This weekend, Pandemic will have two teams competing in Blizzard's Worldwide Invitational at Paris, France. In addition to the Black team lineup featuring Chris “Douja” Cossey, Dave “sck” Quick, and Joe “NoktyN” Romano, the classic Pandemic Rogue/Mage/Priest team from last year, Greg “Malice” Risselada, Mason “Nitrana” Groendal, and Nathan “Kintt” Quinn will head into battle with the top seed as Pandemic Blue.

At MLG San Diego a few weeks ago, Pandemic suffered their first ever 3v3 tournament loss. None of Nitrana, Malice, or Kintt, though, played in any matches there, but that doesn't mean they don't feel the loss.

“Losing isn't the best feeling in the world, especially when you know you should have done better,” said Risselada, “We made some foolish mistakes, but we realize that everyone has to lose sometime and I feel that our team handled it pretty well and is ready to get back the number one spot.”

The WWI is their chance, and for Pandemic's RMP lineup, the winner's circle is a familiar place. To do it, though, they'll have to take on Europe's best, including the Nihilum team that beat Pandemic in San Diego, as well as top teams from Asia and America, like their first round foes, SK Gaming.

“After seeing Nihilum play, I expect all of the European teams to be very good. I also expect the Asian teams to play well, although I expect them to have a much more unique style of play,” said Risselada, “I watched the 'KSWISS: The Named' tournament on GomTV and they certainly play a lot of match-ups differently. We will see which way is superior.”

The WWI will mark the first time Nathan “Kintt” Quinn plays with the team this year after missing out on the multiple online qualification ladders and MLG San Diego in the last month. He brings a stabilizing presence to the RMP team that kept Pandemic on top in 2007.

“It's great to have him back,” said Risselada, “I'm happy that he is playing a lot again and we have had a lot of fun playing together.”

This will be the Blue team's first taste of LAN action in 2008, and they're looking forward to it – despite the long travel.

“I'm ready for the flight. I went to China and Sweden last year, and both were longer flights. Shouldn't be so bad,” laughed Risselada, “I think that this will be one of the best events yet and hopefully we can do some fun stuff in Paris.”