<style type="text/css">#Newswrap { background: #d9dde0; width: 736px; margin: auto; border: 1px solid #bcc3c8; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5; font-size: 10pt; } .Newsbanner { display: table-cell; vertical-align: middle; background: url('http://i.imgur.com/puh4B.png') no-repeat top; height: 250px; width: 736px; border-bottom: 24px solid #3C393C; font-family: Gotham,"Proxima Nova Bold","Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: -0.05em; font-size: 34px; line-height: 30px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; color: #d4e5f5; text-shadow: -1px -1px #FFF, 1px 1px 2px #222; } #Newscontents { width: 190px; margin: 0px 0px 20px 30px; padding: 0px 20px 20px 20px; -webkit-border-bottom-left-radius: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 10px; border-bottom-left-radius: 10px; background: #3C393C; float: right; text-align: center; font-family: Gotham,"Proxima Nova Bold","Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 100; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; text-transform: uppercase; } #Newscontents h1 { margin: 0px; color: #588A8D; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 700; } #Newscontents a { color: #7CCCC0; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; font-weight: 700; } #Newscontents a:hover { color: #E8F9F6; } #Newsbannercornerwrap { width: 506px; height: 10px; background: #3C393C; } #Newsbannercorner { background: #d9dde0; height: 10px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius: 10px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 10px; border-top-right-radius: 10px; } #Newsintro { padding: 0px 40px 20px 40px; } #Newsfooter { width: 696px; margin: auto; padding: 20px; border: 1px solid #bcc3c8; border-top: none; -webkit-border-bottom-left-radius: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 10px; border-bottom-left-radius: 10px; -webkit-border-bottom-right-radius: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-bottom-right-radius: 10px; background: #f0f1f3; font-family: Gotham,"Proxima Nova Bold","Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; text-transform: uppercase; } #Newsfooter b { color: #707070; } .Newsheader { text-align: right; margin: 10px 0px 10px 0px; } .Newsheader h1 { background: url('/staff/HawaiianPig/newstemplate/icon.png') no-repeat top left; margin: 0px; border-bottom: 1px solid #bcc3c8; font-family: Gill Sans,Verdana; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: -0.08em; font-size: 30px; line-height: 48px; vertical-align: 5px; color: #061428; text-shadow: 1px 1px #d4e5f5; } .Newsheader h2 { text-align: left; margin: 0px; font-family: Gotham,"Proxima Nova Bold","Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 100; float: right; clear: both; } .Newsarticle { padding: 10px 40px; background: #d9dde0; } .Newsarticle h3 { font-family: Gill Sans,Verdana; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: -2px; color: #394054; border-bottom: 1px solid #83899C; } .Newsarticle h3 > a { color: #394054; text-decoration: none; } .Newsarticle h3 > a:hover { color: #565F7A !important; } .Newsbox { background: #f0f1f3; width: 80%; margin: auto; padding: 20px; border-radius: 10px; -webkit-border-radius: 10px; -moz-border-radius: 10px; } .intq { border-bottom: 1px solid #25425f; color: #061428; font-family: Gill Sans,Verdana; line-height: 1.5; font-weight: bold; font-size: 12pt; padding: 10px; clear: both; } .intp { float: left; width: 136px; font-family: Gill Sans,Verdana; font-weight: bold; color: #394054; text-align: right; padding: 5px 15px 0px 0px; } .inta { float: right; width: 500px; margin: 0px 0px 20px 0px; line-height: 1.5; } .clear { clear: both; } .resize { max-width: 50%; } .border { border: 10px solid #f0f1f3; border-radius: 10px; -webkit-border-radius: 10px; -moz-border-radius: 10px; } </style><div id="Newswrap"><div class="Newsbanner"></div><div id="Newscontents"><h1>Table of Contents</h1>


Introduction



A Quick Review of ECC: Poland



Moscow 5 and CLG.eu: Round Three



Editor's Predictions



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<div id="Newsintro"><center><h1>Introduction</h1></center>
This is the final pit-stop before the Season 2 World Championships. Nothing else matters any more. Eight teams are now locked in for the European Regional Qualifiers and will battle it out for the three coveted seeds into the World Championship. While the European Regionals at Gamescom has a pretty hefty prize pool of its own ($150k), it is nothing compared to the grand prize at the World Championships with a stagger $3 million prizepool.

There can be no more mistakes. Everything has to be looking crisp and clean. Because the Regional Qualifiers are single elimination. One wrong step, a successful cheese later, and even a titan such as Moscow 5 can find itself eliminated. Circuit Points don't matter any more. And Lady Luck does not play favourites.
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<div class="Newsarticle" id="Partone"><div class="Newsheader"><h1>A Quick Review of ECC: Poland</h1><h2>By Chiharu Harukaze and JBright</h2></div>


The European scene is an interesting case. It is clear that Moscow 5 and CLG.eu sit above and beyond everyone else. Yet the general domination by North American teams meant that the last few places for the EU Regionals were not quite yet determined until the very end. ECC: Poland was the last chance to earn circuit points before the European Regional Finals at Gamescom. The top 5 teams in the EU circuit rankings (Moscow Five, CLG.eu, SK, Fnatic, Curse.eu) had their positions secured even before the start of the tournament. Any points for them were simply useful for better seeding in the Regionals.

SK Gaming definitely impressed with their 3rd place finish despite their turbulent roster. SK's performance and FnaticRC's absence at Poland meant that SK was able to overtake FnaticRC for third in the rankings. But can they repeat their success at the Regionals? That remains to be seen.

Since teams placed 5th-8th in Season 2 Circuit events get the same number of points, an interesting issue came about - 6 teams with the same number of points were left fighting for the 8th and final spot at Gamescom. They were PAH (several ex-Sypher players), Elohell.net, Mebdi's Minions (YamatoCannon and friends), MYM, Millenium, and Smart People (ex-x6tence). After a wildcard tournament, EloHell were the last ones standing. This leaves us with the following bracket.



Sadly, Team Alternative and EloHell are the proverbial sacrificial lambs. Barring some spectacular cheese from them, their dreams will likely end in the very first round against M5 and CLG.eu. But who knows. Even Icarus once flew close to the sun before perishing.

For the remaining teams however, even if they lose to CLG.eu and Moscow 5 they still have a chance for a 3rd place finish, which will still give them a chance to go to the World Championship. This is where competition is likely to be fiercest. It is hard to say who will come out on top. SK Gaming, Acer, Fnatic and Curse.eu all have to win their first round games, lose to CLG.eu or M5 in the semifinals and then battle for 3rd place. It's not going to be easy. Luckily for them though, they only have to play one game a day. Each team is going to be sufficiently rested and have time to prepare for their next match. Preparation and fatigue will no longer be excuses for anyone.

The big show however, is going to be the clash of the two European Titans.
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<div class="Newsarticle" id="Parttwo"><div class="Newsheader"><h1>Moscow 5 and CLG.eu: Round Three</h1><h2>By Chiharu Harukaze</h2></div>
Moscow 5 and CLG.eu are the undisputed S-tier of Europe and perhaps even the world. At their first major LAN encounter, CLG.eu were able to comeback from a 30k gold deficit and sweep the title award from under the noses of Alex Ich and company. Yet at ECC: Poland, Moscow 5 were raring to play CLG.eu and despite a loss to them in the Group Stages they beat CLG.eu convincingly in the finals to claim their prize.

With the titles between them split 1-1, there is pride on the line for both teams. Winning the European Regional Qualifiers will settle their difference and declare which of these teams is truly better.

Moscow 5 here will likely have the upperhand. Ever since ECC: Poland they have kept a low key aside from one or two small online tournaments where they revealed little. CLG.eu on the other hand have created a collection of VoDs from the OGN Tournament that Moscow 5 will likely be pouring over and analysing in detail. Furthermore, CLG.eu has a very predictable style of play while Moscow 5 has proven to be adaptable and always tries soemthing different each LAN.

That being said however, it is very hard to bet against CLG.eu. It is, after all, Team FroggAnivia and Moscow 5 seem determined to win by their own rules and have repeatedly refuse to ban Anivia, perhaps out of pride. Perhaps this may be their greatest folly.</div>
<div class="Newsarticle" id="Partthree"><div class="Newsheader"><h1>Editor's Predictions</h1><h2>By MoonBear, Chiharu Harukaze, JBright, NeoIllusions</h2></div>
Our Editors weigh in with their baseless speculation informed opinions on who they feel will take the three slots at Gamescon.

MoonBear:


JBright:


NeoIllusions:


Chiharu Harukaze:


A unanimous vote of confidence in CLG.eu by the Teamliquid Staff and a split opinion for third place. The table is set. Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to roll.

</div></div><div id="Newsfooter" style="line-height:125%;">Final Notes:
This write-up was brought to you by NeoIllusions, JBright, MoonBear and Chiharu Harukaze.
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