AEF is now upon us and our intrepid LAN reported Richard Lewis is once again on the front line - wounded and riddled with various diseases - keen to bring you the coverage you all know and love.

The LAN events are coming thick and fast for a weary and tired soldier like myself, having attended at least one a month for as long as I care to remember it will be nice to have a few weeks off after this weekend. Before I can think about how to spend my LAN hiatus I must gather my thoughts and switch on the coverage head once again, this time for the Belgian event AEF.

Had the CS:S scene not been so apathetic when it comes to paying for their tickets we may have seen two excellent tournaments this weekend, as it stands the main one we will be covering will be COD4 - and it's the most competitive event seen in quite some time. All the big names are here and all are capable of winning this event on their day, there are even a few underdogs making the flight to Antwerp, one from as far away as South Africa. We will of course be bringing you all the coverage you've come to expect from your premier eSports site so stay tuned throughout the weekend.

fnaticMSI:

Stevy
Odyx
LINQAN
KyoChi
Zenith

fnaticMSI are undoubtedly the best team in the world at Call of Duty 4 at the moment. Having not lost a major tournament in over a year, they have come away with gold medals at events such as The eXperience; several of the UKs biggest events, the iSeries; the Crossfire Intel Challenge 7 and most recently the SteelSteries Esports Challenge.

Even though some harbour thoughts that they are a faqding power they have always delivered, even when they have had to grind out results rather than run away with them. Whether you subscribe to the belief, or maybe even hope, that they are soon heading for a fall they have to once again be considered favourites here in Antwerp. With a settled line-up, the most recent acquisition Zenith having bedded into the team perfectly some time ago, fnaticMSI know exactly how to win tournaments and can cope with the pressure. Through a combination of Stevy’s impeccable sniping, as well as KyoChi’s innovative play and motivational skills as team captain, who is there out there that can stop fnatic if they are on form? Even at the biggest event in CoD4 history they still look imperious and unbeatable..

fnatic always deliver

Predicted Finish: 1st

H2k Gaming

froz
qlimax
miracle
mumma
mys

Two strong performances at CiC7 and SeC look like this could be very well their time to shine on the biggest stage. They took a map off fnatic in the SeC final and many felt they were could have gone all the way were it not for a display of individual brilliance from scope superhero Stevy. To give fnatic a close game at SeC despite being considered a “young” team and come to this event having only made one change, one that is generally considered to have removed the weak link in the chain, bodes well for a team growing in confidence. The team has also done well online, winning the first ED Vita Nova League.

Predicted Finish: 2nd

Reason Gaming

Lighters
Duffer
D1ablo
nreo
SoCLoN

Recent times have seen the team flatter to deceive. They went close to an upset in the final of CiC7 in a classic match against fnatic, the team then went and performed comparatively poorly at SeC. Roster shuffles either side of that compunded the problem and they finally now claim to have resolved the issue. However you would be inclined to believe that they are a much stronger team now with nreo. They possess the experience and individual skill to progress but a lot of their ability to beat the better teams will come down to how well drilled they are. Chances of that seem slim in truth and a lot will come down to whether the fiery tempered D1ablo can avoid his recent LAN form – the player declared himself to be SOL last time we spoke – and the delivery from Daddy Duffer. My gut feeling tells me they are genuine contenders masquerading as dark horses but only time will tell.

Predicted Finish: 3rd

This is COD4 not rugby

Power Gaming

Paradox
Luboshmir
Toxjee
Froster
king

A team that always seem within touching distance of winning events but lack that cutting edge when it comes to the crunch games, you never know just how powerful Power Gaming are going to be. You would imagine they would be there or thereabouts come the end of the event and it’s safe to say after some good consistent results at SeC and CiC7 they will want to prove that they can be champions here with such a strong field. It has been said in some circles that they may also be feeling some pressure from the organisation to start delivering on their online promise. Yet, they are a stable and determined line-up… It’s clear winning means everything to them, it just has eluded them so far. Maybe this could be the one.

Predicted Finish: 4th

Team Dignitas

Blackmane
Phantasy
Raz
robyYE
reflexzR

Despite an all-star roster they have had very disappointing results at CiC7 and SeC going out early in both. Nothing wrong with the attitude and nothing wrong with a roster chock-a-block full of talent… It has simply been down to a lack of consistency and balance in recent line-ups. Things have picked up slightly though with a win out at Gamersject – the CoD4 LAN managed to go ahead – and they’ve made what could prove a decision that will hugely influence their fate. As they struggled with their form they made the decision to bring back Chris “Blackmane” Kinnair, who was at one point the best CoD4 sniper in the world before quitting to focus on other games. Bringing him back could be the difference but this team are an unknown quanitiy. All great players that maybe are now finding out how to work together properly.

Predicted Finish: 5th / 8th

TCM Gaming:

Vazy
OZWALD
JooKzZi1
RUKKAE
woken

This team have only recently joined TCM Gaming and are looking to justify that pick-up to a sceptical community who see them as undeserving of both the name and the support. They won LAN79 fairly comfortably, but it has to be said only against other French teams that provided little in the way of competition. Surprisingly enough key to their fortunes is their manager, Robert “Morg” Black, who as an experienced player and big motivational character, has proven to be a big help in the past. His tactical analysis and inspirational speeches could see the team punch above their weight. Sure, if you look at the bare bones of the team you’d be inclined to say they have potential, but this isn’t the event to look to prove something as the competition will be fierce. Don’t expect too much except personal growth.

Predicted Finish: 5th / 8th

SPEEDLINK

Lopezz
Duffy
Neon
Trigger
Miles

The team has impressed online in ESH cups and the ED Vita Nova League although have not had much to shout about at LAN. The last minute introduction of the legend Trigger, last seen playing for Reason Gaming and with sambuca in his eyes, could either help or hinder the team and how well they do. They had very solid results at CiC7, coming 5th-8th, which is positive if not positively impressive. While it’s highly unlikely they will be bothering anyone who sees a spot on the podium as theirs by right they could still play a big hand in who wins via the way of upsets. Expect close games but in the end, little to show for it. Any team that underestimates them though could find themselves scalped.

Predicted Finish: 5th / 8th

Imperial

Gizzor
Robonz
FRENCHY
Ono
Cozje

The Imperial line-up has only just come together before this event and contains what would best be described as an eclectic line-up, looking to blend many nationalities, which can lead to communication problems. Individually they have great players but as has been shown in CoD4 time and time again it is generally the team that has their tactics honed that goes on to triumph. In this case they have to be considered a wildcard and they will likely entertain rather than perform, if that distinction can be made. For all the bluff and bluster they are unlikely to come together in time to be considered genuine contenders to any team that genuinely fancies their chances, rather than the usual bluff and bravado.

Predicted Finish: 5th / 8th

Notable Mentions

Does vanner still have what it takes?

YoYoTech

Choobie
Vanner
Delroo
TRON1C
sKeir

A solid team, with some great players, that could upset on the day. Yet how much of the hype can be believed? Some see these as a viable option and for those having a flutter you could do worse than take them on their rightful long odds. Simply though, at this event at least, it is conceivable that they could do anything serious when put alongside the other, more experienced teams. Can beat most in the groups but will struggle against the teams above them. On the day could take them to some close games but little more. Prove me wrong lads.

Predicted Finish: ???

zeroPoint

FUTUREEEE
Boco
Stormy
kZstar
sT1ng3R

Impressed at CiC7, where they finished 4th, removing any cheater allegations. Hungary have had a great record of teams in Call of Duty but with no infrastructure to help them get to LANs, people’s instincts are always to call them onliners… They have beaten teams above them in the preview but was that because people didn’t see them coming? The real test is doing it again and as much as I’d like them do I can’t see them doing it… People will never take them lightly again. They have a relatively easy group though so their progress is mostly about the luck of the draw.

Predicted Finish: Dignity Intact