As we edge further down the year towards Autumn, the 9v9 scene has been rather quiet with the exception of the ETF2L Highlander Nations Cup competition that has been running for over 6 weeks now, as we have reached the Semi-Finals stage with 4 countries battling it out for the countries bragging rights. We have 2 matches to play tomorrow, both on Thursday 15th August at 21.15 CEST (15.15 EST) between some of the giants of TF2, so without further adieu here are the previews of the two Semi-final matches to determine who will compete for a place in the Grand Final next week.

France vs Finland #

Casting info - Live on VanillaTV casting by Skully and Hildreth plus Rinta on the camera on Thursday 15th August at 9.15pm CEST (3.15 EST)

These two big HL nations have the core of their national side made up from their two best community sides - For France, 7 of the 9 players who started their Quarter Final match against Denmark played for ETF2L champions DARATOUTOU in their Season 4 final win over SNSD, the only exceptions from the dynasty-killing roster is Kouna starting as Demo for France and Isil on Spy. Backed by many as the pre-tournament favourites, France have barely broken a sweat to get to the last 4 with the exception of dropping a round of Upward to Norway in the group stages. The likes of Tek on Heavy, Flippy on Sniper, Kustom3 on Medic with T-Mac and Plapla on Scout and Soldier respectively give the team an incredible core of DM skills and experience. There has been a few concerns with their Demoman Kouna, who in pcws and matches hasn't fragged or damaged highly and appears to be playing in a non-serious manner however the skill and teamwork of the French side would still put them as favourites.

France - Route to Semi-Final

• Week 1 (Group A) 6-0 vs Slovakia
• Week 2 (Group A) 5-1 vs Norway
• Week 3 (Group A) 6-0 vs Lithuania
• Round of 16: 6-0 vs Portugal
• Quarter Finals: 6-0 vs Denmark

The Finns have come off the back of a hard fought victory against England in the previous round, with particular praise belonging to their deadly sniper rouHe who has been clicking on heads consistently all tournament alongside a man of the match performance from Santtu on Scout as well as Kurates fragging highly on the Heavy class. This Finnish team is based off of the core of Colony, the long standing ETF2L Premiership team with a few additions along the squad, big eyes have to be on SabaSaba on Spy who performed well against England whilst Soldier zooob is one of the most consistent soldier's in Highlander. If this team has weaknesses, you could look at perhaps their Demoman Nappr as well who at times struggled vs England, but has still managed to raise his game when it counts. Also there is a bit of a concern with the combo of Finland, at times they looked less co-ordinated and weaker in places than England, but were pulled through by some individual class. I still think just the amount that Finland have practised will greatly improve their chances, especially if they can pick a map they're comfortable at and avoid 5cp maps against the French.

Finland - Route to Semi-Final

• Week 1 (Group D) 6-0 vs Belgium
• Week 2 (Group D) 6-0 vs Canada
• Week 3 (Group D) Default win vs Greece
• Round of 16: 6-0 vs Russia
• Quarter Final: 6-3 vs England

United States of America vs Sweden #

Casting info - live VanillaTV's 2nd Stream casted by Kip + Bubblebobbler with Arie on the camera Thursday 15th August at 9.15pm CEST (3.15 EST)

Now this is a game that would be so hard to call if played under normal circumstances, however both teams are hindered by two particular factors that may ruin the spectacle. For USA, it is the obvious ping disadvantage and not always having their best roster available due to timezone differences, as ETF2L's nations cup is exclusively played on European servers. However Sweden are hindered by rumours of missing a good chunk of their best players such as Zebbosai, Ryb and Jukebox to pre-i49 practise commitments, it remains to be seen if the lynch-pin Sniper of Sweden and SNSD, Tviq will miss the game as well. If you include these players, you have to put Sweden down as one of the best deathmatching sides in the tournament, with a core made up of some of the most talented players in Europe. Who they bring in to replace them will matter the most, although Sweden have the likes of Furbo from Colony on Scout, Ashkan and Zyzo of former HL fame on Spy and Engineer respectively, they really rely on their big players like Tviq, Ryb and co. to deal the damage and get the key picks. Sweden also have the unfortunate stat of having only played and won 2 matches the entire tournament, with 3 of their 5 games defaulted, though on paper you would still have expected to see them win, they are yet to really be tested and it may hinder them.

Sweden - Route to Semi-Final

• Week 1 (Group E) Default win vs Scotland
• Week 2 (Group E) 6-0 vs Kazakhstan
• Week 3 (Group E) 6-0 vs Latvia
• Round of 16: Default Win vs Spain
• Quarter Final: Default Win vs Canada

USA managed to defeat Nations Cup holders Germany in a narrow 2 map win, despite looking comfortable on Badwater, the USA need a golden cap and a moment of magic from their superstar sniper Max, dropping the German medic Homer J to win the round. However they looked at times, unconvincing with their pushes on Gullywash, with a lot of blame shifted to their substitute Medic, Hein who did not win over many fans with a poor performance of dropping players, ubers and bad positioning. Luckily for USA, their captain and starter medic Overseer will return for this one, giving the team much needed stability in the combo. Xalox has been tearing up the Nations Cup, even on 100 ping the former Menace To Society Demoman has wrecked havoc, dealing huge damage and matching some of the best despite his ping handicap. Meanwhile little needs to be said for the rest of the team, the majority playing for Ginyu Force, the North American HL champions with Ruwin stepping up his game, this US team is an all-star Highlander line-up with household names that possess a vast amount of experience, strategy and teamwork with easily counts out the ping disadvantage, I would say the Americans are likely to get through a weakened Swedish roster and play the Grand Final next week.

United States - Route to Semi-Final

• Week 1 (Group B) 6-0 vs Portugal
• Week 2 (Group B) 6-0 vs Croatia
• Week 3 (Group B) 6-0 vs Austria
• Round of 16: 6-0 vs Norway
• Quarter Final: 6-0 vs Germany