(GotFrag) - Yes folks, the CEVO playoffs have finally arrived, just in time to remind us to stop playing L4D :) Never one to avoid some sort of controversy, CEVO (in their infinite wisdom) have decided to play cp_dustbowl as their opening map, forcing teams to dust off old strats and (hopefully) run through a few lengthy scrims in prep. Unless, of course, teams have been rather unmotivated and are heading into tonights matches with every intention of flying by the seat of their pants - which will be kinda fun to watch :)

That'll also make these matches hard as hell to pred correctly, but one must do what one can...






Pandemic v Xensity

The big equalizer in all this 'off-season' hoopla is that, with no one having played in forever, your ability to "not suck" is severely decreased. For some, everything might feel fresh and new, while others will look at their mouse and wonder how the hell rust can develop around a laser. Either way, the teams that survive long enough to get their groove going again are going to be those with the most raw talent, both individually and with each other. And in this case, there's no doubt that Xensity is just too out-classed in this matchup to make much of a dent.

Pandemic [ 2 : 0 ] Xensity

eMazing Gaming v Team Dynamic

eMg's own stated plan to have fun these playoffs won't hinder them in the slightest until probably the upper bracket finals - especially since all those other crazy classes like Pyro, Sniper, Engi & Spy are actually quite useful on cp_dustbowl. With Dynamic unable to beat eMg even on their very best day, in their very best form, I don't think there'll be any shocking victory tonight.

eMg [ 2 : 0 ] Dynamic

Check-Six v Sway Gaming

On the surface, this match could very easily be the best of the bunch and could very easily produce an upper bracket finalist... or it could also just be a match between a couple teams that have enjoyed their time off lately. With the teams matching up quite well as far as main classes go, I think this one will come down to tricks and off-classes more often then not - and I give x6 a slight edge in that game.

x6 [ 2 : 1 ] Sway

iDemise v Apoplexy Industries - Match of the Night

A lot of people having been calling for AI's win in this one, that they gameplay is more suited to dustbowl and that iDemise is more of a run-and-gun team. While I tend to agree, as with all teams I think it's going to take time for teams to adjust to each other once more, and that the teams that catch on fastest once more to how TF2 should be played at the top level will have the advantage. With teamwork being so critical to make those pushes on cp_dustbowl, and considering that most of iDem/Dev/SIT have been playing together since the dawn of time, I think they'll have the edge in that battle and in the match overall.

iDemise [ 2 : 1 ] AI

Official CEVO-P brackets here, while official GotFrag Brackets can be found on the next page.