ED Spring Invite Lower Bracket Round 4
Bracket@http://www.enemydown.co.uk/ed-spring-invite-double-elim-article215.php

This will be the first big test for the ex-Creativ line-up after an eventful week. With a clean sweep at the Gamers-Assembly LAN in France, the team then left the Creativ Organisation as they felt they didn’t have enough support for European LAN's. The clan now, currently nameless, also decided to replace 15 year old ''shox'' with ''JoJo'' from webOne in order to, in ''RegnaM’s'' words, “play more seriously than we have been”. After a decisive loss against fnatic only a month ago, this will be a good match to watch as a benchmark for the future.

fnatic have gone from, in many minds, the most dominating team in Europe, to a team which is struggling to adjust to stiff competition from new blood. After some disappointing online results to a below-par finish at the recent i-series, fnatic need to step up their game if they hope to reinstate such dominance that they have previously enjoyed. Although the conditions that the i-series were played under weren’t great, with ''Blaze'' being called in to play at the last moment after essentially being inactive for three months and with the TUP (turn up and play) computers being substandard, this can’t be to blame for the poor performance. In ''proph’s'' own words pre-event, “No I don't think this will affect us much, unless they make us play with our eyes closed or something.” However, after being seeded 4th and not finishing in the top 8, something clearly went wrong – this game will be a test and a statement for fnatic as to how they can bounce back after some unimpressive performances, with hopefully a new enthusiasm and determination.

With LAN79 just around the corner and both teams attending, fnatic having won the event last year, they will need to step up their game if they want to compete with the likes of Birmingham Salvo. Perhaps we will see such a turnaround in this game?

Guns4Hire are now the only British team left in the tournament and they have consistently shown why they deserve to be. Perhaps a few days ago it could be left at an excellent but still developing team - the underdogs, against one of the most experienced and able European clans. However, with a disappointing I-series still at the backs of their minds (despite the official seeds and public opinion) and with the recent roster change, with an inexperienced source player, this match and the tournament can only slip further out of their grasps. I am in no doubt they will comeback stronger than ever but with so little time for preparation it would take a determined effort to take down Reason.

Reason have been consistent in the source community for a long time. Seeded top at i33 and, despite not quite finishing first, they had some excellent results against Europe’s best – only narrowly losing by one round to both Birmingham Salvo and London Mint. With so much ability and experience it would be crazy not to make them huge favourites against Guns4Hire.

Despite the uneven match up, this will no doubt be a great game to watch as it’s Guns4Hire’s replacement FrankstaH’s first official game for the team. Although perhaps it’s premature to expect miracles from him, it might settle some people’s opinions of the move.