Imperium — With ultiduo now on ETF2L, signups have massively increased from the regular 35-50 to over 170 (and still going). Despite the expansion to 128 slots, oversubscription is likely to make a few miss out, but with quite a lot expected to drop out because of check-in you still might be able to get a spot – sign up here. All other information is in the first or second post.
Since all information is there already , I thought I’d have a quick roundup of signups (so far):
This cup probably has the most regulars back, with 6.5 of 7.5 cup winners joining.
#1, #1.5, #2, #4, #6: virile unhumen (HarryHook& Estanis, formerly GIANTS) are finally back for good (it seems) after attempting to play brink, who are unbeaten as a combination in all the cups they’ve played. They undoubtedly go into the cup as favourites, but their inactivity could play into the opposition’s hands.
#7: Cardinals (Dav1dd& Imperium) are fresh off the back of the latest cup win, but haven’t beaten the spanish duo in either of their final attempts (#4, #6). This is perhaps the best time for them following an inactive spell, only time will tell.
#5: Sex Robot (Gubbins & Side|Effect, formerly SMACK) have only 1 defeat to their name in competitive ultiduo, although that is to the aforementioned Cardinals and they have not yet played the almighty GIANTS. There’s always a first for something, so perhaps we’ll see them meet this cup – an upset is easily possible.
And runners-up:
#1, #1.5, #2: Only Rockets Love You (TeTRiS & Crazy_Girla) have long been inactive from ultiduo, but having only ever lost to GIANTS their relative skill makes it easily possible that they can compete in this cup. Perhaps a wildcard for this cup.
#7: Eliyahu Ha Navi (Retsh0ck & Royze) are the most recent finalists, having only entered 1 cup as a duo. They lost to Cardinals in the final, but with high ping and having beat them earlier in the cup it would be harsh to suggest they are worse. They, therefore, have a strong chance in this cup as both experienced at the top of 6v6 and now ultiduo.
#3: ponies! (Junk & PrincePersic) have entered many ultiduo cups with the 1 highlight of a final, but have tended to get knocked out a lot earlier recently. A strong outsider, but one of the most experiences duos entering.
And notable others from previous cups:
Quarantine (Knutsson & Kritzonite) surprised many by a superb performance in ultiduo #7, before coming 3rd having lost in upper and lower bracket finals. There’s nothing to stop them surprising again (assuming Knutsson has proper internet), although their losses in #7 were quite heavy despite their notable wins.
touchmy (Greg2fram & Hidan) only entered one cup (#6) but managed to get to the quarter finals, only to lose to GIANTS, so hardly an easy time. A team I expect to get quite far assuming their draw isn’t harsh, one to look out for.
Finally, a top division teams (but they are on the waiting list):
Call of Duty Gamers UK (Shintaz &Cook) are entering for the first time, with Shintaz presumably switching to soldier and cook playing for the first time in a while.
And some others:
Jorshy (Jorman & Flushy) – Flushy switching from ultiduo casting to ultiduo playing
HOMOZZZ (Mordi & Old_Grandma)
Refuse (NaMu & _Ben)
This is perhaps the best list of signups ever in ultiduo cups, so it makes for an exciting cup. The first 4 rounds will be played today, starting from 20:00 CEST (after check-in). Watch out for the live draw at 19:50 CEST in #etf2l, and good luck to all teams!
Originally published on VanillaTV (vanillatf2.org) on 2011-07-10 by Imperium.
Recovered from the Internet Archive (archived copy) as part of tf2esports.com's preservation of VanillaTV's TF2 coverage. The original site is no longer online. All rights remain with the original author; reposted for historical reference.