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NHLGamers, The versus sides of our leagues are equally important compared to the 6v6 games that our community is more known for, but unfortunately are rarely covered in news stories and articles as much, due to the enormous amount of players and the quicker pace of the tournaments. Therefore, it's now suitable to take a moment to overview where we're currently at in the FCL 1v1 tourney. This years FCL 1v1 started off with around 200 participants, and it's a joy to see so many eager to challenge for the biggest prize in Finnish 1v1 NHL. Naturally, such a big number of players calls for some infrastructure in order to weed out the eventual top contenders. Here's an overview of how that was done this year: Group stage - around 200 participants 15 groups with 13-14 players One game against each opponent Eight players from each group advance (120 players in total) 2nd round - BO5 playoffs (120 players left) players were seeded into the playoffs based on the following tiebreakers: group stage placement, head-to-head result, goal differential, goals for and wins in regulation. Third round - BO5 playoffs (60 players left) Fourth round - Finals group stage (32 players left) <--- WE ARE HERE! Invitees Kristian @kriketski17 Veijola and Arttu @Artuzio Mustila join the tournament Players are placed into eight groups with four players each Two games against each opponent Two players from each group advance into the top 16 Fifth round - BO5 playoffs (16 players left) players are seeded into the playoffs based on the following tiebreakers: group stage placement, head-to-head result, goal differential, goals for and wins in regulation. FINALS - Friday, 9th of October @ twitch.tv/NHLGamer - BO3 playoffs (8 players left) The tournament structure was changed from a top 4 final event to top 8 - the finals will be online and streamed through NHLGamers Twitch-channel. Who's still in? I'm not going to make intricate predictions of the tournament simply due to the fact that I have no clue about how the 6v6 skill of some of these guys translates to the versus-side and I personally haven't touched that game mode since NHL 19 or 18. Despite that, We're going to be able to highlight the performances of some probable contenders based on their runs so far in the tournament. Obviously we need to note that the defending champion @kriketski17 and the European GWC champion @Artuzio are now joining the competition to fill out the remaining player pool to the full 32 players. I'm unaware of how much these guys have played, but at least Artuzio has recently also qualified for the top 16 in the eLiiga Näytön Paikka-tounament, beating some solid opposition such as Vainö @Pikkardz Pikkarainen and Eemil @Sokkelo__ Soikkeli along the way. I caught up with invitee @Artuzio for some quick questions about entering the tournament at this stage: Is entering the tournament midway more difficult in some way and how did you stay in form when the others played their FCL group stage games? - I don't think it's harder at all, maybe even the opposite. I kept up my form by playing wagers against other top players after my GWC run. I think that's a good way to practice since you have something to play for that will spur you to give your best. You started off good with two wins, is there someone you wouldn't want to face moving on and who is your biggest challenger? - There's no one I'm really worried about facing, but the biggest challenger in this tournament is definitely @Eki. This far into the tournament, we've also got two players who remain undefeated throughout the group stage and the playoffs. To no surprise one of these guys is Erik @Eki Tammenpää and the other one is equally skilled Roni @MrNipsuli Kajan. Players who have pushed through to the top 32 against some heavy odds are Tuomas @Tumpp1A Aaltonen after finishing 6th in the group stage and going into the playoffs with seed 81. Also Niko @Naikou88 Heikkilä can be seen as making a surprise run so far, placing 5th in the group stage and entering the playoffs at seed 70. Due to my limited knowledge, I decided to consult someone who's actually played these guys in order to get an understanding of who could be the guys to look out for and who are some black horses. Here are the predictions for the finals group stage by Jiska @jorma2001 Näppä: Note that predictions were made in the afternoon of the 29th of September, before a majority of games were played/reported. Group 1 Advancing: @kriketski17, @Oxdogolli (Dementoitunu) @Pikkuroger stands a good chance at surprising. Group 2: Advancing: @Artuzio @buranaburana, @Emppa988 and @Xteemuz are fighting for the second spot with equal chances. Group 3: Advancing: @Kemppane_ @OsquuG and @JesseL2002 are both solid players who can take the second spot, whereas @Wpaanane has the skill but needs to be consistent. Group 4: Advancing: @MrNipsuli, @Spearzz_ @Hullued has been in great form as of late and has a shot at advancing. Group 5: Advancing: @Eki No clear favorites to take the 2nd spot. Group 6: Advancing: @xDoumi, @Krisutus @Limu95 and @Borjendahlen are good players that are skilled enough to advance, but the favorites are clear nevertheless. Group 7: Advancing: @NikkeDangles and @Beniittto are favorites. @luosttin is more of a wild card than @viba2008, but the youngster stands the chance of a total upset. Group 8: Advancing: @Vattu__ has been in great form as of late and should advance. The remaining three players share equal chances of taking the 2nd spot. Above: Last year's TOP3: #2 Erik "Eki" Tammenpää, #1: Kristian "kriketsi17" Veijola & Tuukka "@FlyerKungen" Kuha | Photo credit: SEUL ry / Arttu Kokkonen What are your thoughts on the remaining players? Do you think @kriketski17 will be able to defend his title or will we see a shift in power?

NHLGamers, We're now at the stage of the SCL 1v1 where only the best remain. Last year, we saw 16 of the best Swedish players show up at the LAN finals in Uppsala, but this time we're taking things online due to the pandemic and restrictions coming with it. The goal of this article is to give an idea of how the tournament has went and who the remaining players are. We're also taking a shot at overviewing who has the best shot at advancing to the finals. Anyways, here's a quick rundown of the tournament structure: Group stage - around 90 participants 9 groups with 10 players One game against each opponent Six players from each group advance together with the six best 7th placed players (60 players in total) 2nd round - BO5 playoffs (60 players left) players were seeded into the playoffs based on the following tiebreakers: group stage placement, head-to-head result, goal differential, goals for and wins in regulation. Third round - BO5 playoffs (30 players left) Fourth round - Finals group stage (16 players left) <--- WE ARE HERE! Invitee Henrik @Eken45jr Eklund joins the tournament at seed #1 Players are placed into four groups with four players each Two games against each opponent Two players from each group advance into the top 8 Finals - 2nd of October @ twitch.tv/NHLGamer (8 players left) Who's still in? Lots of familiar names are in competition at this stage, but we've also got some fresh faces like @lidman1 and @Henka0009, who somewhat surprisingly are pushing through to the top 16 after upsetting @Frompa- and @Foppatofflan respectively in the 2nd playoff round. The reigning and defending champion Henrik @Eken45jr Eklund joins the competition at this stage and immediately jumps into action in a tough group 1 together with none other than dear teammate Johan @Lehmannens Lehmann. Above: SCL 1v1 Champion 2019: Henrik "eken45jr" Eklund We talked with the defending champion @Eken45jr to get an understanding of his mindset going into this tournament at this stage: How do you feel about joining at this stage when the others are already warmed up, do you think it adds to the difficulty? - It feels great to get going with competitive games once again, especially when joining the top 16. Watching the others play really got my itch to compete going. I don't think they have an advantage, I'm usually good to jump right into the thick of things. What's your usual routine for keeping up the form? - The recipe is simple, really. I just try to play some games every day against the best opposition I can get. Which players would you suggest keeping an eye on in the tournament? Is there any player that you wouldn't want to face moving forward? - I feel that especially Sebastian @SebbeLarsen86 Larsen, who showed off his talent at the IIHF tourney earlier this year is an interesting name in the tournament, he is really good. Anton @antoniomannen004 Svensander has also looked great this year but has struggled in tournaments so it'll be nice to see if he can make it this time. Naturally we also have the usual suspects Robin @Rubituss Söderqvist and @Lehmannens who aren't to be counted out. I don't think theres any players I wouldn't want to face, if I can reach my highest level, I'll beat anyone! Once again, due to my very limited knowledge of the versus-scene, I turned to a fellow gamer and community favorite caster Adam @esdor Ericson for some insight into who to keep an eye on: Note that the predictions were made in the afternoon of September 29th before any games were played. Group 1: Advancing: @Eken45jr The players fighting for 2nd place are @Lehmannens and @Tmybror, unfortunately for @lidman1 the group is too tough for him. Group 2: Advancing: @Rubituss Obviously, this is Esdors own group and he would like to advance himself, but if the other guys were to be evaluated, @Henka0009 is slightly ahead of @amadee21. Group 3: Advancing: @SebbeLarsen86 Behind the clear winner, the group is wide open. @Thunborg5 has some skill but is prone to letting his emotions get the best of him. @JoeeelOD flies a bit under the radar and can surprise. @xwirran isn't one to be counted out, he completed a reverse sweep against @Kingen_86 before the top 16. Group 4: Advancing: @antoniomannen004 All the press is on Ante to take the 1st place but he has struggled in tournaments this year. @Hockeyjohannes or @oggezed is the pick for the 2nd spot. Who is your favorite to win it all this year? The finals are on already tomorrow, so don't forget to tune in for that event!