Take over wins the 16th Night Cup
By Fana in Scene, on February 1st, 2010 at 16:13. 5 Comments.If you can’t beat them, join them! Sound logic for me, as I joined take over when 9L folded after ENSL season 13. I’ve been playing with them for a few weeks now, and I have to say I’m positively surprised. They’ve got a good mix of old school and new school, carry players and work horses. They’ve also come across to me as a nice bunch of dudes, which is very important to me. They actually remind me a lot of 2004 Knife, which really is one of the greatest superlatives I can give.
This last weekend we participated in the 16th Night Cup, with great success. After easily defeating Team Fantasy and Russian Standard, we faced the formidable RAMBOS in the final. According to the popular vote, they were the favourites to win, although I think take over was the top seed judging from roster strength. That said, RAMBOS has a very solid roster too, featuring carry players like Almaty and aA. The match itself was very tense, especially the first round where heavy pressure and SGers constantly harassing our Hive gave us big problems. We were able to overcome those difficulties and take the round however. We played the next two rounds flawlessly, winning the match in convincing fashion. The last round was a bit of an afterthought as our comm left and the RAMBOS won a consolation round.
What’s especially interesting about this tournament from my point of view, is that I’ve basically come full circle. The InNox cup was my first tournament win, way back in 2004 with KTDM. Just like this Night Cup, we played three matches. Two were easy, one was difficult, and we won them all. Both KTDM and take over had a mix of grizzled veterans with many trophies under their belts and new players for whom this would be their first championship title. There is one big difference however. During the InNox cup, I was the up and coming player, hungering to reach the top, climbing on the shoulders of more experienced players. This Night Cup however, I was one of the grizzled veterans, supporting a cast of new talent. I can’t help but find some special significance in that. Perhaps this would be an opportune moment for me to quit, while still on top?
Hell no. It’s over when it’s over.
I’ve uploaded the HLTV demos from the take over matches, the match against RAMBOS is well worth watching. I’m also planning to make a quick frag highlights movie from the NC — any help in finding frags would be appreciated!
#1 by atman on February 3, 2010, at 22:35
pretty cool that you compare tO to the likes of knife and ktdm.. but i feel you are yet to prove your worth against the mighty saunamen… who unfortunaley seem to have taken a break atm? ffs peach! get your shit together
#2 by atman on February 3, 2010, at 22:41
also more people need to comment these news! like in the olden knifegaming.com days
#3 by atman on February 3, 2010, at 22:42
nothing quite like wishing the past was forever… perhaps its the alcohol speaking now
#4 by Fana on February 3, 2010, at 23:04
I think a lot of people don’t want to register to comment. The old knife site had open commenting, not to mention that it had more frequent visitors. Unfortunately, spamming has made registered only commenting pretty much a requirement these days.
What you have to remember about knife and KTDM, is that both those teams were formed during a lull in NS activity. We were able to gain confidence, skill and experience by playing good — but not amazing — teams for a while, until serious opponents like torment, BM and melody reformed/formed. Most great changes in the NS hierarchy of teams came about when the current top dog folded. Whether or not tO is able to assert itself as a top team or if it will even be able to stay alive is very much up in the air at the moment. Can’t really predict the future without risking looking like a fool.
#5 by beefcake on February 6, 2010, at 00:09
Well as one of the people reading and visiting this site often. I can only say I find the stuff you write very interesting and enjoyable to read. Diffently good reading material.