In the first of a four part series, TEK-9 spoke to each member of the participating ESL UK Pro Series 2 LAN Finals which are to take place this weekend in London. To begin with, we present to you Team DarkStyle, better known as Team CoolerMaster.
I sat down with Declan "gErMaiNE" Elcocks for a chat about why the team is using the DarkStyle tag, UKeSA Grand Finals and ofcourse the EPS this weekend. Enjoy!
Well here I am with Germaine, member of the Team DarkStyle squad, who are better known as Team CoolerMaster. For those who are un-aware (see what I did there, vasquez?), could you enlighten us on the situation as to why you've been wearing the DarkStyle tag throughout the season, and not that of TCM?
"Basically, the organisation "TCM" weren't allowed to compete in Season 2 due to the previous team dropping out in Season 1. Although the dropout was done at the recommendations of the admin with vasquez moving to the Sypher account at this point. Another admin said this was then not possible but vasquez could be added to the Season 2 roster....As Sypher were the account holders though, they decided to enter their new lineup, not allowing the account to be renamed to TCM. Subsequently the organisation wouldn't be allowed in Season 2, and a friend of phantasy had to come forward and allow us to use his darkStyle account! Long story."
You would of had to of been living under a rock if you hadn't heard the news that Team CoolerMaster took the victory at the UKeSA Grand Finals in London just a fortnight ago. How does it feel to be the champions?
"Pretty good really :D For the first time, during the matches, we actually had fun whilst playing, laughing with each other but at the same time concentrating, not something we do a lot! I'm really enjoying the friendly atmosphere all of us UK teams have with each other at the moment, despite the banter, we do all get along out of games, which just makes playing each other even more fun. For all of us as well, it was our first LAN win, so we're all pretty chuffed at the moment :D" Now looking ahead; in a few days you will be travelling to London once more to play the LAN finals of the ESL Pro Series Season 2, are you confident you can retain the title of the best UK team at the moment?
"We're definitely not short of confidence at the moment after the win at UKeSA. We'll be looking to give some banter to the Reason guys again (:D) although Tom [D1ablo] won't be there to give it back but still. Realistically we should go into our second match versus Reason overly confident, but having played with Stylez in the past, I personally won't go into the match thinking, "Toms not playing 13-0 boys". But still, EPS LAN finals are going to be ours to lose, put it that way :)"
How has your preparation been for the event, well practiced or could you of done with more?
"We havn't really practiced too much before this event, but we didn't practice heavily before UKeSA either. We've gone through each map, said what needs to be fixed, and that's all we can do really, we rely on our teamplay a lot in-game, so lets hope we can on Saturday too :)" Undoubtably you will be going into this LAN confident as you mentioned, but out of the other three top teams in attendance, which one could you see defeating your side and stealing that 'best UK team' crown, and why?
"Well, when you look at each of the lineups the other 3 teams are taking into the event, Dignitas are going to be our biggest rival, they're the only team going into it (bar us) with a full lineup. After watching BBashers at UKeSA play with a merc, despite how well the teamplay was between the other 4, I think we might see the same again, a simple lack of practice with that 5 will hinder Reason and BBashers in my opinion."
In your first match you will be playing off against Reason Gaming, a team which you quite comftably beat at the UKeSA Grand Finals, you sound confident that you can repeat a simular result - if so, which one of the DarkStyle players should we keep an eye on to drop bombs?
"Haha, depends what map I suppose! If you want me to point out one or two people to keep your eye on, I'll say Roby, Tw!st, phantasy and vasquez, okay that might more than one or two but every time we play at the moment, they're walking fragmovies :D"
Let's start to wrap it up; Final placings - 1st to 4th?
I can't go into some predictions and not put myself 1st can I? (:D) Dignitas in theory should come 2nd, being the only team with a full lineup. The only thing that separates BB and Reason is the lack of Tom being there I think, even when he isn't performing, his over-confidence does always seem to rub off on his teammates, and I think without that, they might suffer a bit."
Any last shoutouts you would like to give?
"Shoutouts to the TCM management, Xman, walkah, kbOy, Whitley etc! And of course to all of the sponsors, CoolerMaster, AMD, Multiplay, Nova, Speed-Link, Sitecom etc......And one last thing, I'll just turn my bat signal on.....((((((((((((((((NYE VENT))))))))))))))))"
Also, on a personal note - How do you keep your hair so perfect after wearing a headset all day?!
"Well it's just my amazingly thick hair, what can I say. I get out the shower, I towel dry it a bit, and just shake it around like a wet dog. No straighteners needed guys!!!!!"
Declan "gErMaiNE" Elcocks for a chat about why the team is using the DarkStyle tag, UKeSA Grand Finals and ofcourse the EPS this weekend. Enjoy!
edited 2009-07-02 15:39:35
edited 2009-07-02 15:40:31
look in a mirrow and your smile will fade within seconds
LMAO
((((NYE))))
lol, good interview!
great job josh
look in a mirrow and your smile will fade within seconds
why? ive had a haircut :( i am no longer toad from mario m8 :S thats just crokey. try to focus more on the interview than being a cunt :)))))))))))
look in a mirrow and your smile will fade within seconds
why? ive had a haircut :( i am no longer toad from mario m8 :S thats just crokey. try to focus more on the interview than being a cunt :)))))))))))
i like toad =/
look in a mirrow and your smile will fade within seconds
why? ive had a haircut :( i am no longer toad from mario m8 :S thats just crokey. try to focus more on the interview than being a cunt :)))))))))))
did your haircutter accidentally cut your chin?
sure, whatever you say.
but are you gona tell me now what happend with your chin?
Swear that was your name in cod2.
sure, whatever you say.
but are you gona tell me now what happend with your chin?
I heard your mum slammed the door on germaine when he refused to pay, just a rumour though.
sure, whatever you say.
but are you gona tell me now what happend with your chin?
I heard your mum slammed the door on germaine when he refused to pay, just a rumour though.
:D
look in a mirrow and your smile will fade within seconds
why? ive had a haircut :( i am no longer toad from mario m8 :S thats just crokey. try to focus more on the interview than being a cunt :)))))))))))
did your haircutter accidentally cut your chin?
gotta wonder what happened to you to make you be such a dick head outta no where
:DDD
sure, whatever you say.
but are you gona tell me now what happend with your chin?
I heard your mum slammed the door on germaine when he refused to pay, just a rumour though.
is that what your mom tells you every night before you go to sleep?
sure, whatever you say.
but are you gona tell me now what happend with your chin?
I heard your mum slammed the door on germaine when he refused to pay, just a rumour though.
is that what your mom tells you every night before you go to sleep?
Impressive witty comment.
edited 2009-07-02 18:08:49
:D = 5
yes G happy gamer :>
who the fucking hell is that?
:D = 5
yes G happy gamer :>
???
no sun today jamiehysobe
sure, whatever you say.
but are you gona tell me now what happend with your chin?
I heard your mum slammed the door on germaine when he refused to pay, just a rumour though.
is that what your mom tells you every night before you go to sleep?
Impressive witty comment.
i impress people on daily bases
look in a mirrow and your smile will fade within seconds
why? ive had a haircut :( i am no longer toad from mario m8 :S thats just crokey. try to focus more on the interview than being a cunt :)))))))))))
did your haircutter accidentally cut your chin?
gotta wonder what happened to you to make you be such a dick head outta no where
its human nature
xDDDD
sure, whatever you say.
but are you gona tell me now what happend with your chin?
I heard your mum slammed the door on germaine when he refused to pay, just a rumour though.
is that what your mom tells you every night before you go to sleep?
Impressive witty comment.
i impress people on daily bases
look in a mirrow and your smile will fade within seconds
why? ive had a haircut :( i am no longer toad from mario m8 :S thats just crokey. try to focus more on the interview than being a cunt :)))))))))))
did your haircutter accidentally cut your chin?
gotta wonder what happened to you to make you be such a dick head outta no where
its human nature
'fraid not bucko, you're just a fuckwit.
edited 2009-07-02 19:02:38
You have 3 fingers! LOL
((((((((((((((((NYE VENT))))))))))))))))!
Go on Declan :)