Hi everyone,

Apologies this has come out half-way into the week, I've been really busy with uni work and feeling more pressure than a nazi might at a gay gypsy bar mitzvah. Neverless, in this article I'm bringing you the Week 2 fixtures for Premiership and Division1 as well as comments and predictions from some more top EU gamers.

In order to keep some sense of continuity to the series, it's time to reveal the Mystery Gamers from Week 1 (which some people actually managed to guess wrong despite some very obvious hints). For the Premiership, Mystery Gamer #1 was none other than nerd party/skidmark central demoman kaidus, Mystery Gamer #2 was the less obvious vinland scout Rake, and giving the Division 1 insight was Mystery Gamer #3 Trick17 scout WAR and finally Mystery Gamer #4 Reverto scout e-thug, why so many scouts you may ask? I have no idea, maybe they're just nicer/more approachable people…

What happened last week?

• broder vs. SOLAR (Result: Badlands (5-0) Gullywash (5-0) )
• skidmark central vs. vinland (Result: Badlands (2-3) Gullywash (3-2) )
• Epsilon eSports vs Last Man Standing (Result: Badlands (5-0) Gullywash (6-1) )

• Crack Clan vs. Revoluzion la metagame (Result: Badlands (5-0) Gullywash (5-0) )

• Trick17 Black vs Karnage eSports (Result: Badlands (1-2) Gullywash (0-5) )

• Optimum eSports vs Astute Gamers (Result: Badlands (0-5) Gullywash (0-5) )
• Furbo Pandas vs Team Reverto (unplayed)
• d-d-Did i Stutter? vs Decerto. Ozone (unplayed)

Taking a look at the results from last week, in the Premiership things went pretty much as predicted aside from one match. Epsilon, broder and Crack Clan all won their games convincingly, whereas the other 'Top4' team skidmark central found themselves fighting to secure a draw over 2 maps after vinland took Badlands, and they had a shaky start to Gullywash. Kudos goes to Rake in his, what seemed risky, prediction that Epsilon would drop a round to LMS coming to pass, getting the scores right for both maps! At the end of last week no maps had been played at all in Division 1, but due to my, I'd like to note, convenient, lateness in posting this article half the week's fixtures have now been played, with Astute Gamers having predictably demolished Optimum eSports and Karnage edging Badlands from Trick17 before smashing them on Gullywash, going against the general predictions from last week's interviewees (admittedly WAR might've been a little bias).

So then, onto another and hopefully less one-sided set of matches:

The maps for Week 2 of Season 15 will be cpgullywash and cpsnakewater.

Current Premiership Standings

1. Epsilon eSports (Played 1 Won 1)
2. Crack Clan (Played 1 Won 1)
3. broder (Played 1 Won 1)
4. skidmark central (Played 1 Drawn 1)
5. vinland (Played 1 Drawn 1)
6. Revoluzion la Metagame (Played 1 Lost 1)
7. SOLAR (Played 1 Lost 1)
8. LMS (Played 1 Lost 1)

Crack Clan vs. skid mark central

• Crack Clan: 2nuts, Brego, Ipz, T-mac, TviQ, smzi
• skidmark central: skeej, kaidus, flisko, Daleth, kiler4funN, Greg

My thoughts: Following the results from Week 1, you have to see Crack Clan coming into this match as favourites. skidmark definitely weren't up to their normal standards vs vinland, and another sloppy performance won't give them a chance against Crack Clan. Since my last article, ex-infused scout and lan champion Greg has been confirmed as skidmark second scout in what quite a few people I've talked to view as an upgrade. I'd definitely agree in terms of his comms, however in terms of dm I'm not so sure and I think you'd have to appreciate, whether he is or isn't at the moment, Greg has been out of the top level for a few seasons now, and so I definitely think he'll be significantly better in a weeks (from wherever he is now… ). Crack Clan are solid performers and if skidmark bring their A game, with kaidus not jumping into any pillars and if Greg can come up with some scout rushing tactics on middles that actually work, then there's no reason why it can't be close game on one if not both maps.

Mystery Gamer #1 (Prediction: 5-3 Gullywash 4-1 Snakewater):

"This game is the one to watch of the week, and could ultimately decide the playoff positions, CC are on strong form at the moment though and I still feel like skidmark haven't quite found the form they need to beat them, should be a good game but will most likely be a win for CC on both maps."

Mystery Gamer #2 (Predication: 5-2 Gullywash 6-1 Snakewater):

"With nerd party (skidmark) you never know, they can beat any team but most of the time they don't, so ill give it to CC."

Revoluzion la Metagame vs. SOLAR

• Revoluzion la Metagame: Spin, Exon, Haunter, tek, Flippy, quad
• SOLAR: vanilla, lalli, qnx, Hycz, maidu, cor

My thoughts: Both of Revoluzion and Solar got smashed in their first week matches (although they were up against Crack Clan and Epsilon respectively). I didn't watch the CC vs. Revoluzion but I had a look at broder vs. Solar and although Gullywash was a complete roll for broder, I think Solar put up a good performance on Badlands, with the 5-0 scoreline not being entirely justified. They were forced to play with a merc scout and I think scouts were definitely where Solar were let down, against bybben and cookye, you can't really afford to give them the space that Solar did. Giving Flippy and quad the same liberty next week could lead to disaster. One definite thing I did notice in praise of Solar was the work of roaming soldier qnx who made Mirelin look like a helpless dane trying to buy tools to fix a flat tyre. I think we'll definitely see both teams amassing quite a few rounds on the scoreboard but with Revoluzion edging it due to raw ability of their gamers.

Mystery Gamer #1 (Prediction 5-3 Gullywash 4-3 Snakewater):

"Revoluzion won't want to make the same mistakes they did vs CC and will come out with a strong performance vs an out-of-shape Solar, i expect a win from Rev on both maps but i think it'll be a good game to watch!"

Mystery Gamer #2 (Prediction 5-3 Gullywash 4-5 Snakewater):

"This is probably gonna be the best game of the week Revoluzion has a really good lineup but they just lack a proper caller so most of the time they just walk around and dm. Solar does the same just walk around and dm but they have dmed together for so long now so they walk and dm as a team :D but i think it will be like a map each: Rev will win gully using the heavy and sniper but then Solar takes snake with both sollys jumping super aggro on the mid and just own."

Epsilon eSports vs. vinland

• Epsilon eSports: KnOxXx, numlocked, Mike, Gear, schocky, basH
• vinland: jose, suqper, Darn, Salmon, Rake, delzic

My thoughts: Epsilon are the best team in Europe by a country mile. vinland might've been able been able to take a map off skidmark, but they'll probably only be able to get a round off Epsilon, if they're lucky...

Mystery Gamer #1 (Prediction 4-1 Gullywash 5-0 Snakewater):

"After a 'weak' showing from Epsilon on gully vs LMS, dropping a round to the newly promoted team, I expect vinland might be able to pull a reasonable result out of the bag, they could also do well on snakewater down to delzic's great sniping but ultimately they won't take a map from Epsilon."

Mystery Gamer #2 (Prediction 5-0 Gullywash 5-0 Snakewater):

"vinland might be able to take a round if darn is happy on the day and calls."

broder vs. Last Man Standing

• broder: Mirelin, ryb, Zeboosai, jukebox, bybben, cookye
• Last Man Standing: Whiteglow, MightyMe, Empty, Ordinator, reko, Forsak3n

My thoughts: Similar story to Epsilon vs vinland, there's a possibility that Forsak3n can pull off another sneaky sniper back cap on gullywash to sneak a round as he did against Epsilon, but I doubt he'll manage enough to establish a win difference of 5 without broder becoming wise to it. Most likely outcome: broder to deliver another 5-0 5-0.

Mystery Gamer #1 (Prediction 4-2 Gullywash 5-1 Snakewater):

"broder haven't been strong at all on gully in pcws, while LMS managed to secure a round vs Epsilon, I think this game could be closer than most people expect. I still expect both maps to go to broder but I think LMS should be able to last the full 30 mins."

Mystery Gamer #2 (Prediction 5-0 Gullywash 5-0 Snakewater):

"should be the same story as broder vs Solar was easy"

Current Division 1 Standings:

1. Karnage eSports (Played 1 Won 1)
2. Astute Gamers (Played 1 Won 1)
3. Team Reverto (Played 0)
4. d-d-Did I Stutter (Played 0)
5. Furbo Pandas (Played 0)
6. Decerto Ozone (Played 0)
7. Trick17 Black (Played 1 Lost 1)
8. Optimum eSports (Played 1 Lost 1)

Astute Gamers vs. Decerto. Ozone

• Astute Gamers: AnimaL, Spary, Old Grandma, Shrike, msh, ReveraL
• Decerto. Ozone: Turbomonkey, huhy, arc, KillAri, Origo, gf18

My thoughts: Although predictable for most, Astute Gamers win in Week 1 was certainly convincing, having not dropped a single round to Optimum eSports. Decerto are still unproven in officials so far, but I'm hearing of some pretty highly achieving pcw results hopefully justifying my initially seeding of them in the top 3 for this season. On that topic, sitting directly above Decerto in my seedings table was Astute Gamers, and though we are only just getting into the season, if both teams deliver results as expected from other matches, this match may turn out to be the deciding factor in which of them gets to challenge Reverto for the top spot. I'm hoping for a really good game from these two, and I would say a draw would be an appropriate outcome with those who I interviewed below seeming to agree, although interestingly differing on who takes which map. I've seen Decerto play a few times on Gullywash, once even beating Reverto, so if I expect them to take either map it's that!

Mystery Gamer #3 (Prediction 4-3 Gullywash 3-4 Snakewater):

"From my experience with Astute Gamers they seem to have to have similar trouble that Decerto is having. Mainly having great players on paper and great individual skill. But lots of mistakes and bad communication making them loose rounds. I think this game will be very close. From previous PCWs with the teams playing against each other it was back and fourth through the entire game. Decerto can possibly win both maps if they stop being bad and practise this week. ( Turbomonkey's lack of commitment due to Lady friend)

Mystery Gamer #4 (Predictions 2-4 Gullywash 3-1 Snakewater ):

"Will probably be a close game. Depends on a few things, such as how well Decerto will play as a team after a weeks break. They also rely on huhy a lot, if he doesn't perform I don't expect them to do much. Astute have a solid lineup, only Spary really stands out for them. Shutting him down will be the key for Decerto to win.

Trick17 Black vs. Team Reverto

• Trick17 Black: Kamari, kr4tos, slate, WalKer, RazorsEdge, WAR
• Team Reverto: BaR, Maffi, Stark, Rising, Alba, e-thug

My thoughts: Reverto are so obviously going to win this 5-0 6-1 I'm nearly blinded by how obvious it is. e-thug will outscore his own medic on Gullywash and both maps will be over in just over 30 minutes total. Reverto are going to solidify the suggestion they'll win Division 1 into a gauntlet fashioned from the corpses of Trick17 which they'll throw down to anyone who dares challenge them in weeks to come… wait, what do you mean this article is so late the match has already been played?

Mystery Gamer #3 (Prediction 1-6 Gullywash 0-5 Snakewater):

"Trick17 really would be the underdog in this match. They have some good players like WAR. However I don't think individual plays would win the match as Reverto have better team play. They most likely would struggle to not wipe at mids and i predict a quick game. Of course i would love to see Trick17 pull something out of the bag and really lets be honest they have the former best demoman in South Yorkshire."

Mystery Gamer #4 (Prediction 2-5 Gullywash 1-5 Snakewater):

"Reverto are the clear favourites to win Division 1 in my eyes, and Trick17 aren't the team to stop them. Reverto's flank will dominate Trick17's and this will be the difference between them. WAR can make a difference if he snipes, but I think Reverto are good enough to deal with that. Expect big plays from Rising."

Optimum eSports vs. Karnage eSports

• Optimum eSports: unconfirmed, phy, WOODY, evokje, konr, Rev
• Karnage eSports: Dendocror, kimberly, wpminnows, ghent, r7an, sheepy

My thoughts: Optimum eSports still don't have a confirmed medic and if it continues it's going to hurt them badly. In last week's official vs Astute Gamers they used ex-Furbo Pandas' medic Ritalin, who, while currently teamless seems like he'd be a good pickup for them, however their ETF2L roster shows no evidence of his arrival, meaning either they have decided to try someone else or Ritalin has decided he wouldn't want to join full time, I'd guess the latter. If the poor results continue along with the lack of stable medic I don't think we'll see the Optimum team last the season and after Karnage's dominant performance in Week 1, I can't see them getting any points in the near future.

Mystery Gamer #3 (Prediction 0-5 Badlands 2-5 Gullywash):

"Karnage eSports had a rocky start pre season. regular pcws showed that they werent really a team that could win Div1. However since the Sheepy pickup i really think its given them a DM edge over some teams now. We saw in their pcw vs Trick 17 that Sheepy and r7an are making a difference in that team. As for Optimum, i really don't know how they are in Div1 in the first place. Except a quick game with rage binds and safety smileys."

Mystery Gamer #4 (Predication 0-4 Gullywash 1-5 Snakewater):

"Optimum are probably the weakest team around at the moment, losing Quik was a big deal for them, it made a difference to the way they play. Still missing a medic and having only picked up WOODY on soldier, I don't expect the teamwork to be there either. I haven't played Karnage at all yet, so I don't know what to expect really, but Ghent deals some sick damage most maps, and with the pickup of Sheepy I think this will be too much for Optimum."

d-d-Did I Stutter (DIS) vs. Furbo Pandas

• d-d-Did I Stutter: Fenrir, Funkadelic, Linus, wolve, Buttnose, Permzilla
• Furbo Pandas: shifty, Hildreth, zooob, Sideshow, rock, furbo

My thoughts: After Permzilla getting grumpy and Fenrir sending out LAN threats to last week's Mystery Gamers after some scathing comments and you-might-say one sided predictions against DIS (0-5s across the board), I think it's definitely fair to say they have the ability to take at least a round in this week's fixture. Changing to a more serious note, I think it's highly possible that DIS could steal a map or two from Furbo Pandas who have only just got themselves a full roster. In an eXclusive (JOKE ALRIGHT IT ANNOYS ME TOO) from Sideshow, it seems the possibility that mvm hero Byte might join the team is off the cards and ex-roamer of the team Shifty will be playing medic this season. Both teams have yet to play a match this season, and it could really go either way.

Mystery Gamer #3 (Prediction 5-1 Badlands 5-2 Gullywash):

"Here is the thing… Furbo Pandas are one of the teams tipped to win the div right? However i really don't think Furbo Pandas are as strong as people believe. So thats why although they will win this game, I don't think it will be a roll. I think DIS could possibly win some mids and a few followup rounds. They work well together and have good team chemistry but i don't think that will be enough to win this. I predict a few early mid wins for DIS."

Mystery Gamer #4 (Prediction 5-2 Gullywash 3-3 Snakewater):

"DIS have been getting some good pcw results recently, the problem is converting the results into actual points. This is a good opportunity for them to take advantage of a mixed Furbo Pandas team missing their key duo of sheepy/ furbo from last season that was so strong. With Sideshow recruited expect them to fold soon anyway…"

Next week, I'm a bit more free so hopefully the Week 3 article will be coming at a time that much more resembles the start of the week… Check the event listing on the main page of teamfortress.tv for information on when each of the Week 2 matches are being played/casted.

Peace out