KODE5 Victorian Counter-Strike Qualifier #2: Wrap-Up

After one of the smoothest competitions in memory, despite daily PC issues, Melbourne wrapped up it's Kode5 qualifiers this weekend. 15 teams turned out - an awesome attendance, especially for a second qualifier - to what was really one of the best competitions in Melbourne in some time. A massive mention to Jim 'PEKi' for such an enjoyable competition, aswell as everyone who played and spectated for being so prompt in arriving and sticking around to watch and support other teams. Such efforts make it almost possible to believe CS isn't, even yet, on its last legs, as this weekends event was a definite step forward to other previous competitions.

Top 5 - Team Performances

1. GUTS Demolished the competition, taking it out undefeated, and really just played at a level above everyone else not dropping more than 7 rounds to anyone. They're definately a team that could cause upsets at nationals, with the skill and experience to place very high.

2. VHM Showed consistency is their forte. You could almost predict their final placing before a competition even starts; they seldom lose to anyone seeded lower than them, yet constantly push the highest of seeds to close games. Another team to watch at nationals.

3. MB Amazing play all weekend, especially from UnleashK and Ham, helped MB to shake off the nerves that these guys had previously experienced against lower seeded teams. They are now clearly above the rest as they showed in a dominating fashion this weekend smashing teams like Magik and Hostile without breaking a sweat. Breaking into the top 4 was no easy feat for these guys, but they definitely didnt show it as they played incredibly all weekend.
(Written by third party)

4. KING Performed strongly, and met most of the predictions made regarding them. Had little trouble with their initial games, bar a close encounter with BEARFORCE1, and placed 3rd despite not alot of play time beforehand. Regardless, their aim and experience showed they can wing it and still play awesome.

5. BEARFORCE1 As stated above, BEARFORCE1 came from nowhere. A pug team that probably entered the weekend without high hopes, they lost in their first game, and crawled through the lower bracket until matched against KING. Most people would have expected a white-wash prior to the game, but BEARFORCE1 manned up and took it to OT, in which they very nearly won.

Player(s) of the Day: TF8 Jastone & KING|Rickeh

While Jase has been hailed for a long time as one of the best players in Melbourne, he went to candy town this weekend. He'd scarcely be below 20 frags on any given side of any given map, and was pivotal in his teams results. While his team didn't progress as far as they probably would have liked, they may not even have got as far as they did without him. He's actually been out of the scene for a while and hasn't played as much CS as he used to. As such, one could imagine him rivalling the countries best players if he was as active as them. Much the same for Rickeh, known throughout Australia as having one of, if not the sharpest AWP in the land. He carried his team to nigh on every victory, and if TF8 couldn't have got as far as they did without Jase, KING wouldn't have made it anywhere near 3rd. Anyway, props to Jase and Rickeh, MVP's of the weekend.

Special Mentions: MB unleashK & GUTS <Gamlin>

One day, when gaming rules the world and overtakes mainstream sports as the predominant recreational activity, you'll probably read a book titled 'Gamlin: Off the Leash'. His ridiculously erratic movement coupled with his seemingly robotic aim see him pocket insane amounts of frags regardless of map/opponent/position. Likewise, unleashK has been a quiet mover-and-shaker over the last few competitions, and he came into his own this weekend. He was on top of the scoreboard for a vast amount of the games he played, and the top right of players and spectators screens would be littered with "MB yyyyK" as he produced yet another slaw.

Surprise of the Competition: MB

What would have previously been known as a team of up-and-comers finally have what will most likely be seen as their 'break-through' competition - knocking out 3rd seeded TF8, and taking it right down to the wire to KING twice in two different maps, who were both 2 of the best teams at the competition. With such high quality teams at this second qualifier, MB were able to prove they can hang with the best placing 4th - far beyond anyones expectations. Keep your eyes on these guys as they will soon be regarded a top team in melbourne, if not already.
(Written by third party)

Stock Rising: GUTS

GUTS copped a lot of flak over the last week after their turbulent display at qualifier #1. However, with superstar and team motivator Julien 'Funboy' out this week due to work commitments, Source all-star and longtime friend of the playing group Tom 'Jaytee' took over the reins. They dominated the competition, going through undefeated with an impressive total rounds W/L, 64 rounds won against 25 lost. They'll be content in knowing they silenced their critics, as shown by a pentitent EddiE;

"Well done to GUTS who managed to prove the community wrong. I'm sorry for all the abuse I gave you while when we played in some online scrims and will refrain from it in the future. "

Stock Falling: TF8

Many predicted TF8 to take home an invite at the first qualifier, and probably held them in high stead to take second, if not first place, at qualifier #2. Their start was promising; they wiped aside the lower tier teams, went down convincingly to GUTS, and were outted from the competition by MB, on what is becoming known in Australia as a map built for upsets, de_tuscan. Despite an admirable performance by the team and its individuals, this just wasn't their competition.

Random Award: Roland 'tiduS' and VHM 

A big shoutout to tiduS who succesfully qualified for his first nationals, aswell as to VHM. You may ask, 'Why a shoutout to VHM, when they were tipped to be amongst the frontrunners?'. VHM's mention is solely down to their consistency. While many tote them not to have the aim to hold their own against the upper echelons of Aussie CS, they stick together, play alot, and love scrimming. It just goes to prove that what Australia does need is less teams dying and remaking under a new name every two months, consisting largely of the same players. They may never win a nationals, but they set a standard that should be followed.

(Note: the rankings are in no way indicitive of who placed where; more a group decision on who should take which honor).