CGS Worlds Quarter-Final Preview: London Mint vs Carolina Core

Posted by: scbrooks

Eight teams remain in the CGS Worlds and the Quarter-Finals should prove to be more exciting than the 1st round of competition we have seen thus far. The titans from the UK, London Mint and Birmingham Salvo have their hands full when they go head to head against the Carolina Core and Singapore Sword respectively. In the other two Quarter-Final matchups, the Stockholm Magnetik try to manuever past the US Champions, the Chicago Chimera, while the pride of Mexico plays against the Allianz from Berlin.

All four of these matches should go down to the wire and should provide us with some excellent watercooler talk the day after the matches are completed.

In the first group of Quarter-Final matches, the London Mint takes on the Carolina Core. On paper it looks like the Carolina Core should be able to take this, but with a closer look at each of the lineups, I believe the Mint can take it to the Americans and win a spot in the Semi-Finals. The Carolina Core has some clear advantages against the Mint, but the Core does have some chinks in its armor.

The first matchup we take a look at is arguably one of the Core's strongest attributes, which is Dead or Alive Male and Female. Ryan 'offbeatninja' Ward hasn't been beat in the entire CGS Region 1 season, Region 1 playoffs and the World Finals so far. Although Paddaman has enough skill to make Offbeat sweat a little, I think the Core has the clear edge here. Carolina Core > London Mint 5-2

Franchise Score: Carolina 5 : London 3

We should see similar strong play from Mystik when she faces off against Snuggles. One of the most interesting things about this matchup has to be the age difference between Mystik and Snuggles. Mystik is only 19 years old, while Snuggles is 52 years old. Although I'd like to see Snuggles make this a nailbiter, I think Mystik has been practicing too much to lose in the 2nd round. Carolina Core > London Mint 5-2

Franchise Score: Carolina 10 : London 5

Counter-Strike:Source has to be the most anticipated match in this franchise Quarter-Final. Both teams have had success in CSS at this time. Even after watching the Core play the Jinhwa on Friday night, I still believe that the London Mint will have the upper hand in this match, although I am positive that Sam 'devour' Chamma will show up in full force and give the Mint an extremely hard time. The X-Factor in this CSS match is going to be Sonny 's0nny' Tran. If s0nny is able to help his team early and often, the Core has a real chance to take the all important 3rd game in the franchis match. If s0nny can't help his team, expect the Mint to walk away with a close victory. London Mint > Carolina Core 10-8

Franchise Score: Carolina 18 : London 15

In the most lopsided matchup of this franchise match, ChrisyB takes on the last ranked North American players, Peekay. Although Peekay has improved immensely since the conclusion of the Region 1 season, he is not even close to the skill level shown by FIFA favorite, ChrisyB. Peekay put up a huge fight against the Jinhwa on Friday night, losing in the first ever penalty shootout. London Mint > Carolina Core 5-1.

Franchise Score: Carolina 19 : London 20

Carolina's fate again rests on the shoulders of Phantom and Rex. They proved to be too strong for the Yoon brothers of the Jinhwa, placing 1st and 2nd. I think their risky maneuvers will pay off in this race against the Mint. NT 101 will be a little too fast for Rex to keep up with him in 2nd place of this race. Stune will be the unsung hero of this race, getting a crucial wall slam in the last half of the race against Rex and secure and overtime against the Core. Carolina Core > London Mint 5-4

Franchise Score: Carolina 24 : London 24

The overtime game is really a tossup for what is chosen, but for this predictions sake, it will be Counter-Strike:Source. The London Mint will triumph in overtime in a match highlighted by star performances from Sam 'devour' Chamma and Mark 'masternook' Torrez for the Core, while HenryG and url lead the London Mint to the overtime victory.

Franchise Score: Carolina 33 : London 34