Group A:

Lyn
HoT
Grubby
HasuObs
Protois

Kevin"RotterdaM" van der Kooi:

Really interesting, that's for sure. There were times Satiini used to be nearly invincible vs Orc, but those times seem to be gone so I'm not sure if he has a good shot vs Grubby & Lyn. HasuObs impressed me a lot during his last games, yet I don't think he can make an impact in this group. HoT has good odds, I'm sure we will see a well prepared HoT who's gonna show himself of his best side and it might be enough, even though Intel Extreme Masters mappool/system hard for elfs compared to several tournament systems (only 1 out of TR/TM/TS).

The mirror between Grubby & Lyn is quite unpredictable as well, but is a key match in the outcome of this group, my personal favorite after all is HoT, just because I have the feeling HoT will stand there once again when he should show himself of his best side, and he seems to be really good at doing so.

Hendrik "Gnolls" Heime:

Grubby and Lyn are the favourites in this group for sure but Hot showed a really impressive performance in the last days. I think he practised very much and on LAN he is always stronger, so he can maybe surprise here. Protois and Hasu are the underdogs especially because Lyn and Grubby are Orc. I think Lyn, Hot and Grubby will place Top3 while Lyn places first.

Elroy "Noname-" Pinto:

I'd have to say that Lyn and Grubby/HoT would be the absolute favorites for me from this group. HasuObs could create some waves and Protois too, but personally Lyn is just so strong that he's going to win this whole event in my view. So it'd be for me to pick between either HoT or Grubby. I don't know why but I think HoT holds the advantage (Elf!).

Group B:

ToD
Happy
elfittaja
Lucifer
Paladyn

Kevin"RotterdaM" van der Kooi:

Pretty hard to predict as well, if ToD gets his UD matchup working like he had a few months ago he could walk flawless trough this group, but he seems to struggle a bit vs UD's lately so he might have a hard time. Think its great seeing Elfitaja on LAN finals, I'm looking forward to his games and if he can show the shape he had a few months ago, during the "Elfi Hype" :D, Lucifer is strong as always and will be hard to beat for anyone.

Paladyn already surprised me a lot by qualifing, think its a really strong achievement already but I don't think he can do to much damage in this for him really hard group (No elfs/Orcs), but my favorite for this group is Happy. I've been really impressed by him lately and his micro is just out of the ordinary, if he can keep everything under control (nerve wise) I think we can expect great things of Happy this Intel Extreme Masters Finals.

Hendrik "Gnolls" Heime:

I am pretty sure Paladyn will be last. There are 3 UDs and Paladyn plays DH, Panda and fasttech to bears every game, no way to be more predictable. Every UD will be prepared for that.

After him it will be a close fight. ToD has the advantage that he faces only UDs in the groupstage which means he can better practise therefor but those UDs are very strong and he struggled a bit against UDs in the last tournaments. Lucifer seems to be the strongest UD Mirror player of those 3. I hope for 2 mouz-players to finish in the top3 and at best one of them @ place 1 to directly advance :D

Elroy "Noname-" Pinto:

Very close group, a lot closer than the previous one. Elfi is just so strong on LAN but if he hasn't practiced I don't see him or Pala going very far. ToD's been inconsistent, with mirror around I'd have to say it's going to be pretty close but if I have to pick I'd say ToD and Lucifer from this group.

---

Curtain raises, background information, up to date results and everyday's winners: On the official page of Intel Extreme Masters II Finals at CeBIT 2008 in Hannover you get it all! Additionally, there will be the newest match infos, pictures and much more during the event. With this page you won´t miss anything!

The official event page of CeBIT 2008

Enjoy finest eSport matches from the Intel Extreme Masters II Finals live on ESL TV. You won't miss a moment of thrilling Counter-Strike and Warcraft 3 action on ESL TV