WCG 2011 Preview

Despite my failed efforts at predicting MSI BEAT IT at DreamHack Winter 2011 just under two weeks ago, I have decided to give it a second go just in time for WCG later this week.

This year's World Cyber Games sees only four of the world's arguable top ten teams attending but there will still be plenty of good matches to watch with teams such as Moscow Five, DTS and Mandic trying to stop SK Gaming and AGAiN, who are fighting it out to decide who is the best team of 2011.

The Favorites

SK Gaming

So far the best team in 2011 has a chance to clear it up once and for all by winning World Cyber Games to round up the year. The only finishes outside of the top two since Delpan joined have come thanks to losses against Na`Vi who are not at WCG, so I think SK are clear favorites to at least make the grand finals from their side of the bracket, if not win the entire tournament. After a disappointing 5-8th place finish at DreamHack they have surely been putting in practice to be in top shape for WCG so expect nothing less from the Swedes.

SK Gaming actually faces possibly the hardest bracket draw after a fairly easy group stage, as they will likely encounter eSahara/TyLoo, DTS and Moscow Five/Mandic before the possible grand final. They are favorites in every matchup and although they might have trouble against both DTS and M5, I expect them to pull through without being in danger of dropping out. This could be the last chance for f0rest and GeT_RiGhT to get a WCG title in CS 1.6 so needless to say they will give it their all. The drama between AGAiN's Loord and then fnatic's GeT_RiGhT at WCG 2009 grand finals might add some extra tension for the possible meet up on the main stage as well.

 

Will f0rest be smiling on Sunday?

AGAiN

The Poles have been in a bit of a slump recently, failing to place top three at ESWC, MSI Beat It Russia and DreamHack Winter. That should only motivate them more though because apart from this year in general being much more successful, it's a little like 2009 where they came into WCG after a rough year but still managed to clinch the gold. Being the only CS team to hold two WCG titles in CS 1.6, this event is actually a great opportunity for TaZ, NEO, Loord and kuben to get their third title in what could possibly be the final year of CS 1.6 at World Cyber Games.

Even though they haven't been playing great recently, I have a hard time seeing them not win their group and fight their way through the weaker lower part of the bracket and eventually face SK in the grand finals. If they both do make it to the grand final I think it's going to be a very even match as you can never count either team out in a best of three. AGAiN will get to remove de_tuscan in playoffs which will also help them out significantly at WCG.

AGAiN wants back on the highest podium

The Underdogs

DTS

Despite their recent wins over Natus Vincere in the qualification for IEM6 Global Challenge Kiev and the third place decider match at MSI Beat It Russia, I think it's hard to place where exactly to rank DTS because they haven't had much success against foreign teams apart from the ICSC final where they trashed AGAiN online 4-0 in maps.

Unfortunately for them, assuming they best out defs in group stage they will actually play SK Gaming in just the quarter finals of WCG. Losing on purpose wouldn't help much either, as they would most likely face AGAiN in the opening round of sixteen. I think they are one of the best four teams attending the event, but due to the way the bracket will play out I don't think they will get past SK, although an upset isn't entirely impossible.

ANGE1 needs to put in numbers if DTS wishes to make top four

Mandic

Mandic hasn't had many chances to prove their worth yet and are surely in the best shape they can possibly be while only practicing in Brazil. FalleN looked to be in great shape at WCG Pan-Am where his team took care of EG fairly easily and if he can continue the level of play we've all grown to expect from him and his teammates show up to play, they could easily upset some of the top teams later on.

Not winning their group would actually give them an easier chance at reaching the final four but since they hardly get opportunities to travel abroad, I have a hard time seeing them lose on purpose. They should be able to take care of H2 in Ro16 with relative ease and I think they have a good chance at beating Moscow Five in the quarter finals, but no matter how I play with the idea in my head I just can't see them taking down SK. However, repeating a top four placing at WCG would not be a bad showing for nak & co.

Brazilian's pride in CS 1.6 in action at WCG two years ago

Moscow Five

The owner of Moscow Five set some high expectations for his team following their disappointing SEC and ESWC finishes, and the team must know it's now or never if they wish to represent M5 in 2012. They managed to win MSI Beat It Russia but as I previously mentioned they basically got a free map in each series thanks to de_forge being included, which won't be the case here.

The Russians will get tested early at WCG with a match versus AdreN's NEXT in the groups followed up by Mandic in quarter finals and SK Gaming in semi-finals (assuming no upsets happen). They actually have the second best chance of all teams attending at upsetting the Swedes, but unless Dosia does some real magic tricks I don't see it happening. Realistically I think they will have a very tough match with Mandic, and I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't make it to the semi finals.

ROMJkE & co need a top placing to keep the M5 jerseys for 2012

The Groups

Group A

DTS
defs
C5

This group features a clear cut favorite in the Ukrainian power house DTS who managed to win their national qualifier for World Cyber Games without having to face Na`Vi. Despite defs' upset win over Anexis at ESWC I wouldn't hold my breath for them to have such luck in Busan. They will most likely advance over the Jordanian representative C5 though, but this should be a fairly clear group. If defs were able to come out on top or if AGAiN placed second in their group, they could have a chance at an upset top 5-8th placing.

defs likely to make top 16

Group B

eSahara
TyLoo
Hooliganz

Normally I would assume eSahara is a clear favorite to advance with a top seed in this group but apparently their normal lineup won't be flying to Korea as the organization has opted to stay loyal to the players who won their qualifier. TyLoo didn't impress at IEM6 Global Challenge Guangzhou but they must be fairly well prepared for this event whereas I'd assume the French won't have practiced too much going into this event. I don't really know anything about Team Mongolia but it would be hard to predict for them to upset either team. Winner of this group gets to play XcN in round of sixteen while the second place team plays SK, so stakes are high early on for these two teams.

WCG 2011 will be Rara's temporary comeback

Group C

Mandic
Ti-eSports
FiRENATION

Mandic looks to be a lock on to win their group and face a team from group H in the first round. They would arguably get an easier route to semi-finals if they were to place second though, but I wouldn't expect that to happen. I can't say that I'm overly familiar with the other teams in this group which only speaks in the Brazilians' favor, but I'm going to go ahead and guess that Ti-eSports will advance as the second seed.

Can the former coL lineup improve on their 4th place of WCG 2010?

Group D

project_kr
ENTiTY
Nervana
Immunity

The Koreans have been fairly quiet all year, only attending IEM5 World Championships (with solo still on the roster) and e-Stars Seoul earlier this year. They didn't impress at either, only managing a win against UMX.us and losing every other match in both tournaments. If project_kr isn't in good shape this group could get ugly, but I predict them to end up on top. Second place could be a close battle between ENTiTY and Immunity as I've seen the Macedonians put in a lot of practice, but I'm pulling for gazR to take Team Aussies out of the group stage.

Will the Aussies beat ENTiTY or face another early exit?

Group E

SK Gaming
XcN Gaming
GameHolics

After disappointing quarter final losses against Na`Vi, RobbaN's team is probably extremely motivated to end the year on a good note and with Zeus' team staying home they have very good chances at winning the tournament. They will at least win this group though, as XcN shouldn't pose too much trouble for the Swedes. GameHolics could actually upset XcN as they have attended the previous IEM Global Challenge Dubai events and therefore have some international experience, but I'm going to give XcN the benefit of the doubt here.

Fer's team faces SK early on

Group F

AGAiN
Virtus.pro
BGDonLINE

Despite their recent troubles I think NEO's team are a clear cut favorite for the first place in group F. They know they have to win their group to avoid playing SK earlier than the final, and that should be enough motivation for them. The game for second place will be closer than people think as BGDonLINE actually seems like a decent team, but I think the now LeX powered Virtus.pro will improve on their result in Kiev and advance to bracket play.

First major tournament for LeX after his comeback to Virtus.pro

Group G

Moscow Five
NEXT
Blood

I believe AdreN's NEXT actually has an okay chance at upsetting Moscow Five in this group. What makes this match less interesting however, is that the second place finisher in this group is likely to face an easier bracket, as the winner looks set to face Mandic in quarter finals while second place team plays project_kr to make it to semi-finals. Based on WCG Pan-Am I think Blood is actually a lot better than people would assume and if NEXT isn't in good shape they could get upset, even possibly causing a three way tie, but I don't think it will actually happen.

Fans will be excited to see AdreN play again

Group H

I Got  Game
N38-26F
FRAGGED BY

This looks to be the least interesting group on paper with no top team included, but IGG seems to be the favorite at advancing with the first seed. The Belarussian N38-26F is my guess for second place, while the Georgians will likely face early elimination. Seeing as winner of this group gets to play C2 in the opening round of brackets, IGG is actually likely to place 5-8th which would be a solid showing for them.

Belarussians took down mouz in '09, can they surprise again?

How do you think World Cyber Games 2011 will play out? Leave a comment below and remember to play our Dreamteam game for a chance at winning great prizes from SteelSeries.

The viewer's guide will be published soon so you can find out when your favorite team plays. HLTV.org's Nix0n is on site in Busan to provide you full coverage of World Cyber Games 2011.