The NSL-Review on Monday - to the finals!

After completion of the last seasonal week the NSL keeps its schedule. Without any hold-up the teams can schedule their finals. Only two games have been forfeited, as they did not get scheduled in time.

Playoff-Format

Overall the rules of procedure are rather involved (see 8(a)(iv)-(x)). But here are the most important facts: In Season 7 the top two teams face each other in a best-of-seven finale. Both are allowed to reduce the map-pool once, before picking the maps, which are to be played. Further the winner of each division can choose to either pick sides (marines or aliens) or map first.

What games can we expect in the next days?

Division 1

Standings

Both, DIY and Lucky Chams, keep their cool and take 4 points from Bad Mannered and Pell-Mell, respectively. They left a clear gap of six points to third place, now.

In the end DIY missed one point against PM, which elevated Chams to first place. Hence DIY has to play against the playoff-advantages of the former champion.

Predictions

So far the crown of NS2 switched each year between EU and NA - starting with Legendary Snails in Season 3. It is time to bring the title back to Europe again: gogo DIY!

Division 2

Standings*

*Displaying the standings before the match between Weld Mannered and caste (4-0 for Weld)

With 14 points Weld Mannered secured the 1st place of Division 2. Fun fact: they only tied against Jolly Cooperation, who sit on 4th place! One of the reasons surely is that Jolly Coop. and Like A Glove did not manage to schedule their game. With a theoretic 4-0 win of Jolly they would sit on second place.

In reality, though, we will see Handwashers in the finale instead - unless the NSL decides to forfeit the unplayed match in favour of Jolly Coop.

Predictions

In week 2 Weld Mannered crushed Handwashers 4-0, so the Russians better come well prepared, when they face the Americans again. Nevertheless I think Weld Mannered will take it home here.

Division 3

Standings

Not less than 3 matches had been played in the last week in Division 3. RadicaL played their remaining matches against TAW (a 3-1 in favour of the tubers) and GIEF (a 2-2 draw). This leaves them at fourth place in the end, as the Bubblers won their match against HMS (3-1).

GIEF and potaTAW (tied 2-2 in week 3) secured their participation in the finals. Now it needs a best-of-seven - to decide for the winner of Division 3.

Predictions

No question here. It's time for TAW to win their first playoffs. You can do it guys!

Division 4

Standings

Schicht im Schacht grabbed the opprtunity and secured second place in Division 4 with a 4-0 victory over Angry Chickens. By doing so they leave TAWtoise on third. Finals in Division 4 will be the smaller version of the NA-EU face-off (or rather a showdown between NA and GER). Lerks and Schacht tied in week 1. Since then both teams had much time to refine their game. The question is: who improved further in the past 5 weeks?

Predictions

This one is hard. By personal experience I saw Schacht imrpove a lot since beginning of the season, so they have my voice in the finals. "Schlaaand!"

It is time for the finals, ladies and gentlemen! What are your predictions?