Challengers EMEA Weekly Recap: All of the Action (Feb 4-7)

Feb 9, 2023

DACH: Evolution

We asked last week whether or not the MOUZ could topple the unicorn, and indeed it has! While both teams, Angry Titans, and CGN Esports have locked a place in playoffs, MOUZ go into the pointy end of the competition with their heads held high, with their 2-0 win over Unicorns of Love saw a particularly dominant performance on Ascent, which has surely left them full of confidence. Will they meet again in a few weeks? We’ll have to wait and see!

East: Surge

Continuing to up their game week after week, Acend remains at the top of the table, two points ahead of second-place squad Diamant Esports. Taking down Anonymo Esports and Rapid Ninjas in a clean 2-0 week, Diamant also took down Zero Tenacity and NOM - the latter of whom only took three rounds. This has prompted NOM to recruit Shon ‘ShonP’ Trikisha and Daniel ‘ponkt’ Punkt in hopes of changing their fortunes. Next week sees Acend take on Cyber Wolves, and Diamant take on ENTERPRISE, where they’ll hope to keep hold of this momentum.

France: Revolution

While SBG are now officially locked into playoffs, and 1st place for the regular season, they dropped a game to Valiant this week. Mandatory, however, had a flawless week, propelling themselves up the leaderboard, with playoffs all but secured. With JobLife standing in their way next week, though, it’s set to be a hard-fought battle for those final playoff spots.

Italy: Rinascimento

Another week in Italy: Rinascimento, another flawless run for DSYRE, who maintain their spot at the top of the table without having dropped a game so far. Demolishing former second-place rivals HMBLE on Icebox, they easily took down WLGaming Esports and aNc Outplayed. MACKO Esports also had a good week, surging into second having beaten rival squad QLASH in a back-and-forth on Pearl, meaning DSYRE may have a real threat on their hands.

MENA: Resilience

GCC & Iraq

As we kick off our second week in GCC & Iraq, Falcons continue to dominate their opponents in style, not dropping a single match this week against Twisted Minds and The Ultimates. Next week will likely be smooth sailing, too, as Dice 10 and Ashur Esports step up to the plate - but who knows, sometimes the underdog comes out on top!

Levant & North Africa

NASR were unable to take on Team RA’AD and Bravado Gaming this week as a result of the earthquake on February 6th in Türkiye and Syria. For now, Geekay has emerged as the team to beat, scoring another flawless week. Hot on their heels are Team RA’AD, though, so they better watch out.

Northern Europe: Polaris

Remaining undefeated, Apeks continue to rule Northern Europe: Polaris. They have now secured playoff spots alongside both Les Petit Bouffons and FOKUS. HSDIRR, BONK, and Who Cars? will all be out for blood next week to grab the final spot so strap in, it’s going to be a good one.

Portugal: Tempest

And finally SAW have fallen, bringing an end to a so far magnificent flawless run. Taken down by GTZ Esports in a back-and-forth match on Pearl, the team were quick to come back and take down EX0TIK the next day, but their armor is dented and GTZ will be looking to chip it even further. However, they go up against EX0TIK GAMING next week, so they may need to watch their own backs.

Spain: Rising

Team Queso remains on top following another flawless week, although their opponents make up the bottom end of the table. Next week they’re set to clash with Rebels Gaming who, while they’ve slipped down the standing a little after being defeated by KPI, remains incredibly dangerous.

Türkiye: Birlik

Following the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria on February 6th, the league’s games finished early this week. As rescue efforts continue, the resumption of Türkiye: Birlik remains uncertain for now.