The counter is kind of annoying but I like it because usually there is a tiny bit of lag at the beginning of the match and the countdown timer goes long enough to block it out.

Finally! I liked it alot better without counter!

Is there a source for this? I kind of feel like they wouldn't do this, then hosts who have shitty connections would lag it at the beginning of every round.

the load screen will last longer

Aren't the matches being played at Gamescom in a private match with custom rules? That would explain for some of the differences in timing/ score caps in matches

I don't see anything wrong with the Wait Counter(5secs) in Search and Destroy. It gives a few secs to talk to here team where to go,routes. or Choose a different class.

It's only 5 seconds lol, I think it's a good thing.

I agree that it was much better on BOPS without a counter.

Black Ops 1 never had the start counter at the beginning of every round so I think Black Ops 2 will be the same as Black Ops 1!