The group stage of the ESEA Open has officially come to an end, and that means one thing… It’s time to take stock and see which teams have managed to secure their place in the next stages of the competition. As usual, the season delivered plenty of excitement, surprises and many closely fought matches, which were often decided in the closing stages of the maps. Particularly in the Open9 and Open10 divisions, the standard was extremely close, meaning the battle for the promotion spots lasted practically until the final round. For some teams, this was a season that confirmed their consistency. For others, however, it was a painful lesson and a sign of changes to come ahead of the next season. So, in today’s round-up, we’ll see which of our partners managed to make it to the play-offs. Who secured promotion, and which teams saw their campaign end in the regular season?
The final stretch of the season and the battle for the play-offs
The end of the season brought a classic scenario for the ESEA Open division… A fierce battle for the top spots and an equally intense contest for a place in the play-off bracket. The point differences were minimal, so many teams had to keep a close eye on their direct rivals’ results right up to the very end. It is also worth mentioning the situation of YNG SKiLLZ and Carpathian Roja, who had effectively ended their season even before the final rounds. Walkovers, inactivity and limited participation in the competition clearly suggested squad issues and withdrawal from regular competition. Neither team was a realistic contender for promotion anymore. Therefore, in the following section, we focus on the teams that competed right until the very end for the places that would see them through to the next phase of the season.
TW E-Sports (ESEA Open9)
TW E-Sports’ end-of-season performance was a clear confirmation of the form the team had built up throughout the competition. The team went into the final matches in a comfortable position. However, to maintain their place among the very top, they needed to keep scoring points. The final four matches brought a mix of emotions. This was because right from the start there was a setback in the form of a 7:13 defeat against SmakiDonald on Nuke. This match showed that even for a well-functioning team, a moment of loss of concentration can be immediately exploited by the opponent. TW E-Sports struggled to impose their own pace of play and close out rounds effectively, which resulted in their first loss of points in quite some time.
The team’s response, however, was immediate and very convincing. A 13-8 victory against Team Double Damage on Nuke allowed them to rebuild their confidence and return to a more organised style of play. The team looked far better in every respect, which resulted in more stable periods of the match. However, the most thrilling moment came in the clash with One Ops – Black, where TW E-Sports had to show patience and composure in the closing stages of the map. The 13-11 victory was the result of consistent play and skilful capitalisation on the opponent’s mistakes. To round things off, there was a 13–10 victory against jakTOnieWESZLO on Ancient.
An 11–3 record and third place in the table is a very solid result and an important step towards continuing the fight for promotion. TW E-Sports have done their job, securing their place in the bracket, but the real challenge is only just beginning. To have a realistic chance of promotion to the Entry division, the team must finish in the top four of the entire play-offs, which means maintaining consistent form and effectiveness in high-stakes matches. If the team keeps its cool in the closing stages and maintains its current consistency, it has every reason to fight for the next step up the league hierarchy.
Lunacy NXT (ESEA Open10)
Lunacy NXT’s performance in the final stages of the ESEA regular season was a good reflection of just how demanding competition in the Open10 division can be. The team went into their last three matches with a realistic chance of qualifying for the play-offs. However, the margin for error was very slim. The 11-13 defeat against Team Reacon on Ancient was a match that remained evenly balanced for a long time and could have gone either way. Unfortunately, in the end, a few rounds’ lead for the opponents decided the outcome. The clash with PRINS on Nuke followed a similar pattern… Where, once again, they came within a whisker of securing a victory and ensuring a more comfortable position in the table ahead of the final round.
However, the team’s response in the season-ending match was very convincing. A 13-5 victory against Meziis Angels on Nuke allowed Lunacy NXT not only to end the regular season on a high note. But also to confirm that the team can handle the pressure and get back on track after two tougher matches. This match was decidedly more one-sided than previous encounters. This, in turn, translated into greater control over the flow of the game and a more composed closing out of subsequent rounds. Such a response was particularly important in the context of the battle for a place in the top half of the table.
A 10–4 record and 33rd place in the table secured Lunacy NXT a place in Group A, which grants direct promotion to the Intermediate division. This is a very significant step forward and confirmation of a consistent season from the team. At the same time, participation in the play-offs offers the chance to fight for even higher goals… Provided the team can maintain their form and improve their effectiveness in the most closely contested matches. The end of the season showed that Lunacy NXT can compete under pressure, so if they maintain their consistency, the team has what it takes to spring surprises in the later stages of the competition as well.
Panico eSports
For Panico eSports, the end of the season was relatively short, but every match played was of great importance in the context of a potential battle for the play-offs. The team began this stage of the competition with a walkover victory against PDFy. This allowed them to add vital points to their tally and maintain a mathematical chance of improving their position. However, it is difficult to treat such a result as a true indicator of form, so the next match remained the key test. The clash with GrandPEEK on Anubis ended in a convincing 13-6 victory, which showed that the team is capable of controlling the flow of the match and capitalising on opportunities to build a lead.
Unfortunately, despite the positive end to the season, earlier matches had a significant impact on the team’s final position in the table. Panico eSports struggled with a lack of consistency for a long time. This resulted in the loss of points in matches that could have brought the team closer to competing for higher places. The closely contested nature of many matches meant that individual rounds decided the outcomes. However, the lack of consistency made it difficult to build a winning streak. Even a strong run of form towards the end was therefore not enough to significantly improve their position before the end of the regular season.
A 7–7 record and a place in the bottom third of the table mean the season ends without a play-off spot. For Panico eSports, this result can be seen as a solid foundation for further development… but at the same time, it is a sign that greater consistency in results will be essential in the next campaign. The team showed flashes of good play and was capable of winning convincingly. However, reducing fluctuations in form and making more effective use of opportunities in closely contested matches will prove crucial. If the team draws the right conclusions from this season, a return to the fight for the play-offs in the future remains a very real possibility.
Visionary
Unfortunately, the end of this phase did not go according to plan for Visionary, who finished it with a run of three defeats that significantly complicated their position in the table. The clash against NuToriousEu on Ancient ended 9–13 and remained a closely contested match for a long time. However, at the decisive moments, it was the opponents who were able to capitalise on their chances more effectively. The match against zlatans angels followed a similar pattern, where the 11:13 defeat once again demonstrated how small details determine the final result. Visionary were able to compete on equal terms… but lacked the effectiveness in key rounds and the consistency needed to tip the match in their favour.
The most one-sided match in this series was the 6-13 defeat against Red Rebels on Mirage. In this match, the opponents set their own pace from the start and maintained control of the game. This made it difficult for Visionary to find their rhythm and rebuild their confidence during the map. Despite occasional flashes of good play, the team lacked the consistency needed to turn the match around or at least make for a closer finish. This match summed up well the difficulties the team faced in the final stages of the season.
A 6–8 record means the season ends without a place in the play-offs, leaving them in the regular season. Visionary did, however, show that it is capable of competing in closely contested matches and holding its own against teams higher up the table. Key to the team’s future will be translating these moments of good play into more consistent results and improving effectiveness in the closing stages of matches. If the team manages to stabilise its form and reduce the number of matches lost by a narrow margin, it could once again join the fight for promotion spots in the next season.
PEST Esport
PEST Esport finished the ESEA regular season in fine style, recording a clean sweep of victories. A 13-9 win against TES eSport on Mirage was a solid start and kept the team in the race for the top spots and a place in the play-offs. The team then added a walkover to their tally, which further improved their points tally ahead of the final match of the season. The match against EX1SE on Ancient ended in a 13-10 victory and was a more evenly matched affair. However, PEST Esport once again managed to tip the balance in their favour, thereby confirming their good form in the decisive stage of the season.
A 10–4 record and a position around the top 60 in the table secured the team a place in the play-off bracket. This must be considered a very solid result given the large and demanding Open10 division. For most of the season, PEST Esport displayed a consistent level of performance and managed to secure points in both one-sided matches and those that were more evenly contested. Particularly important was their ability to maintain concentration in the closing stages of maps… This repeatedly allowed the team to close out matches in their favour and build a favourable win-loss record.
In sporting terms, the season can therefore be considered a success, though its conclusion also brought important organisational news. The organisation’s parting of ways with the squad means that, despite qualifying for the play-offs, this was the team’s final appearance under the PEST Esport banner. This situation lends the end of the season a somewhat symbolic character. The team left a very good impression and proved their worth through their results. However, the players’ future will now unfold outside the organisation’s structures. Regardless of the players’ future prospects, their performance in the final stages of the competition can definitely be rated as a success.
The ESEA Open regular season is behind us
The conclusion of the regular season in the Open divisions brought our partner teams very mixed results. However, there were plenty of reasons for optimism… The biggest successes were achieved by TW E-Sports and Lunacy NXT, who secured their places in the play-offs. As such, they remain in contention for further promotion within the ESEA structure. PEST Esport also secured a place in the play-offs, though in their case this success coincided with the end of their partnership with the squad. Panico eSports and Visionary, meanwhile, ended the season without promotion; despite moments of good play, they failed to maintain the required consistency. Now all attention shifts to the play-offs, where the pressure will be even greater. Every match could determine the future direction of the teams in the upcoming competitions.
TW E-sports
Lunacy Gaming
Panico eSports
Visionary
English 
Polish 