We definitely weren't as prepared on Tuscan as we should have been so for that particular map, it did give us doubts that we are now working to fix. As far as dust2 and train go, I really think we were by far the better team on both - we just simply didn't play our game on CT-side train. I did an awful job of holding inner and although I'd like to blame the 25 vs 55 team ping difference, excuses for the loss will only cost us in the future.

How worried is the team about Made in Brazil, seeing as they are extremely proven team and they are the only roster attending outside of North-America?

Worried is definitely the wrong word to describe our feelings about that match-up. We've drawn them in group play and we're very excited to meet them again. In LA, we put up 9 rounds against them with computer problems throughout the entire match and feel that we should be able to give them a good fight in Philly. Anytime we get the opportunity to play a non-American team, and especially one like MiBR who have proven themselves to be a top-level international team, we're very excited and it definitely gets you pumped way before the match goes live. ;) (And, yes, they were easily the better team in LA, but I think we've worked hard since then and can't wait for the rematch!)

The rosters of rivals EG.usa & MoB Gaming have changed as of late; what do you expect from these teams coming into Philadelphia?

It's really tough to say with both teams because their respective roster changes, though sometimes forced, do make sense to me in some ways to me and don't make sense in others. Although I would argue n0thing is the best player in the US, you can't deny what EG was able to accomplish domestically with their old eMg lineup (phobius, evo, steno, che, and lim). With 4/5 of that roster back plus a top player like hostile in the mix, I'm not going to put any criticism on their decision. As for MoB, I think gwhatkey is a solid pickup and they've shown potential online, but I really don't know what to expect from them at Philly (to be honest, I don't even know their full lineup, but I do know they've practiced extremely hard and we definitely won't be looking past them if we face them at some point)

How is thoMz fitting within the team? Do you think the chemistry has been established with him to the point where it is no longer an issue?

He's fit in perfectly both in-game and out so far - the real test is obviously LAN for the team, though, so I guess to answer that fully, I better wait until after Philly. We have all the confidence in the world in Tom and in our team coming into Philly so to answer it the best I can - I've never been more confident in the players around me coming into a tournament. (not to take anything away from mkpro as he is also an extremely talented player and great friend).

Which team do you feel will be the dark-horse for these Continental Finals?

My money is on MoB to make some noise in Group Play - I think they have the talent and have shown the drive to want to win online. I'm not sure if they can overcome Gravitas/EG, but I'd be willing to bet the matches will be closer than some would predict.

What is more motivation for you: the fact that the top two teams from this event will be given a chance to play against the world's best in Germany next year or a piece of the $50,000 prize?

I'm not really sure how to approach answering that. Sure, we love having the opportunity to play world-class talent, but that much money on the line is always fun to play for ;). I guess the main thing it comes down to for me is I really don't know (due to few announcements so far) how many tournaments with top teams that we'll be able to attend in 2009 so if only a few are out there, then my answer is the opportunity to go to ESL World Finals if we place Top 2.

In a few words, what effect do you think the collapse of the CGS will have on competitive North-American CS 1.6 in the near future?

It's going to be hard for some of those teams to come back and dominate 1.6 like they used to be able to before the switch for two reasons. The first being a lot of the teams have primary Source players on their roster which could cause issues and secondly, they're going to have to adjust to the new playstyle of CS and probably have to deal with losing a lot initially. When coL first came back, they were getting plowed in their first scrims, but they took it as professionals and have continually gotten back closer to their old form. I really hope, though, that a lot of the top teams come back because there's no way to completely prove yourself in American CS without the frods, ksharps, and methods running around!

Good luck to you and the team in Philadelphia!

Thanks for the interview and thanks to all of our sponsors (Dust-Off, Razer, GameStop, Papa Johns, NXG Servers and anyone else I forgot. Oh, and also head over to ESEA everyone who reads this - new league, PUGs with top old-school pros, tons of prizes and more!