With the ETF2L 3rd Cup Quarter-Finals over, the Semi-Finals draw close, but just before we get to the Semis, lets take a quick look at the last round to see how the teams got this far.

The first game of the Quarter-Finals was Dead Cows Strike Back vs. TFPortal. DCSB being the favourites to win, they safely secured their place into the Semis with a confident 2-0 victory.

The second game of the Quarter-Finals was between Finnish side Interrobang and Sweden’s Excello. Many people, including myself, were very eager to see the outcome of this game as Interrobang's skill was put to the test against a real goliath for the very first time. The first map played was Well which went to Excello 3-2. The second game on Gravelpit was tied at 1-1, with the final map going to Excello 4-2 on 2Fort taking Excello to the Semi Finals.

The other two games in the Quarters were Zero Tolerance vs. FADER, and eL Diablo's Brigade vs. Weapons of the Rebellion. Clan FADER went on to the quarter finals in a close game vs. Zero Tolerance, and as expected Weapons of the Rebellion saw little resistance from eL Diablo's Brigade.
*Update* You can find a very detailed match report here!

Lineup for Excello:

Lineup for Weapons of the Rebelion:

What it all boils down to now is these two Semi Final matches. The map order for tonight is:

1. 1. ctf_turbine
2. 2. cp_badlands
3. 3. cp_pro_granary
4. 4. cp_gravelpit
5. 5. cp_dustbowl

First up we have DCSB vs. FADER; DCSB have proven to be a strong team recently and FADER have beaten some solid teams along the way including Zero Tolerance in the Quarters. We will have to see who will pull off the best performance on the night to grab themselves a place in the final.

The second match can be really seen as the true Final of the Cup, with long time top team Excello versus Weapons of the Rebellion – the winner of this match almost certainly going on to win the Final.

Here is a short statement from ^wotr^’s Xman:

Excello are a cracking team and the semi final maps are definitely good fast pace maps that will suit both teams I always look forward to this level of competition as it brings out the best from both teams. Excello have had some great results recently so they will be at their best which we are definitely ready for I think it’s going to be a classic game and one not to be missed good luck guys!

Statement from Excello’s Glufse:

Excello will start without one of our soldiers 'Me' since he is going for a trip to china. This will bother us some since we have to play with two rusty soldiers, 'InS' and 'sommie'. Even though that im not worried. Excello have been practicing turbine alot the last time and we feel pretty home on that map.

Badlands is another story and we will have problems if we dont deal with WOTR´s dreaded scoutduo AppZ + Stealthy, also the demoman byte is a big threat.

This will be a very hard game for us, but i hope and think we will see excello in the finals.

nubonamission's Predictions

It will be a really interesting match versus ^wotr^ and Excello. I would probably put my money on Excello winning if I had to, but ^wotr^ have become a really solid team in recent months and have had an amazing winning streak. I know this match will be a white knuckle ride all the way with so little seperating both teams. What can I say, this will be an awesome game, winner of the ETF2L Cup is a massive thing in the TF2 scene and I would be disappointed and surprised to see either team giving anything but their absolute best - in the end it could easily go either way.

DCSB versus FADER I would predict to be an interesting game, possibly more so than you might expect. On paper I would go for DCSB as far as prediction goes, but what’s difficult and what makes this different is the fact this is a Semi Final on the way towards what could be the biggest title in European TF2. That fact changes things a little, and I’m sure FADER will throw absolutely everything they’ve got at DCSB – if they were to underestimate FADER things could turn unexpectedly wrong. We shall see on the night!

I would like to wish all four teams in the Semis the best of luck, play hard!