12:57 - bsl

SK took down American MoB as most would expect. I caught "ins" and "Archi" from Fnatic doing some "alternative practice" while they waited for their next group stage match. Take a look:



12:46 - bsl

I ran into Russia's best player, "LeX." Virtus / Pro100 will play MYM now in an interesting match that will decide who gets seed 1 from their group - and also bragging rights to the "title" as best in eastern Europe.

12:42 - bsl

Sorry America - EG does not have it in them to beat ROCCAT at this point. The Fins look, as always, strong during group play.

12:37 - bsl

I feel bad as I probably under-reported this one but the tournament is live now, both for male and female and matches are moving forward.

12:35 - bsl

EG has a hard time defending. ROCCAT have tied the score up at 5 - 5 which means the American team will have problems later on as this map favors the CT's.

12:29 - bsl

EG are up 4 to 1 against ROCCAT, playing as CT on de_nuke.

12:19 - bsl

One big issue at ESWC is the monitors. I just talked with "gore" from Mousesports and he just shook his head, being a seven year veteran of these competitions he probably feel the pain of bad equipment more than anyone.

I figured I'd ask some other top gamers and stopped by MTW's "whimp" who was playing aim map. The characters on his screen were seemingly warping all over the place and he found it hard to hit them.

"- There's only 60 hz on these screens," he said.

"- I sure hope it's better on stage."

Now, this might be controversial but shouldn't a tournament of this stature, and experience, have monitors that can deal with a ten year old game at this extremely competitive level?

I think I'll join "whimp" and "gore" in shaking my head.

12:13 - bsl

I really detest loud screaming when it is not warranted. Sure it boosts morale and can be vital in those close matches but when you are up 7 to 4 against some random team you should beat why do it?

12:11 - bsl

ONE - TWO - PINK!!!!! (MYM's female team are wrecking havoc at ESWC)



12:08 - bsl

I realize female Counter-Strike players practice as much as anyone else. They definitively deserve to be here and are an important part of gaming future - I still cannot get used to them trash talking each other in the middle of a tense CS game.

But it sure makes for great entertainment! Where's the camera??

12:04 - bsl

It seems to be a very slow start to the tournament - there really is not a lot of entertaining stuff going on when I walked through it all eating my 9 dollar sandwitch, 3 dollar chocolate chip cookie and 3 dollar diet coke - God bless American, I feel right at home.

11:59 - bsl

American hope EG lost by 13 to 16 against the French WCG champions Emulate. They were discussing the defeat when I walked by their place in the tournament area.

11:29 - bsl

x3o is overwhelming German n!faculty, according to Gotfrag's tournament area correspondent Mark "JESUIT" Cheben.