TCM showed their human side in their semi final against FragMasters, taking the opening map by a couple of rounds. On the second map they were forced into an overtime, which they won with some deft play from froz. Nonetheless, the fact remains that the team that had swept all before them thus far had finally met a team that could do some serious damage to them. Infused will look to this result to find heart, and as motivation for them to do one better and defeat the mixed European side.

Infused had a much less bumpy ride in the Semis, taking the game of LiNK without much difficulty. As of yet they have not been much troubled, just going about their business surely and stoically. This will be their first real test at this LAN, having avoided the other main contenders (TCM and FM!) thus far.

Infused have teamwork on their side, of that there is no doubt. TCM are a much newer team than Infused, and have not spent that much time getting used to each other's play styles. Some have commented that they do not 'feel' like a team yet, not calling much and playing without much co-ordination. The question remains - how much of a hindrance will this be, assuming it is true?

One of the great strengths of TCM is their individual skill. Given largely free reign to do what they want, each player performs very well. Flashes of brilliance have been witnessed from all 5 of them this tournament. However, the disparate nature of their side means they can be vulnerable to a team with cunning strats that are executed precisely. If Infused can identify where the holes are in the TCM defence then they can exploit them to their full. As a more experienced side, Infused should have identified and patched over most of the holes in theirs.

But the unpredictability of a side like TCM can work to their advantage. When facing a well drilled and disciplined side it is easy to predict where they might push, where they might hide and where their players will sit. When facing a less well drilled side, players can pop up anywhere, anytime. When these players all have devastating individual skill, it does not end well for you if you let one of them get in an advantageous position.

So this game is certainly not an easy one to predict. only time will tell, but I think the raw skill and experience of the TCM side that has crushed all resistance thus far might just edge this one.

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Map: mp_VETO BO3
TCM-Gaming  Adam "Mumma" Timle-Händel  Roe "froz" Langaas  Andreas "azeo" Westerlund  Michele "skkiNN" Mancini  Chris "blackmane" Kinnair		Memia.Infused Tt  Tom "tomzki" Churchman  Chris "kex" Tuck  Christopher "alpha" Bald  Ted "kowa" Hansson  Mark "mark" Horner