[centerGroup A[/center]]
Belgium vs 
Austria
Date and Time : Thursday 17th July 2008, 8:00pm
With numerous EC and previous NC stars, this match could have easily been our “Match of the Week”, narrowly missing out to the
Finland vs 
Estonia encounter. Our first Group A clash bares witness to the titanic Belgians, locking horns with the dingy sized equivalents Austria inwhat surely has to be promoted as our Group A decider match.
Now before you write off Austria, be careful. With names like potter and rapture floating about in the mix, you would be unwise to discount their chances at such an early juncture.
If Belgium bring out the big guns in the form of Eurocup
medallists vila and lio along with the outrageously talented mAus, it will definitely be an uphill struggle for the seasoned Austrian team, especially when Radar is on the menu.
Still, as with every NC, who knows what will happen. Depending on who plays and how each team copes with the lack of summer activity could decide this one from the off, so make sure you catch what hopes to be a thrilling encounter.
Result : 4 - 0
Israel vs 
Czech Republic
Date and Time : Sunday 13th July 2008, 8:00pm
Again, this match will depend on what line-ups each team can field. If the crafty Czechs can muster up their best squad, with players such as teente, Loo, CPU and butch, it will be curtains for the somewhat inexperienced Israeli side.
For me, the chances of an upset really come in the form of FrAgOn. If the Israeli team captain can lead from the front and motivate his troops then maybe, just maybe, we could see an upset on the cards. As I said, that will have to be combined with a weakened Czech side otherwise, I can’t see this going any other way for the desert-dwellers.
Result : 4 - 2
[centerGroup B[/center]]
Japan vs 
Greece
Date and Time : NA
Both in contention of winning our Wooden-Spoon award according to our Crossfire [urlnew=http://www.crossfire.nu/?x=poll&mode=item&id=358]poll[/url], this match has a lot of pride at stake, as it will most likely determine 3rd and 4th place with heavy-weights Estonia and Finland completing the Group B layout.
Again, many factors could influence this encounter with the most important probably coming in the form of latency issues for either team. Still, The Greeks do have some valuable in experience compared to the Japanese in the form of Loekino and Hellhammer, so this could give them the edge in this showdown.
Who knows, it’s a pretty hard one to call. It’s not exactly a massively enticing match to predict that’s for sure, but it could be a good eye-opener into the world of Asian ET which I for one really know nothing about!
Result : 4 - 0
[centerGroup C[/center]]
Germany vs 
France
Date and Time : Thursday 17th July 2008, 8:00pm
Our clear favourites for the tournament have to come in the form of Germany. With the news that both butchji and drago are infact willing to play, means this side is one step closer to the team that won both 
Nationcup XI and the ET WorldCUP which for France simply spells bad news.
The French team by comparison, really have to pull something out of the hat to defeat the Germans and with a team consisting of a few players who are either clanless or not incredibly active, it doesn’t look like an upset is even slightly possible. Even if the Germans have an astonishingly bad day at the office, I really don’t see this one going any other way than in favour for the Germans.
Result : 4 - 0
Turkey vs 
Malta
Date and Time : Thursday 17th July 2008, 8:00pm
An intriguing encounter again but maybe for all the wrong reasons. Malta have been mocked and coined as the eternal underdogs of this tournament but with former EC stars 
kiitos and nils along with EC winner toxic, they do posses the potential too qualify from this group comfortably in second place.
The Turks by comparison have a lot of critics to convince of their true intent for this tournament, with an appalling history of cheating and dishonesty to overcome. Already so far we have seen MousS being removed from the tournament due to a completely tarnished ET past, so let’s hope more won’t follow his crude example.
The Maltese should take this one with the superior quality they have in the team although who knows how much kiitos and nils have been practicing in recent times after their move to Malta.
Result : 4 - 0
[centerGroup D[/center]]
Latvia vs 
Hungary
Date and Time : Sunday 20th July 2008, 9:00pm
This game for me, could turn out to be a high quality display of tactical team play from both sides. Latvia are being considered by a few to be in contention with achieving a top five finish in the tournament and with the likes of Clown, FUZZ, vinyl and dunno having extensively played together in a variety of teams, the Hungarians will really need the likes of Nonix and phobeus to shake off the cobwebs and get ready back into the swing of things.
Latvia should take this one easily. With Clown leading by example, the Hungarians will struggle to even come close to comparing to that setup.
Result : 4 - 2
Australia vs 
Ireland
Date and Time : Sunday 20th July 2008, 1:00pm
After an impressive and somewhat surprising forth place finish in the WorldCup, Australia have clearly stated that they are looking to build on that impressive run of results and have a nice easy game to get things going. The likes of riiCo and haste will be looking to get their aims in early and with the vastly influential kad in amongst the thick of things, the Irish are setup to get hammered.
Result : 4 - 0
[centerGroup E[/center]]
Netherlands vs 
Italy
Date and Time : NA
Another title contender, the Dutch have kept a consistent line up in comparison to recent NC events and with perfo at the helm for them, the groups stages should be academic for the multi-EC winning team.
As for the Italians, the first noticeable disadvantage going up against them has to be the exclusion of mama from the side. It may have been his own choice but still, it’s a huge loss for captain neve to cope with. DaNoNe and vegeta will offer some consolatory experience within the team but that’s obviously only if they play which is even in doubt.
Holland could really run away with this one and really butcher the Italians, so let’s just hope it’s closer than most people would predict it would be.
Result : 4 - 0
Chile vs 
Romania
Date and Time : Sunday 13th July 2008, 8:00pm
Again, not exactly another dream encounter, we have Chile taking on Romania. Names to mention in this game have to come in the form of quad and FaKy, who could prove to be the deciding factor in this match. Another one that will have latency arguments/issues surrounding it, whoever can cope with the unfamiliar pings will have the upper hand here.
Result : 4 - 2
[centerGroup F[/center]]
USA vs 
Slovakia
Date and Time : Sunday 20th July 2008, 9:00pm
A pretty even match here, there isn’t much between the two sides. vadar will be hoping to lead his team forward past the Slovakians and ultimately, into second place in the group and a guaranteed spot in the knock out stages of the competition. blade is vadar’s Slovakian counterpart and will be hoping for the same result against the Yanks.
Both are fresh and somewhat inexperienced teams in terms of NC competitions, so the prospect of advancing to the latter part of the NC must really pile on the pressure. Hopefully that pressure will equate into some form of entertainment for any avid ETTV watchers.
Result : 4 - 0
Poland vs 
Norway
Date and Time : NA
Unfortunately, Norway could not field a team for the tournament, so Poland will receive a default win for this one.
Result : 4 – 0
[centerGroup G[/center]]
Russia vs 
Slovenia
Date and Time : NA
Somewhat of an oldschool encounter, Russia vs Slovenia is a real blast from the past. Players such as humM3L (Who clearly hasn’t decided whether he is German or Russian yet!) and pulZa are former well known names from way back when and for Slovenia, carnie and olympus who both played for the Slovenian powerhouse purans back in the day.
This could turn out to be a real impressive showdown, as both teams are rich with experience and quality throughout. Slovenia will have the edge in this one, as if both snail and immo play they will just be too powerful for the Russians to contain, especially on a fast free flowing map like Radar.
Result : 4 - 0
Sweden vs 
Portugal
Date and Time : Thursday 17th July 2008, 9:30pm
Before the tournament was announced, I would have said Sweden clearly had a chance of winning the entire NC. Former NC teams for Sweden have been littered with numerous EC stars and although this may not be that different with the current team, you certainly can’t deny the outstanding quality usually associated with the Sweden outfit isn’t quite what it used to be.
However, with this NC we do see the return of hellgoat and oldschool stars in the form of eta and rosa.
Portugal themselves aren’t lacking in the experience department either, with seasoned veterans archy, QkR and ag0n turning out for the national outfit yet again.
It will be an interesting indicator for the rest of the tournament. Will Sweden be able to compare to former NC teams without the likes of NuggaN and crajsor able or willing to make an appearance. It should be a fairly one sided affair although with the lack of recent activity for many of the Swedish players, the Portuguese could spring an upset.
Result : 4 - 2
[centerGroup H[/center]]
Canada vs 
Ukraine
Date and Time : Sunday 13th July 2008, 9:30pm
Apart from XF favourite (:XD) malczik being involved in this one, looking at both of the team sheets the game doesn’t seem to jump out and scream “classic” at me. Still, Canada do have Animal playing but without the usual presence of Wesbo, they lack a European presence in the side.
Ukraine by comparison seem to be more of a mix team with many of the first team only recently making it public knowledge that many of them originate or are valid to play for the Ukraine NC side. Still, with names like jESUS kicking about this game could be more entertaining for the in game chat rather than the ET action itself.
Result : 4 - 0
United Kingdom vs 
Switzerland
Date and Time : Thursday 17th July 2008, 8:15pm
It’s been a good long while since the dizzy heights of a
medal in the CB NC for the United Kingdom team and for such a small scene the expectation is massive on this set of players. With Mztik in charge of the squad the big names are out in force in the form of sqzz, syK and razz along with OC Premier winners griim and w3st this could finally be the side that prove the critics wrong.
They have a tough task for their first match, as the Swiss team aren’t lacking talent themselves. With GuNnEr and Rapt6rr playing yet again and the return of the prodigal son gifty, the young lads from the UK could really have their hands full in what promises to be a great first week match.
It’s a tough one to call but with the lack of activity in some parts of the Swiss squad the UK team should be able to take this one comfortably.
Result : 4 - 0
Belgium vs AustriaDate and Time : Thursday 17th July 2008, 8:00pm
With numerous EC and previous NC stars, this match could have easily been our “Match of the Week”, narrowly missing out to the
Finland vs Estonia encounter. Our first Group A clash bares witness to the titanic Belgians, locking horns with the dingy sized equivalents Austria inwhat surely has to be promoted as our Group A decider match.Now before you write off Austria, be careful. With names like
potter and rapture floating about in the mix, you would be unwise to discount their chances at such an early juncture. If Belgium bring out the big guns in the form of Eurocup
medallists vila and lio along with the outrageously talented mAus, it will definitely be an uphill struggle for the seasoned Austrian team, especially when Radar is on the menu.Still, as with every NC, who knows what will happen. Depending on who plays and how each team copes with the lack of summer activity could decide this one from the off, so make sure you catch what hopes to be a thrilling encounter.
Result :
4 - 0 Israel vs Czech RepublicDate and Time : Sunday 13th July 2008, 8:00pm
Again, this match will depend on what line-ups each team can field. If the crafty
Czechs can muster up their best squad, with players such as teente, Loo, CPU and butch, it will be curtains for the somewhat inexperienced Israeli side. For me, the chances of an upset really come in the form of
FrAgOn. If the Israeli team captain can lead from the front and motivate his troops then maybe, just maybe, we could see an upset on the cards. As I said, that will have to be combined with a weakened Czech side otherwise, I can’t see this going any other way for the desert-dwellers.Result :
4 - 2 [centerGroup B[/center]]
Japan vs GreeceDate and Time : NA
Both in contention of winning our Wooden-Spoon award according to our Crossfire [urlnew=http://www.crossfire.nu/?x=poll&mode=item&id=358]poll[/url], this match has a lot of pride at stake, as it will most likely determine 3rd and 4th place with heavy-weights
Estonia and Finland completing the Group B layout.Again, many factors could influence this encounter with the most important probably coming in the form of latency issues for either team. Still, The
Greeks do have some valuable in experience compared to the Japanese in the form of Loekino and Hellhammer, so this could give them the edge in this showdown.Who knows, it’s a pretty hard one to call. It’s not exactly a massively enticing match to predict that’s for sure, but it could be a good eye-opener into the world of Asian ET which I for one really know nothing about!
Result :
4 - 0 [centerGroup C[/center]]
Germany vs FranceDate and Time : Thursday 17th July 2008, 8:00pm
Our clear favourites for the tournament have to come in the form of
Germany. With the news that both butchji and drago are infact willing to play, means this side is one step closer to the team that won both Nationcup XI and the ET WorldCUP which for France simply spells bad news.The
French team by comparison, really have to pull something out of the hat to defeat the Germans and with a team consisting of a few players who are either clanless or not incredibly active, it doesn’t look like an upset is even slightly possible. Even if the Germans have an astonishingly bad day at the office, I really don’t see this one going any other way than in favour for the Germans.Result :
4 - 0 Turkey vs MaltaDate and Time : Thursday 17th July 2008, 8:00pm
An intriguing encounter again but maybe for all the wrong reasons.
Malta have been mocked and coined as the eternal underdogs of this tournament but with former EC stars kiitos and nils along with EC winner toxic, they do posses the potential too qualify from this group comfortably in second place.The
Turks by comparison have a lot of critics to convince of their true intent for this tournament, with an appalling history of cheating and dishonesty to overcome. Already so far we have seen MousS being removed from the tournament due to a completely tarnished ET past, so let’s hope more won’t follow his crude example.The
Maltese should take this one with the superior quality they have in the team although who knows how much kiitos and nils have been practicing in recent times after their move to Malta.Result :
4 - 0 [centerGroup D[/center]]
Latvia vs HungaryDate and Time : Sunday 20th July 2008, 9:00pm
This game for me, could turn out to be a high quality display of tactical team play from both sides.
Latvia are being considered by a few to be in contention with achieving a top five finish in the tournament and with the likes of Clown, FUZZ, vinyl and dunno having extensively played together in a variety of teams, the Hungarians will really need the likes of Nonix and phobeus to shake off the cobwebs and get ready back into the swing of things. Latvia should take this one easily. With Clown leading by example, the Hungarians will struggle to even come close to comparing to that setup. Result :
4 - 2 Australia vs IrelandDate and Time : Sunday 20th July 2008, 1:00pm
After an impressive and somewhat surprising forth place finish in the WorldCup,
Australia have clearly stated that they are looking to build on that impressive run of results and have a nice easy game to get things going. The likes of riiCo and haste will be looking to get their aims in early and with the vastly influential kad in amongst the thick of things, the Irish are setup to get hammered.Result :
4 - 0 [centerGroup E[/center]]
Netherlands vs ItalyDate and Time : NA
Another title contender, the
Dutch have kept a consistent line up in comparison to recent NC events and with perfo at the helm for them, the groups stages should be academic for the multi-EC winning team. As for the
Italians, the first noticeable disadvantage going up against them has to be the exclusion of mama from the side. It may have been his own choice but still, it’s a huge loss for captain neve to cope with. DaNoNe and vegeta will offer some consolatory experience within the team but that’s obviously only if they play which is even in doubt. Holland could really run away with this one and really butcher the Italians, so let’s just hope it’s closer than most people would predict it would be.Result :
4 - 0 Chile vs RomaniaDate and Time : Sunday 13th July 2008, 8:00pm
Again, not exactly another dream encounter, we have
Chile taking on Romania. Names to mention in this game have to come in the form of quad and FaKy, who could prove to be the deciding factor in this match. Another one that will have latency arguments/issues surrounding it, whoever can cope with the unfamiliar pings will have the upper hand here.Result :
4 - 2 [centerGroup F[/center]]
USA vs SlovakiaDate and Time : Sunday 20th July 2008, 9:00pm
A pretty even match here, there isn’t much between the two sides.
vadar will be hoping to lead his team forward past the Slovakians and ultimately, into second place in the group and a guaranteed spot in the knock out stages of the competition. blade is vadar’s Slovakian counterpart and will be hoping for the same result against the Yanks.Both are fresh and somewhat inexperienced teams in terms of NC competitions, so the prospect of advancing to the latter part of the NC must really pile on the pressure. Hopefully that pressure will equate into some form of entertainment for any avid ETTV watchers.
Result :
4 - 0 Poland vs NorwayDate and Time : NA
Unfortunately,
Norway could not field a team for the tournament, so Poland will receive a default win for this one.Result :
4 – 0 [centerGroup G[/center]]
Russia vs Slovenia Date and Time : NA
Somewhat of an oldschool encounter,
Russia vs Slovenia is a real blast from the past. Players such as humM3L (Who clearly hasn’t decided whether he is German or Russian yet!) and pulZa are former well known names from way back when and for Slovenia, carnie and olympus who both played for the Slovenian powerhouse purans back in the day.This could turn out to be a real impressive showdown, as both teams are rich with experience and quality throughout.
Slovenia will have the edge in this one, as if both snail and immo play they will just be too powerful for the Russians to contain, especially on a fast free flowing map like Radar.Result :
4 - 0 Sweden vs PortugalDate and Time : Thursday 17th July 2008, 9:30pm
Before the tournament was announced, I would have said
Sweden clearly had a chance of winning the entire NC. Former NC teams for Sweden have been littered with numerous EC stars and although this may not be that different with the current team, you certainly can’t deny the outstanding quality usually associated with the Sweden outfit isn’t quite what it used to be. However, with this NC we do see the return of
hellgoat and oldschool stars in the form of eta and rosa. Portugal themselves aren’t lacking in the experience department either, with seasoned veterans archy, QkR and ag0n turning out for the national outfit yet again.It will be an interesting indicator for the rest of the tournament. Will
Sweden be able to compare to former NC teams without the likes of NuggaN and crajsor able or willing to make an appearance. It should be a fairly one sided affair although with the lack of recent activity for many of the Swedish players, the Portuguese could spring an upset.Result :
4 - 2 [centerGroup H[/center]]
Canada vs UkraineDate and Time : Sunday 13th July 2008, 9:30pm
Apart from XF favourite (:XD)
malczik being involved in this one, looking at both of the team sheets the game doesn’t seem to jump out and scream “classic” at me. Still, Canada do have Animal playing but without the usual presence of Wesbo, they lack a European presence in the side. Ukraine by comparison seem to be more of a mix team with many of the first team only recently making it public knowledge that many of them originate or are valid to play for the Ukraine NC side. Still, with names like jESUS kicking about this game could be more entertaining for the in game chat rather than the ET action itself.Result :
4 - 0 United Kingdom vs Switzerland Date and Time : Thursday 17th July 2008, 8:15pm
It’s been a good long while since the dizzy heights of a
medal in the CB NC for the United Kingdom team and for such a small scene the expectation is massive on this set of players. With Mztik in charge of the squad the big names are out in force in the form of sqzz, syK and razz along with OC Premier winners griim and w3st this could finally be the side that prove the critics wrong.They have a tough task for their first match, as the
Swiss team aren’t lacking talent themselves. With GuNnEr and Rapt6rr playing yet again and the return of the prodigal son gifty, the young lads from the UK could really have their hands full in what promises to be a great first week match.It’s a tough one to call but with the lack of activity in some parts of the
Swiss squad the UK team should be able to take this one comfortably.Result :
4 - 0 
