{"id":27481,"date":"2016-07-22T15:04:50","date_gmt":"2016-07-22T20:04:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/?p=27481"},"modified":"2016-07-22T15:54:38","modified_gmt":"2016-07-22T20:54:38","slug":"hcs-pro-league-eu-summer-2016-finals-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/?p=27481","title":{"rendered":"HCS Pro League EU Summer 2016 Finals Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-27478\" src=\"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hcs-eu-finals-banner-7d9abd7b62344c2bbd2caa51d1280ec2-1.jpg\" alt=\"hcs-eu-finals-banner-7d9abd7b62344c2bbd2caa51d1280ec2\" width=\"1120\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hcs-eu-finals-banner-7d9abd7b62344c2bbd2caa51d1280ec2-1.jpg 1120w, https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hcs-eu-finals-banner-7d9abd7b62344c2bbd2caa51d1280ec2-1-300x67.jpg 300w, https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hcs-eu-finals-banner-7d9abd7b62344c2bbd2caa51d1280ec2-1-768x171.jpg 768w, https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hcs-eu-finals-banner-7d9abd7b62344c2bbd2caa51d1280ec2-1-600x134.jpg 600w, https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hcs-eu-finals-banner-7d9abd7b62344c2bbd2caa51d1280ec2-1-500x112.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1120px) 100vw, 1120px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Over the course of the European Summer 2016 Season in the HCS Pro League, it has seemed like there are almost two divisions: FAB Esports \u2013 formally known as U4X \u2013\u00a0and everyone else. While defending Halo World Champions CLG have gathered the lion\u2019s share of top-contender attention, FAB Esports have in many ways quietly put together the most impressive display of any team in either HCS Pro League region. FAB Esports easily topped the season standings at an undefeated match record of 10-0, losing only four individual games throughout the entire Summer campaign. Meanwhile, the rest of the standings were hotly contested all year, with every other team ending the season each only separated by one match. In the end, it was Infused, XMEN, and Vibe that earned the right to join FAB Esports in the Finals, leaving Dinosaurs and Pulse fighting for their HCS Pro League lives this Saturday in the Relegation Bracket. Here\u2019s how the schedule breaks down for all of this weekend\u2019s action:<\/p>\n<h2>WHERE TO WATCH<\/h2>\n<p>You can check out all the action from our live studio audience by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.co.uk\/e\/halo-hcs-pro-league-eu-finals-tickets-26286201737\">purchasing tickets here<\/a>, but if you can\u2019t be there in person, you can catch it all streamed live on\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/twitch.tv\/halo\">Twitch.tv\/Halo<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.halowaypoint.com\/en-us\/esports\">Halo.gg<\/a>.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p><strong>July 23, 1 p.m. BST\/5 a.m. PST<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Dinosaurs and Pulse, who finished 5<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0and 5<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0respectively in the Summer 2016 Season, will face off against the top two teams from the EU Open Circuit Finals in a best-of-seven double elimination Relegation Bracket to determine who will take the final spots in the Fall 2016 Season.<\/p>\n<p><strong>July 24,\u00a0<strong>12 p.m. BST\/4 a.m. PST<\/strong><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 The Summer 2016 Season\u2019s top four European HCS Pro League teams \u2013 FAB Esports, Infused, XMEN, and Vibe \u2013 will battle it out in front of a live studio audience at ESL\u2019s UK Studio One in Leicester for Halo esports glory in a best-of-seven double elimination tournament to determine the Summer 2016 champion.<\/p>\n<h2>EU SUMMER 2016 FINALS BRACKET\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-27479\" src=\"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hcs-eu-finals-bracket-gg-c0fbfcfee1924b1c88eb788613eacf1a.jpg\" alt=\"hcs-eu-finals-bracket-gg-c0fbfcfee1924b1c88eb788613eacf1a\" width=\"1921\" height=\"1081\" srcset=\"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hcs-eu-finals-bracket-gg-c0fbfcfee1924b1c88eb788613eacf1a.jpg 1921w, https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hcs-eu-finals-bracket-gg-c0fbfcfee1924b1c88eb788613eacf1a-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hcs-eu-finals-bracket-gg-c0fbfcfee1924b1c88eb788613eacf1a-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hcs-eu-finals-bracket-gg-c0fbfcfee1924b1c88eb788613eacf1a-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hcs-eu-finals-bracket-gg-c0fbfcfee1924b1c88eb788613eacf1a-500x281.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1921px) 100vw, 1921px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2>CASTERS\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-27480\" src=\"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hcs-finals-eu-caster-lineup-b313de986e8943cbbe356ef5d36d7d30.jpg\" alt=\"hcs-finals-eu-caster-lineup-b313de986e8943cbbe356ef5d36d7d30\" width=\"1921\" height=\"1081\" srcset=\"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hcs-finals-eu-caster-lineup-b313de986e8943cbbe356ef5d36d7d30.jpg 1921w, https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hcs-finals-eu-caster-lineup-b313de986e8943cbbe356ef5d36d7d30-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hcs-finals-eu-caster-lineup-b313de986e8943cbbe356ef5d36d7d30-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hcs-finals-eu-caster-lineup-b313de986e8943cbbe356ef5d36d7d30-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hcs-finals-eu-caster-lineup-b313de986e8943cbbe356ef5d36d7d30-500x281.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1921px) 100vw, 1921px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2>4 TO WATCH FOR<\/h2>\n<p>Calling all the action will be an all-star squad of casters and analysts: Alan \u201cBricey\u201d Brice, Andy \u201cBravo\u201d Dudynsky, Richard \u201cSimms\u201d Simms, Daniel \u201cGaskin\u201d Gaskin, Harry \u201cWonderboy\u201d Channon, and Mark \u201cOnset\u201d Hatcher all bring an incredible wealth of knowledge and experience to the booth, giving viewers and attendees an exciting inside glimpse into top-level Halo play. We caught up with Gaskin and Wonderboy to get their thoughts on the top four players to watch in the Finals, and what difference they might make.<\/p>\n<p><strong>DAN GASKIN (GASKIN)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Respectful<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 \u201c<em>Arguably the best player in Europe right now. After a disappointing end to EMEA finals and not reach the Halo WC, Brandon has shown the desire and passion to keep fighting to be at the top. He had the best KDA in Europe&#8217;s regular season of Pro League and if he continues his performances on LAN, FAB Esports should breeze the finals.\u201d<br \/>\n<\/em><strong>Mose<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 \u201c<em>I could probably name all 4 FAB Esports members but I feel Mose is another who we need to watch. He&#8217;s not had the best history with LAN events, excluding the UK finals before EMEA&#8217;s where he placed second. He has been on several teams that have\u00a0<\/em><em>fallen short of expectations after incredible online performances. He has been considered one of the best &#8216;online&#8217; players for a while now and I believe he&#8217;s finally about to leave his footprint on EU Halo.\u201d<br \/>\n<\/em><strong>SeptiQ<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 \u201c<em>Another player who was on the Dignitas lineup who fell short at EMEA&#8217;s&#8230; But that&#8217;s not the reason he&#8217;s the one to watch. SeptiQ decided to leave Halo expecting a move to the US, when that didn&#8217;t go to plan he returned half way through the season and brought Vibe (who were the Realest Tins) out from the depths of relegation.\u201d<br \/>\n<\/em><strong>Ramirez<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 \u201c<em>Ramirez could have easily found himself in relegation with his Realest Tins lineup which just weren&#8217;t clicking. During the transfer period he was given a mighty gift when TuFoxy left XMEN, giving him chance to move onto a team which he was better suited to. Xmen expected to dominate with their initial lineup and it was clear they were lacking that player who will die for the cause, do anything to win and add a bit of passion to the team. If Ramirez plays well XMEN could well challenge FAB Esports but if he falls short of what he&#8217;s capable of, I fear XMEN could struggle against all teams.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>HARRY CHANNON (WONDERBOY)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Respectful<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<em>\u201cThe guy is easily the best player in Europe right now. Absolutely dominating the regular season and elevating his squad to a 10-0 undefeated season online.\u00a0He&#8217;s my number 1 player to watch because of that: we need to watch him because it\u2019s vital that he mirrors his online performances in order for his team to take home the W at season finals.\u201d<br \/>\n<\/em><strong>SeptiQ<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<em>\u201cSeptiQ is just a special talent. There is no other player in Europe I could think of\u00a0that could do what he did, turning around Vibe&#8217;s miserable first-half season\u00a0performance and somehow escaping relegation on the very last match. A very easy player to watch because he does everything right; combines solid fundamentals with a sound shot, and is just a big game player in general.\u201d<br \/>\n<\/em><strong>Mose<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<em>\u201cSomewhat overlooked due to teammate Respectful&#8217;s performances, Mose has been an outstanding player for his squad. Despite the majority of the attention being given to Respectful, Mose is actually the highest scoring European in the Fantasy league, and his post-game stats often speak toward that very fact; consistently chiming in with kills and objective work no matter the gametype.\u201d<br \/>\n<\/em><strong>Ramirez<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<em>\u201cRamirez has found a new lease of life on XMEN and put up absolutely stellar performances so far during his short reign as the team&#8217;s captain. A player often\u00a0overlooked and jibed for poor performances, looks to have made a complete turnaround and is often found at the top of the leaderboard; and when he isn&#8217;t found there, he&#8217;s often found enabling the other 3 superstars on his roster to take the limelight. It&#8217;s key for Ramirez to play well if XMEN want to challenge for the crown as he is the glue that holds together this potential-packed XMEN roster.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>HFFL:<\/strong> So this weekend looks to be an exciting preview of things to come as we get closer to the Championship!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.halowaypoint.com\/en-us\/news\/eu-summer-2016-finals-preview\">Source Link<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Over the course of the European Summer 2016 Season in the HCS Pro League, it has seemed like there are almost two divisions: FAB Esports \u2013 formally known as U4X \u2013\u00a0and everyone else. While defending Halo World Champions CLG have &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/?p=27481\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[59],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27481","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-halo-esports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27481","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=27481"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27481\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27485,"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27481\/revisions\/27485"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=27481"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=27481"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=27481"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}