Bringing our series to a close is a look at the players from the team that finished in third place in the regular season which earned them a late call-up to the LAN final; Suomi.
Suomi
TheMax –TheMax in pocket position with a paladin civilisation. Enough to get the heart racing; with a glance at the mini-map revealing an explosion of teal streaming towards enemy bases. Widely regarded as one of the top 3 team game players in the world, Max brings enormous experience from multiple Nations Cup finals and wins in ECL East Asia 2v2 and 4v4 formats. His conversion rate in 1v1 tournaments, however, is underwhelming; his best results are as runner-up in ECL Europe West 1v1 and Hidden Cup 2. Undisputed team captain and the creator of Barbarian AI, TheMax will need to be operating like an algorithm powered super-computer if he is to turn Finland into Winland.
Score: 9 (out of 10)
NorthernPike – He might be the least well known player at the finals, but whenever his nation is in trouble, she heads to the store cupboard and dusts off her NorthernPike. As dependable as your old hammer in the garden shed, he might not produce jaw dropping moments of micro, but he is also unlikely to crumble. His participation might be limited, but he has big show experience from the 2017 Nations Cup LAN Final and should be able to handle the new environment and live audience. Some critics might say his team-mates have earned him a free holiday; however, NorthernPike will be leaving the sun cream and have his colleagues backs if needed.
Score: 5
Rubenstock – Considering the schedule and how evenly matched the teams are, some games could go long – very long – and this could be part of Suomi’s plan. Viper, TaToH, MbL and Nicov could easily rack up 16+ hours of game time before the final, such is the perceived lack of depth within their teams. This is where Rubenstock becomes an ace in the hole for Finland. Unlikely to feature in 1v1’, he is a key component of team games. The master of disaster can be unleashed on unsuspecting opponents to perform his infamous multi-douches in between recuperative sauna sessions. While his gameplay might unsettle opponents, the big advantage is that he provides a rest to the teams star names; keeping them fresher longer into the tournament.
Score: 7
Villese – A stalwart of previous Suomi team campaigns, Villese stepped into a leading role in King of the Desert 2 and Mangrove Shallows Cup. His performances suggest that he has a bright future in 1v1’s but he was eliminated in both tournaments by opponents from team Aftermath, he will be hoping to exact revenge in the live LAN final. Eschewing the limelight is not a unique trait amongst a notoriously camera-shy team but they know each other’s game and have excellent communication when required. Often in charge of civilisations with strong ranged units, Villese is an integral cog in a smooth running Suomi machine.
Score: 8
Zuppi – Zuppi has a long history of teaming with his Suomi and Nadyas Boys colleagues (along with NorthernPike). An infrequent winner in 1v1 tournaments (a single victory against Miguel in the ECL 1v1 rounds and a couple of successes in NAC2 qualifiers) since 2016, Zuppi’s strength is his calm and dependable team play. His fellow Finns know his game inside out and whilst there may be weaknesses in his game, the level of understanding with his team mates helps to overcome these. Zuppi will play a major role in the 2v2 and 3v3 formats and will hope that when combined, Suomi once again become more than the sum of their parts.
Score: 7
Total = 36
For comparison:
aM = 37
Secret = 38 (32 without Slam)
I hope you've enjoyed reading these previews, they have been lots of fun to research and write.
I hope no offence has been caused, there was certainly none intended. It was designed as a light hearted look at the chances of the three contenders and contribute to some excitement ahead of the event.
Chicklet x
Suomi
TheMax –TheMax in pocket position with a paladin civilisation. Enough to get the heart racing; with a glance at the mini-map revealing an explosion of teal streaming towards enemy bases. Widely regarded as one of the top 3 team game players in the world, Max brings enormous experience from multiple Nations Cup finals and wins in ECL East Asia 2v2 and 4v4 formats. His conversion rate in 1v1 tournaments, however, is underwhelming; his best results are as runner-up in ECL Europe West 1v1 and Hidden Cup 2. Undisputed team captain and the creator of Barbarian AI, TheMax will need to be operating like an algorithm powered super-computer if he is to turn Finland into Winland.
Score: 9 (out of 10)
NorthernPike – He might be the least well known player at the finals, but whenever his nation is in trouble, she heads to the store cupboard and dusts off her NorthernPike. As dependable as your old hammer in the garden shed, he might not produce jaw dropping moments of micro, but he is also unlikely to crumble. His participation might be limited, but he has big show experience from the 2017 Nations Cup LAN Final and should be able to handle the new environment and live audience. Some critics might say his team-mates have earned him a free holiday; however, NorthernPike will be leaving the sun cream and have his colleagues backs if needed.
Score: 5
Rubenstock – Considering the schedule and how evenly matched the teams are, some games could go long – very long – and this could be part of Suomi’s plan. Viper, TaToH, MbL and Nicov could easily rack up 16+ hours of game time before the final, such is the perceived lack of depth within their teams. This is where Rubenstock becomes an ace in the hole for Finland. Unlikely to feature in 1v1’, he is a key component of team games. The master of disaster can be unleashed on unsuspecting opponents to perform his infamous multi-douches in between recuperative sauna sessions. While his gameplay might unsettle opponents, the big advantage is that he provides a rest to the teams star names; keeping them fresher longer into the tournament.
Score: 7
Villese – A stalwart of previous Suomi team campaigns, Villese stepped into a leading role in King of the Desert 2 and Mangrove Shallows Cup. His performances suggest that he has a bright future in 1v1’s but he was eliminated in both tournaments by opponents from team Aftermath, he will be hoping to exact revenge in the live LAN final. Eschewing the limelight is not a unique trait amongst a notoriously camera-shy team but they know each other’s game and have excellent communication when required. Often in charge of civilisations with strong ranged units, Villese is an integral cog in a smooth running Suomi machine.
Score: 8
Zuppi – Zuppi has a long history of teaming with his Suomi and Nadyas Boys colleagues (along with NorthernPike). An infrequent winner in 1v1 tournaments (a single victory against Miguel in the ECL 1v1 rounds and a couple of successes in NAC2 qualifiers) since 2016, Zuppi’s strength is his calm and dependable team play. His fellow Finns know his game inside out and whilst there may be weaknesses in his game, the level of understanding with his team mates helps to overcome these. Zuppi will play a major role in the 2v2 and 3v3 formats and will hope that when combined, Suomi once again become more than the sum of their parts.
Score: 7
Total = 36
For comparison:
aM = 37
Secret = 38 (32 without Slam)
I hope you've enjoyed reading these previews, they have been lots of fun to research and write.
I hope no offence has been caused, there was certainly none intended. It was designed as a light hearted look at the chances of the three contenders and contribute to some excitement ahead of the event.
Chicklet x