00:24 - bsl

Twice in two years, best in history?


MYM crowned champs


An unfamiliar Tuscan proved too much for eSTRO




Pandemonium broke out a couple of minutes ago at the stage area as MYM from Poland won their second consecutive ESWC title. The first two maps were close (16-14 and 13-16) but the de_tuscan encounter was very one sided - at first.

MYM took the opening half 10-5 and quickly moved to match point in the second half. It looked as it would be a blow out. eSTRO got some consolation rounds but then a spark was lit again and they managed to close the gap signifigantly to 13-15 before MYM took the title - again.

The star players of this match was the usual suspect Filip "Neo" Kubski for MYM and an unsung hero for eSTRO. "bail" impressed everyone with fantastic individual plays that, at times, kept his team alive.

The end to the match felt anticlimactic for the people on hand in San Jose. However, to hope for another match like last year's magical night in Paris was just unrealistic - and someone had to win.

The gravity of MYM's achievement can best be grasped by looking to previous ESWC events.

No other team has ever won it twice. Their two world championships, coupled with a WCG title from 2006 and the victory at Extreme Master's inaugral season is a strong statement to the talent and dedication of the Polish players.

At the same time they have achieved all this with the same line-up - that is a powerful statement in a world where teams do not particularly care for loyalty.

ESWC 2008 was an exciting event that ran smoothly with some minor delays tainting the experience. The admins were on the level and the tournament area solid as well.

MYM actually squeaked into this tournament; their autoberth as 2007 champions stayed in their previous organization, PGS. When conflicting dates stopped MYM from attending their country's ESWC qualifier forums were burning up everywhere as the chance of seeing last year's champs fight to regain their title seemed slim.

In the end common sense prevailed as PGS gave them the spot they won, but they still had to have those three letters in their tags in the final match.

The big question now, as GotFrag's Editor in Chief Mark Cheben elegantly put a couple of minutes ago, is who gets the spot in 2009's tournament. PGS? - or MYM?

This is GotFrag's coverage crew signing off saying good night, and good luck.

23:46 - bsl

MYM has extended their lead to 14-5.

23:43 - bsl

The first half ended with a 10-5 result for MYM. I cannot help but feel sad for everyone though; for the two teams who both dropped numerous rounds due to not knowing the map, for the commentators have no idea what to call the different positions on de_tuscan and, consequently, the 1000 people strong crowd who can't really grasp what's going on or enjoy the finer points of the team's play here in the ESWC final.

23:18 - bsl

Both teams are back from their breaks and seem to be ready to go live soon. I'm heading over to the tournament area to catch the first few rounds.

23:15 - bsl

The final map is controversial in its own right: It's de_tuscan - a map you rarely see in heavy 1.6 rotation and certainly not as a decisive tie breaker in the most important match of the year.

23:12 - bsl

The 2008 ESWC Grand Final:

eSTRO fighting!



No walking out of bounds this time - just very solid CT play as eSTRO tied the 2008 grand final up at 1 map each. The underdogs from Korea was up 9 rounds to 1 before MYM staged a short lived comeback.

It couldn't work:

eSTRO's defense controlled the bombsites, as well as the ebb and flow of the Atlantic ocean. MYM could not find the answer.

22:47 - bsl

The history of the first map repeated itself in the beginning of the second map. eSTRO looked nervous and MYM capitalized by going up by several rounds. When the Korean's finally woke up from their star struck slumber again they showed they can play with anyone, both tactically - and individually.

"bail" had several big rounds that put his team's score dangerously close to that of MYM. At one point the Korean's looked poised for a 7-8 score as they were three on "LUq" and certain to win their sixth point which would have destroyed MYM's bankroll for the final round of the half. "LUq" came through though and took his three opponents out.

This helped push MYM's tally to 10 rounds to eSTRO's 5. The question on everyone's lips now is if five points is enough for eSTRO going into their defensive half.

22:29 - bsl

The second map, de_nuke, is now live with eSTRO starting out as terrorists.

22:28 - bsl

The 2008 ESWC Grand Final:

MYM one step closer



The second half was fast paced and full of quality Counter-Strike from both teams. The Filip "Neo" Kubski legend continues to grow as the Polish star put on yet another stellar performance and there were at least two rounds that MYM could claim due to solo performances from Kubski.

MYM really needed it - eSTRO was playing strongly throughout the half with commanding performances from several of the players, but to the surprise of many onlookers the Korean's are still waiting for "solo" to shine on the big stage. "Hee" had an amazing one on two situation that he had won, with time to spare to defuse the bomb, but a poor difficult money situation had rendered him without a defuse kit.

In the end, with the score at Polish gamepoint 15-14, MYM split through halls and middle doors to the B site where the eSTRO defence was overwhelmed.

MYM are one step closer - or one map rather - to retaining their title. On the second map, de_nuke, eSTRO has to find the 5 % that's currently missing.

22:04 - bsl

eSTRO are getting comfortable here and takes the pistol round as CT.

22:00 - bsl

First half of the final ended in a 9 to 6 victory for MYM. The Koreans were having a hard time in the intial rounds - they looked very nervous and did not take any initiative at all.

MYM's "Neo" was all the more comfortable though, he went on an aggressive rampage on several occasions. About half way through the half he had amassed 16 frags but that's when the tables turned. eSTRO shook off the nervousness and the coherent, coordinated Asian team that we saw earlier on in the tournament resurfaced.

They took most of their rounds in succession at the very end and are very much in this game going into the second half.

21:40 - bsl

MYM won the pistol round. Flawless victory.

21:39 - bsl

The 2008 ESWC Grand Final is now live. Godspeed to both teams and their respective fans and communities.

21:37 - bsl

The first map of the final is de_dust2 where MYM are starting as counter-terrorists.

21:33 - bsl

The teams are being introduced and interviewed now by an announcer that has been attacked by a v-neck t-shirt. eSTRO are smiling, waving to the crowd while MYM, who are more used to this type of attention plays it cool - except for "LUq" who looks like he wants to decapitate someone.

It is shaping up to be a great final match - hopefully the teams put on a display that can do this fine event justice.

21:03 - bsl

The 2008 ESWC Grand Final:

Can MYM retain, or will Asia shine?



The final match of ESWC 2008 is about to go live. It pits MYM's Polish squad against eSTRO's Korean professionals. As we wait for the match to start here is a complete list of past champions with their respective line-ups:

2003: Team 9 from Sweden (quick, Xeqtr, Vesslan, Luciano, Lucchese)

2004: The Titans from Denmark (Drally, Egene, KK, whiMp, eraZ)

2005: Complexity from the United States (Warden, Storm, fRoD, tr1p, Sunman)

2006: MIBR from Brazil (cogu, KIKOOOO, nak, fnx, bruno)

2007: Pentagram from Poland (Neo, LUq, TaZ, kuben, Loord)

The list was compiled, and posted by danbyy on a Gotfrag forum thread.

The focus thus far has been on MYM's chances of becoming the only champions to defend their title at the Electronic Sports World Cup. If they can beat eSTRO they will take home that title as well as 40 000 dollars. They will also ensure Europe's fourth title overall.

In his thread danbyy offers some interesting food for thought; Europe has won ESWC several tiems, Complexity won it for North America while MIBR won it for South America. The only signifigant esport community still without a title is the Asian one - this is also the first year an Asian team makes it through to the final.

Is 2008 Asia's year to shine?