Written By: "xandeR`"
Graphics By: Phil "AZTK" Therien

CPL Spain PK Preview: Top 10 Players to Watch

CPL Spain starts on Friday and it is looking to be an amazing tournament. The first tour stop in Turkey went very well and displayed how competitive this game really is with an extremely exciting finals match between Vo0 and zyz, with Vo0 retaining his position as the best player in the world. Now that it has been shown that the almighty Vo0 can be beaten, there are a lot of people looking to be the first to truly take him out. Also, with the new rocketfix being implemented at this stop, we might see a shift in the placing if some players haven't adjusted their style of play. Since there are so many players out there, it's difficult to know what match to watch or who to follow the most. But that is where this article comes in. Here is a list of the top 10 players you should be watching this weekend in Spain.

Benjamin "SK|zyz" Bohrmann

The breakout player from SK has really showed us his stuff in the last few Painkiller tournaments. After coming in second place three times (Winter 2004, CPL Turkey Qualifier, CPL Turkey), zyz has transitioned from being an underdog to a favorite to win. You can count on zyz making the tournament extremely interesting by throwing up some amazing shots and beating some of the best players out there. Look for him in the finals.

Andy "fnatic.gellehsak" Ryder

gelleshak has been turning people's heads since he went to his first LAN ever at CPL Winter 2004 and placed 5th. He is an absolutely amazing player and oddly has maintained his 5th place finish at the past 3 events. Look for him to move up a spot or two and make it to the semifinals. If he gets matched up to play his teammate Vo0, watch that match. At the CPL Turkey Qualifier, their match was extremely intense with one map lasting to 4 overtimes. Expect him ruin a few people's days this weekend.

Alexei "x6.LeXeR" Nesterov

Ah, the Russian powerhouse. leXer never gets nearly the credit he deserves. He finishes at the top of the pack in every tournament he enters and always gives the big names a very good fight. After finishing around 8th place in every tournament so far, look for him to push up and get either 6th or 7th at CPL Spain.

Alessandro "Stermy" Avallone

This guy is just amazing. He never fails to make things interesting and surprises the hell out of everyone. He picked up third place at CPL Turkey, taking down Fatal1ty in the process. Look for him to keep that third place spot by beating gelleshak in the runoff match.

Sander "fnatic.Vo0" Kaasjager

Do I even need to write this one? Vo0 is just amazing. That is all that needs to be said. He has not lost a tournament yet. However, at CPL Turkey, zyz gave him a real run for his money in the finals. I do not see this happening again however, due to the addition of the rocketfix to tournament play. The rocketfix takes the gameplay back to how it was in 1.35, when Vo0 was absolutely untouchable. Look for Vo0 to continue his streak and win CPL Spain.