(GotFrag) - The GotFrag TF2 Invitational has, after a slight delay, finally arrived with the promise of tough matches and great playmaking (we hope). The one major, obvious, terribad mistake the committee (of one) made when putting this tourney together was not finding a solution to cp_well - though I promise you the effort was made. cp_fastlane with it's final cap point just isn't up to snuff, and cp_freight hasn't had enough exposure here on this side of the pond (though the Euros love the _b3 version to death) to just pitch it in a tournament. So, we're stuck with a quirky, often overlooked (when it comes to scrims) map that nobody likes and everybody strongly dislikes - and where upsets abound!

The one plus to this map is the greater emphasis on individual play rather than the perfectly-balanced, one-little-mistake-and-you're-screwed maps that will follow in later rounds - if you DO screw up, you can recover, and if you have a weak soldier or scout, you can adjust around the level (or just throw in an engi). While not perfect, the map does play to the stengths of a field of teams that haven't had something to compete in for a time, and perhaps help chip away some of the rust that is undoubtedly coating the outside of every team. But, enough jibber-jabber - let's see what the expert panel (of two) predicts for tonight.






Pandemic v Team Dynamic


nicky: No offense to Dynamic but Pandy should take this one like rk- taking candy from a baby. Dyn's new roster has some talent but to be honest, they should use this as practice to see how they stack up against top teams (or rather THE top team). This should still be a nice match to watch because if Dyn outperforms any expectations, great. If Pandemic rolls, you will see some amazing frags. Pandy has the raw talent, individual experience, and teamwork over Dyn. GL HF Pandy, GL Dyn.

Winner: Pandemic

rk: As much as I'd like to pred a big splash of an upset to open up this tournament, Dynamic just ain't the team to do it (let alone Pandemic being the team to lose right off the bat). But we all know Dyn's real fight will be in the Lower Bracket - THAT's where they'll make their show in this tourney, so may as well get there quick.

Pandemic [ 5 : 1 ] Dynamic

Apoplexy Industries v Sway Gaming


nicky: This should be an awesome match no matter what. These two teams have what it takes to win matches, but only let it shine through when they want. Yaug and reen have been added to the Sway roster but haven't had too long to mesh. On the other hand we have the stable AI roster with some decent teamwork. I am going to go with Sway on this one in a close match because I like their new roster, and maybe this prediction is the confidence booster they need (yes you should take these to heart).

Winner: Sway

rk: This one is my Match of the Night, no doubt - easily the most interesting match with the largest impact on potential tournament finalists. Both of these teams kind of live or die by momentum - if they can keep the pressure off themselves and on their opponents, so much the better, but both have shown weakness when pinned down in a corner. That's not to say there won't be a back-and-forth scoreboard - they're both very good teams - but as far as the tournament as a whole goes, a big win here will be both a big bump for the victor and a killing blow for the loser.

Eeesh... alright, coin flip - I think Sway's new helpers will show their stuff tonight and take it in the end.

Apoplexy [ 2 : 4 ] Sway

Ringers v Xensity


nicky: This should be yet another exciting match. Ringers has some awesome players assembled by animeman in just a few days. Xensity has zeroskillz who never disappoints. Teamwork versus raw skill with a couple of days of scrimming, an experiment (as rk- puts it) at its finest. I am going to go with the fan favorite Xensity on this one, sorry animeman. The only way this will change is if animeman equipts some Bio Booster Guyver Armor (that's the only anime I know).

Winner: Xensity

rk: Let me clearly state this right off the bat - Xensity should take this match, if they're in sync with each other and have scrimmed at least a few times to get the timing back into gear. But, head-to-head in individual skill, I think Ringers has got that covered, and it being cp_well, just about anything can happen. One hopes that the Fan Favourite can lean on their strong points at soldier & demo (cue the video) and overcome their foes, but this one won't be no walk in the park.

Ringers [ 3 : 5 ] Xensity

iDemise v Frag Dominant


nicky: This match should be a no-brainer. iDemise has the talent and teamwork to win this match easy. FD has the AMD sponsorship to look good while taking a loss. The only thing I see getting in the way is carnage's hand cast.

UPDATE: Word from the man is, cast comes off monday :P

Winner: iDemise

rk: I'll be honest, I want FragD to do well in this tourney - if nothing else, just so we can add a little more depth to the top level of play on this continent. But iDemise has something to prove (in my mind, at least) in this tourney, and I just can't in good faith back a team that let DaveMD walk out the door... or kicked him out... or whatever the circumstances were (too lazy to go find out). Either way, iDem wins :)

iDemise [ 5 : 2 ] FragD