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In between the cluster of hopefuls in the Amateur division and the select few who make it into the Professional stages we have a battleground for the middle folk.  CEVO Main is a fantastic venue for teams who think they've been around long enough to get a taste of some more intense competition while avoiding the punishing blows dealt by the likes of Carnage and TLR.  

Last week we saw a range of enjoyable matches where in most cases teams scored at least a point or two. This week these middleweight hitters face off on Granary, known for its mid to yard standoffs.  Let me prefix these quick previews with a grain of salt - a lot of these teams are moving up from TWL, playing with remade rosters, or are mixes of known's and unknowns so the amount of insight I can give at this point is limited.  As the weeks progress and the picture becomes clearer I'll be able to better report more accurately what's going on around the division but for now here's our week 2 matchups:


The Spacebots vs. Incestual Princess

The Spacebots:  With names like Bolwind and Kwazi leading this team and a strong showing against a formidable opponent in Empyrean on Badlands look for these guys to do well throughout the season.  I hear they have a thing for anime (which is probably why khorma's there :P) and having played these guys myself I can first hand contest for their good play and dangerous potential down the stretch.

Incestual Princess: When I look at this team and see canaries name on the roster I can't help but feel bad for their opposition.  Now team him up with the likes of nova and JCburglar and you have a dangerous squad that again, I've felt the wraith of multiple times.  Like the Spacebots this Princess squad did well on badlands against a strong team and they're looking to keep it here.

Match Result:  I'll give this one to the punishing power of canaries and his squad, in talking with Khorma he too suspsects the length of relations on that team could see them through this week and onto Gpit.


Focus Gaming vs. No Talent

Focus Gaming: Let me just put it out there, these guys are one of the strongest teams in Main in my eyes.  Lore, yodogz, and itsgreen make this team a favorite to see deep in the playoffs and a threat on almost any map out there.  They took down a powerful Outshine team 5-4 in week one in what may be a preview for what to look for as we get closer toward the finals.

No Talent:  Here's a team I'm conflicted over at the moment, they have strong players to push them through in perl and Hibachi but with ricco dealing with real life stuff I'm unsure of their leftover potential in the long term.  Surely they made a point 5-2 against Inertia last week but they're going to need more then that against Focus Gaming in order to keep up to snuff.

Match Result: Focus Gaming should be able to take this one while No Talent posts a round or two.

Unrestricted vs. TONY HAWKS PRO SKATERS

Unrestricted: The Unrestricted that ran the tables into the finals of Div2 TWL last season isn't quite the same here in this, at least by team name, rematch.  It would be better to reference the performance of TeamBad by comparison and in that light these guys are still no slouches and should give TONY HAWKS a good challenge in the upcoming matchup.  Look for Sterl to make a hell of an effort in corralling these guys for a battle on Granary.

TONY HAWKS: 360 kickflip to Meatshot.  Enough said right there, these guys are lethal and their standing in the highest successful division within TWL show's it.  Kalkin and Harbleu bring some flashy play to a squad that terrorized playoff teams just a few months ago and you can bet they'll be at it again in Main.  With one of the coolest and most fond names in TF2 this squad is more than a joy to watch and expect big things from them as they hope to officially transition from the "almost known" to "watch out for them" category.

Match Result:  THPS should see this one through similarly to how they marked ProCal last week barring big time play from Unrestricted.


Mobility Gaming vs. Team Murked

Mobility:   Here's a team whose tag I've seen fly around several squads over the past season or so and quite honestly aside from individual assessments it's difficult to say how they'll do as a team.  They certainly have some strong talent on their roster and deserve to be in Main but how far they go is up to their chemistry and coordination which so far looks fine.

Team Murked: Having been awarded their win through forfeit these guys are itching to get out there and play a match, it's just a shame it'll be done on stall-fest Granary I suppose.  Abuser, Breather, and haTTrick are a powerful set of players and their likely to do well so long as they keep focused and on their game.  They're another one of my favorite teams in Main and not counting major screw ups on those daunting custom maps toward the end of the season they should do just fine heading into the knockout rounds.

Match Result:  I'm going with Murked on this one.  Mobility again should be capable of putting up a good fight if their own their mark throughout but the power of Murked players is more then capable of overpowering any resistance.


Inertia vs. Outshine Gaming

Inertia:  Here's a team that gets out there and has experienced success based on their efforts quickly after forming.  Being nine months together and successful in Div3 these guys are stepping their game up not only in CEVO-M but also in ESEA-O and there's nothing I like more then to see teams grow like this.  A solid lineup with names like Goldy, Aristotle, and Tonka should keep them going in the right direction even with the week 1 loss.  How they'll do in the long stretch comes down to their performance on some of the lesser known maps, if they can pick it up on Mainline and Obscure then their right in the battle in my mind going into the playoffs.

Outshine:  Add these guys to my list of cream of the crop Main teams.  Puff, Shortbus, and .Xep have been going at it for a while now and their experience from previous competitions is more than enough to defend their status as capable and dangerous opponents.  They took a tough hit against Focus Gaming on Badlands but they're outlook for the season is filled with wins from my point of view.  Keep these guys on your radar for teams to look out for.

Match Result:  Outshine should be able to take Granary home with a win in the bag so long as their pushes out of mid are as crisp and clean as we've come to expect from them.


Team Empyrean vs. Magnolia Thunder Kitty

Team Empryean:  Another team name I'm not used to just yet filled with names I recognize and instantly respect.  Most of this team are threats from almost anywhere on any map in this division and that performance combined with Red Alerts awareness and exiLe's shenanigans has this team in position to grow immensely throughout the season.  Their loss in week 1 makes this week extremely important for them and if they can manage to outlast Magnolia then they'll be in good position to

Magnolia Thunder Kitty: Magnolia has a crew of knowledgeable well experienced players in Jay and Dr. Salvidor but I can't speak so much for their prospects.  They lost against Incestual Princess on Badlands and their matchup this week is against an equally difficult opponent so unless they turn it around sharply in the middle of the season things could get out of hand quick.

Match Result: Mark this one up for Empyrean, assuming Magnolia doesn't have some devious trick up their sleeve.


Princeton Plainsboro vs. ProCalibre

Princeton Plainsboro: Gotta take a shot in the dark here and guess that someone on this team (VonLieberman Im looking at you) likes House a little too much.  At first I thought these guys were signed up for Amateur Atlantic and I kinda soiled myself a little having thought I'd be facing them.  Now seeing them in Main I feel a little bit better for both them and myself as their level of competition should put them competitively in most matchups here, whether they'll be able to win those games is another question.

ProCalibre:  This organization has been around the middle arena of TF2 for quite some time now and I can't help but start to wonder if that's where they'll be staying.  Techdude and Crumpet can make some big plays here and there while Malice is a threat that many teams will focus on in their matches but unless they surprise me (please do!) I wouldn't put money on these guys late in the game.


Just 4 Fame vs. Treason

Just 4 Fame:  Grace the TF2 discussions, especially on TWL's forums and you'll see G-Mang's name pop up more than enough.  His involvement in getting his opinions out there are admirable and not without appreciation but that alone won't be enough to grace this team into the main playoffs.  It's going to take the dedication and preparation multiplied by 3 or 4 of that which they gave through their successful run at TWL's Div3 championship last season.  

Treason:   Finally a team with a lot of uncertainty in what to expect, which I love to see. It means I'm not going to be proven wrong, so I won't be mad :P, and if they succeed - which this team very well may, we'll have a fun story to follow in a few weeks.  Pingu, Bruiser, and Kuza all bring experience and big time play to this longstanding name and with the recent addition of Slow Down, formerly of Apem, they have a deep and dangerous roster to play with.

Match Result:  I'll tip my hat to Treason and give them a dark horse status with a win in this one but make more than a mistake or two and look for Just 4 Fame to capitalize.


Team Exile vs. Smile Theory

Team Exile: These guys are still looking to make up their week 1 match but as a team their similar to the other middle of the pack teams found in Main.  A couple of well known players could end up being enough to see this team through tough matches or a lack of chemistry could tear them apart.  This week is huge for them as their two matches being played so close together will show their tenacity and provide outlook on what to expect.

Smile Theory: Based on their solid play in week 1 against Just 4 Fame and the experience in J.u.n.e and dart Smile Theory should be sitting pretty for at least a couple of days here.  Hopefully their keeping an eye on how Exile does in their badlands match for hints at what to expect.

Match Result: It's tough for me to predict this match not knowing much about how these two teams are playing presently and seeing as its only week two I'll edge this one to Smile Theory based on nothing but their previous week 1 win.

Spider Monkey Wins by default.  Make sure you make use of this bye week fella's and get your Gravelpit situation locked down

If your still reading at this point then you must have some patience to read through my bantering and random speak  and to you, the reader, I apologize for the at times sluggish analysis.  Being that it's so early in the season and only a few of these names have longstanding reputations with their current squads.

Just don't forget, double tap "z" to perform a Barrel Roll!