If you haven't seen the demos for the ds vs cmf semifinals yet: you should remedy this by downloading the mvds from chtv. I highly recommend the last e1m2 game as it is what tdm is about for many players; a close, tactical game. The commentary by HT was perspicuous and full of interesting insights into particular events; he is for me the_commentator beyond all others, even the eso2 crew. I like the way he gets somewhat emotional about the game and even curses when certain players leave a pack or miss a shot; you'd think he was talking to his own hyphen teammates at times. It is his passion for the subtleties of qw tdm strategy and gameplay that make him the_commentator to have around for any tdm matches.

Anyway I have digressed. The main point about the series is that ds showed its great strength on e1m2; with nbe and akke in the lineup on that map, they won't fall: I said that a while ago and i still hold to it. In the pivotal 5th game ds went with slime instead of using akke. There was a lot of talk about this decision, but at bottom jovo_cop was outstanding in the game, so I can see no point in discussing ds' reasoning. What strikes me as important is mrl's 14th frag in game 5 against shiva. Upon getting some more life, after the rather surprising frag, mrl went and took the big Q on two consecutive runs that brought ds back into the game. Yes, nbe's frag count and rkr's amazing control over the ya at important points were pivotal, too. But to me ds won because of mrl's efforts right around the mid-way point in the game.

That ds didn't win on dm3 should concern every ds fan. The reason I say this is because ultimately it means that dm2 becomes the "real" decider map. For if in the final ds can win its two chosen e1m2s, and fs or sr can take their two dm3s, it leaves dm2 as the lottery map it is to make the real difference in the series, assuming here that no clan gets upset on a home map choice. And, as mrl has said himself to me, dm2 is not his favourite map for 4v4 with ds or any clan he has played for; I can easily understand why. dm2 is a treacherous taskmaster for those who place their hopes on it against equally skilled competition. For ds fans, you have to hope that they maintain their excellence on e1m2 and that they refine some of their teamplay decisions on dm3 before the finals; I think hoping to win a dm2 in a finals is like tossing a coin for the game.

I wish strength and honour to ds as they have proven themselves worthy of the finals! As well I say the same to cmf, for they were the team to beat in my view....may be one of the strongest on dm3 ever?

I am looking forward to the fs vs sr semifinals. I fear for sr fans. If sandyman hadn't timed out, I think every sr player knows that series would have likely gone to 3 games. Both games were closer than the scores show. Yet, paradoxically, I think this is just what sr needed to kick itself into another gear; so I believe sr fans can be glad that aq gave them a damn close run. For aq fans it must be lame; so close yet kicked in the nackers by lag. Well, shit happens in qw tdm as elsewhere, but still it leaves a bitter impression to be so close...yet not there.
FS is looking every bit the powerhouse they are; though a revitalized sr squad is not good news for the hardcore fs fan. The flying_dutchman reppie and his mates are looking tough on e1m2 and dm3; that would make them ds' toughest opponent for my money. But we shall see if a regrouped sr squad can push fs around a bit or a lot. I suspect it will be a lot; but also I suspect the flying_dutchmen blxm and reppie will kick back with their hard wooden shoes. The fs vs sr semifinal is going to be a close call; though I favour fs in it because I think they the right combination of skills and tactics to create problems for even a focussed sr squad. Besides this, fs has grit and they are determined to win against sr. I leave it to the sr fans to boo and piss on me when and if I am proved wrong :p

Strength and honour to those about to battle in this semifinal!
17 comments.

League Coverage
 - News
 - Played games
 - Map Stats
 - Interviews

 - Division 1
 - Division 2
 - Division 3
 - Division 4
 - Division 5
 - Division 6
 - Division 7
 - Playoffs

Latest Columns
 - ... All Columns

League Info
 - Rules
 - Hall of fame
 - The crew