It may sounds mysterious. But the event that should be a Global Challenge have almost become an all-Asian spectacle, or maybe an all-China affair. Noticing from the majority teams who competed in current Intel Extreme Masters Global Challenge - Shanghai are from China with only fnatic, Na'Vi and Grubby only the non-Asian contestant, looks like China would have to start to think how to attract top teams to compete in China.

Starting with the pull-out of Evil Genius, SK-Gaming follow suit due to unknown reasons. It is also said that the 2-time Asian Defense of the Ancients champion, Starsboba are also invited to compete with the best of China, only to withdraw just two days before the event, citing financial reasons caused by the skyrocketing costs due to the ongoing World Fair. Looks like the expectation to have another successful IEM in China, just like in Chengdu last year, backfired as DotA would be an all-China affair, after the Malaysian DotA dream team, Ks.Nirvana also unable to compete due to short notice given by the organizing committee.

While it almost certain that it would be a European-Asian affair, mousesports participation in jeopardy after their famous sniper, Antonio 'cyx' Daniloski missed their flight and scheduled to take another flight on Thursday morning. However, the e-sports world once again in shock when the flight is not meant to be after cyx passed away in a car accident on his way back from Munich airport after missing the flight.

Labeled as one of the best Counter Strike players in his generation, he would be surely missed by the scene, especially when he is instrumental to the revival of mousesports' stature as one of the elite teams in the world. Mousesports would find it hard to cope with this loss, especially he was among their best performing player. With his loss, IEM has turned into a sombre affair as Counter Strike would prefer it to be a tribute event for cyx.

On behalf of Spotgamers, we would like to offer our condolences to cyx or familiarly known as Toni's family, relatives and friends and also to mousesports team. Hopefully they would be able to cope with his loss and be back stronger in future events

Rest in peace, cyx. You'll be missed by the e-sports scene, especially the Malaysian CS players who followed the scene full-heartedly

Pictures credited to ESL website
More news about cyx's death at mousesports website