Co-written by: Augusto "NoobZaibot" Zapata Delgado

Team 3D

Dave "moto" Geffon
Mikey "method" So
Josh "dominator" Sievers
Ronald "rambo" Kim
Danny "fRoD" Montaner

Recent Accomplishments:
World Cyber Games Finals - 5th-8th
Digital Life - 2nd
WCG U.S Finals - 1st

Team 3D is raising more eyebrows than the tourney itself with their announcement that Danny "fRoD" Montaner from rival compLexity will be filling the spot of Sal "Volcano" Garozzo. It is exciting to see the most intense rivalries take the back seat when it comes to international events, like Olympic basketball or hockey.

The addition of Montaner gives 3D the AWP power they really lacked during their performance at the WCG Finals in Italy. Not only do they get an AWP presence, but they add one of the top AWPers in the world. If 3D weren't the favorites before, they without a doubt are the frontrunners for the prize now.

The loss of Garozzo will without a doubt be a huge blow, as he has one of the best rifles in North America. Despite this, Mikey "method" So will now be able to focus solely on what he does best and that is his own rifle, and using it to clutch those tight rounds. 3D should also be gaining confidence after their WCG play. Even though they lost to NiP in 2 games, 3D played incredibly well on both maps. They still have not won an international tourney this year, but they definitely played on a higher level during that match then they have in a long while.

Key Matchups:
vs EG: With both Montaner and Benger playing for a team that's not their regular one, the AWP wars will without a doubt be the most intense of the tourney. Although 3D has always gotten the better of Benger and his Canadian pals, if this match were to happen it would surely be match of the tournament.


Evil Geniuses

Pasha "Red Dragon" Lari
Robert "blackpanther" Tyndale
Matt "bl00dsh0t" Stevenson
Griffin "shaGuar" Benger
Ian Royle

Recent Accomplishments:
Digital Life - 5th
WCG Canada - 1st

Although they didn't crack the top rankings at WCG, the Canadians proved that if they practice enough they can tilt against the best in the world. EG took NiP to the limits, losing 2 maps to 1 in some of the year's best CS action happening during those three matches.

What has been holding EG back in the past is the failure to add a steady fifth to their lineup. Both Eric "da_bears" Stromberg and Evan Ahlberg have been on and off players for the team, along with Benger who only plays for the team at WCG events. Not adding to this situation is the unfortunate circumstance involving Jimmy Lin, who will be unable to attend this event due to pneumonia. Despite this, EG proved at WCG that Benger has some excellent chemistry with the team, and at least for one more event, the team should be on top of their game.

The loss of Lin will be a huge blow to the team as he is the team's top player statistically. He leads the squad with +55 and a .801 FPR. The team will now lack the presence of two consistent AWPers, something which enabled them to easily dominate both the offence and defense of any map, as NiP found out at WCG. The team has been improving with each passing tournament they attend, and so have the players themselves. Ian Royle is a great team player, who can easily adapt to any situation. Despite the great attributes of any player, lacking the practice with him will definitely hurt EG when it comes down to those crucial situations.

Key Matchups:
vs 3D: If EG put up another gargantuan performance like they did against NiP, a possible upset could be in the making here, even if Montaner is playing for the American WCG champions.

Made in Brazil

Carlos Henrique "KIKOOOO" Segal
Raphael "cogu" Camargo
Bruno "brunO" Ono
Lincoln "fnx" Lau
Renato "nak" Nakano

Recent Accomplishments:
World Cyber Games Brazilian Qualifier : 1st
Kode5 Finals - 4th
Electronic Sports World Cup - 1st

Made in Brazil has a chance to redeem themselves after their disappointing performance at the World Cyber Games finals. Despite the return of Raphael "cogu" Camargo, MiBR suffered a loss to Pentagram and a close loss to XcN. These losses kept MiBR from advancing to the single elimination portion of the tournament. Silent plant disputes aside, it was clear that MiBR was not in the same form they were at ESWC 2006. Camargo’s short time away from the game has not and should not have impacted his play too heavily, but MiBR’s readjustment to their ESWC line up will take time.

After their victory at ESWC 2006, MiBR lost Camargo, who decided to play football(soccer) for his Uncle’s club in Qatar. To replace him MiBR recruited former player Rafael "pava" Pavanelli who played for the team at the KODE5 Global Finals. They placed fourth at KODE5, behind NiP, wNv, and hoorai. While their results in China were good, the difference Camargo made to the team’s lineup was noticeable.

With only three weeks to the Pan American finals any sort of chemistry MiBR planned on rebuilding has to take hold fast. Luckily for MiBR the teams in this tournament outside of 3D and EG are not of international caliber, and both 3D and EG are playing with stand-ins.

Their aggressive style and well known skills will make the difference against the North American style of EG and 3D. With the two top contenders for the PanAm title not using their full lineups marginalizes the slight chemistry disadvantage MiBR has.

Key Matchups:
vs 3D: The old rivalry between these two CS giants will finally have the chance to be renewed. MiBR will need to overcome the problems they had at WCG to make a victory here a certain thing. With the other two teams with stand in players this event really should be MiBR’s for the taking, they really need to focus on their team play and not raw skill as that will negate their slim teamwork advantage.

Other teams in attendance
Ironmen
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