Today we saw some very unexpected turn of events. If you have only just tuned in all brackets and results can be found here. A more detailed wrap about the day can be found inside.

Day 1

Well I don't think anybody could have predicted half the matches that were put on show today. With the map pool including players preffered 7 map choices, we saw the likes of t4 and ca2 make a triumphet return to some players wish lists. The two favourites of the competition av3k and cooller received byes in the first round, and a few unexpected late pull outs for invited players noctis, cypher and z4muz gave some amateur players a chance to see the light in a possible second play day.

First rounds saw smooth sailing for a lot of our invited players, with only two games being forced into deciding maps.  Abso defeating Bodzo (ztn, t7, ca2) and Sc00t defeating Garpy (ca2, dm13, t7).

Second round to drop our now 16 man bracket ready for the Quarter finals tomorrow saw a very surpising upset and four rather confident unexpected wins.

These four included;

kos defeating online weekly hero madix 2:1 on dm6, dm13, t4

fnatic's very own Spart1e proving his in nice shape to upcommer Agent 2:0 (ztn, dm13)

Fazz destroying another online weekly dueler Guard 2:0 (dm6, t7)

fnatic's l1nkje melting assign hopes and dreams of a 2nd day 2:0 (dm13, dm6)

The match that left everybody scratching their heads, and proudly caught on stream by the lvl^ crew nVc and Thorin was Draven defeating number #2 seed Cooller. The match up started normally as Cooller confidently drowned any hope for a comeback on ztn early on in the game. But it was when we drifted over to t4 Draven started to turn the heat up with some nice play and railing. Finally finishing on the controversially infamous map dm6, we saw Draven pull out some very brave moves on competition favourite Cooller to take the game 10-7.

Big shoutouts to lvl^ and Danijel for making sure the tournament was underway as planned, apologies from Mick who cannot figure out European time zones.

Alas, we do look forward to tomorrow where we will see

kos versus Av3k

Two polish stars going up head to head. Kos will have his work cut out for him playing against arguably the 2nd best player in the World right now, and tournament favourite Maciej 'Av3k' Krzykowski. Av3k's exciting playstyle will ensure for a very fast packed action intense game, and it will be nice to see if Kos is up for the challenge to calm the raging tide that is Av3k.

Spart1e versus k1llsen

We have seen this matchup before both Online and on LAN. Two very experienced and clever players going head to head in another tournament final series, Marcel 'k1llsen' Paul confidently moving through his first two rounds will finally get to test out his fantastic aim against the Sweedish party boy that is Sebastian 'Spart1e' Siira. I can honestly expect this to be one of the closer and bigger quarter finals as both these players know each others play styles, map selections and movement very well.

Fazz versus Strenx

Pelle 'fazz' Soderman is very unfortunate that his ping can be consistent around play time, but I am assured he will have no-less fighting spirit taking on france #1 and fnatic's pride dueler Kevin 'strenx' Baeza. Strenx is actually in some really good form as of late improving on his worst maps, practicing his position, very well trained on his timing plans and at the moment will be only with eyes set on the Grand Finals. Fazz on the other hand knows Strenx play style and also has the opportunity to mix up the map pool a little with the additions of ca2 and t4. I am sure Fazz will be looking to make a menze on the "Strenx Commentating himself" video and I know this will also be a very exciting matchup for the Quarter finals.

Draven versus l1nkje

I do not have much doubt that Jeffrey 'draven' Debipersad will be crossing his fingers he has the same confidence against Pierre-Emeric 'l1nkje' Portier tomorrow. Draven's mind set to take risks and push hard earned him his spot in the Quarter finals and had alot of players *sighing* for relief. Now it's his chance to prove that beating Cooller was not just luck but skill as he has the perfect opportunity to take down, so far, the fnatic ctf star linkje. I am sure given the opportunity these guys would want to 1v1 ctf for the match but it's too bad the rules don't allow for it :)

That's it from myself stay tuned tomorrow where we kick off at 19:00 CEST