Article by Mario "PeRRuFO" Suclla


MEXICO CITY, Mexico -- CGS’s Region 2 live qualifier marked the arrival of competitive Counter-Strike: Source in Latin America. Although the area boasted a small CS:S playing population, for the most part the region’s gamers possessed a fondness for the older version of Counter-Strike.

This would all change in early September when the area’s most well regarded Counter-Strike team, Made in Brazil (now Rio Sinistro), made the switch from Counter-Strike: 1.6 to Source.

Despite having no formal experience playing the game, Made in Brazil went on win the Region 2 live qualifier, and subsequently earn the right to participate in Championship Gaming Series after Rio Sinistro General Manager (and Made in Brazil brainchild) Paulo Velloso selected the team as the number one overall pick in the Latin American draft.

In less than a week the Sinistro will take on some of the best CS:S teams on the planet at CGS’s World Final. With more than two months of practice under their wings (as opposed to 24 hours at the live qualifier), the team hopes to have a strong showing, and given their successful track record during international competition, it would be hard to imagine anything but a top-tier finish from the Brazilians.

Can Rio’s CS:S squad prove that they were able to make the transition to Source in the same fashion of the North American teams? Their first test comes against Birmingham on December 6th.

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Joining Rio at the World Final is fellow Latin American team Mexico City Furia.

Coming into the live qualifier, Art of War (now known as the Furia) did not bare the same distinction as Made in Brazil. In fact, Art of War was considered the proverbial underdog of the draft as they opened up the tournament in the bottom seed and were forced to play Generation X, arguably the best team Counter-Strike: 1.6 in the area.

With their destiny in their own hands, Art of War would take the game 10-9 and made their mark. From there the Mexican team went on to face Made in Brazil in the CS:S finals and lost by merely one point.

Their strong performance caught the eye of Mexico City Furia General Manager Augusto Zapata and ultimately earned them a ticket to the CGS.

"Our expectations as a team were always high, we knew we could achieve a top place," stated Furia CS:S team captain Jose "SecretAgent" Fernandez.

Following the Latin American competition, the Furia ramped up their practice regimen in preparation for the World Final. Unlike many of the southern based Latin American gamers, the Furia were able to take full advantage of online play due to their close proximity to the United States.

"For us it's not as hard as other teams since we can play with most American teams without a hassle,” Fernandez explains.

Rio has not been as fortunate as the lack of talented CS:S teams in their area has made the transition particularly difficult.

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Despite the excellent tournament Furia had at the Latin draft, they know they could be considered one of the "Cinderella’s" of the World Final. That, though, is something that does not really brother them.

"It's definitely possible to reach the finals, we can almost touch it," says their team captain, noting the first step they already have in mind, "We know Wuhan Dragon is wNv's ex-1.6 team and we won't underestimate them," added Fernandez.

Fernandez's motivation is really high as he knows that his squad is representing not only the Mexico City Furia, but also the hopes and dreams of the Latin American community.

"Representing our country and region is the best thing ever, as it drives us to excel and give 110%!" stated Fernandez. "If you want something, go for it and don't stop chasing it. Never give up."



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