EU AA 4v4 Intermediate League - The Christmas Period
Contents
Tawnys Opinion;, Red Division, White Division, Blue Division, Green Division
The holidays are over, New Year has cometh and now it's high time for our beloved league teams to resume their competitive play.
Our players have unwrapped and installed their gaming presents and some have already started 2006 with a bang. On another interesting point, it's now midseason (+1) and our teams have all had the opportunity to face off against every team in their division. It's now time for pundits to place their bets and predictions to be made - which team will become the first EU Intermediate League champions?
In this article I shall bring you up to date with the festive happenings within each of our intermediate teams and perhaps make a few foolish predictions along the way.
So, what's happened during the holidays you ask? For one, I certainly put on a few pounds and almost collapsed after having to do a bleep test (some of you fitness freaks will know what I mean). But this article is not about me - so on to the league.
Teams had 3 weeks to prepare for last weeks match on Sandstorm - a map that tests all of a teams abilities. Sandstorm is one of my favourite competitive maps as it does not necessarily require a fixed strat. Teams have to be fast and inventive and also have to rely a lot on good communication due to the poor sound available. As predicted it brought about a lot of great and close matches - as well as some surprises thrown in along the way.
And what of weeks to come? Well, next week our teams will face their week 2 opponents on Headquarters Raid. HQ Raid is a fairly mixed range map which requires a good level of teamwork and at times an inventive strat. It is sure to bring some exciting and close matches. After that our teams will be making their runs for the playoffs - and then, who knows?
Tawnys Opinion
Being mid-season and all, I felt obliged to take a look at each division and make some predictions. Below you will find match results, predictions and info on all 4 Intermediate League divisions.
Red Division
RTeamPWLDNRWRL.pct1.TRIBE squad1651005816.8332.#BEER#1651004926.8333.Team .SE1442004727.6674.1st][MC1233004528.5005.[VSP]81500963.1676.(1VB) PRAETORIANS606001260.000
Last Weeks Matches
(1VB) PRAETORIANS V TRIBE squad
1VB are still yet to show any real promise and one must wonder if they are going to be able to retain their place in this league. On the other hand, TRIBE have shown they are very worthy intermediate competitors. No-one really thought this match was going to be a close affair - and it wasn't. 1VB 0 - 12 TRIBE
1st^Military Company V Virtual Soldier`s Project
[VSP] are another team who's ability to retain their intermediate status I must question. No-one really expected this one to be close either - and it wasn't. 1stMC 10 - 2 VSP
Team .SE V #BEER#
This was arguably match of the week in week 1 (a very close encounter which took 3 OT rounds to decide) and most expected this rematch to be no different. I had the pleasure of scrimming BEER in preparation for this match, deducing that .SE were going to have to put on a good show. That they did - and this match proved to be just as close as Week 1. It took 2 OT rounds for a winner to emerge. This time #BEER# just managed to come out on top - .SE 6 - 7 #BEER#
Next Weeks Matches
TRIBE squad V #BEER#
This could prove to be the most important match throughout the entire intermediate league in the run up to the playoffs and is definitely one to watch. Whoever comes out on top here has the best chance to win the Red division and put themselves in a strong position come playoff time. I can't really pick a clear winner, as both teams have strong and balanced rosters - Prediction: 7-6 either way after OT.
Team .SE V 1st^Military Company
.SE had no real problems putting 1stMC away on their best map but this week will prove to be a lot tougher. 1stMC have underachieved so far, but look for them to perform well here. This could still prove to be a very close match - Prediction .SE 7 - 5 1stMC
[VSP] V (1VB) PRAETORIANS
These two certainly look to be playing for pride for the rest of this season. Both will need to fight to keep their place in the intermediates next time round. VSP came out on top on pipeline and i believe they have the ability to come out on top here too - Prediction: [VSP] 7 - 5 (1VB)
Tawnys End of Season Prediction
Here is how I believe this division will finish:
RTeam1.TRIBE squad2.#BEER#3.Team .SE4.1st^ Military Company5.Virtual Soldiers Project6.(1VB) Praetorians
I do not believe the standings in this division will change between now and the end of the season. TRIBE and #BEER# have relatively easy runs to the end of the season after they compete against each other. In contrast, .SE still have to face TRIBE but should they manage to win they are definitely in with a playoff shout. Still, this division should prove to be the closest of all when it comes down to playoff places. All of the top 4 still have a good chance to make it.
White Division
RTeamPWLDNRWRL.pct1.State of the Art18600033161.0002.Hyphen Concept1651004317.8333.rYoku Gaming1233004430.5004.=]N[=1233002928.5005.#Qx.613021034.1676.[54thED]60402741.000
Last Weeks Matches
Hyphen Concept V 54th Electronic Division
A disappointing no-show from [54thED] enabled -hyphen] to pick up 3 points as forfeit winners.
Qualified eXecuters V -> nOTh!NG jUST sK!LL <-
Another disappointing no-show. This time =]N[= picked up the 3 forfeit points.
State of the Art V rYoku Gaming
This actually turned out to be the only match played in White division last week - and a close encounter it was. aRt have recently lost a few key players and thus had to revise their match roster for this one. After their week 1 match ended at a close 7-5 (although the map was farm) many expected this to be a close call It certainly proved to be so. Nothing could separate the teams after 12 Sandstorm rounds so OT on Urban Assault was needed. aRt. Used a quick west objective rush and were able to catch rYu off guard to take the win. aRt. 7 6 rYu
Next Weeks Matches
Hyphen Concept V State of the Art
Match of the week in my opinion. Most expected it to be a very close encounter on Pipeline, however aRt. came out surprisingly comfortable 9-3 winners. Expect this week to be much closer though. hyphen] are a proven long range team and will look to win this one. aRt. have recently lost some key match players, but definitely still have the raw talent to take this one. Prediction: hyphen] 5 7 aRt.
=]N[= V rYoku Gaming
rYu came out close 7-6 winners when these two met on pipeline expect this match to be just as close. Both teams have good rosters, however I believe rYu to be better at this range Prediction: =]N[= 5 7 rYu
[54thED] V Qualified eXecuters
Many are already dubbing this match Match of the no-showers. A lot of the community believe that whoever shows wins. I cannot hide my disappointment at the track record of these two teams so far and can only hope that both do show up for this match. If they do, it promises to be a close outcome. I believe Qx just have the edge Prediction: [54thED] 4 8 Qx
Tawnys End of Season Prediction
Here is how I believe this division will finish:
RTeam1.State of the Art2.Hyphen Concept3.rYoku Gaming4.-> nOTh!NG jUST sK!LL <-5.Qualified eXecuters6.54th Electronic Division
Again I dont believe the standings will change between now and the end of the season. However a lot depends on this week. Should my predictions be wrong the division could change a lot. aRt. have looked strong all season and despite recent roster changes still have the strength to take the division. hyphen] also look good and shouldnt have any real problems securing the final playoff slot.
Blue Division
RTeamPWLDNRWRL.pct1.[BPC]18600052211.0002.-.ptwars-1651005319.8333.sYstem Overload1442004133.6674.[GMA.]1024003738.3335.[CCMDS]815002349.1676.-116th-606001359.000
Last Weeks Matches
[BPC] V -116th-
BPC continue to look strong and have now established themselves as firm favourites to reach the playoffs. They established a firm grip on this match early on and were able to run out comfortable winners. [BPC] 10 2 -116th-
Portuguese Warriors V COMPANHIA DE COMANDOS 112
If one thing was certain before this match it was that a Portuguese team would win. Most believed that ptwars would run out comfortable winners. However, the final result proved a little less comfortable than expected. Ptwars 9 3 CCMDS
sYstem Overload V German Military Association
Many expected this to be a close run affair and that it was. The rounds yo-yoed around one team taking the lead and then being pegged back. It took OT to finally separate the two teams. sYs 7 6 GMA
Next Weeks Matches
[BPC] V Portuguese Warriors
Another match of the week candidate. Both teams are very evenly balanced on rounds won/lost (ptwars have a 1 round lead) and this tie ended 7-5 in favour of BPC on pipeline. Despite this I feel that ptwars have the extra experience needed on this map Prediction: BPC 5 7 ptwars
CCMDS V sYstem Overload
sYs are very much in contention for a playoff place in this group look for them to train hard and be well prepared for this match. In contrast, CMDS seem to be playing for pride. Expect CCMDS to take a few rounds though Prediction: CCMDS 4 8 sYs
GMA V -116th-
GMA have disappointed me a bit this season in a tough group. However, they are not to be faulted. Look for them to push on in hopes of a playoff place. 116th dont really seem to be much of a challenge Prediction: GMA 9 3 -116th-
Tawnys End of Season Prediction
Here is how I believe this division will finish:
RTeam1.Portuguese Warriors2.Belgian Private Crew3.sYstem Overload4.German Military Association5.COMPANHIA DE COMMANDOS 1126.-116th-
Despite the promise shown by BPC throughout the season so far, I believe a lot rides on two of their matches to come. Although I believe they have the talent to beat sYs, I am not sure if they will be able to overcome ptwars this week. This will leave ptwars top of the group and on their way to the playoffs. sYs are still in with a big chance to make the playoffs, however they will need to beat BPC and ptwars In coming weeks.
Green Division
RTeamPWLDNRWRL.pct1.]K[18600045151.0002.Team Unknown1651004515.8333.TheSecret.231442003822.6674.[REBORN]1024003143.3335.[VAG]714011635.1676.SERB DRAGONS60600158.000
Last Weeks Matches
« Team Unknown » V SERB-DRAGONS
This was never expected to be a close match and for me the only real surprise was that SD-SER took a round. iN 11 1 SD-SER
]K[ V Victory and Glory
^VaG are supposedly back on the competitive map after some recent problems. However, they failed to turn up to this one. ]K[ walked away with the 3 points and a forfeit win.
TheSecret.23 V TEAM [REBORN]
23. demonstrated once again why they are still in contention for a play-off place in a very tough group. They ran out comfortable winners in a one sided match 23. 10 2 reB
Next Weeks Matches
« Team Unknown » V TheSecret.23
Team Unknown seem to have finally found a secure future for themselves as iNNovation.eu and it seems that they will not be forfeiting matches for the rest of the season. We have seen a lot of e-drama between these two teams recently so expect both teams to have a real good go. If uNk can get their active players back on their roster they can easily take this match Prediction: uNk 8 4 23.
Victory and Glory V TEAM [REBORN]
If VaG can get a roster out for this match, I believe they have the ability to take it quite comfortably. reB have an above average roster but have been stuck in a hard group. Expect them to take a few rounds Prediction: VaG 8 4 reB
]K[ V SERB-DRAGONS
Unfortunately, I expect this to be a one sided affair. ]K[ have already proven they have what it takes to compete at a very high level expect them to perform well here. Prediction: ]K[ 11 1 SD-SER
Tawnys End of Season Predictions
Here is how I expect this group to finish:
RTeam1.« Team Unknown »2.Knights of The Mannerheim Cross3.TheSecret.234.Victory and Glory5.TEAM [REBORN]6.SERB DRAGONS
I am going to maintain faith in team unknown. Everyone knows what they are capable of and if they can get their active players back on the roster they can still definitely take this group. If VaG can also get back to playing competitively they can secure the No.4 slot. However, this has to be the toughest group in the league and the playoff places are pretty much already secured.
So these are my views on what will happen in the coming weeks - but what will really happen? You'd better tune in and see.
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Post edited by Tawny_Roberts at 1/13/2006 4:55:07 PM