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Overwatch World Cup 2018 Preview: South Korea Stage
The 2018 Overwatch World Cup kicks off this weekend as six teams converge in Incheon, South Korea to battle it out for the two top spots that will guarantee them a place in the playoff stages at Blizzcon.
Hosts and two-time defending champions, South Korea which is made up mostly of the boys from NYXL are favorites to fill in one of the slots, leaving the five other teams to duke it out for that one remaining slot. Who are the favorites and who are the outsiders? Before we go any further, here’s a quick summary of the competition format:
When:Â August 17-19 12 pm. KST / 11am Malaysia/ Singapore
Where:Â Studio Paradise, Paradise City Incheon
Format: Best of four (first to win 3 maps) – fifth map as tie breaker
Round Robin; Each team plays five times. Top two qualifies for Overwatch World Cup 2018 playoff stage
Map Pool: All.
Map 1: Predetermined Control Map: Nepal, Lijiang Tower, Ilios, or Oasis.
From the second map onwards, the losing team will get to pick the next map from the following types:
Teams
South Korea; Champions Elect (Again)
Projected finish: FirstÂ
With five of the seven players made up of the Overwatch League’s most dominant team, NYXL, the South Koreans are easily the most-feared team for this stage. Backed by the home crowd, we struggle to see them even dropping a map against the likes of Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong. They may drop one each to the Fins, Japanese and Russians but defeat is definitely not on the cards.
🇰🇷2018 오버워치 월드컵 êµê°€ëŒ€í‘œ 12ì¸ ë¡œìŠ¤í„°ë¥¼ 공개합니다!🇰🇷
ì„ ë°œëœ ì„ ìˆ˜ë“¤ ëª¨ë‘ ì§„ì‹¬ìœ¼ë¡œ ì¶•í•˜ë“œë¦½ë‹ˆë‹¤ðŸŽŠì„ ë°œì—는 êµê°€ëŒ€í‘œ 위ì›íšŒ 3ë¶„ì´ ìˆ˜ê³ í•´ì£¼ì…¨ìœ¼ë©°, 오는 8ì›” ì¸ì²œì—ì„œ 열리는 조별 ì˜ˆì„ ì— ì°¸ì—¬í• ìµœì¢… 7ì¸ ë¡œìŠ¤í„° ì—ì‹œ 곧 발표ë ì˜ˆì •ìž…ë‹ˆë‹¤.
ìžì„¸ížˆ 보기: https://t.co/LO4mGuLiGc pic.twitter.com/t75MeMcDUs— 오버워치 (@OverwatchKR) July 3, 2018
Projected Results: vs TPE (4-0); vs FIN (3-1); vs HKG (4-0); vs JPN (3-1); vs RUS (3-1)
Finland; Runners-Up FavoritesÂ
Estimated Finish: Second
Just like Team South Korea which has NYXL as its core, Team Finland has the original Team Gigantti forming the backbone of this year’s World Cup team. Fragi, Zappis Shaz, BigGoose and LiNkzr all played together for Gigantti prior to joining the Overwatch League. They are joined by Dallas Fuel’s DPS specialist Taimou and Davin of the current Gigantti team. Each player has got chemistry playing with one another in the past, topped with experience competing at the highest stages. They may give the Koreans a fight but will have to settle for second place after edging past the Russians.
We’re bringing in the big guns.
Introducing: Team Finland in the Overwatch World Cup 2018#OWWC2018 #torille pic.twitter.com/oYaMrwOMdN
— Team Finland Overwatch (@owwcfinland) July 6, 2018
Projected Results: vs HKG (4-0); vs KOR (1-3); vs RUS (3-2); vs JPN (3-1); vs TPE (4-0)
Russia; Feel the (Shadow) BurnÂ
Estimated Finish: Third/ Fourth
The Russians will be relying on Overwatch League stars – Mistakes and ShaDowBurn to lead the way while the rest of the team which is mostly made up of CIS Hope play catchup. This Russian team is probably the weakest World Cup team we’ve seen in years and it’d be a surprise to everyone if they managed more than three wins this weekend.
Meet the 🇷🇺 russian Top-7 🇷🇺! We won’t disappoint you, #ForMotherRussia!
DPS: @sdburnow @MistakesOW @unfixedow
Tank: @txao_ow @toniclol
Support: @ENGHHHHHH , @May8NezMore details in 🎥 (RU only): https://t.co/hYqh4FTF4v #OWWC2018 pic.twitter.com/IhGfEb7nMx
— OW Team Russia 🇷🇺 (@OWTeamRussia) July 7, 2018
Projected Results: vs HKG (4-0); vs JPN (2-3); vs FIN(2-3); vs TPE (3-1); vs KOR (1-3)
Japan; Surely Lightning Strike Twice, Yes?
Estimated Finish: Third/ Fourth
Made up entirely of the Cyclops squad which finished third in the Overwatch Contenders Pacific Trials, the Japanese are crowd favorites after punching well above their weight last year, outplaying the Spain team (3-1) and drawing with a stacked Finnish lineup. While they failed to make it through to the playoff after being beaten by the Australians, the Japanese made everyone notice that they aren’t to be trifled with and are the dark horses this time around.
Our only concern would be their unfavorable schedule; where they have to cram five matches within back-to-back days.
《オーãƒãƒ¼ã‚¦ã‚©ãƒƒãƒ ワールドカップ 2018》
日本代表é¸è€ƒãƒˆãƒ©ã‚¤ã‚¢ã‚¦ãƒˆ フェーズ2ã®çµæžœã€7åã®é¸æ‰‹ãŒæ±ºå®šè‡´ã—ã¾ã—ãŸï¼
DPS: Ta1yo
DPS: Dep
DPS: Ameken
TANK: SamuraiD
TANK: Kenmohororo
SUP: Sabage
SUP: Claire🎌応æ´ã‚ˆã‚ã—ããŠé¡˜ã„致ã—ã¾ã™ï¼ðŸŽŒ#OWWCJP #OWWC2018 pic.twitter.com/wNNg0ZnZ3m
— Overwatch Team Japan 🇯🇵 (@owwcjp2018) July 8, 2018
Projected Results: vs RUS (3-2); vs TPE (4-0); vs KOR (1-3); vs FIN (1-3); vs HKG (4-0)
Hong Kong; It’s Gonna Be A Long WeekendÂ
Whipping boys? Free win ticket? You name it. Hong Kong is it. While we’d love to see the islanders pull off an upset this weekend, it’s gonna be a tall order as they are nowhere near the level of their opponents, save for one. In their recent friendly against Team Australia, the Hong Kong team were absolutely destroyed and by comparing the Australians’ relative team strength to the teams participating in the Incheon qualifiers, it’s gonna be a long weekend for the Hong Kong players. A consolation win against the Chinese Taipei team is on the cards though.
Here we are! This is #TeamHongKong Final 7!
🔫 Mikouw
🔫 Moowe
ðŸ›¡ï¸ YiWind
ðŸ›¡ï¸ GZQQ
â¤ï¸ MangoJai
🛡ï¸â¤ï¸ JazZy
Sub: AmcrazyWe have submitted our list to Blizzard for final approval and…
We have plans to introduce our players as well so stay tuned!#StrikeAsOne #香港å‹æª pic.twitter.com/42xFk1AY74— OWWC Team Hong Kong ðŸ‡ðŸ‡° (@OWTeamHongKong) July 3, 2018
Projected Results: vs RUS (0-4); vs FIN (0-4); vs KOR (0-4); vs TPE (3-1); vs JPN (0-4)
Chinese Taipei; Making Up the Numbers Â
The weakest of the bunch, we’d be super surprised if they are able to steal even a map from any of the teams above. The match against Hong Kong provides them with the best option to salvage some pride but just like their Asian islanders, we don’t expect much fight coming from the team which is made up of players from mid-tier Pacific Contenders teams in HK Attitude and Nova Esports.
We are happy to announce our 🇹🇼 WorldCup Players
👑Captain & 💪Flex
Kant🛡ï¸Tank
ATing
TenTenâš”ï¸DPS
ShaiuLin
Blueâž•Support
Craz1S
OYO#OWWC2018#KantStopWontStop#ChineseTaipei#TAIWAN pic.twitter.com/K4h4fUdfVC— Overwatch ChineseTaipei 2018 🇹🇼 (@ChineseTaipeiOW) July 4, 2018
Projected Results: vs KOR (0-4); vs JPN (0-4); vs HKG (1-3); vs RUS (1-3); vs FIN (0-4)
You can catch all the action live starting tomorrow at 11am (Malaysia, HK, Singapore) 17th August on Twitch.
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