Finland shows its strength!

One of the biggest problems that all South African sport has, is the lack of international competitive experience.

It is largely due to the lack of sufficient funds that many of South Africa's teams are prohibited from participating in enough international competition.

Thus, through the IeSF's international on-line test matches, South Africa is afforded the opportunity to play against the best teams in the world and to prepare for the annual world championships at a fraction of the cost.

The MSSA thus uses the on-line test series to help prepare the team for the rigours of the world championships as well as to continually evaluate not only the South African Protea team, but also the other international teams.

Thus on Saturday, 4 October 2014, South Africa took on Finland.

The Finnish team boasts of many of the world's top players, and, arguably, the Finnish team is one of the most dominant teams in world eSports.

Thus, South Africa knew what was at stake as well as the fact that the South African team were clearly the underdogs.

The test match was to be played in two titles, being StarCraft II and Dota 2.

Unfortunately the one game of StarCraft II had to be cancelled due to connectivity issues. The game involved Yolandi 'Ananke' Williams who was to play from Wits University. Even though Wits has an incredible internet connection, it proved not to be reliable enough for the test match and such game was cancelled. Of course Yolandi was saddened by the cancellation as she was looking forward to a rematch against Niina "Soyhi" Kahela (Finland) whom Yolandi had faced off against at the 2013 IeSF World Championships - Bucharest.

In the StarCraft II match between Nathan 'Static' Anderson (SA) and Vesa "Welmu" Hovinen (Finland), Nathan lost both games. However, it must be noted that Vesa is arguably one of the top players outside Korea. On examining the replays, it is absolutely clear that Nathan is much improved since he represented South Africa in Bucharest in 2013. The replays too show where work has to be done.

In Dota 2, the Finnish team, ably lead by the world-renown Kalle "Trixi" Saarinen delivered two resounding defeats on the South African team. No quarter was given by the Finnish team who demonstrated why they are the main contenders for the World Championship title.

However, the South African team showed remarkable improvement since their game against Egypt in August. Lessons have been learnt and the team has improved.

There is still a long road to travel, and much improvement still needs to be done.

Nevertheless, the optimism, willingness to learn, and commitment shown by the South African team bodes well for the remaining test matches as well as for the actual World Championships.

The on-line test matches thus provide a valuable platform for the South African eSports players to test themselves against the international opposition, have a critical look at their tactics and prepare for the upcoming 2014 World Championships to be held in Baku.

The South African team consists of:

Dota 2

Name	Nick	Club	Residence
Ion Todd (Team Captain) Jason Bredberg DylanHenderson Saleem Manjoo Timothy van Reenan Mostert	ION Mehcrim PIXELPUSHA SLIMZ ZEALOT	Knights Mind Sports Knights Mind Sports Knights Mind Sports Knights Mind Sports Knights Mind Sports	Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town

StarCraft II: Men

Name	Nick	Club	Residence
Nathan Anderson	Static	Veneration	Cape Town

StarCraft II: Women

Name	Nick	Club	Residence
Yolandi Williams	Ananke	Snaz Gaming	Roodepoort