Euro's to Quakecon CTF 2003 :
GzD.Derfel's interview

Dallas, 2003 : 4 european teams are qualified to compete with yet unchallenged North American teams.

Part one : Derfel's views, from clan GzD.

Ozh: First of all, congratulation about your qualification. Tell us a bit about the qualifier : wasn't it a bit fun to play with 100 ping, like back to old 56K days ? :) Did you prepare for such game conditions ?
Derfel: It was fun owning american pickups and thats how we prepared. My game isn't very aim-based though so it wasn't hard for me to ajust to the ping :)

Ozh: In unofficial seedings, GzD is not very highly rated in euro's opinion, how do you explain this ? Lack of fame ? Not as impressive demos from qualifier as you would have liked ?
Derfel: I presume you mean the US don't rate us high? Well i don't mind being underestimated by US teams and unofficial seeders :) I just hope we are seeded a bit better in the actual tourney so we don't have to play euro vs euro too early

Ozh: Being used to 5v5, what do you think about 4v4 american style ? (more or less tactical ? speed ? fun ? ffa ? teamplay ? ...)
Derfel: I think 4v4 is good for some maps, theres more space so once you get the flag out of base it's usually easier to cap, so speed caps are much easier :) I think we can bring some euro tactics into the 4v4 area and hopefully exploit certain weaknesses in USA tactics, undoubtably they will be the more experienced though :)

Ozh: Do you think euro teams, and in particular your team, will have a handicap from not being used to 4v4 ? Do you think NA teams will have a big tactical advantage ? What are your plans about this ? (lan training, online trainings with US teams .. ?)
Derfel: I think the euro teams will be well prepared practising each other. Maybe a bit of trouble ajusting to playing USA clans but hopefully the first games at QCON won't be vs the very best USA teams so will be a good test to prepare for tougher games (all depends on seeds though)

Ozh: Do you know any of the NA teams qualified ? Do you fear some ?
Derfel: I watched most of the games, cloud9 seem the best. 519 could be hard to break down with their TDM skillz and most teams have a very good flagrunner or 2. I hope we can handle them though

Ozh: What is your opinion about the current trashtalking "na > euro" or "euro pwnz NA" on various community sites ? :)
Derfel: Well I think euro is > USA but i'm not going to go around bitching about it. The lan tournament will show whos right :)

Ozh: Last one : how is your financial situation regarding this trip ? Did you find any sponsors ? Is money a problem ? What is today the probability for you actually going to Dallas ?
Derfel: We are currently talking with a sponsor who may pay for 50% (we can afford rest) please everyone at FFF keep fingers crossed! probabilty can't be far off 50/50 I guess

Ozh: Thank you for your time, and GL in Dallas :)