bps/locust - These are well known duellers in their own regards, they both have potential for top-3 placing in any duel tourney they enter. Together, they also make a formidable 2on2 team, because they both know how to play with high pressure and high speed, and they have excellent aim that we know about. They achieved 3rd place at DH2008 2on2 tournament, after nabbe/persuader and xantom/mawe.

goniec/fluartity - These are also veteran duel players, and goniec has what I consider to be div1 aim. I don't know how well they play together, however, I bet they have played together as a 2on2 team before, but will it be enough to break the best teamwork out there?

Zepp/meshugga - Again, these two are seasoned duel players, with Zepp getting better and better in dueling in recent times. And meshugga showing sparks of brilliance in prac games and improving in officials also. If I had to pick a top Russian 2on2 team it would be Zepp and xpr, but they decided to make it interesting and make different teams.

niw/m0lle - I know a little about m0lle aka molecule -- he is a veteran of 4on4 teamplay, and niw has been doing well in div 2 in EQL as well. I have no clue how well they play together in 2on2 so this will be their test.

LocKtar/rikoll - If I had to think of a team that can play faster than bps/locust, I would have to say this team! LocKtar as we know is a master at TB3, and Rikoll is also a big DM4 specialist. I foresee them doing well on the ID maps, but perhaps aero and ztn will be their achilles heel?

chmielu/thunder - This is one of the polish teams that were invited. Thunder has shown great aim ability in recent times, and both these players can play duel. Again, the first question that must be answer in their first round is how well they can play together in an official 2on2!

XantoM/mazer - XantoM was part of the winning 2on2 team at dreamhack (with mawe) dispatching such big names as nabbe/persuader, bps/locktar, and inferno/riker. Mazer is a solid duel player, and he has been playing for a long time so 2on2 should not be news to him either.

bambi/hedfuk - This is another team which will get a reality check very quickly in the first round. They are solid div 2 players from clan boefje, averaging 50+ frags each in 4on4. But will they be able to keep the pace with div1 2on2 teams?

xpr/Starling - This is the other team Russian team which contains the other of potential the "best" Russian 2on2 team as I mentioned before. Anyway, xpr is the very cerebral player, he can have good aim (not the best) but he will frustrate you with all other aspects of quake and your 50% lg will not save you when he has 200/200 all the time. If Starling is serious about being his teammate, they can go very far.

ok98/LethalWiz - ok98 will bring his teamplay experience, and LethalWiz will bring his excellent LG aim as well. It will depend how much they practice together, and how natural of a 2on2 player LethalWiz has become.

hlt/dmt - This is the team I know least about, but I keep seeing their names at the high end of various frag reports, so that is always a good sign. If they focus, they can probably make it to the semifinals.

squeeze/moltas - Squeeze is a dilemma of a player, he plays with 100+ ping which most players find unplayable, and he performs at the highest level with it anyway. He is all about positional advantage and brain skill. Moltas is a strong teammate, and I have seen some good 2on2 play from him in the past, and this is a promising team which also can make it to the semis if focused.

tom/slabi - The other Polish team, tom knows his way around the maps in duel, and he has grabbed some 2on2 prizes (with goniec) in polish lans. Slabi is also a name that keeps popping up, but honestly I have no clues about their 2on2 play and we will find that out

dedi/kippo - These two are from the div 2 clan Fraggers United, getting about 30-35 average frags in 4on4. It will be down to how well they can communicate and raise their teamplay when it is just the 2 of them against the best of the best.

Destrux/riker - Destrux (aka Inferno) with riker got 4th place at DH2008 2on2 tournament, after very close games vs LocKtar/bps. These guys are veterans and certainly know their stuff, and many expect them to make it to the final with ease.

An honorable mention: Milton/Ihminem were one of the first to show interest in this tournament, but ultimately because of delays it turns out they cannot play as Milton will not be available for a three week span. If this tournament is a success, I will look forward to season 2 with Milton/Ihminem!