America's largest DotA LAN tournament, eMg's Fire in Ice, is quickly approaching. Many top teams across the United States and across the world have signed up to participate. Gotfrag will have up-to-minute coverage of what will surely be an exciting event.

For some teams participating in Fire in Ice, it will be their first LAN tournament but not for Team Meet Your Makers. They have been to major LAN tournaments such as Dreamhack Winter and Summer, and are looking to carry their momentum from their first place finish at Dreamhack Winter into Fire in Ice. I sat down with Maelk, MYM's team captain, to get his thoughts about the upcoming tournament

MYM|Maelk

Are you excited about the tournament, is there anything in particular you are looking forward to?

MYM|Maelk: As any LAN-tournament I'm looking forward to meeting up with the team again, especially Walter and Ben since it's been half a year since I saw them the last time and even more so Henry as we have never met in reality. Besides that it is going to be awesome to meet everyone you have been playing and talking with for such a long time. The tournament itself and its prizes is just a bonus and an excuse to go!

Do you predict another MYM LAN victory or do you feel there are any teams coming that may give MYM some trouble?

MYM|Maelk: If we keep up our current play, I'm confident in winning although both eMg and Pandemic might prove difficult. Especially because it is LAN, since some teams improves a lot because of it. However, I feel that because we have tried it before, we might even have an advantage on that part.

A little off topic, is this going to be your first time in America, and is there anything in particular you would like to do with your time in Chicago?

MYM|Maelk: This is my first time in the states, yeah, and I have already planned to go and see the Bulls play the Bucks! I'm an avid basket-fan, so that would be an amazing experience - Hopefully.

Team eMazing Gaming, North America's strongest team, will be the toughest challenge for MYM. I got a chance to sit down with eMg.Whisper, one of the main organizer of the event and player for team eMg, and got his thoughts about the upcoming LAN.

eMg.Whisper

Are you excited about the tournament, is there anything in particular you are looking forward to?

eMg.Whisper: Excited? Of course I'm excited. After all the planning, all the work, it finally comes to fruition. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone, especially my French teammate(also known as Rwar =P). What I'm not looking forward to, however, is making brackets and seedings on the spot as we'll have on-site registrations.

Is this the first time you will be meeting some (if not all) of your teammates?

eMg.Whisper: Some of them, yes. I will be meeting the Frenchie(eMg.Rwar) and Emostar(eMg.Remstar) for the first time. I've already met Muffins and Kaiser, and I've known King for about 10 years.

MYM and eMg are the predicted finalist in the upcoming LAN, do you think these expectations are correct and do you think there are any "sleeper" teams that may surprise some top teams?

eMg.Whisper: To be honest, I think that's what will happen. There may be some surprises, but surprises can only go so far.

MYM and eMg are the two favorites coming into the tournament, but do not count out the newly reformed, Team Pandemic(TPD). Pandemic was one of "America's Teams" until they broke up due to inactivity. TPD and Complexity were the two best American DotA teams and had many classic matches throughout the early Cal Season up until the CEVO tournament when they faced off for the championship, TPD came out on top. While TPD will likely take 3rd place overall they should be able to give eMg and MYM a run for their money.

eMg's Fire in Ice is set to open on December 27th in Chicago and will run until the 29th. This will be America's largest DotA LAN. Gotfrag wishes the best of luck to all the teams participating, and stay tuned for minute-to-minute coverage from the Ignite LAN Center in Chicago.