DH Winter preview: Groups C, D

As the first day at DreamHack is closing in, the time has come to preview groups C and D of the $45,000 CS:GO tournament.

Group A saw Ninjas in Pyjamas and mousesports, who gave NiP scare on de_mirage_csgo, prevail. In group B Copenhagen Wolves went undefeated, while ProGaming.TD managed to clinch the second playoff spot.

With fifteen teams showing up for the on-site BYOC qualifier for DreamHack's main tournament, the favorites to make it into groups C and D are Absolute Legends and Western Wolves.

As this preview was written before the BYOC qualifier ended and the qualified teams were found or placed in the appropriate groups, these predictions are my predicted results in an imaginary three team group.

Group C

VeryGames (Ex6tenZ, kennyS, NBK, RpK, SmithZz)

VeryGames have conclusively proven to be the second best CS:GO team in the world so far. They have placed second at DreamHack Valencia, ESWC and most recently a Thor Open qualifier, where they were one again bested by the dominant NiP squad, who really are becoming their worst nightmare. We have seen some weakness within the most prepared squad in the game though, as tactical errors cost them a win versus Anexis at ESWC and they lost a map, and almost the series, to Area51.

Another thing to consider going further from the group stage is the changes Valve made to the Molotovs/Incendiary grenades. As I have previously mentioned, VeryGames abused them the most out of every team in existence (not that it's a negative thing; a competitor's goal is be the best possible within the rules of a game), and you have to figure their play must have take a little step back with the nerfing that took place a couple of weeks ago.

However, that isn't likely going to be much of a worry for the French team tomorrow, as they are still heavy favorites to finish this group undefeated. I could easily see them drop a map here though, as I don't think they are in any way unbeatable, but the fact remains they are favorites to win this group with a spotless 3-0 record going into playoffs later tomorrow or Saturday morning, depending on their bracket draw.

Predicted finish: 1st

NBK & co begin their campaign at DreamHack tomorrow 

3DMAX (dupreeh, gravityy, socN, vnG, xlo)

3DMAX qualified for DreamHack in the international qualifier with a win over Western Wolves, following a grand final loss against fellow Danes Copenhagen Wolves in their domestic qualifier. They have also shown some promising results in different online leagues as they've defeated Hawks sometime back and mousesports.de more recently.

The fourth Danish contender at DreamHack is a favorite to go into playoffs as of right now, although by just a hair. Their team captain Tomas "xlo" Falden pointed out in our pre-event interview that their opponents keep underestimating them, and I do think that's a fair case to make, but at the same time it's inevitable unless or until they can establish themselves as the number one team in Denmark.

I could really see them upset VeryGames, but realistically they probably won't. It's bad for them to play Hawks on the first round as it will likely decide who goes through to playoffs, but I will give them a 60-40 type odds in that game. Regarldess of the team coming in through the BYOC qualifier, although they won't be weak, simply won't match up well versus 3DMAX in my opinion, and will likely lose, allowing the Danes to advance as long as they best the Hawks.

Predicted finish: 2nd

3DMAX at a LAN 

Hawks (allu, naSu, natu, reflex, ScurK)

Hawks have had weak results online, with a slight upswing coming in on the last night before their trip to DreamHack begun. They lost a number of games against teams who many wouldn't exactly consider contenders, including 3DMAX and JAS, but they also managed impressive wins over Anexis and n!faculty on de_inferno_se and de_train_se, after a terrorist side start on the latter.

I also happen to know they've played more along the lines of those two later results in their practice games, so there is some potential in the squad that is yet to realize in official matches, a mild version of astralis if you will. I think they could even win group C if things clicked for them tomorrow, but ultimately it will come down to their two youngsters and that is never what you want your tournament to depend on when competing against an experienced field.

My gut feeling says they will lose against VeryGames in a close game and then be dealt a tough loss versus 3DMAX, knocking them out. I could easily see them beating either team or even both, but realistically the odds simply aren't stacked in their favor with how unstable their results have been in matches so far. I genuinely hope they advance, but I wouldn't bet my life on it.

Predicted finish: 3rd

ScurK is one of the two youngsters Hawks will need good play from 

Group D

Anexis (cajunb, MSL, Nille, Pimp, ruggah)

Anexis have looked fairly impressive in their online matches and they hada a fair showing at ESWC, but continuous losses against Copenhagen Wolves in domestic competitions has definitely lowered their stock. They also dropped a game against Hawks in the final days leading up to DreamHack, so while Anexis is still in my eyes a clear favorite to win group D, it is still even possible for them to go out if they have a pair of weak games.

Being a former CS: Source team, it's not surprising they were one of the better teams in terms of using Molotovs/Incendiary grenades in their previous tournaments. However, unlike teams such as VeryGames and n!faculty, I don't think their level of play will be affected as much by the nerfing of said grenades. It is yet to be seen properly, but that's how it feels based on having seen them play. Their playing style relies more on team work as they don't possess a lot of skill outside of Mathias "MSL" Lauridsen.

Anexis are clear cut favorites to make it out as the first seed in group D, no doubt about it. Team Dynamic didn't impress at ESEA Finals and n!faculty were in my opinion very lucky to get fourth at ESWC; a placing which doesn't necessarily reflect their real capabilities. However, at the same time Anexis isn't clearly better than these teams, and I wouldn't be surprised if they played three close games or even lost one.

Predicted finish: 1st

ruggah & co are favorites to finish first in group D 

Team Dynamic (adreN, AZK, kiko, PEX, swag)

Tons of fans thought Dynamic would deliver an extremely close series against Area51 at ESEA finals and potentially even steal the crown of number one team in North America, but indeed they did little more than prove Francis "kiko" Lao probably wouldn't be at this level without his friend, who is being used wrong in the squad, the sixteen year old Braxtor "swag" Pierce.

In my opinion the reason Pierce excelled in Area51's style of play was all the privileges he was granted in terms of freedom and not having to be a part of every single strat to the last detail. In Dynamic he isn't being used, well, as dynamically, and it shows in a weaker performance from someone we know is capable of dominating this entire group on his own on a good day.

I think Dynamic can defeat Anexis without a doubt, but Philippe-Olivier "PEX" Crepin will have to up his level of play for that to happen. Realistically I think they will beat n!faculty if they veto maps smartly (and by that all I really mean is if they do not play de_inferno_se) and show up in the form they did on Sunday at ESEA finals.

Predicted finish: 2nd

Will PEX still be smiling after group D finishes? (photo: ESEAnews.net) 

n!faculty (asmo, disruptor, Kirby, qk-Mantis, smn)

n!faculty look like a lock to finish second in this group on paper, if you solely focus on tournament results. A fourth place at ESWC is indeed impressive no matter the circumstances at which it came, but the Germans' campaign really can't take a closer look. They scored wins over ESC Gaming and Anexis, somehow managing to escape to playoffs, and then were run over by NiP, and then Area51, except on de_inferno_se.

The Germans really aren't a bad team and my preview probably makes them sound worse than they actually are, but I think there is just a problem with how they are viewed and how they actually perform out in the real world. With that being said, I think n!faculty could beat either team in this group on the right map, but I don't see it happening.

I think n!faculty will come up short against both Anexis and Team Dynamic. That means they won't be progressing to the playoffs, but since we're at the bottom of the barrel, I could also add a prediction on the last game. I think both Western Wolves and Absolute Legends have to be considered favorites over the Germans, so they could go home with a 0-3 record.

Predicted finish: 3rd

Can n!faculty finish in the final four again? 

Who do you think will join NiP, mouz, Copenhagen Wolves and ProGaming.TD tomorrow in the final eight at DreamHack? Will there be any upsets tomorrow? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below!