NoA gives WEG2 its first surprise
By Stuart Brooks

After a day of some very intense matches, the dust had cleared and two teams are now eliminated from WEG2. Team Project from Korea as well as defending champion, Team NoA, are both being sent home after showing a valiant effort in what was a go big or go home situation.

What really surprised me about NoA losing out to the Chinese team, wNv, was they showed a lackluster performance playing Terrorist on de_nuke. This team didn't look like the WEG Champion from the first season or anything like NoA that won CPL Winter from the Loser's Bracket. The main problem for NoA was the fact that they had to scramble to find a replacement for Fisker after he left just two weeks from joining NoA to play for them at WEG2. Unfortunatly, strong teams have to adjust quickly to overcome last minute roster changes, as we have seen in big matches across the globe, anything can happen at anytime, no matter what the situation is. I must say hats off to NoA as they made the match against wNv incredibly close. There will not be any finger pointing on the new 5th, Quick, especially after stepping it up from a not so impressive de_inferno. After coming up huge for them on the first buy round on NoA's CT side, Quick got himself getting a last second defuse against two wNv players. Since NoA lost against Begrip on de_inferno, the team had been stepping it up to work out any kinks in overall strategies, practice certainly makes perfect, especially when it comes to communication.

Although practice is an important factor on deciding the outcome of a match, sometimes it’s a good instinct that will do the trick. For example, come start of the match NoA went into ramp room where four wNv players had stacked it. I must admit, a frightening aspect about these Asian teams at WEG2 is that they are just plain scary on guessing what bombsite or spot the other team is going to hit.

It was apparent that NoA looked sluggish starting out their Terrorist side of the match, losing the first seven rounds to wNv before picking up the next 4 rounds. However in those 4 rounds I saw the team that everyone is used to seeing play. They all hit their shots, moved together as a team and collectively won each round with great a team effort, individuals do not win matches folks. That is the caliber team I, and everyone else expected to see at WEG2, but we were disappointed. I really thought they were going to pull out this match after recovering from a 0-7 deficit to 4-8 on the harder terrorist side of de_nuke. They gave themselves a bit of breathing room after a nail biting pistol round win, after that it seemed as if the pendulum had swung in NoA’s favor. On a crucial 4th round, Quick and Xeqtr were left in a 2 vs. 2 situation with the bomb down. Quick wound up killing the last wNv player, appeared to let nerves get the best of him by peeking out a second too early, obviously losing the round. After a 5 round lead on wNv, wNv finally capitalized and brought the score to 5-1 for the second half and a total of 9-9 for the match. The rest is history as wNv picked up the next 4 out of 5 rounds and the X in the win column, sending NoA home early.

With NoA out of WEG2, Begrip moves along with wNv into the second round. I know a Brit named Andy who is ecstatic about that development! Not only does NoA being out of WEG2 change the way their group looks, but the way the entire tournaments outcome could be affected. The door is open for about six or seven teams, all who have a legitimate chance at taking the title for WEG2. Of course I bet you are all wondering which of those teams I expect will make a run for the title, but for now NoA will take the spotlight.

It is sad to say, but this could be the last match we see of Team NoA. I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see some of the players leaving the team or quitting CS entirely. I can think of a few teams who would love to pick up some of these players for their own teams. As if mainstream teams are not already hitting lows, internationally known clans hitting rock bottom by the fistful its only a matter of time to tell what happens with NoA. Perhaps sooner rather than later, just don't be surprised if you see the headline "NoA is No More."