
Game 1
As previously reported, Mark was with blue-black control splashing a touch of white for Temporal Isolation and Pull From Eternity. In a refreshing change of pace, Paulo had eschewed the popular U/B/x decks for red-green styles. Paulo's deck featured Lotus Bloom and Radha, Heir to Keld to accelerate into Bogardan Hellkite, along with the potent Planar Chaos special Harmonize to refresh the hand. A powerful deck that had certainly been doing well for its pilot over the weekend.
Unfortunately for the Portuguese player, he began this game with a trip to mulligan town. The next six were acceptable, and Paulo began with a Radha, Heir to Keld into a quick Harmonize. Mark was happy to Cancel that move, as he tapped out on the following turn for a suspended Aeon Chronicler. With Mark's defenses down, Paulo resolved a second Harmonize. Aside from the incipient blue Maro, Paulo seemed to be in competitive shape. That quickly reversed when, after a big attack from the Chronicler, Mark aimed a Haunting Hymn at Carvalho for 80% of his hand.
Hurt but not out, Paulo was ready to make his move a few turns later. The Radha again attacked and Paulo announced his intention to add double red. Mark held up his hand and said the mana-making trigger was still on the stack. While it hung there, Mark aimed his Extirpate at a Bogardan Hellkite in the grave. Sure enough Paulo revealed a Hellkite from his hand, also stripped away. After that blow Paulo couldn't mount an effective offense and the Chronicler quickly finished the game.
Herberholz 1, Carvalho 0
Game 2
Paulo sunk in his chair as he was forced to again send back his hand for the next six. With a grimace Paulo kept them and began with a Wall of Roots. There was no further land from the red-green player, although Scryb Ranger allayed things a bit. Meanwhile Herberholz was content to take a minor ping or two while suspending a big Chronicler. His Damnation eventually took down the Wall and Faerie, but that gave Paulo the opportunity to lay a monstrous Spectral Force. Spectral Force did manage to hit Mark once, but Mark merely end stepped searched for a Temporal Isolation. The Chronicler came in large, and the white aura landed on the Spectral Force. Again Paulo was out of gas as the Chronicler rampaged in. A flashed back Teachings fetching Draining Whelk put the nail in the coffin, and Paulo offered his hand in concession.
Herberholz 2, Carvalho 0