Challengers EMEA Weekly Recap: All of the Action (Feb 11-13)

Feb 16, 2023

As we reach the pointy end of each regional competition, the stakes have never been higher. With the race for first place and that top playoffs seed on the line, the competition grows ever fiercer, so here’s a rundown of this week’s action. 

DACH: Evolution

DACH: Evolution’s regular season has concluded, with playoffs set to kick off on February 25. As per the scores below, MOUZ, Unicorns of Love, Angry Titans, and CGN Esports are all looking to snatch that regional crown. 

East: Surge

This week’s highlight (for Acend, at least) was their game against Anorthosis Famagusta Esports. In a completely flawless display, Acend absolutely dominated Anorthosis on Split and subjected them to a crushing 13-0 to end the week. The day before, though, Anorthosis put up quite the fight against ENTERPRISE Esports, taking them deep into overtime on Haven. NOM wasn’t so lucky, however, allowing ENTERPRISE to easily climb into second. The 6 playoff spots have now been decided, with these beginning on March 9!

France: Revolution

Following some close-fought battles last week, France: Revolution has taken a week off, allowing the squads to prepare for the regular season’s conclusion next week!

Italy: Rinascimento

You guessed it; DSYRE ended this week with yet another flawless run, securing themselves a spot in the upper bracket finals by taking down GMT Esports and Axolotl. HMBLE rose through the ranks, to second place, following a solid showing against MACKO, and are set to face off against DSYRE on day two of week six. Will they finally take a game off of the so-far untouchable DSYRE? We’ll have to wait and see, but either way, it’s set to be a good one - so don’t miss it!

MENA: Resilience

GCC & Iraq

GCC & Iraq took a week off and will resume play on February 19 with second-place squads Triple Esports Club and Twisted minds kicking off week six.

Levant & North Africa

Following the Türkiye and Syria earthquake on February 6, NASR were unable to compete in week four. This meant that both of their games took place this week, where they lost a hard-fought 2-1 series to Team RA’AD, but swept aside Bravado Gaming in style.

Northern Europe: Polaris

Northern Europe has also taken a break this week, and will return on February 20 with Apeks vs. Les Petit Bouffons - so make sure you tune in!

Portugal: Tempest

While it’s been proven that SAW can bleed, they hardly limped into week five. Back with a vengeance and a point to prove, they easily swept aside FTW Esports, who only managed to take two rounds on Icebox. Panthers proved slightly more challenging on Pearl, but were swiftly dispatched to the bottom end of the standings. SAW will face off against EGN Esports and Vikings Fourteen next week, both of whom have been slowly but surely rising to the top. Perhaps there’ll be even more upsets - we’ll just have to wait and see.

Spain: Rising

Spain: Rising will resume play on February 16, meaning that we’ll include those results in next week’s recap. Team Queso will be taking on Rebels Gaming, and a win will secure their title as champions of the regular season!

Türkiye: Birlik

Play is suspended in Türkiye: Birlik (at the time of writing) following the earthquakes that affected Türkiye and Syria on February 6th. If you are able to, Riot Games will be matching donations (up to $150k) to help support victims of this disaster. More information is available here.