10:59 - bsl

Emulate has PGS at game point on de_dust2.

10:58 - bsl

Fnatic takes first map 16-9:

Sam Matthews: - This is the one we need to win



Fnatic just rallied behind the momentum from a solid start and denied MTW access to de_inferno's bombsites. Harley "Dsn" Örwall was instrumental as he could cut the map in half with his AWP. Örwall guarded the middle area and ended the half with a frag tally of 16 or 17. With one down, one to go Fnatic owner Samuel Matthews was naturally delighted but still reserved pending the outcome of the rest of the match.

"- I think these are the top two teams in the world at the moment," he said.

"- Winning on their map puts us in good shape for the next map which is our choice. Hopefully the boys can keep calm and stay focused when they come back from the short break."

Fnatic finished second to MIBR in `06 and third after being defeated 2-1 by PGS (MYM) in the semi final of the `07 event before beating MIBR 2-0 in the consolation final. Matthews admits to wanting the ESWC title badly.

"- We have won a lot of titles but not this one. And we have been so close in the past - it is really important to us now - this is the one we want to win," he said.

10:44 - bsl

Emulate continues to impress onlookers with stellar de_dust2 play. They are up 12 to 3 against MYM.

SK and Mousesports is the only quarter final match that has yet to go live.

10:44 - bsl

Alternate won the first map 16 to 8 against eSTRO. Readmore editor and 2007 ESL journalist of the year award winner "craven" strolls over to laugh at the GotFrag staffers predictions - that all favor the Koreans to win. However, there is no fat lady singing yet.

10:40 - bsl

Ex SK, Mousesport and MYM player Ola "element" Moum pitches in with his predictions:

element: SK, Fnatic, MYM, eSTRO

10:36 - bsl

Fnatic's owner Sam Matthews just yelled "NICE BOOOOOOOOYS" to celebrate a round won. Half time score in that match is 8 to 7 for MTW - meanwhile Alternate just got to match point against eSTRO on the first map of their quarter final. The score is 15 to 8.

10:35 - bsl

Another gallery packed with intense images is now uploaded. Find it at Day 1 C.

10:33 - bsl

MYM was heavily favored by the press room to beat Emulate but right now the French team is pouring through the Polish defences on de_dust2. The score is 7 to 1 for France's finest.

10:32 - bsl

Fnatic and MTW are really getting into this match. They are seated 200 feet from the tournament area and we can still hear them scream with every frag. Esport action as it should be.

7 rounds for MTW to 5 for Fnatic right now.

10:26 - bsl

"- Kom igen nu boys," meaning "come on boys" was written three times on black screens over in the tournament area. After taking the lead early Fnatic were struggling to find an answer to MTW's de_inferno defence.

The score in that Scandinavian encounter is 6 to 4 for MTW.

10:17 - bsl

The German / Korean encounter is tied at 5 a piece. Fnatic and MTW are also live with a score of three to nothing for the Swedes.

10:13 - bsl

Quarter Final action



Alternate is up 5 rounds to 2. At the same time Mousesports are setting up on stage to take on SK Gaming.

10:03 - bsl

eSTRO and Alternate ATTAX went live. The Korean's won the opening pistol round and screamed their lungs out. The German's fought back though and are in the lead now by 2 rounds to 1 as terrorists on de_dust2.