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May 14, 2008 at 12:20 PM CDT
View Comments: 12
With Bated Breath ...
Posted by: LD^Mike
Last season, the Birmingham Salvo played well at the World Finals, only to find themselves matched up against the eventual champions, the Chicago Chimera. Unfortunately for the Brits, they couldn't muster enough points to vanquish their American foes--though it's not like anybody else had better luck. Out of Chicago's three opponents, the Salvo came closest to victory, losing by a final score of 17-25.
They've had plenty of time to look back at what happened in December. Now, it's finally time to start looking forward to Season 2. The second draft is fast approaching, and Birmingham's GM has kindly taken the the time to answer some questions about last season and the upcoming event.
Enjoy.
1) The UK and European Qualifier is just around the corner. We know the players are getting ready; what does a GM such as yourself do to prepare?
Michael "ODEE" O'Dell:I have been getting ready since January, pretty much. I cannot switch off from my job as I love it. I have been talking to many gamers from the UK in person at events, and online I have been watching a lot by spectating games and sometimes trying to play, too. For the past month, doing that has been quite intense and I have certainly met and seen some potential CGS gamers who I hope come to the combine.
2) The competition lasts two days. How much (and what kind of things) can you learn about a gamer in that time frame compared to the weeks or months leading up to the event?
I do not think it is enough time to be fair considering how many gamers are coming to the event. But as I said, I started my homework very early so I am confident I know who the potential stars of the combine. I hope, though, that there is the odd surprise and somebody shines at the combine.
3) Has the perception of the CGS in Europe changed as the league enters its second year, and with the announced partnership with Eurosport?
I hope so. The feedback that I received from Europeans who watched it last week was good. Before it was shown on Eurosport a lot of the normal eSport community had ignored and dismissed CGS due to the lack of coverage on European TV. Now that it can be seen in most European countries, I watched it again and I liked the coverage.
4) Your franchise city is Birmingham. The Qualifier and Draft is in Birmingham. Do you have any dastardly plans to increase the home-field advantage, like giving competitors bum directions?
Well you would think so, but I am still getting to know my franchise city as I live down south. London's GM, Ben Woodward, is from Birmingham so I will watch out for any dodgy info he gives. :)
5) Birmingham made the Semi-Finals in 2007 before being eliminated by Chicago. If you get a chance to meet again during this year, will there be a little extra motivation to win for revenge?
Every single match we play we will be motivated, anyone in the CGS that is not motivated should not be playing in the league! We did pretty well against the last time compared to everyone else, but for sure they were a class act and deserved to win the Championship. This time though the Americans have only had three months practice over the rest of the CGS teams so it will be even tougher for them. If we get to play them again, yes I would love to beat them, there is nothing wrong with aiming to beat the best; all gamers should aim for that.
6) Counter-Strike: Source was a big asset to the team last year at the World Finals. With a player-by-player draft, is the issue of chemistry magnified since they were a big part of your success last season?
I am pretty sure we were the best Counter-Strike: Source team at the World Finals. Carolina will whine at that, but we did not get the chance to drill them into the ground as well. The UK is blessed with world class players, so I feel the individual draft will not affect things too much; both UK teams will be a threat to every team in the CGS. I hope my team can perform as they did at the World Ffinals; they were fantastic.
7) If there’s a message you could send to any gamer that wants to be part of the Birmingham Salvo, what would it be?
Dedication, belief and desire to succeed!
8) When the World Finals are over and the Salvo team is heading home, they’ll look back at the Finals and say …
Wow. that was awesome! When does Season 3 start?
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RattlesnK
Posts: 238
Location: Brighton
Pro Gamer
Ricochet
Posts: 789
Location: In front of an xbox360 and HDTV ^_^
Staff Member
Not long now.
Whether you think you can or whether you think you cant, you are right - Henry Ford
Whether you think you can or whether you think you cant, you are right - Henry Ford
pt-
Posts: 194
Location: Plymouth
Pro Gamer
yay
wEZlington
Posts: 44
Location: Manchester
Pro Gamer
gr8
pt-
Posts: 194
Location: Plymouth
Pro Gamer
u are a gr8m8
Stune
Posts: 730
Location: Dorchester
Pro Gamer
Nice interview. Quite amusing that Ben lives far nearer to Birmingham than ODEE and ODEE lives far closer to london than Ben 
Anyway, look forward to the next few days, should be great fun
Anyway, look forward to the next few days, should be great fun
JokeRRR
Posts: 128
Location: Kuala Lumpur
good luck!!
try your best, no regret...
try your best, no regret...
BenGM
Posts: 165
Location: Tamworth
Staff Member
jaFro
Posts: 51
Location:
good luck salvo and especially wezlington
- horse head
Team Zboard
www.TeamZboard.com
- horse head
Team Zboard
www.TeamZboard.com
Razzz-
Posts: 36
Location:
Good luck to all! 
haroutig10
Posts: 155
Location: SYDNEY
Pro Gamer
i heart odee
hendrix-
Posts: 1
Location:
you may have been t he best css team at the world finals but i doubt the css team is better than coL
www.birminghamsalvo.com