In our previous article, we took a look at our partners’ performances in the 57th ESEA season in the Open and Entry divisions. There was no shortage of excitement, closely fought matches and the first signs of form from the various teams. This time, we’re taking it a step further and moving up a level… to the Intermediate and Main divisions, where the competition becomes even more demanding.
It’s worth noting that, in the Main division, one of our partners, Superion Gaming, has already been the subject of a separate feature in which we discussed their performances in detail. ViBe Gaming, on the other hand, is no longer taking part in the competition due to the suspension of its activities. Therefore, they will not feature in this round-up either. We’ll therefore be focusing on the four teams that are still actively battling it out for the best possible results in their respective divisions.
ESEA Intermediate – a closely fought battle with no room for error
Intermediate is a level where every mistake is quickly capitalised on by the opponent, and the differences between teams are truly minimal. This is perfectly illustrated by the results of our partners. Both VoFoxen and Gloris eSports have finished the first half of the season with a 4–4 record. This shows just how evenly matched the field is and how crucial the finer details are in each match. At this stage of the competition, the key will be to find consistency and learn from defeats, as every subsequent match could determine the final standings.
VoFoxen
VoFoxen kicked off the 57th ESEA season in fine style and quickly showed that they could be one of the most exciting teams in this division. After all, their first three matches ended in victories. A 13–5 win against The Thatchers, a 13–11 victory over Quadrivium and a dominant 13–1 win against GOLIRA clearly highlighted their potential. The team looked confident, controlled the pace of the game well and were able to close out maps without any major issues. Added to this was a walkover against WeClear Junior, which only strengthened their position at the start and meant that the beginning of the season can be considered a great success.
At that time, VoFoxen looked like a well-organised team, capable of capitalising on their opponents’ mistakes and dictating the terms of the match. Their play was dynamic yet effective, allowing them to build a lead right from the opening rounds. It seemed they were well on their way to maintaining their winning streak and could realistically aim for the top of the table.
However, the second half of their fixtures brought clear difficulties. A narrow 11–13 defeat to Nordic Valor was the first sign that things were starting to go awry. Subsequent matches against Sangal 1XALTERS and fullTNT revealed even greater problems, particularly when facing more demanding opponents. Their effectiveness dropped, and the team found it harder to maintain control of the map, which directly affected their results.
At the end of this series, VoFoxen were once again very close to turning things around, but lost 11–13 to 3Nation. This was yet another match where the outcome was decided by the finer details and a lack of clinical finishing at crucial moments. Their 4–4 record accurately reflects their current form: they are a team with potential, but one still searching for consistency. If they can regain the confidence they showed at the start of the season and improve their finishing in matches, they could still cause quite a stir in the table.
Gloris eSports
Gloris eSports’ season has followed a very similar pattern to that of the Foxes. A strong start to the campaign followed by a noticeably tougher second half. The team began with four consecutive wins, which was one of the best starts among our partners. Victories of 13–10 against MissComm, 13–3 against Tani eSports, 13–11 against KHOLODTSI and 13–7 against Sissi State Punks showed that the team can play effectively and, above all, consistently deliver results.
During this period, Gloris looked very solid as a unit. The players had a clear understanding of their roles, and their play was organised and well thought-out. They were able to control the pace of the matches and react to what was happening on the opposition’s side. They displayed a consistent level of performance in both attack and defence, which translated into confident victories. Everything suggested that the team could build on this momentum and establish themselves in the upper reaches of the table for the long term.
However, the second half of the season saw a marked dip in form. The 3–13 defeat to Pagrabs was the first clear sign that something was no longer working as it had before. In the matches that followed, the problems only deepened. Defeats against Bangs, SNITKO Esports and Team Phoenix confirmed that the team had lost its previous consistency.
Perhaps the most painful result was the 13–16 defeat, which showed that Gloris still have the potential to compete against tough opponents, but lack effectiveness at crucial moments. It is the finer details that have begun to tip the balance against them. Their 4–4 record accurately reflects the team’s current form. Gloris are still in the running for a solid finish. However, if they are to take the next step, they must quickly return to the form they showed at the start of the season and regain their consistency.
ESEA Main – a higher level, greater pressure
The ESEA Main division is a step up, where the competition becomes even more demanding, and experience and composure play a key role. Here, every match is a true test of skill, and winning or losing streaks can quickly change a team’s position in the table. Our partners present two completely different scenarios. Constrict Gaming’s story is one of recovery following a difficult start, whilst Vandals Clan have maintained a high standard from the outset and can be very pleased with their position. Both teams have played eight matches, which clearly demonstrate their current form.
Constrict Gaming
Constrict Gaming got off to a very difficult start to the current ESEA season and struggled to find their rhythm during the first few weeks. Their first four matches ended in defeats: 11–13 against PARTIZAN, 10–13 against LifeEbars, an extremely close 16–19 against Armitra Esports, and 11–13 against Rcave. The last two matches in particular showed just how close they came to turning things around. After all, the team were a step away from victory, but lacked effectiveness at crucial moments.
Despite the defeats, Constrict did not appear to be a team clearly out of their depth. In many phases of the game, they were able to put up an even fight, but the finer details regularly worked against them. Such a run of results could have had a negative impact on morale, especially as successive matches ended in a similar fashion. In this context, the break provided by the bye round proved much-needed and gave the team time to catch their breath and get their game back on track.
Upon returning to the server, Constrict looked like a completely different team. They then went on to secure three consecutive victories… 13–7 against SPIRIX, 13–7 against Melilla Titans and a comfortable 13–3 win against dragS. These results showed that the team had learnt from their mistakes and begun to play with much greater confidence. Communication had improved, decisions were more decisive, and the team was better at maintaining control over the flow of matches.
Their 4–4 record is unique in that it comprises two completely different phases of the season. A start marred by defeats and a finish marked by a winning streak paint a picture of a team that is only just finding its stride. If Constrict maintain their current form and continue to develop their game, they could prove to be one of the more difficult opponents in the decisive phase of the competition.
Vandals Clan
Vandals Clan is by far the best-performing team among those featured in this round-up. Their 6–2 record clearly shows that the team has maintained a high standard since the start of the season and is capable of scoring consistently. What sets them apart from other teams is, above all, their consistency and their ability to learn from even their weaker performances.
Their start was relatively smooth thanks to a walkover against GulaszOgnisty. However, the very next match brought a harsh reality check in the form of a 1–13 defeat to LPH Gaming. Such a result could have raised doubts about the team’s form. However, as it soon turned out, this was merely a temporary dip in form, rather than the start of a major crisis.
In the following matches, the Vandals began to play with much greater confidence and, above all, more effectively. Victories of 13–9 over SSPCS2 and 29AvgAge showed that they are capable of controlling the flow of matches and maintaining their lead at crucial moments. The 13–6 win against Erlamand was further proof that the team is comfortable with its style of play and can dictate the pace to its opponents.
The 4–13 defeat to Animgraph2 was another setback, but the Vandals got back on track very quickly. A hard-fought 16–13 victory over FAST LAYNERS demonstrated their mental resilience and ability to win tough matches. This was followed by a confident 13–6 win over Cyber Park Arena, which only served to confirm that the team is maintaining a consistent level of form.
It is precisely this consistency that is Vandals Clan’s greatest strength. The team not only wins, but does so consistently, which is of immense importance at this level of competition. If they maintain their current standard and avoid major dips in form, they can realistically aim for a very high position at the end of the season and play a significant role in the final stages of the competition.
The crucial phase of the season in ESEA Intermediate and Main is beginning
The competition in the Intermediate and Main divisions highlights just how big a step up this is from the lower tiers. There’s no room for prolonged slumps here, and any run of poor form very quickly affects a team’s position in the table. VoFoxen and Gloris are still searching for consistency, Constrict Gaming seem to be finding their rhythm, whilst Vandals Clan are confirming their strong form and aspirations to challenge at the top. The end of the season promises to be extremely interesting, as the gaps between the teams are not large. However, every single match could prove crucial. If current trends continue, we can expect both surprises and a fierce battle for the top spots.
VoFoxen
Gloris eSports
Constrict Gaming
English 
Polish 