The regular season of the next ESEA season has come to an end, and with the final matches, we now know the full list of teams that will progress to the play-offs. The past few weeks have brought many thrilling matches, and some teams had to fight for their place in the knockout stage right up until the final rounds. It was no different for our partners, whom we were able to follow across several divisions.
In the Main and Intermediate divisions, Vandals Clan and VoFoxen were in action. Both teams had already established a solid position, but the end of the regular season presented them with a few more challenging matches. Ultimately, both Vandals and VoFoxen can celebrate qualifying for the play-offs. We have even more reasons to be pleased in Open10, where NPK Esport and Panico eSports concluded their campaigns. There were plenty of interesting results here too, and both teams managed to finish the season with a record that secured them a place in the next stage of the competition.
This means that as many as four Superion.gg partners have secured a place in their respective divisions’ play-offs. Before we move on to the knockout stage, however, it’s worth taking a look at how their journey through the final rounds of the regular season unfolded.
ESEA Main and Intermediate – Vandals Clan and VoFoxen through
In the Main and Intermediate divisions, we were able to follow the progress of two of our partners: Vandals Clan and VoFoxen. Both teams had enjoyed a successful regular season, and the final rounds were primarily an opportunity to seal their places in the play-offs. However, this did not mean there was a lack of excitement. In both cases, the end of the season brought both very comfortable victories and matches that were only decided in extra time.
Vandals Clan competed in ESEA Main, where they were in a strong position heading into their final matches. However, the team had to stay focused to secure their place in the knockout stage. VoFoxen, on the other hand, were in an even stronger position in the Intermediate division and boasted one of the best records amongst our partners. Ultimately, both teams achieved their goal. Vandals finished the regular season with an 8–6 record, whilst VoFoxen won as many as ten out of fourteen matches. Both teams can now focus on the play-offs.
Vandals Clan with an 8–6 record in ESEA Main
The end of the regular season proved to be a real test for Vandals Clan. The team had six matches to play, each of which could have an impact on the final league table. Vandals began this run with a match against RedTigersGaming, in which they dictated the pace from the outset. In the end, our partners won 13–8.
The next match against PELIA proved even more thrilling. The regular rounds were not enough to decide the winner, so both teams had to go into extra time. Vandals Clan kept their cool better during the extra rounds and won the match 16–13. Next came the clash with Nemesis Academy, which also only ended after extra rounds. This time, however, their rivals proved the better side and won 14–16. Vandals quickly bounced back from this defeat by beating UBITEAM 13–7.
The next match against Nordic Valor also ended in victory for our partner, this time by 13–9. To round off the group stage, Vandals Clan faced DTL. The match was very evenly contested, but in the end the opponents proved just the better side, winning 11–13. However, this defeat did not affect the overall outcome. Vandals Clan finished the ESEA Main group stage with a record of 8–6, which was enough to secure a place in the play-offs.
VoFoxen with an impressive 10–4 record
VoFoxen, who competed in ESEA Intermediate, can look back on an even better end to the season. The team recorded four wins and two defeats in their last six matches, and thanks to their earlier results, they were able to finish the regular season with a truly impressive record.
VoFoxen’s first opponent in the run-in was ANECDOTE. It was a very evenly matched encounter, but our partners maintained their lead right to the very end and won 13–11. In the next match, however, they suffered a clear defeat at the hands of Passion Academy. Their opponents won by a score of 5–13. VoFoxen quickly got back on track, though, and in the following match comfortably defeated depreso reborn 13–6. The clash with robus tu sinqn proved even more thrilling. This time, extra time was needed to decide the winner, and after an incredibly long battle, VoFoxen triumphed 19–17.
The last two matches, however, did not bring further victories. First, the team lost 11–13 to SINQU, and then went down 8–13 to TEAM DIVINITY. Despite these two defeats, VoFoxen’s position remained very strong. Ultimately, the team finished the regular season with a 10–4 record and comfortably secured their place in the ESEA Intermediate play-offs. This result shows that VoFoxen have maintained a very consistent level of form throughout the season and can now aim for an even better result in the knockout stage.
ESEA Open10 – NPK Esport and Panico eSports also in the play-offs
In the Open10 division, meanwhile, we saw as many as three Superion.gg partners in action. However, Nisla Rakov recently withdrew from the Entry division, having parted ways with its players. For this reason, we’ll omit their results this time and focus on the two teams that finished the regular season and secured a place in the play-offs. We’re talking, of course, about NPK Esport and Panico eSports.
For both teams, the end of the season was quite intense. NPK recorded both very convincing victories and a heavy defeat, whilst one of their matches ended in a walkover. Panico, on the other hand, recorded a series of mixed results, but managed to secure the necessary points at the most crucial moments. Ultimately, both teams finished the regular season with an identical 9–5 record. This was enough for both NPK Esport and Panico eSports to prepare for the knockout stage.
Panico eSports secure qualification with a strong finish
Another team that can celebrate qualifying for the play-offs is Panico eSports, competing in ESEA Open10. In their last six matches, our international partners recorded three wins and three defeats, making for a rather uneven end to the group stage. Ultimately, however, the most important thing was to maintain a positive record and secure a place in the knockout stage.
In the final stretch, Panico eSports started with a 10–13 defeat to Holy Bible Boys, but bounced back in their very next match with a 13–6 victory over XRoc Junior. The clash with XERA went even better, with our partners completely dominating their opponents and winning 13–1. However, after two wins, further problems arose. First, Panico lost 5–13 to Champi, and then went on to lose 10–13 to 1Holdet. The final match therefore took on added significance, as the team needed a strong finish to the group stage.
Fortunately, Panico eSports rose to the challenge and defeated Second Life 13–9 in the final round. As a result, the team finished the regular season with a 9–5 record, securing their place in the play-offs. Although the last few weeks had brought a few setbacks, Panico managed to bounce back from their weaker performances and secure a place in the knockout stages. The team now faces the most important matches of the season, in which they will have the chance to fight for an even better result.
NPK Esport with a 9–5 record
NPK Esport can also count their regular season as a success. The team began their final run of matches with a 13–7 victory over ZenQ Ninjas, getting off to a good start in their bid to maintain their position in the table. In the following match, however, NPK forfeited their fixture against paytm, meaning they were unable to add another victory to their tally. The team quickly got back on track, though, and in their next match confidently defeated Zeste Esport 13–5.
The following match yielded a decidedly worse result. SLF ESPORTS completely dominated NPK and won 1–13, inflicting our partners’ most one-sided defeat of this part of the season. NPK did not, however, allow this result to affect their next match. In their clash with Team Ferrum, we once again saw a closely contested match, but this time it was NPK Esport who emerged victorious, winning 13–11.
To round off the regular season, NPK faced Zarasu Ezerietis Esports. The match was once again very closely fought, but this time the opponents proved just the better side, winning 11–13. Despite two defeats in their last three matches, NPK Esport finished the group stage with a very strong 9–5 record, which secured the team a place in the play-offs. Now it’s time to put the group stage behind them and focus on the most important matches of the season.
Time for the ESEA play-offs
The regular season has come to an end, but for our partners, the season isn’t over yet. Quite the contrary… The most important part is only just beginning. Vandals Clan, VoFoxen, NPK Esport and Panico eSports have all secured their places in their respective division’s play-offs. As a result, all four teams still have a chance to achieve a strong result in the 58th ESEA season.
VoFoxen boast the best record, having finished the Intermediate division with a 10–4 record. NPK Esport and Panico eSports both recorded a 9–5 record in Open10. Vandals Clan, meanwhile, finished the Main regular season with a record of 8–6.
Now, however, all these figures take a back seat. In the play-offs, it is above all performance in each individual match that will count. Every victory will bring our partners closer to the next stages, whilst every defeat could bring their season to an end. So all that remains is to keep our fingers crossed for all four teams and await their results in the knockout stage.
Vandals Clan
VoFoxen
Panico eSports
NPK Esport
Source: Team profiles on faceit.com
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