Sauna
Sauna has really proved that they're worthy of Division 1 play this season, and particularly their 2-0 victory vs CCCP showed the rest of us what kind of potential that live within this team. Their undisputed star player is hlt, but darkki is also a seasoned 4on4 player and both bandit and dmt have proved that they are able to fight at this level. Mazer was also signed up for sauna this season, hasn't played any eql or prac game with them as far as I know.

Slackers
The legendary Slackers, once again fielding the danish superstar, ParadokS, who seemed to really have stepped into the shining light of QW bliss again (hopefully lost enough money on poker now?). These guys only lost one game throughout the regular season of this EQL, even though they gave away maps to CCCP, Fusion and SuddenDeath. Also consisting of mostly seasoned div1 players, this is an extremely hard team to beat, and maybe even harder in a BO5 than BO3.

Conclusion
I can however see an upset coming here. If Sauna really pulls off their best performance, and give them as little breathing room as possible. They certainly got the potential, but on a normal day I simply don't think it will happen in a BO5. I think specially the DM2(s) can turn into a thriller, but I would say the odds are clearly on Slackers' side on the other maps.

Expected lineups
Slackers: Paradoks, murdoc, krab, zero
Sauna: hlt, darkki, bandit, dmt

Previous encounter
2-0 (dm3: 240-92, dm2: 356-67)

Expected outcome
Slackers wins, 3-1


Thoughts from hlt on this game:

What do you think the outcome of your upcoming Quarter Final match vs Slackers will be?

hlt: Our performance level varies a lot. If we find our shape we will probably take them down at least in dm2. Maybe on dm3 and e1m2 also =)

Any player(s) in particular you fear in their line-up?

hlt: I think Murdoc has been a key player in Sr for a while. Para is finding his shape and if he gets his ping and settings fixed we will also fear him a lot.


ParadokS' thoughts on the game:

You're gonna face Sauna in the Quarter Finals now. What do you think the outcome of the game will be?

ParadokS: we will win =)

Any players in particular you fear on Sauna? That might turn your confidence into defeat.

ParadokS: We don't fear any players. We have respect for them as a team fighting in div1 who reached the playoffs. But we had no big problems with them in the earlier game and I see no reason why it should change.