What an interesting night it is. Some great matches that are definitely worth watching, especially in mid-level competition such as zex vs sb. The game that will be watched by EVERYONE, however, will the the RS vs TAU match (provided they give us some HLTV coverage). Their rivalry is the perfect thing for any maturing competitive scene, and the game tonight should be interesting to see.
week 3 | game 2
map: de_clan2_fire
Short predictions:
zEx| -over- SteelBreeze :: (14-10)
Echo 7 -over- The Second Coming :: (14-10)
Total Annihilation Factor -over- Issues With Authority :: (15-9)
FirstWave -over- Pinnacle :: (18-6)
3D -over- eminence :: (19-5)
Domain of Pain -over- Reality Check :: (18-6)
Team Solid -over- Team Stomping Grounds :: (16-8)
Texas Area Untouchables -over- [Riot-Squad] :: (14-10)
Rj45 -over- Digitally Xtreme :: (15-9)
PLAYBOY -over- ExS :: (13-11)
Clan Killers 3 -over- Darkside :: (14-10)
The Short Yellow Bus -over- The unknown Factor :: (16-8)
[TEC] -over- WeekEnd Warriors :: (16-8)
The Speakeasy Offensive -over- Simply Wicked :: (17-7)
Gamers-X (Black) -over- [187] :: (18-6)
nocturnal e game -over- Team Rival :: (18-6)
The Second Coming -over- Total Annihilation Factor :: (wtf-huh?)
Click through for full predictions![break]Pre-Game Predictions:
zEx| -over- SteelBreeze :: (14-10) - This is one of the matches tonight that I'm looking forward to. zEx is still undefeated in season play, but in comparison to SteelBreeze, they are both quickly growing powerhouses in the CALi scene. Look for zEx to edge out SB. This is just judging by an extra effort by zEx to uphold their undefeated status, and a quick check of comparison play shows zEx having some bigger wins over the same teams as SteelBreeze.
Echo 7 -over- The Second Coming :: (14-10) - Echo 7 played TSC earlier in the season (just a few weeks ago) which confuses me as to why they would face off again so quickly, but Echo 7 won it last time. I wouldn't expect much different. It is a different map, however, and you can bet that a lot of clans will be referring to old demos on this one for strategies and play angles. I'm really ill-impressed with TSC this season, and seeing as they have yet to win, I'm willing to bet they won't take their first win of the season on a rematch of one they already lost.
Total Annihilation Factor -over- Issues With Authority :: (15-9) - iwa had a big win this season over CALo champion Pinacle. That may not prove enough, however, as they remain win-less despite what Pinacle may argue was a fluke or missing starter. TAF, on the other hand, is winless entirely (with one tie against Echo 7). It's really anyone's game, neither team is playing all that well, but someone has to come out on top in this one. I'm giving the win to TAF just because iwa has been a sinking ship recently, and I hope that for excitement's-sake, they can turn their luck over. TAF takes this one home tonight.
FirstWave -over- Pinnacle :: (18-6) - Firstwave beat Pinacle earlier this season (17-7) and I really don't think much has changed. Pinacle was champion of CALo, but their experience with the big dogs has proven lacking, and their gameplay is fun to watch, but lacking in precision. Pinacle will grow up soon enough, but until then, it's going to be a savage beating from Firstwave tonight.
3D -over- eminence :: (19-5) - 3D lost fatality and we all care. Sorry, wrong report. Fatality was fun to watch as deathmatcher (WOW fun to watch), but I never expected him to stick around with 3D. 3D has too many powerhouses as it is (if that can happen). Eminence has really grown up from their multiple seasons in CALm, and their long life. This won't be enough tonight, though. We all know it's going to be bloody; We're all going to watch it anyway; Best of luck e--!
Domain of Pain -over- Reality Check :: (18-6) - Reality Check is another one of those "stock rising" characters on the scene. They just got a big win in RGL and won the intermediate league (which isn't all THAT huge, but still...). DoP, however, is a mammoth of a team to overcome. No suprises here. DoP shows us all how to snipe, and rush, and camp, and kill, and inevitably how to beat RC.
Team Solid -over- Team Stomping Grounds :: (16-8) - Providing that Solid can field five people and make it to the match (which they couldn't on Monday), they should have the upper hand over TSG. TSG recently came in second place at their own LAN center in Minneapolis this past weekend (first was SteelBreeze) and they might have a random angst that might suprise us for a few rounds, but Solid really is the solid bet in this game. Again, it's all hinging upon S making it to the server with five people.
Texas Area Untouchables -over- [Riot-Squad] :: (14-10) - Whichever team I put here, the other team will have a hit out on me within 10 minutes of this being posted. These two teams have a rivalry that has taken them from Tango to Takedown to Totally-screwed. RS (somewhat) recently lost key-man Clark (triGGa) and it has proven to cost them some recent matches. TAU lost on Monday night as well in a HUUUUUUUUGE upset against PLAYBOY (couple brotha's and a white guy). TAU is far from dead, though, and they're going to be pummeling RS tonight (oh man, i'm terrible).
Rj45 -over- Digitally Xtreme :: (15-9) - Winless Rj45 versus the totally CALi newbies of DX. I'm not sure that I care about this one a whole lot, neither team is a big contender anyway, but I'm thinking that Rj45 is looking for an easy win to start something rolling, and DX would be the logical place to start it.
PLAYBOY -over- ExS :: (13-11) - Well, this is a risky prediction that I'm just going to have to make. PLAYBOY hasn't ever been a SUPERPOWERHOUSEDELUXE like the 3D's and X3's of yesteryear, but they took TAU out on Monday night, and that says something. ExS has been a slowly but surely growing clan that has skill to bring to the matches. I'm hoping this match goes into overtime, because if any of them did tonight, this'd be my bet. PLAYBOY rolls off of TAU and bounces off of ExS, that's my prediction.
Clan Killers 3 -over- Darkside :: (14-10) - CK3 hasn't been showing a lot of huge play lately, but I like their guys and I really don't know what to think about D|S anymore with so many roster changes and people coming out of the blue that I've never heard of before but apparently headshot everyone in the frickin' game. Good luck CK3, you get my bet, but I'm still saying a prayer for you.
The Short Yellow Bus -over- The unknown Factor :: (16-8) - A battle of the westie's! Both teams are new (compared to what teams I used to read about before CALi existed) and fresh talent means fresh blood (as my man duke would say). I'm not going to watch it, but SYB is the better team here.
WeekEnd Warriors -over- [TEC] :: (16-8) - The WEW that I used to know would completely kill TEC. TEC is a new face in the crowd, though, and WEW isn't what they were before their break from CALi action. TEC's only losses have been to people that they essentially could not possibly beat, and their play has improved dramatically. I'm changing my prediction to WEW before the match goes live, because their line-up looks fired up and ready to take the win!
The Speakeasy Offensive -over- Simply Wicked :: (17-7) - Could sW be the team to stop TSO's season-and-a-half shutout? No.
Gamers-X (Black) -over- [187] :: (18-6) - 187 is barely even hanging in on CALi anymore. Their scores have never made it past seven rounds. GX is one of those teams that makes 187 wish they could forfeit and still keep what little honor they have. 187 shows up and embarasses themselves tonight.
nocturnal e game -over- :: Team Rival (18-6) - A newly admitted team versus a team who's new this season with a few good mid-level shutout wins. Newbies (should) never win in this situation. Rival doesn't have the experienced play and can only expect to try hard and learn early.
The Second Coming -over- Total Annihilation Factor :: (wtf-huh?) - This confuses me because both teams are already playing matches tonight and I don't think it is a reschedule from another night. Don't know, but if it's played, I'd guess TAF wins by 4 (even though they should lose).
week 3 | game 2
map: de_clan2_fire
Short predictions:
zEx| -over- SteelBreeze :: (14-10)
Echo 7 -over- The Second Coming :: (14-10)
Total Annihilation Factor -over- Issues With Authority :: (15-9)
FirstWave -over- Pinnacle :: (18-6)
3D -over- eminence :: (19-5)
Domain of Pain -over- Reality Check :: (18-6)
Team Solid -over- Team Stomping Grounds :: (16-8)
Texas Area Untouchables -over- [Riot-Squad] :: (14-10)
Rj45 -over- Digitally Xtreme :: (15-9)
PLAYBOY -over- ExS :: (13-11)
Clan Killers 3 -over- Darkside :: (14-10)
The Short Yellow Bus -over- The unknown Factor :: (16-8)
[TEC] -over- WeekEnd Warriors :: (16-8)
The Speakeasy Offensive -over- Simply Wicked :: (17-7)
Gamers-X (Black) -over- [187] :: (18-6)
nocturnal e game -over- Team Rival :: (18-6)
The Second Coming -over- Total Annihilation Factor :: (wtf-huh?)
Click through for full predictions![break]Pre-Game Predictions:
zEx| -over- SteelBreeze :: (14-10) - This is one of the matches tonight that I'm looking forward to. zEx is still undefeated in season play, but in comparison to SteelBreeze, they are both quickly growing powerhouses in the CALi scene. Look for zEx to edge out SB. This is just judging by an extra effort by zEx to uphold their undefeated status, and a quick check of comparison play shows zEx having some bigger wins over the same teams as SteelBreeze.
Echo 7 -over- The Second Coming :: (14-10) - Echo 7 played TSC earlier in the season (just a few weeks ago) which confuses me as to why they would face off again so quickly, but Echo 7 won it last time. I wouldn't expect much different. It is a different map, however, and you can bet that a lot of clans will be referring to old demos on this one for strategies and play angles. I'm really ill-impressed with TSC this season, and seeing as they have yet to win, I'm willing to bet they won't take their first win of the season on a rematch of one they already lost.
Total Annihilation Factor -over- Issues With Authority :: (15-9) - iwa had a big win this season over CALo champion Pinacle. That may not prove enough, however, as they remain win-less despite what Pinacle may argue was a fluke or missing starter. TAF, on the other hand, is winless entirely (with one tie against Echo 7). It's really anyone's game, neither team is playing all that well, but someone has to come out on top in this one. I'm giving the win to TAF just because iwa has been a sinking ship recently, and I hope that for excitement's-sake, they can turn their luck over. TAF takes this one home tonight.
FirstWave -over- Pinnacle :: (18-6) - Firstwave beat Pinacle earlier this season (17-7) and I really don't think much has changed. Pinacle was champion of CALo, but their experience with the big dogs has proven lacking, and their gameplay is fun to watch, but lacking in precision. Pinacle will grow up soon enough, but until then, it's going to be a savage beating from Firstwave tonight.
3D -over- eminence :: (19-5) - 3D lost fatality and we all care. Sorry, wrong report. Fatality was fun to watch as deathmatcher (WOW fun to watch), but I never expected him to stick around with 3D. 3D has too many powerhouses as it is (if that can happen). Eminence has really grown up from their multiple seasons in CALm, and their long life. This won't be enough tonight, though. We all know it's going to be bloody; We're all going to watch it anyway; Best of luck e--!
Domain of Pain -over- Reality Check :: (18-6) - Reality Check is another one of those "stock rising" characters on the scene. They just got a big win in RGL and won the intermediate league (which isn't all THAT huge, but still...). DoP, however, is a mammoth of a team to overcome. No suprises here. DoP shows us all how to snipe, and rush, and camp, and kill, and inevitably how to beat RC.
Team Solid -over- Team Stomping Grounds :: (16-8) - Providing that Solid can field five people and make it to the match (which they couldn't on Monday), they should have the upper hand over TSG. TSG recently came in second place at their own LAN center in Minneapolis this past weekend (first was SteelBreeze) and they might have a random angst that might suprise us for a few rounds, but Solid really is the solid bet in this game. Again, it's all hinging upon S making it to the server with five people.
Texas Area Untouchables -over- [Riot-Squad] :: (14-10) - Whichever team I put here, the other team will have a hit out on me within 10 minutes of this being posted. These two teams have a rivalry that has taken them from Tango to Takedown to Totally-screwed. RS (somewhat) recently lost key-man Clark (triGGa) and it has proven to cost them some recent matches. TAU lost on Monday night as well in a HUUUUUUUUGE upset against PLAYBOY (couple brotha's and a white guy). TAU is far from dead, though, and they're going to be pummeling RS tonight (oh man, i'm terrible).
Rj45 -over- Digitally Xtreme :: (15-9) - Winless Rj45 versus the totally CALi newbies of DX. I'm not sure that I care about this one a whole lot, neither team is a big contender anyway, but I'm thinking that Rj45 is looking for an easy win to start something rolling, and DX would be the logical place to start it.
PLAYBOY -over- ExS :: (13-11) - Well, this is a risky prediction that I'm just going to have to make. PLAYBOY hasn't ever been a SUPERPOWERHOUSEDELUXE like the 3D's and X3's of yesteryear, but they took TAU out on Monday night, and that says something. ExS has been a slowly but surely growing clan that has skill to bring to the matches. I'm hoping this match goes into overtime, because if any of them did tonight, this'd be my bet. PLAYBOY rolls off of TAU and bounces off of ExS, that's my prediction.
Clan Killers 3 -over- Darkside :: (14-10) - CK3 hasn't been showing a lot of huge play lately, but I like their guys and I really don't know what to think about D|S anymore with so many roster changes and people coming out of the blue that I've never heard of before but apparently headshot everyone in the frickin' game. Good luck CK3, you get my bet, but I'm still saying a prayer for you.
The Short Yellow Bus -over- The unknown Factor :: (16-8) - A battle of the westie's! Both teams are new (compared to what teams I used to read about before CALi existed) and fresh talent means fresh blood (as my man duke would say). I'm not going to watch it, but SYB is the better team here.
WeekEnd Warriors -over- [TEC] :: (16-8) - The WEW that I used to know would completely kill TEC. TEC is a new face in the crowd, though, and WEW isn't what they were before their break from CALi action. TEC's only losses have been to people that they essentially could not possibly beat, and their play has improved dramatically. I'm changing my prediction to WEW before the match goes live, because their line-up looks fired up and ready to take the win!
The Speakeasy Offensive -over- Simply Wicked :: (17-7) - Could sW be the team to stop TSO's season-and-a-half shutout? No.
Gamers-X (Black) -over- [187] :: (18-6) - 187 is barely even hanging in on CALi anymore. Their scores have never made it past seven rounds. GX is one of those teams that makes 187 wish they could forfeit and still keep what little honor they have. 187 shows up and embarasses themselves tonight.
nocturnal e game -over- :: Team Rival (18-6) - A newly admitted team versus a team who's new this season with a few good mid-level shutout wins. Newbies (should) never win in this situation. Rival doesn't have the experienced play and can only expect to try hard and learn early.
The Second Coming -over- Total Annihilation Factor :: (wtf-huh?) - This confuses me because both teams are already playing matches tonight and I don't think it is a reschedule from another night. Don't know, but if it's played, I'd guess TAF wins by 4 (even though they should lose).
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