With German EPS now 4 weeks in it is getting exciting. After the huge roster upheaval during the summer transfer window this season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet. This afternoon I spoke to Alternate Attax newcomer Patrick 'KRAEUTERHUMPEN' Jakobi about how he is settling in to the team, the upcoming winter LAN season and this seasons EPS.

With the German scene looking amazingly strong at the moment. Just how far progressed it is compared to the UK can be shown by what team Alternate are getting up to this weekend. They will be at the teams HQ, inside there are ten pc's, table hocky and football, two HD tv's(one a cinema sized screen) a 50meg upload and download connection, a gym, and indoor football and tennis field, as well as a personal cleaner. Tomorrow they will be having a meet and greet with their fans in which they can play some games against them, or just chill out.

Last seasons EPS saw Patrick win most improved player of the season when he was playing for team EnRo Griffins. During the season his dazzling performances caught the eye of the German stalwarts attax, who decided this summer to revamp their roster, picking up both patrick and another rookie, Fabian 'BlackG7' Riegsinger. Since they have joined the team has done extremely well, beating last seasons EPS winners mTw at a LAN final, as well as starting this seasons EPS in fine fashion.

Hi Patrick, You joined Alternate during the huge summer reshuffle in the German scene after winning most improved player of the year in EPS. How do you think it has gone since you joined?

Very very well. Fantastic team, fantastic Clan. I Can't complain.

You were playing for EnRo Griffins last season in the EPS when Snogard came in for you, after joining Snogard for an extremely short time both you and Blackg7 joined Alternate. Were you surprised when a team as established as Attax came in for you?

Yes I was very suprised. I already made my plans with Snogard and was ready to play for them. The offer of joining Team Alternate was for a dream for me and I could not have said no.

Patrick at last seasons EPS with EnRo Griffins

What exactly happened with Snogard? and did you leave on good terms?

Everything is fine with Snogard. After some discusions we sorted everything out. Alternate wanted me and I couldn't say anything other then yes. Which german player doesn't want to play for Alternate, its just the most professional Clan in germany

I'm sure mTw would have something to say about that! What do you think Alternate have that stands out from other Orgs in Germany?

A professional environment and getting paid to play CS:S. A great management team, a LAN-house just for the players with everything you need to be proffesional. We have Flipper, tablesoccer, top computers, 2 tvs, 1 beamer, ten beds, bathrooms, a kitchen, just everything. It's like a hotel, we don't even have to clean up!

You have already played last seasons EPS champions (mTw) at LAN, winning the game rather convincingly, do you believe that you can take the crown off them this season?

Of course we can. I believe our team is strong enough this season to become the champions of the German EPS again. Winning three times in a row against mTw has shown that we can beat them when it matters.

Obviously there have been many doubters about you and the other 'rookie' Blackg7 being able to perform at the same standard as the rest of your highly experienced team. Do you think you have proven that you can compete at this level?

Well I think so yes. As seen at the Intel Friday night game against mTw and the ENC vs France I was able to show that I am good enough. The same for BlackG7 who has also shown that he is also able to play at such a high level. But there is more to come from us both.

Enjoying himself at the Alternate house

This is the strongest Alternate line up for quite some time according to a lot of people, yet you have still to attend a major LAN. With FOM, CSSource.PL LAN and MaxLAN coming up how well do you think you can do?

We are not attending FOM because the prize money is too low and because there aren't any good teams attending except Snogard. We are going to attend Maxlan and are quite confident we will show some great performances. Also if what the Polish guys are saying is true we are planning to attend the Polish LAN. I recon there will be some flames directed towards us for not attending FOM, but you have to see it from our point of view...no good teams..no good money...no reason to go.. I think maxlan and the Polish LAN will be way better in terms of opposition.

What about 4 kings? Don't you not rate them highly?

Are they attending? didn't know that. Of course they are one of the best teams in Europe but thats one team....we want LANs with a lot of good teams. I dont think anyone can call us onliners because there are just too many ESL offline events for that.

When it comes to Maxlan and CSSource.PL LAN will you find playing with a team of extremely experienced players at your first major European LAN intimidating at all? If so, what do you do to calm your nerves when playing?

No I don't find it intimidating at all. I have respect of the enemies but I am not afraid. Its good to have such experienced players around me and I know how good I can play and what I am able to bring to the team. I have my nerves under control so thats no problem for me.

In recent years the German scene has been dogged with cheating rumours and branded 'A Nation of Onliners' by a lot of people, With Alternate at LAN79 and mTw at TeX do you think you are slowly getting rid of that tag?

Well the former Alternate teams match at LAN79 against crackclan was unlucky but the tournament as such was good. Although I recon mTw didn't perform very well at TeX. Germans being onliners has been a rumour for ages now and games like the ENC vs France offline on stage have shown that its not like that. Yes I have suspicions about some players. Its definatly not the topteams but I don't want to name any names.

Recently the French scene has been regarded by many as one of the strongest in Europe given the dominance at LANs from VeryGames and RedLine. Yet the German national team beat the French team at LAN. What do you attribute this to?

Well its hard to compare a team which plays for a clan and the national team. The ENC teams are more gatherstyle than the normal clan teams. I recon as soon as verygames start playing again we will see if the French are still the best nation.

How strong do you think the German scene is at the moment? The past few years of EPS have been between either mTw or Alternate, are there any teams you feel could surprise this time around?

The German scene has become stronger and stronger over the years. But I still believe the only two teams which are able to win the pro series are mtw or team Alternate

Can you smell... What the Rock... Is cooking?

With all the goings on in Germany (there is talk of games like CS being banned) what do you think will happen? and what is your opinion on the steps the government are taking?

No I don't believe CS:S or any other game like it will be banned. There is just way too much money involved in the whole gaming industry and employees for the government to ban it.

Germany seems to have one of the most professional and progressive e-sports scenes in Europe. What do you think separates Germany from the other countries? Do you think more countires should follow the German example?

Well first of all we need the right people in the right positions. Also the ESL is very important, depending on how much money they want to spend in other country's. It will become more professional if the clans and gamers are ready to be professional. Take the UK as an example, You can experience their terrible behaviour in practice wars. Some of them behave like kids at kindergarten and it just wouldn't be acceptable over here. Things like that are definitely slowing down the progress over there.

Most interviews on this site are branded dull and 'generic' so im going to throw in a curve ball. With 3 weeks until Germany’s federal elections who will you be voting for and why?

HSP(Horst Schlemmer Partei). You will have to do some research work on HSP and you will know why I am voting them.

Thanks for your time Patrick!