The $3,000 GosuCup HoN #1 Group Stage is this weekend, where 16 teams will be facing off within their groups to determine who advances to the playoffs.

Before the action begins on Saturday, we look at the diverse Group B and have a conversation with [TSoG] XoYnoZnU about his team, TS-Gaming.

Group B includes the top teams from Russia and the Philippines, as well as two great teams from the United States and Sweden. This group could produce some rare and exciting games as these 4 different regions collide. There is no doubt that it's a difficult group, as all of these teams are in the top 11 of the GosuGamers Rankings.

  GosuCup HoN #1 Group Stage  Group B(2) Evil Geniuses
(7) Phenomenal Boys
(q) DuskBin E-sports
(q) TS-Gaming
Team: Evil Geniuses
Tag: [EG]
How they got in: Invited - #2 on GosuGamers Rankings

The biggest recent tournament match for EG was in the HoNor Tournament Finals, where they lost 3-1 to SK Gaming. They may have temporarily lost their position as #1 US team in the world, but expect them to fight back for it. EG has defeated some excellent teams so far in the QQ Gaming Qualifier #1 and are certainly benefiting from adding Bdiz to their roster.

Team: Phenomenal Boys
Tag: [PhB]
How they got in: Invited - #7 on GosuGamers Rankings

Previously known as Empire Multigaming, this Russian squad is nothing short of phenomenal. Last month, they won the UNGL MiniCup #5, and currently, they sit at the top of their group in the ESL Major Series. This could be their chance to make a jump into the top 5 teams in the world.

Team: DuskBin E-sports
Tag: [DskB]
How they got in: Qualified - Won US Qualifier #1

DskB, #9 on the GosuGamers Rankings, has continually been the best team from Southeast Asia. They made it to the finals of the FNATIC PLAY Tournament, but lost to Online-Kingdom. They, too, have something to prove to be considered a top 5 international team.

Team: TS-Gaming
Tag: [TSoG]
How they got in: Qualified - Won Bonus Qualifier

At #11 on our rankings, Swedish team TSoG won the final Bonus Qualifier to justify their spot in GosuCup HoN #1. They have no lack of confidence for the Group Stage round, which you'll find out in our following interview.

Team Profile: Interview with TSoG's "Mr. X"

We had the opportunity to speak with XoYnoZnU from TSoG regarding his team and their expectations for the GosuCup Group Stage. Are the results for Group B uncertain? He doesn't think so.

Could you start off by introducing yourself?

Hello, I am XoYnoZnU, also referred to as Mr. X by our lovely caster, BreakyCPK.

“The main goal was pulling a bunch of friends together and having a blast, and we have kept doing that since the start.”
- [TSoG] XoYnoZnUGive us a brief history of your team in the competitive HoN scene.

The team started out with DotA icon PapaDrayich bringing some friends together from his hometown to have some fun. That group went to DreamHack Summer 2010 and won the Swedish qualifier for DYA, and that's where it all started. I was not part of this team by then, but, luckily, I knew Dray from DotA and had the opportunity to join in on this great team. What is so great with this team is the vision Dray laid down from the start. The main goal was pulling a bunch of friends together and having a blast, and we have kept doing that since the start.

Could you talk a bit about your current roster? Which role does each player usually fill on the team?

Our current roster is myself, Away`, Hyddae, RUS_AGENT007, LGD`TjockTV (also known as HenryD), and PapaDrayich. Away` is our main supporter in the team, and we love him for it. Hyddae's main goal is to find kills where there should be no kills. RUS_AGENT007's goal is to find places to farm where there should be no farm. LGD`TjockTV's role is often to farm on heroes. I just take all the creeps and leave nothing for my team. PapaDrayich just came back from a longer break from HoN, and we are still trying to find his awesomeness back within the team. Good thing that he knows everything.

In the GosuCup Group Stage, TSoG is in Group B, along with EG, PhB, and DskB. Many agree that it is one of the more difficult groups. Going into this weekend, how confident are you against each of these opponents?

I still don't know why you are calling this interview a pre-interview; rename it to the winner's interview and save us all some time.

So it's gonna be 2-0 against all of them?

We would 3-0 them if you would let us.

Well, we look forward to it! Good luck in the Group Stage, though it doesn't sound like you need it. Any shout-outs?

Shout-outs to all the casters who open up the competitive scene to the fans.

Links
gosugamers.net - GosuCup HoN #1: Group Stage schedule