The main phase of the ESEA Open is now behind us… So this is the perfect time to see how our partners competing in the Open10 division fared. We’re talking about YNG SKiLLZ and Golden Five, who had completely different stories to tell this season. One team was fighting to turn things around and avoid relegation, whilst the other was seeking stability after a promising start. In this round-up, we look at their journey through the regular season and, above all, answer the most important question… Did our partners manage to secure a place in the play-offs?
Our partners in action
YNG SKiLLZ
YNG SKiLLZ kicked off the ESEA Open10 season with a great deal of energy and a determination to prove they could compete with anyone in their division. We analysed their first steps in the league shortly after their debut, where we assessed both their attempts to develop their own playing style and the initial problems that arose in practice. The following weeks provided further material for evaluation. After four matches, YNG SKiLLZ had already experienced both strong spells and clear slip-ups. In our analysis of this stage, it was clear that the team was trying to maintain its own rhythm, but it still lacked consistency and composure in crucial rounds.
As time went on, the situation began to get increasingly difficult. YNG SKiLLZ’s form fluctuated, and their match record failed to keep pace with the team’s ambitious plans. Unfortunately, minor errors and a lack of stability in the decisive moments of the maps cost them matches that were often well within their reach. Towards the end of the regular season, a relegation battle emerged. Suddenly, every match took on double the significance, and the pressure was greater than ever. As we reported on this situation, it became clear that the team’s fate now hinged on the final few matches on the fixture list.
YNG SKiLLZ 9:13 Team Smile 
| Inferno
YNG SKiLLZ 1:0 GANZA GAMING 
| walkover
The end of the regular season brought YNG SKiLLZ two more matches to round off their campaign. Their first opponent in the final stages of the regular season was the Russian side Team Smile, and the match was played on Inferno. The match was evenly contested and, for the most part, looked like one in which YNG SKiLLZ could fight for a complete turnaround. Ultimately, however, it was their opponents who made better use of their chances, closing out the match with a 9–13 scoreline. It was a result that left a bit to be desired. Especially as the difference of just a few rounds suggested that, with a little more form or greater consistency, the match could have gone differently.
The second of the last two scheduled matches was meant to be a chance to improve their record and keep alive their hopes of catching up with the leaders. Their opponents were the Portuguese side GANZA GAMING, but the match did not go ahead as planned. The opponents turned up with only a four-man line-up, which automatically meant a walkover for YNG SKiLLZ. Although the point was awarded, the lack of a proper match prevented the team from showing their full potential or fighting for a real turnaround in the season’s fortunes. Ultimately, despite many ambitious attempts throughout the regular season, YNG SKiLLZ fell a few points short of qualifying for the play-offs.
Golden Five
As for Golden Five, their entire journey through the ESEA Open regular season has already been covered in detail in our previous article, where we looked at their matches, key moments and the progress of the team, which joined the partner programme relatively recently. Most importantly, however, G5 achieved their goal and secured a place in the play-offs. It was thanks to their solid start to the season that Golden Five secured their place in the knockout stage, even though the end of the regular season wasn’t their strongest showing. Now it remains to be seen how they will fare in the do-or-die matches.
Our partners on the road to further success
Despite mixed results, both partner teams showed character and determination. YNG SKiLLZ, although at times they looked truly promising, failed to secure a place in the play-offs this time round. Golden Five, on the other hand, capitalised on their strong start to the season and successfully secured their place in the knockout stage, where a real test of their abilities awaits them. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be covering Golden Five’s progress and supporting our partners as they continue their journey. The regular season may be over, but the excitement certainly remains.
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