While the build up to the event might see attentions focused on the big two in France, and as it happens Europe, one of the best teams in Germany will be making an appearance in the competition.

With the main part of the German EPS season having come to a close and the LAN finals weeks away, it represents an opportunity for a team to not only get some much welcome LAN practice in but also to show that they are capable of competing against the best in Europe.

Having made changes at the start of the season it seems that the jury is still out about the new Attax team, despite their three straight victories over close rivals mTw and their players contribution to Germany’s victory over France in the ENC finals. Even though the event itself isn’t one that will be remembered as a major one, it could still be seen as a potential turning point as to whether this team is taken seriously, or continues to be dismissed.

Thanks to the wonders of technology I managed to grab a brief word with Oliver “hossa” Keller while he was en route to the tournament.


It's good to see Attax getting out to a LAN event after what I'm sure has been a long and gruelling EPS season. Why did you pick MaxLAN above the others that were happening at a similar time of year?

We picked MAXLAN because it fits into our calendar and it is near to Germany. We wanted to go to SLAP but we had IFNG versus hoorai. We also wanted to go to i38 but had IFNG versus Snogard. So now is finally the time where there is no other LAN matches and no exams. Dreamhack would have been nice but unfortunately we have no time to stay from Tuesday to Saturday

When you saw the teams that were signed up to this event was it one that you thought you could win comfortably, or did you see it as a good warm-up event for the ever important German EPS LAN finals more than anything?

It is important for us to get ready for other events, but we also go into any competition wanting to win. Victory always comes first.

If Nameless weren’t attending would that be a bit of a relief for you guys, or would you rather have the opportunity to play them?

Of course Nameless would have been great but without them is fine as well. We’ve played them in practice and we think they will be coming.

Narrowing out the field of competition would have been good for you though - in light of the attendance list, what position will be acceptable for you to finish in and what will constitute a successful event for you and your team?

First or second would be acceptable, so it is the case that we must make the final or we will be disappointed with our performance in France.

Obviously given that recently German teams haven't done too well at European events do you see this as an opportunity to show that the German teams can do it at LAN, despite what people like to say about them?

Well I guess the team you are talking about is mTw. I guess they would do fine on a interpolate 0 LAN. We love interpolate 1 so i guess we will do quiet well. This event is using interpolate 1 according to the other teams we have spoke to, so I can say “Yippie!!” to that.

Some people have criticised the new additions to Attax for being weak during the few LAN games you have played. Do you think this will be a chance for them to answer their critics, or do you think people who have labeled them as below-par are being unfair?

Well I believe that those critics are wrong. Kraeuterhumpen for example has played a great ENC offline final and Intel Friday Night game. The same counts for blackg7. They really don’t have to be afraid of failing this event because we know what they are capable of.

If you couldn't win the event, which other teams would you want to win it and why?

Good question... I guess if we cant win then VeryGames. I think they would definitely win if we weren’t there anyway. They are a strong team and very nice guys.

I'd also like to ask you about which teams you think could surprise at the event. Is there any team we should watch out for in your opinion?

I believe that our neighbours from Austria (CKRAS) are a strong team and able to beat any team if they can play their “A game”.

Finally, is there one player here not on your team you think people at home should keep an eye on?

Uhh, that’s a hard one. I can’t name a player people should keep an eye on outside of my team. Maybe we will see a player we haven’t heard of before playing a huge tournament. There are a lot of strong players out there. On my team I believe kraeuterhumpen will play great so people should watch him.