EG Team Preview

The European underdogs have arrived. With Europe’s top 4 looking fairly set in stone throughout the split, one team had to rise to the occasion for the 5th slot, and that team was EG. After missing out so narrowly with a 6th place finish in Fall, EG had faith in their lineup heading into Winter and went into the split without even a whisper of a change.

And the belief has certainly paid dividends. In regional event 1, they appeared to be struggling under the pressure of the big stage as a roster largely new to being near the top, with triple game 5 losses sending them home in 9th-12th. But from here, EG only soared higher, with dominant performances on days 1 and 2 granting a top 3 finish in the 2nd event, putting the German speaking rising stars right back into contention.

And in the final event, they found the ice when it mattered most, fighting back from a game 7 deficit against a surging Luminosity within the dying seconds to secure their place in LA with a solid top 4 finish.

For the roster, who have stuck strong since the German Amigos days, it’s a huge payoff for all their hard work, and as a team of players who have frequently missed out on chances in the top level, even bigger. Rizex45 was dropped by numerous bubble teams, and then higher ranked teams, without a chance to truly prove himself worthy. Ivn was a lost player, struggling to even get close to a main event in season X before forming the German Amigos. And Catalysm, finally had the chance to flex his offensive muscles after a hard fought slog of battling away in the bubble.

This is a team forged in the fire, and they’ve certainly come from nowhere. With this freshness, also comes bravery, innovation, and a hunger to keep pushing for more, which is why EG have potential to be a dark horse for a deep run. But at the same time, it can also be their down fall.

None of the 3 have experienced high level LAN experience, with LA being each of their debuts, which could present serious issues with the overwhelming pressure of a screaming crowd. Additionally, EG have also found it difficult to compete with the best in Europe, recording just a single group stage win over Endpoint out of Europe’s big 4, and struggling to keep up with the pace and consistency of the very highest level.

At the end of the day, EG are still a major region team and will still be hunting for victory. However, they do appear to just be a step behind the top 8 or so in the world, and will struggle to make a deep run.

On top of that, their groups draw hadn’t made matters any easier. A debut match against the highly experienced, mechanical G2 will prove a struggle, followed by reigning champs BDS, and then a likely tussle with Team Secret for elimination, which should be winnable, but could also place the European 5th seed in a tough