Post by UrbanSpaceman on Jun 9, 2003 21:11:27 GMT
Hey guys.... I know I've kind of been neglecting the tournament and the message board over the last few months, but well, I'm back now (as if anyone cares). I won't bore you with a full explanation of where I've been these last few months, but I'll tell you it involves long working hours, alcohol, gambling, marijuana and Final Fantasy X (I'll leave you to decide which is the most addictive and time-consuming).
Anyway, now that I'm here, the first thing I have to say is WOW, will you check out the standard of play in this year's tournament! The community Crespo put together has grown into something truly impressive since the last tournament, to the point that it is nigh-on impossible to predict the outcome of any given match.
So who am I tipping to win? Well, I glance through the forum, and the name that keeps cropping up is Konrad. One of the most hyped wormers of this year's tournament, and deservedly so; I have played this guy many times and he is perhaps the best all-rounder I have ever encountered, excelling in BnG, Battle Race, Fort, and many, many variations on the normal and rope-based modes.
But then, I see his opponent in the 1/4 final, Voodoo: another great player who very rarely makes mistakes, Konrad had better be at the absolute top of his game to beat this guy. Further down the chart, I see my old rival Bytor, who I defeated in an AMAZING 1/4 final match last year, seems to have overcome his slightly erratic form to beat the exceptional Javito 2-0. I've played Javito, and believe me, he's no easy ride. I truly believe that when Bytor is on top of his game, he is capable of beating anyone in the world. But even he won't have it easy, as he's playing either Jigsaw, who is a friend of mine and a truly amazing player in ANY game mode, or Nut, CWT's very own Italian Stallion. Nut, if you're reading this, all due respect to you, you kicked my ass in the group stage, and any time you want a rematch it would be an honour. Maybe I'll get revenge in CWT 2004, but maybe not.
Then I see the first truly massive upset victory of this year's tournament: the hitherto unknown Canadian MBonheur has defeated last year's silver medalist, the host Crespo. I have never played MBonheur, but after this last match, he has shot to the top of everyone's "promising underdog" list. Looks like he's not getting it easy though, as he now has to face our 2002 champion, the damn-near flawless Xaositect in the 1/4 finals. For those of you keeping score at home, Xao and MBonheur are the only two players to defeat Crespo in a CWT match, so this should be a hell of a battle. The winner of this match could well go on to win the championship.
Next, there's Simon vs Tixas... Simon has been a favourite from the very start of this year's tournament, and his undefeated record so far this year makes him favourite to go through and face either Xao or Bonheur. But you can never count out the tough and honourable Tixas, or for that matter, Darasek or Ucantseeme, all very strong players who will doubtless push him to the limits of his game, and take advantage of any mistake.
I guess that just leaves one guy to discuss.... Richard Twyman, AKA UrbanSpaceman. Well, I'm already out of the tournament, so I obviously can't win.... this year at least. But one thing that I HAVE gained from this year's tournament is a wake up call. The standard of normal game players is rising, and the days when decent players were guaranteed to at least get in the playoffs are long gone. Since last year's championship, something happened to me.... I got complacent, out of practice. I started making foolish mistakes and being too lazy to clean them up properly. The result? I got my ass kicked. I'm not trying to take anything away from Nut or Darasek, both those guys truly earned their wins over me, but the UrbanSpaceman who went out in the group stages this year was not the same player who defeated the mighty Bytor and reached the semi finals last year. But that player will return, and he will be better than ever... as of now, I am back in practice, and I promise.... no, GUARANTEE that by the time of the 2004 tournament, I will be on the best form of my life. The Spaceman will rise again baby, and when it happens, you won't know what hit you. That will be all.
Anyway, now that I'm here, the first thing I have to say is WOW, will you check out the standard of play in this year's tournament! The community Crespo put together has grown into something truly impressive since the last tournament, to the point that it is nigh-on impossible to predict the outcome of any given match.
So who am I tipping to win? Well, I glance through the forum, and the name that keeps cropping up is Konrad. One of the most hyped wormers of this year's tournament, and deservedly so; I have played this guy many times and he is perhaps the best all-rounder I have ever encountered, excelling in BnG, Battle Race, Fort, and many, many variations on the normal and rope-based modes.
But then, I see his opponent in the 1/4 final, Voodoo: another great player who very rarely makes mistakes, Konrad had better be at the absolute top of his game to beat this guy. Further down the chart, I see my old rival Bytor, who I defeated in an AMAZING 1/4 final match last year, seems to have overcome his slightly erratic form to beat the exceptional Javito 2-0. I've played Javito, and believe me, he's no easy ride. I truly believe that when Bytor is on top of his game, he is capable of beating anyone in the world. But even he won't have it easy, as he's playing either Jigsaw, who is a friend of mine and a truly amazing player in ANY game mode, or Nut, CWT's very own Italian Stallion. Nut, if you're reading this, all due respect to you, you kicked my ass in the group stage, and any time you want a rematch it would be an honour. Maybe I'll get revenge in CWT 2004, but maybe not.
Then I see the first truly massive upset victory of this year's tournament: the hitherto unknown Canadian MBonheur has defeated last year's silver medalist, the host Crespo. I have never played MBonheur, but after this last match, he has shot to the top of everyone's "promising underdog" list. Looks like he's not getting it easy though, as he now has to face our 2002 champion, the damn-near flawless Xaositect in the 1/4 finals. For those of you keeping score at home, Xao and MBonheur are the only two players to defeat Crespo in a CWT match, so this should be a hell of a battle. The winner of this match could well go on to win the championship.
Next, there's Simon vs Tixas... Simon has been a favourite from the very start of this year's tournament, and his undefeated record so far this year makes him favourite to go through and face either Xao or Bonheur. But you can never count out the tough and honourable Tixas, or for that matter, Darasek or Ucantseeme, all very strong players who will doubtless push him to the limits of his game, and take advantage of any mistake.
I guess that just leaves one guy to discuss.... Richard Twyman, AKA UrbanSpaceman. Well, I'm already out of the tournament, so I obviously can't win.... this year at least. But one thing that I HAVE gained from this year's tournament is a wake up call. The standard of normal game players is rising, and the days when decent players were guaranteed to at least get in the playoffs are long gone. Since last year's championship, something happened to me.... I got complacent, out of practice. I started making foolish mistakes and being too lazy to clean them up properly. The result? I got my ass kicked. I'm not trying to take anything away from Nut or Darasek, both those guys truly earned their wins over me, but the UrbanSpaceman who went out in the group stages this year was not the same player who defeated the mighty Bytor and reached the semi finals last year. But that player will return, and he will be better than ever... as of now, I am back in practice, and I promise.... no, GUARANTEE that by the time of the 2004 tournament, I will be on the best form of my life. The Spaceman will rise again baby, and when it happens, you won't know what hit you. That will be all.