The ESL just released the group drawings for the ESL Global Finals at Cebit. The groups are the following:

Group A

  • Dignitas (Kalimist, Flyn, Hydra ) – RMP
  • x6tence (Souler, FalconD, Siler) – PHD/George Michael Cleave
  • Asia 2nd (TBD)
  • Asia 3rd (TBD)
  • SK Gaming- US (Realz, Glickz, Kollektiv) – RLS/Shadowplay
  • fnatic (Woundman, Yog, Douja) – RLS

Group B

  • SK-Gaming Sansibar (Moldran, Nòónia, Fraki) – TSG
  • SK-Gaming EU (Inflame, Another, Enigmz) – Shadowcleave / Wizardcleave
  • Asia 1st (TBD)
  • iNNERFiRE (Desis, Coold, Xerio) – RMP
  • compLexity.Black (Twixz, Flexx, Toez) – Beast Cleave / George Michael Cleave
  • Team EG (Azael, Pookz, Tenderloin) – Wizardcleave

Obviously the Asians spots have to be sorted out in ESL Taipei. Strong contenders are of course Button Bashers & SK-Asia.

Let’s talk some about the groups. You have one group with all the 1st place finishes which really makes me raise an eyebrow. Now it’s really hard for me to predict anything at this point, considering we don’t know how the resilience change really effected arena and especially the TR play. Many Warriors say that they have rage problems because of the low damage in season 5 gear for example. This could become a big problem for the European Champions SK-Sansibar for example.


Group B has three 1st places, one 3rd, one fourth and one fifth place. Not that it matters but the sum is 15 in Group B.

Group A has three 2nd, two third and one forth place. Sum here is 16.


Only problem with this is that not only we get to see some statistically pretty one sided games with let’s say Team EG vs complexity, but what ever the 1st Asian team will be, they will probably have a good chance to beat EG as well if they don’t change things up for example. (SK-Asia & BB being the favorites which should both not have too many problems with EG if they play Wizard cleave). Of course it is awesome to see the 1st already meeting in groups, but the chances of having a match that will be on grand final level or above is highly likely. Result-wise the most interesting part of Group B will be if SK.EU makes it into the top 3 against two counter comps plus the chance that if SK-Asia gets first in Taipei, there will be a third counter. Things aren’t looking too bright, but I might be underestimating the resilience change’s impact.

Now I don’t want to wish a team that I both like and respect too much unluck, but I’d really like to see Button Bashers only get second in the Asian Finals, as this would induce one of the most epic RMP mirrors of all time. (I’m not going to let you finish btw) Of course I am talking about BB vs Dignitas. From a hydramist perspective, the group B is definitely a manageable task as far as one can proclaim that with two teams still missing. X6tence was won with relative ease at the European Championship finals and also RLS is a doable task. It might have become much harder though with the resilience change as you can’t just simply blow up the Shaman as easily anymore. I haven’t talked to the guys yet, but they shouldn’t be too upset with the drawings. Moreover we will get to see fnatic vs SK-gaming once again to determine who’s the best RLS in the US. Is it pay back time for Fnatic after the upset at ESL Edmonton? Or can Dr. Realz bring it home again? In this group I see everyone with a big chance to make it to top 3.

Much can change though. What if Blizzard decides to upgrade TR gear one week before the tournament with S8 gear? (sans heroic stuff). Maybe a healing reduce with resilience factored in? They have done it before. I wouldn’t go as far and say that it spices up the competition, but it certainly makes things “special”. Yiska out.