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playoff predictions: 1/4 finals 041213
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Div 5
Masters of Quake Maniacs vs Bufflarna flyger I luften
Buff won div 5A without losing a map, thus marking themselves as the most improved team of the season. They will almost certainly take E1M2 and win it; MQM look likely to go with DM2 or DM3. Buff look pretty adept on the CMT maps too so even if it does go to a decider, they should edge this match.
Sadtroops vs Ryska Posten
It would be a surprise if sadtroops didn?t win this one 2-0 as their opponents barely scraped into the playoffs, and almost certainly wouldn?t have made it if a couple of other teams hadn?t dropped out. Add to this the fact that sadtroops have a 100% record on CMT3, a map that RP don?t know too well, and this one looks to be a certain win for the troopies.
Bukkake Samurai vs Clan Cube Squad
BS are another clan who have made it to the playoffs with a generous slice of luck. The Hungarians from CCS should have little trouble in dispatching the Fins on DM3, and BS?s best hope will be that CCS don?t know their homemap, CMT3.
Vadrigar vs El?intarha 2.0
2oo had a good season, finishing 2nd place in 5A but Vadrigar will be tough opponents. I?d expect 2oo to take and win CMT4, but VE are very tough on DM2. Tactical map throwing could be crucial to settling this one, but I?m tempted to lean towards VE as 2oo will be playing with higher ping than usual.
Div 4
Eradication Instincts Defined vs Easy to Kill
3TK won 4A at a canter and will be confident of reaching the semi-finals. EID?s best hope will lie in taking CMT4 and trying to out-skill 3tk. 3tk are surely a better team on both DM2 and DM3, but I think EID could have a chance on E1M2 or CMT3 if it comes to that. Despite that, I think 3tk will win 2-1.
Postal Justice vs Dreadful Offensive Squirels
It?s tough to decide who will pick what map here as both clans favoured DM2 in the regular season; maybe DOS will go with CMT4 but I?m not sure. Either way, I would be surprised if DOS could knock out PE, who have impressed me a lot with their tight teamplay this season.
Clan Metally Troopers vs Shadow Minions
CMT usually go with DM3 but if they are smart they will research SM and realise that the Swedes are very tough opponents on both DM2 and DM3; I would expect SM to win DM2 but they may have a more difficult task on CMT3, if that is what CMT go for. I think SM have enough quality - with the likes of pmen and mooseman ? to edge this one in a decider.
Be Evil vs Fudoh
Fudoh?s inactivity will let them down here I feel; BE practice regularly and have improved an enormous amount during the season. The Germans are strong on E1M2, DM2 and CMT3, and are no slouches on the other maps either. BE are favourites for this tournament in my eyes and I see no way that Fudoh can stop them at this stage.
Div 3
Veni Vidi Vici vs Just for fun
JFF will probably choose DM2 (they sometimes go for DM3 but that would be suicidal vs VVV) and VVV CMT4; I don?t give the Fins much chance on the latter map, but we all know that anything can happen on DM2. If JFF could get some confidence from a map win, then starplayer Hornlake might just inspire them to victory, but I have to say that VVV are strong favourites for this game.
Osams vs Apocalypse 2000
This is my own clan so I have to be careful what I say ;) A2K are the best clan on CMT4 in division 3 so they should have little trouble taking that one against us; likewise I?m confident that we are the strongest on DM3 in the division. As long as we don?t have to play DM2 in the decider I think we can edge it, but neither would I be surprised if A2K were to beat us.
Assassins vs Hippushnik
Hips are a good DM3 team and might be able to take Ass in this arena, but there?s no way that Hips will take out the Swedes on E1M2. If there is one safe bet in this playoff competition, it?s that Ass will win all their E1M2 games. DM3 is probably their weak map from TB3, so perhaps HIPS can take that one home. Ass have quality players like daan and inferno and should be able to win this one comfortably.
Brotherhood of Thangorodrim vs Rabbit Dogs
Both teams have been choosing DM2 in NQR this season, although RD has mixed it up a few times and taken CMT4. I would expect these 2 maps to be played in the first round, and I think Psycho_dad will be able to take home DM2 for {T}. RD have the quality UK players to secure CMT4 and the decider could be close. Neither side has a great record on DM3 and both are fairly strong on E1M2. This could be the closest game of the round.
Div 2
El?intarha vs Suspected
Zoo have impressed many with their meteoric rise to their current level; in NQR5 they played in Division 5 (of 7) and this season they strode to victory in div 2A with 0 losses. Unfortunately for their opponents, the Swedes from Suspected, Zoo are strong on the same maps as them. Zoo?s main weakness seems to be DM2 but with their strongest lineup I would expect them to take that, if it was played. Look out for CMT3 and E1M2 here.
Undisputed Paranoic Sensations vs MNY
This one has the potential for 3xDM3. Both clans have picked DM3 this season and both are highly proficient on it, though UPS have to thank the Russian Unnamed (XN) for that. If MNY are wise they will pick another map because UPS aren?t so strong elsewhere, as proven by their narrow win over AG. Nevertheless, I think MNY should be able to take this one home; but by what score?
Veterans vs Oblivion
If Seese and Ztorm play for Vets, then this one is a no-brainer; it will be 2-0 to Vets. Vets will pick E1M2 and although Oblivion are strong here, Vets? first-choice lineup should be able to hold them off pretty well. If Oblivion get a good start on their map then of course, they are capable of squeezing out a victory. However I?d be very surprised if this match had any other outcome than a Vets victory.
Suddendeath vs Boefje
If you had asked me about this one before the season had started, I?d have said that SD would win easily; however Boefje have improved massively during the season and I would give them a chance in this one. Both clans are proficient on DM2 and CMT3; Boefje are good on DM3 and SD good on E1M2. It?s very tough to predict who will choose what map (Boefje DM2, SD E1M2 is probably a good guess), and even tougher to predict who will win. SD won the game in the SDIT tournament, but in an NQR playoff things are rather different. For the sake of consistency (i.e. I?ve made a prediction for all games), I will say that the Swedes of SD will edge this one 2-1.
Div 1
Firing Squad vs Clan MalFucntion
A fascinating contest this. If FS can get a lag-free Reppie and Blixem, then they have a real chance of knocking out CMF in the first round. CMF are my pre-playoff favourites because they seem to be strong on every map. I would expect CMF to make a tactical choice of CMT3 and their experience here, along with the refined expertise of Angua, should be enough to take the map home. FS? DM3 (or maybe DM2?) will a bit tighter; if Fix has his gaming-hat on and if Siv has enough sugar, then CMF will be very tough to stop. But who knows, if Reppie is feeling manly enough and has polished those wooden boots, he is capable of taking down an entire team on his own. Ultimately, CMF have 2 extremely manly quadrunners in Fix and Fifi, and of course the MAN_OF_THE_BIG_GAMES in sugar_siv, so I reckon they should be able to win this one. Again though, how many maps will it take?
Griffins Tappra Gossar vs Fragomatic
FOm have just added Valla to their lineup and so it?s a safe bet that they will take DM3; they are a good DM3 team anyway but with the addition of Valla coupled with GTG?s weakness on The Abandoned Base, one would expect fragomatic to take it home. GTG will pick E1M2, and provided Griffin and mrlame are on their game, GTG won?t lose it, and I don?t think they will lose this map in the entire competition. I see GTG@E1M2 in NQR7 as I saw DS@E1M2 in NQR5; nearly unbeatable. Both clans are reasonably anti-kenya but both have shown proficiency on CMT3. Still, I would expect DM2 to be the decider and with Griffin&mrlame in the team, GTG will be a very tough force for manulito?s men to break down. It?s not impossible for fOm, but I think GTG will edge this one.
Slackers vs Hard Guns Crew
If SR don?t have their best lineup, then HGC will be highly confident of taking DM2 home provided Javve and Insane are on top of their game. However I don?t give HGC much chance (or any chance?) on the other maps, particularly DM3, and I would think that SR will win this one fairly comfortably to setup a potential semi-final against old enemies Legeartis.
LegeArtis vs Game Over
This game is a repeat of last season?s Gold playoff 1/4 final, and I don?t see the outcome being any different. LA are simply too strong for DM3, and while GO have very good E1M2 routine and teamplay, LA?s pure skill should be too much for GO.
41 comments |
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mx - .*** |
041213 @ 16:14:07 |
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sigh, gfg haggus mc faggus |
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?ke Vader - .*** |
041213 @ 16:58:51 |
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RL som fan! |
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Hangman - .*** |
041213 @ 19:28:26 |
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No olw in playoffs? :( sad.. |
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Horatio - .*** |
041213 @ 20:54:34 |
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we got out-systemed :) |
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xhrl - .*** |
041214 @ 05:51:43 |
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very solid job gaz. I will put up some of my thoughts as the playoffs progress.
Anyone else see gtg vs la in the finals? |
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jinx - .*** |
041214 @ 09:02:49 |
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Why would winner of div1A and winner of div1B meet in semifinals and not in
finals? |
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gaz - .*** |
041214 @ 09:29:19 |
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They don't...
xhrl I see a CMF-LA final myself... |
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jinx - .*** |
041214 @ 10:40:45 |
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Goodie. It was this that confused me: "and I would think that SR will win this
one fairly comfortably to setup a potential semi-final against old enemies
Legeartis." |
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gaz - .*** |
041214 @ 11:25:48 |
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Yep. But SR didn't win Div 1B. |
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jinx - .*** |
041214 @ 11:32:12 |
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Ah my mistake. GTG and FS managed to play , not by sunday though but I seem to
have missed that. |
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gaz - .*** |
041214 @ 11:33:32 |
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They played on Sunday night at 23cet and reported it a bit after midnight :E |
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menth0l - .*** |
041214 @ 11:58:30 |
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cMF has too much riding on getting "the lineup". If they get it, and KEEP
getting it, then there might be a cMF - LA final :}. Otherwise it's going to be
GTG - LA. And what a match that will be. griffin versus dag $$$$$$$$$$$$$ |
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gaz - .*** |
041214 @ 12:18:54 |
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CMF's best lineup will beat GTG on DM2, DM3, CMT3 and CMT4; no question.
Fifi/fix/angua and siv or hlt is the best all-round lineup in QW at this time. |
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Link - .*** |
041214 @ 12:33:07 |
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Dont underestimate the power of the bonde-side... |
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jinx - .*** |
041214 @ 12:56:51 |
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I predict a SR-GTG final :) Dakoth, Griffin, UL, Mrlame VS Paradoks, Hib,
Xerial, Circle |
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Rage - .*** |
041214 @ 13:26:14 |
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Oh anyways this is gonna be great! Looking forward to it. Plz report if there
are any games coming up, coz fs - cmf and gtg - f0m will be good games.
I
think fs can take any clan down with good pings on dm2 and dm3, but if their
opponent drops one of these 2 maps they are doomed.
gtg are looking
really good, except for their weak dm3.
I haven't seen the new cmf -
la practise demos on ch-tv yet, but that will give me a good idea on how they
are doing. At the start of the season I was confident LA would win, but it's
much harder to predicht right now. |
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gaz - .*** |
041214 @ 13:54:41 |
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LA
Strengths: Dag, Shiva, DM3, E1M2, big all players have match experience
Weaknesses: Lack of practice on CMT maps
SR
Strengths:
Paradoks in form, Xerial looking hot, Hib is back, DM3, CMT4
Weaknesses:
Goljat inactive, Hib out of shape, is crazymac really good enough for an NQR
playoff match? A lot of pressure on him to do his
job
CMF
Strengths: Fix, Angua, CMT3, DM3, DM2
Weaknesses:
Getting best lineup together
FS
Strengths: REPPIE!!, DM3,
DM2
Weaknesses: Reppie and Blixem's lag, CMT3&4
GTG
Strengths:
Griffin&mrlame, E1M2, DM2, CMT3
Weaknesses: DM3, maybe
CMT4?
fOm
Strengths: TB3, valla@dm3
Weaknesses: CMT,
valla@non-dm3 :P, lack of practice on all maps |
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gaz - .*** |
041214 @ 13:56:37 |
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"big all players have match experience " should be "all players have big match
experience" |
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-insane- - .*** |
041214 @ 15:02:04 |
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You missed Go and Hgc , sniff B< |
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OPA|Metz - .*** |
041214 @ 15:03:47 |
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GTG-LA finals....and you can't say that the only strength FS has is Reppie.
Reppie can't play like
Reppie without 3 others doing the "grunt" work. |
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menth0l - .*** |
041214 @ 15:09:32 |
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FS has at least 3-4 "clutch" players who can deliver the goods when it's needed.
Reppie, Blixem, Razor, hell even ze Germans :}. They will be a tough opponent
for any clan if blixem and reppie get the lag under control. The big question
for me is are FS ready for success? In previous tournaments they have
underachieved in the playoffs. |
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gaz - .*** |
041214 @ 15:30:37 |
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No Metz, but if Reppie is not on top form then FS won't win. |
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error - .*** |
041214 @ 15:42:47 |
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I would be VERY surprised if gtg beat f0m. f0m is a better team on every map
except perhaps on dm2 if UL plays. But their regular line-up without UL wont
beat f0m on any map. |
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niclas - .*** |
041214 @ 16:24:33 |
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ryska posten wins nqr |
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Max Rebo - .*** |
041214 @ 17:05:42 |
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FOM is the winner on DM3 and CMT4 for sure, CMT3 for GTG. DM2 and E1M2 is even,
but I pick FOM for the win with their lineup of four evenly matched good
players. |
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Rage - .*** |
041214 @ 17:11:59 |
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If f0m beats gtg then LA will play cMF in the finals, but i don't think f0m will
beat gtg, but we'll see! Looking forward to it for sure.
strenght LA:
riker imo.. rikers performance seems more solid lately then dags performance,
but maybe that's just scoreboard journalism by me;)
Oh and LA is able to
have different best lineups on certain maps.
dag,riker,striker,memil,vladde,nabbe... oh yeh... too bad memil and nabbe
seem rather inactive? |
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phrenic - .*** |
041215 @ 00:59:01 |
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Let's star a bet, im in for 100sek, ~ 15$ ~ 10?, all 20 games is wrong. |
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jonny - .*** |
041215 @ 15:03:02 |
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using modified exchange rates for your own benefit, eh phrenic? 100SEK is more
like 14$, 7? or 11e. |
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XantoM - .*** |
041215 @ 16:38:54 |
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Be *gary* |
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gaz - .*** |
041215 @ 16:56:41 |
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Be *vicky* |
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Goljat - .*** |
041215 @ 20:11:54 |
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nyyh we are not even the underdogs, maybe the cinderella story this time :E |
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Zilver - .*** |
041216 @ 15:36:01 |
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Gaz is 1-1 so far :) 2-0 Vets |
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gaz - .*** |
041216 @ 16:52:31 |
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Yeh and phrenic has lost his money already :D |
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nex - .*** |
041217 @ 18:03:02 |
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nah, all predicitions are meaningless... we all know who will win.... again.
even without scriptoljat ;-) |
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Goljat - .*** |
041219 @ 08:27:26 |
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fs vs. cmf: believe or not i will say 2-1 for fs!
GtG vs. f0m: 2-1 for gtg,
fom will make a huge mistake in round3.
sr vs. hgc: 2-1 for
underdogs.
La vs. GO: 2-0 w.o. 'cause my all time fav player dag gonna show
why he is the man!
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fix - .*** |
041219 @ 09:00:28 |
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listen to this guy.for once he has a point there :D |
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gaz - .*** |
041220 @ 00:31:50 |
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1st one was pretty wrong :P 2nd one was close, as long as you count "a huge
mistake" as "gtg getting fullstart" :P |
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test - .*** |
041225 @ 19:50:52 |
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test |
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test - .*** |
041225 @ 19:52:04 |
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test |
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test - .*** |
041225 @ 19:53:18 |
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test |
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gaz - .*** |
041230 @ 01:45:37 |
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failed |
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