating back to when they were TyLoo and wNv.cn. Now wNv.cn has a different roster and will be hungry to not only defeat their Chinese rivals but also reach the final. TyLoo themselves will come in confidant having defeated TyLoo.raw in the WCG qualifier, despite a map loss to them earlier in the event.

TyLoo.raw bring firepower as could be seen in their game against fnatic where Savage really showed why he is considered one of the best Chinese players with some standout AWPing which swung rounds away from the Swedish titans. TyLoo have just as much raw firepower themselves but their game is more refined and with veteran player alex leading them they have a higher level of tactical understanding. The big marquee matchup in this one will be Savage vs. GoodRifle as both are likely going to picking up AWPs and both are the kind of players who seek engagement and take risks with their sniping.

For TyLoo.raw it's key to get maps which will let them be explosive and work off opening kills, dust2 and inferno being their best bets. For TyLoo they know if they can get train or nuke then they are the big favourites to take the series.


fnatic vs. Natus Vincere (8:30AM CEST)

From the moment Gux put the fnatic colours back on this has been the matchup in the minds of many. The legendary fnatic of 2009 against a Na`Vi team who has made the tournament circuit of 2010 its own personal playground, toying with even the best teams as they at times have won by huge scorelines against in-form elite level teams.

GameGune cheated us a little organizationally, structurally and in terms of setting. Sure fnatic met Na`Vi for the first time but it was with both teams coming off upset losses to FX in the upper bracket. It was also a single map affair and that single map was nuke which Na`Vi notoriously dislike and have thrown out at every opportunity in Bo3 tournaments since losing to mouz on it at the IEM IV European Finals.

Now is when we get to see these teams start their engagement fully. Both teams have some of the most skilled players in the world, in fact one could make the case that between them they have all five of the top 5 individual players in the world right now. They also both have strat callers who are famous for not only being able to keep up in the fragging department but also direct their teams in the crucial moments of big games.

It is fnatic who will come in with a little bit of a chip on their shoulder. They have cited a couple of times now being "up" in terms of overall record against the Ukrainians but in reality the losses have come in the biggest tournaments and fnatic's wins have been largely inconsequential with the exception of their win at Arbalet Cup Europe with threat. If fnatic can knock Na`Vi out here then the event will be a bust for the Eastern Europeans overall, finishing outside of the top 2 in an event which with dropouts there were only two elite sides remaining.

Not only can fnatic gain their own glory but they can help ensure Na`Vi don't leave with any which will go a little way to helping fnatic if they want to be called the best team in the world again.

For Na`Vi this is a chance to show that they are one of the greatest teams of all time. fnatic have Gux back and now there are no valid excuses. They won GameGune and they topped their group here in Shanghai so clearly they are getting themselves established again as a top team. If Na`Vi beat the Swedes here it's another big scalp in their collection for 2010 and they also can do to fnatic what fnatic would seek to do to them: deny them prestige from this event.

If fnatic lose then some may say they should have swallowed their pride and tried to finish 2nd in their group and get the Chinese opponent in the semi-final. Personally I like to see teams give their all in every match and take the hardest route since it makes for the most satisfying accomplishment if they end up winning the tournament. There's certainly a case to be made for avoiding the best team in the world though.

Both European teams have to feel like they are playing for the tournament itself in this semi-final. Though TyLoo will have their own thoughts on that as if they can reach the final they'll be looking forwards to showing their ability to upset big sides. TyLoo are the only Chinese team I've seen in a long time who can play straight-up Counter-Strike, not relying on random aggressive pushes and good fortune, to win big games against the top teams.


Both semi-finals will be broadcast on ESL-TV.

(Photographs copyright of ESL)