My EAC2013-prediction:
1. MablakI believe the grand prize will be a fight between Random and Mablak this year. Mablak and Random being the best players in different timeperiods - it should be very close. Mab has been playing alot of intermediate for a long time now, which has given him both advantage and disadvantage when it comes to the Elite-scheme. There are no long ropes in this scheme! Still, Mab should be the favourite for the title based on skills, experience and his professional approach to the game. In my opinion
2. RandomRandom keeps impressing me. I was not surprised he won the last season in TEL, but I were also not expecting it. He's really a winning machine. Random's mentality when facing Mablak for their matchup will be decisive in my opinion - because the two points given in the match will most likely decide the winner. I'm not saying Random is scared to face Mablak or anything like that. But they are on the same level what goes skill and tactic - question is who's got the strongest mind? Can Random let go of old feelings and play fresh against Mablak? I'm not so sure
3. FranzFranz has continued to play lots of league games in the classic league over the past years, maybe not in the same frequens as during FB or XTC, but still very actively. He's turned a bit inactive in the past few months though (lol), yet his experience and skills should be enough for another top spot. I'm thinking 3rd or 4th, coinflip.
4. AlmogAlmog has also turned inactive because TUS bores him. How much will it affect his gaming? Not that much! Almog is in my opinion the type of player that can be inactive for a longer period of time and still hold an impressive high standard in his game. He is tough to meet over five games and won't give away many points this year either. Almog was the only player to beat Crash in 2012, and that with a 3-0 rec. I think he and franz will fight over the last medal behind Mablak and Random.
5. CrashI was really impressed by Crash last year like everyone else, that he was going to win with such a solid margin would have given high odds. That being said, I'm not so impressed by his games in 2013. He has been rather inactive, and those games which he has played that I've seen have not been a champion worthy. I don't think Crash has a serious chance to win the title this year to be honest.
6. SPW SPW finished as number 5 last year, quite a few points behind the 4th place and quite a few points a head of the 6th place. Should be aiming for a higher rank this year, but it won't be easy at all. I think SPW can finish from 3rd to somewhere midtable this year, it all depends on him
I'm questioning his huge inactivity though, and think his placement on the table will suffer for it.
7. JohnMcClaneClass! When I hear the name JohnMcClane, all I can associate the name with is pure class. And die hard ofcourse. He's a true elitist and as the eliter he is, he should be fighting for a spot on the upper part of the table. I don't know how much he has prepared for the gig, maybe he hasn't at all, but McClane is class and class we will recieve.
8. ChuvashChuvash is a great intermediater, but nontheless also a great eliter. Had a great season at TEL last time it was active, and he was really tough to beat. It seems like he's in great shape, and I think he can make a very solid figure in this tournament. Chuvash reminds me a bit of Albino for some reason, and that's a compliment for sure.
9. DulekI thought Dulek had a nice championship last year with a split 6th place. SPW thinks Dulek is not satisfied with it, but I'm under the impression that it was a position Dulek was happy with. Dulek has very nice overallskills and I think he will have about the same amount of points as last year. This should hold to placement from 7-10 or so.
10. CrazyFinished off on the upper part of the table last year, something Crazy was very satisfied with. Has a win/lose ratio of 50 percent in everything he does on WA, and 18-20 points (depending on the amount of participants), seems like a good guess. These points should be enough to end from 9th to 13th place.
11. LukzLukz is not easy to place imo. He is one of the best players on TUS, and he's won countless of titles. Elite is one of his weakest schemes though, and I don't think he will be in the top. Lukz, or Artic which is a much better nickname, has still so much class in his gaming that any position in the bottom is not very likely either. Midtableposition for Lukz imo.
12. Chicken23What to say? Tom, how good are you as we speak? One of the great giants in Elite, but that was in 2003, not 2013. C23 will surely be difficult to play for each and everyone in this years championship. I don't think he can perform on a high enough level in every game he plays to ensure a top rank. He's been so inactive! C23 is not like Almog, who can go through decades of not gaming, and still play like the old days.
13. HHCWhat is experience? HereHeComes is! Probably the only player left from 1999 that is still active on a weekly basis. He is known for his default skills, and has a wide knowledge on how to make use of weapons in the most effecient way. Sheeps will be crossing maps in ways you never have seen. It will be exciting to see what position HHC can get. I think somewhere around 9-14 is the most likely one.
14. FreeFreeman2 had a dissapointing performance last year. Table kinda lies a bit, as Free had three matches which he was not able to play and loss by default. He loves WA, he really loves elite, and everybody knows about his real level in this scheme. I don't know what to expect, but he should have a nice chance to make a good tournament this year.
15. DevilageA solid player, but also a lazy player. If focused throughout the whole championship, Devilage could very well win it. But the days when mushrooms finds its way through Dev's mouth and nose destroys for him. How determined will Dev be for a good pos? Or will he take a joint, give a f@#! and rage TUS? I think the joint will win in the end.
16. RayI find it difficult to place Ray on the standing/table as well. Dissapointing result last year, where I feel Ray took too much risk in his play and lost many games because of it. He lacks some experience compared to most of the other players, but one year has passed now and that is in his advantage. If Ray can play more simpleminded and stay cold and focused, then maybe he will finish mid/upper-table. Maybe!!
17. SebaPass? I want to say pass. Seba is a player I don't understand at all. He can beat anyone and lose for anyone. Playing Elite at his best is a pleasure to watch. Last years performance was a nightmare. I literally wanted to hang myself with his rope. I hope Seba can show himself from a more positive side this year. I'm skeptical though, he has not played that much in 2013, so that's why I'm giving him the same placement as last year.
18. LalesLales, I love you, you are one of my favourite players at worms. Still going active, and always with a great attitude towards everyone. Someone had to end on last place in 2012, and it was Lales in the end. Yet, he is not to be underestimated. Lales has lots of experience in Elite, and can win against everyone in this championship. He beated franz in 2011, and I won't be surprised if he beats another top-player this year.
Will there be two more participants, or is 18 the final number this year?
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