EPTThe first day was tightly packed with games. Many hopefuls played in the first group stage, some were able to advance to the second group phase. There were lot of frustrated players which saw their run ended quite early. There were a lot of joyful expressions, because a player was able to get a round further. In many instances, I forgot to take a photo because I was captivated by the game or just by the moment.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/SC2APjK.jpg)
Mietzekotze, a German SC2 streamer (Master league) configures the Starcraft interface.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Yutfz01.jpg)
Devo and Primelot, after group stage one. Primelot advanced. He is an EU Grandmaster player.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/pUXulwD.jpg)
Hydra, MSL and WCS champion.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/pptFagA.jpg)
Huk and Scarlett.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/azbAtYd.jpg)
Another angle of the Canadian delegation.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/WmF921e.jpg)
Mana, playing during group stage two. I planned to talk to him as he is one of my foreign BW heroes. But then I decided to just let him play the matches.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/ZlS6ga8.jpg)
TBO and TLO. TBO played in group stage one, but was unable to advance.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/4llWrad.jpg)
Erbsenkopf, a zerg player and a TLO fan.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/UUrgcp9.jpg)
TheLittleOne is interviewed by Smix and ToD, as the Leipzig-born player just took out Snute in a close 3-2 series.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/HNu4a7w.jpg)
TLO getting interviewed as he reached the round of eight.
Day Two
Most players were already eliminated. On Saturday, six more players had their tournament run ended. The first player going down was TLO in a close series versus Ptitdrogo. After that match, Showtime (the other German) went out as well, losing to Uthermal who in turn was eliminated by Ptitdrogo, the first finalist. The surprise of the night was Bly being able to come back after 0-2 versus Hydra. But Bly wasn't done yet.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/tRBojam.jpg)
It's Showtime.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/e7aKAM1.jpg)
Who is this?
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/5Ak4F5N.jpg)
Bly getting interviewed as he reached the finals. His opponent Violet, who did not lost a single map in that tournament before this match, was knocked out by Bly in a 3-0 series.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/91bQVqy.jpg)
Ptitdrogo and Bly, talking about the next day.
Day Three
This was the day. While some visitors went to the Starcraft match only to secure good seats for the following CSGO finals, there were both Bly and Ptitdrogo fans in the crowd as well.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/UTFDwDg.jpg)
The crew prepares for the first WCS Circuit finals.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/yLY202T.jpg)
Smix rehearses the pre-game interview with stand-ins.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/NHjIRIf.jpg)
Scarlett discusses strategy with Bly and provides moral support.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/8IhbBc1.jpg)
The handshake before each player enters his booth.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/MEmTrk4.jpg)
Ptitdrogo wins 4-1 and runs out of his booth, raising his arms like a champion.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/GdpVmx3.jpg)
Adebisi gave the champion a bottle of champagne.
Conclusion
I bought my Dreamhack ticket before Blizzard announced the WCS 2016 changes. but I got my money's worth and still I feel overwhelmed by the excitement. All the memories, the tension, the moments relief, the moments of disappointment.
I was exhausted after the first day, tired after the second day and nerveless after the finals. Yet I was so enthusiastically happy!
