Originally posted on TF2 Esports
The 11th rendition of the Nations Cup officially starts today so it is due time to give an introduction to the teams attending. With many returning and even new faces, this years cup is looking to be one of the most stacked in its history. Multiple continents have representatives from obvious ones such as North America and Europe to Africa and this time around even Asia.
The group stages will be held in a 3 round, Swiss format where only the last placed team will be eliminated with the extra group being the exception as all their teams are automatically in the playoff stage. This format means that most teams do not have to fear elimination yet.
Before we dive into the team's competing this year, there are a few notable squads missing despite the high attendance:
Hungary, Israel and Spain; who have had strong squads with multiple Premiership level players within their ranks will be missing this year. Alongside them, the Greek squad led by theos and menex will be missing due to lack of time and players; additionally Latvia and Estonia will also be missing with notable players such as varnu and Clark.
The US is bringing their top level squad mainly consisting of members of Like A G6. On paper they are by far the strongest team and will be coming into this cup as clear favorites. Each member of team are equally proven at the highest level of the game and there are no weak links. The only possible thorn in their side may be the time zones and servers, however recent rule changes have lessened the blow dealt by these potential issues.
2. Team France
Last year's champions will be coming into this tournament as second favorites. With years of experience together; squads capable of winning premiership they will be looking to retain their title and stop the US and potentially England to win it all. Similarly to the US and others around their level, they show no signs of weakness in any role but the questions is whether they can prove the superiority of the European philosophy or will they fall short.
3. England
Players to watch: ry4n
England, the more successful rival of France in this competition will be coming to this tournament with a squad full of experience. Whether they will be able to break into the top 2 is hard to say but they will be at their utmost to give the top 2 a run for their money. While I do not view them as a team to win it all this year, they are the most likely to do so aside from the top 2 and I expect them to try to prove this prediction wrong. Ry4n might prove to be the key for England to do so; his explosive roamer game play could turn games on their head in the favor of England.
4. Canada
Players to watch: exile, saxophone
Canada is in a similar boat as England, bringing a ton of experience with a squad chalked full of invite level players combined with the leadership of exile are serious business. Add solid invite level scouts and a medic, great soldiers such as saxophone who has proved himself in FroyoTech and you have a recipe for a serious contender. Although on paper some could argue that this squad is stronger than England right now, do not forget to account for the time zone and server disadvantage. Canada will go far in this tournament but I can see them fall short at the final hurdle or even be upset by one of the two following teams on this list.
5. Poland
Players to watch: alov
This might come off as a wild prediction to some but I see Poland as the European equivalent of Canada. A strong squad consisting of Premiership and Division 1 level players that is capable of catching the top dogs off guard. The weakness of their team lies in their lack of top premiership experience but they make up for that with their cohesion. I predict them to be stronger than the rest below but also not yet at the level of those above. On DM heavy maps they will be capable of winning maps against the top teams. They are definitely dark horses this year, the questions is whether alov will be capable of pulling together this squad to cause the upsets needed or if they will fall short to the rest below.
6. Germany
Players to watch: voxtec, Gazy
The feared scout duo of voxi and Gazi are back to haunt the teams of the nation cup. This team has the experience and players to go far bu