All-star line-ups or “dream teams” are always heavily debated issues. The reason is the subjectivity that governs our interest in any sport. We have different outlooks on the matches and the players, as well as a very mixed foundation to ground our opinions. This is in no way a definite list for the 2007 Source players of the year. It is a personal opinion based on the debatable “observations” from my point of view.

To avoid being unfair to the players not competing in the CGS, this list is composed of CGS competitors only. It is also heavily based on firsthand experiences of performances given at the World Final this December. So it excludes talent in the other American teams that did not make it.

This is a no brainer.

Danny Montaner is a consistent top performer to the point of boredom. There are only a handful in the history of the game that deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as him. Consistency is the reason why I can make the previous bold statement. That trait is the pinnacle of player development. It can also be explained in the ominous term “championship mentality” that sports writers tend to misuse frequently. It should describe only a select few, Montaner is one of those.

He has made and keeps making an unrivaled impact in the modern history of the games Counter-Strike: 1.6 and Counter-Strike: Source. His personal hunger for continued success is his biggest advantage, not his revered AWP. This hunger to win has gotten Montaner everything that 1.6 had to offer. From an individual CS:S point of view he did the same in Source in 2007. It is hard to determine what more challenges lie ahead for him personally. But you know that he's desperate to keep up his level of play to win more tournaments for his
beloved Complexity LA.

Sam Chamma is one of the few pure Source superstars in the modern game. Chamma does not have a professional background from 1.6. That is why he is frequently ignored in the raging debate over which players are truly talented and the best. “Devour” prefers to make a statement through his in-game performances and the impact he has on his team, the Core. The results is difficult to overestimate. His AWP changes the game and tactics of his team’s opponents.

Having a player like that makes everything easier on his teammates. Opposing teams are bound to take special considerations - just to avoid Chamma.

Add that tactical advantage to his fragging tally and it is easier to understand why “Devour” is one of the hottest prospects on the international scene right now.




One of the traits that define top competitors is that they are undaunted by intense competition and the pressures to perform. Rather, they see it as an opportunity to prove themselves and make a statement. Most will agree that David Olander-Persson made the most of his chance.

The way he plays the game seems inspired to spectators. He is vocal, clutch, and his play style is intense and chaotic. Persson is the only rifle player here, as the other four selections rely on the AWP. While players that are new to the game are often awe-struck by the phenomenal aiming skills of top players, it does not make that much of a difference. On the highest level everyone knows how to get headshots – it is the way a competitor uses those skills that make him stand out from the crowd, or not.

“olander” will always be aggressive and his swift reactions destroys his opponents. The World Final saw him grow from an established player to an international superstar. Time will tell if he can build from that momentum and continue to grow as a great overall player.

This might be a controversial pick given Rio’s dismal performance at the World Final. It might even be seen as and criticized for being premature. Observers of electronic sports will recognize that Raphael “Cogu” Camargo will be a force to be reckoned with. He might just not be that good at present. Still, the Brazilian out-AWPed Danny “Frod” Montaner in the CGS Individual Final. Rio Sinistro lost that game it was not a blowout win for the Americans. That can solely be attributed to the big green rifle of “cogu.”

His professional fortitude makes him a shoe-in for this position and kids take notice of this next paragraph. It might be the most important one you ever read in the context of following your dream and becoming a professional gamer.

Camargo was spotted in the CGS practice rooms as his team mates exited after a completed session.”Cogu”, however, was not satisfied with his performance and that was not alleviated by his limited knowledge of CS: Source. He would sit anchored in front of his monitor with his Ipod earplugs and his AWP in hand on a DM server.
He never took notice of all the gamers that dropped in but kept his focus
aimed at the enemies on the screen.

That is the work ethic of one of the most celebrated gamers out there. If history tells us anything, its that “Cogu” will come back better and probably be tearing up the competition in CS: Source this year.

Perhaps the biggest surprise act at the World Final was clad in the Union Jack. British gamers have always been good, but none have been outstanding on the international level. Sam “Rattlesnk” Gawn just raised the bar for the British and became an exceptional competitor playing for the Birmingham Salvo.

In an environment where only a select few stand out with the AWP-desert eagle combination, Gawn was able to put his name on that celebrated list. His accurate AWP shots were a menace to Salvo’s opponents and several lovely deagle shots made their way into the CGS “play of the game” highlight reel.

Despite being fairly new to such strong international competition, Gawn has impressed onlookers with his confidence and in-game energy. It helped propel the Birmingham Salvo past a star studded team in Rio Sinistro – his efforts also helped put the excitement back into their semi-final as his CS:S team made light work of the Chicago Chimera. For General Manager Michael O’Dell it must have been comforting to see the young star perform so well. Gawn could be a potential franchise player for Salvo should he continue developing
during the 2008 season.



This is my expert selection. Do you disagree? Discuss your top performers here on Gotfrag.com!