Once again my curse has struck, it won't be long before I start getting death threats from teams I predict to win as almost every single time I predict LAN placements the exact opposite happens.

Team Alternate are the victims this time, having been predicted to finish first by myself in the preview - and for good reason - they have lost out to Team Thermaltake, who won the BO3 final in emphatic fashion. Team Thermaltake had a tough route to win the competition, having to overcome the undisputed top two teams in Germany in mTw and Alternate, but have done so with style.

The match began as you'd expect with team Alternate dominating proceedings to take the first map 16-5, Thermaltake fought back in the second map however to win by a similar margin of 16-8. With everything riding on the third map - de_nuke - Alternate started the map brighter, starting on the CT side they took a 10-5 lead into the second half. Thermaltake once again fought back though and managed the same scoreline to force overtime. When overtime began Thermaltake, on the T side, flew into an early lead with both Solek and plex on fire, leading 3-2 going into the CT side in overtime gave them enough confidence to close out the match, winning the first 3 rounds to see them crowned the 16th EPS Germany Champions.

So it's official, we have now seen the rise of a new German side capable of overcoming the best the country has to offer. Hopefully we will get the chance to see this team attend some European events as they are a great team to watch. For Alternate and mTw it's back to the drawing board to prepare for another assault next season.