 |  Most of these 1st Week matches seem relatively easy to predict, especially with most of the expected favorites playing teams which aren't highly regarded. However, favorites will still be looking to establish themselves, upset-minded teams will try to show they aren't to be taken lightly, and the middle-of-the-pack teams want to show they can hang with the contenders. While not the most exciting week of the tournament, expect some inspired play and a few surprises along the way. Matches To Watch In the Connacht Pool, Np will start thier title run against the relatively unknown order ROoF. Np was one of the top teams in MWC 2000, making it all the way to the 6th DE round before being eliminated in a close match. Look for Np to step up big here and show that they might just go all the way this year. Prediction: Np wins big, 58-19. Another favorite has to be Wolfpack. Although WP is missing a couple members from previous years, they still have the core group that got them far in both '99 and 2000. They face off against Deer this week. Deer will put up a good fight, but is clearly overmatched here. Prediction: WP 56-19. Over in the Summoner Pool, Cacra has an interesting matchup with Iron Chef. IC is a complete unknown, and could turn out to be quite a team -- depending on exactly who they are. It's tough to make predictions without seeing them play first, but my guess is that IC is not to be taken lightly. Prediction: IC pulls it out, 46-31. One of the most talked about teams on the MWC forum has been MoL. Having played with them a lot, I feel confident in saying that while they aren't worldbeaters, they can put up a fight against anyone. Thier first match in the Garrick Pool has them facing F, a good measuring stick for them. Prediction: MoL wins, 45-27. Possibly the most interesting team in the tournament is Crouching Ghol, Hidden Wight. They look to be strong; the only question is if they have enough to make a run at the title. Their first game will be with GWAR, an order predominately known for playing TFL. Prediction: cghw starts the tournament off in a big way, winning 54-20. The Cagey Inquisition will be a team to watch in the coming weeks to see exactly how far they might go. They draw KoM, a team that made it to the DE rounds of MWC 2000. Prediction: CI dominates, 49-18. BoB comes into this tournament with a large chat cannon and a healthy dose of skill. They made it into the DE in 1999, finishing 48th. In their first Balin Pool matchup, they face DoH. Prediction: BoB pulls through, 42-23. In the Oderic pool, MoR is the clear favorite, having had considerable success in previous MWC runs (finishing 12th in '99, and making it to DE5 last year). The only question is if they can consistantly compete with the top teams, or if they will fall out in the late rounds. They draw the Ferocious Newbies in the first match. Prediction: MoR makes a statement, winning 56-18. The Balor Pool could be an interesting group to watch, as predictions have been varied from the 2nd through 5th spots. Two of the teams in the middle of the pack face off in the first week -- MSH and Team QP. It should be a good match, and clear up the Balor pecking order a bit. Prediction: MSH wins, 44-26. In the Shiver Pool, MMC squares off against tc. Both of these teams have had moderate success in previous MWC experience, and it should be an exciting, close match that produces a good pack of films. Prediction: tc wins a close one, 39-33. PoOp, who made the DE in 2000, looks to start off on the right foot in the Alric pool. They should win thier matchup with HB, but don't rule out an upset possibility. Prediction: PoOp wins, 48-18. Spotlight Match of the Week Each week, I'll select a match that looks like it might be the most interesting, the most competitive, or produce the best films out of all the games played. For QR Week 1, that match comes from the Myrdred pool, where The Jenova Project (ff) will be taking on The Fallen Bishops (tfb). The Fallen Bishops made a nice entry into the MWC scene last year, making it to DE3 before being eliminated. They were honored with a team of the week award for thier play, and could make a little run to the later rounds this year. They are a solid team that is a good matchup for anyone out there. However, ff is not to be taken lightly. They're very active, can play Myth rather well, and should have some good strategies ready for this match. They may be one of the bigger surprises in this year's tournament. Prediction: In the closest match of the week, ff pulls the minor upset, winning 36-35. Other matches to watch: Ascension vs. Creation, Team Orleans vs. .force, LoA vs. HD, CMG vs. TCO. Good luck to all the competitors this week, and let the games begin! |
