As Blizzcon approaches, let’s take a look at the European Qualifiers for the Overwatch World Cup.
The European qualifier features 6 groups of 5 teams, who will compete for 6 qualification spots at the LAN tournament. Each group will play in a best-of-three round robin format with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage. The first seed from each group will be matched against a random second seed to determine which team will move onto the LAN finals at Blizzcon.
With the sheer number of high level players on each national team, Europe looks to be the most competitive qualifier, as well as the home of the likely World Cup winner. Check out our picks from each group!
Group A: Germany, Baltic & Caspian Sea, Ireland, Poland, South Africa
Winners: Germany
Captained by Envyus’ InternetHulk, Germany are the favorites of the group. With notable professionals, like Misfits’ Skipjack, Dignitas’ Art1er, and Le Mixx’s Kr4tosDigger, team Germany looks to bring the firepower to the qualifier. The lineup also features former G2 player Bur1x and high elo player, Asura, both of whom are more than ready to go toe to toe with the best in the world.
Runners up: Baltic & Caspian Sea
Yes, the name of this team might be weird, but we would not be surprised to see these players upset Germany or another group’s first seed. Led by REUNITED’s Vallutaja, this team is stacked with promising talent: Tornado ROX’s clozz, Faze’s Forsak3n, ANOX’s anax, and Evoks' Evokje. This dark horse team has the luxury of obscurity, as other teams may overlook this loaded roster to prepare for some of the more notable adversaries in the competition. Do not be surprised to see them take out a big name or two on their way to Blizzcon.
Group B: Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, United Kingdom
Winners: Finland
So apparently, Finland has started scrimmaging already? This bodes badly for the rest of the entrants, as Finland was already a top two threat entering the tournament. The Finns have it all from starpower to firepower. Envyus’ Taimou, Dignitas’ LiNkz, and NiP’s Zappis, Mafu, and hymzi comprise an extremely strong team, whose only problem might be deciding who plays support. Look for them to crush the majority of their opponents, as they make a deep run at the LAN finals.
Runners Up: United Kingdom
We give the United Kingdom the edge for their starpower. REUNITED’s Kruise and Dignitas’ Numlocked should be enough to run through the other members of the group. It should be noted this team is lacking a certain three-letter player, who may have given them a huge upgrade in firepower. Their run through the group stage will not be without trouble, as teams Iceland and Hungary could provide some bumps in the road.
Group C: France, Croatia, Norway, Portugal, Ukraine
Winners: Ukraine
Group C is arguably the EU qualifier’s group of death. No team sticks out more than the others, but we believe Ukraine will take an upset victory over the runners-up France. Ukaine brings a lot of upside to the table, especially with Reason Gaming’s Awpteamoose, Kabina ot Kamaza’s GunroX, and Kuroneko all being notable players in their own right. Look for strong leadership from team captain, Kensi, to lead this band of upstarts to first place in their group.
Runners-Up: France
This team potentially could have been stacked. ESL Atlantic Showdown winner, Rogue, features 4 French players, and Melty eSports Club boasts 5 French players. Unfortunately, only one player from each roster made it to the final qualifier team. Still, the starpower from DeGuN, KnoxXx, and Kryw will be more than enough to carry the team to a respectable finish, but a bad matchup in the knockout stage could leave France out of the Blizzcon picture.
Group D: Sweden, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Turkey
Winners: Sweden
Sweden has always had a great pedigree of furniture stores, meatballs, and FPS players. This squad is no different. The Swedes are literally bringing a team who could have won the ESL Atlantic Showdown. With a full stacked roster featuring players in every role, Sweden looks to be the favorites to not only plow through their entire group, but the entire Blizzcon tournament. The abundance of high quality supports might force someone off-role, but the boys in blue and yellow will be more than prepared.
Runners-up: Romania
Romania boasts an interesting combination of relatively lesser known players and being in a group with the least clear runner-up. Led by Mezamorphis of Le Mixx, Team Romania has the potential to use their relative obscurity to bring new strategies and executes to the qualifiers. Keep an eye out for the likes of Daryus and Atomicus to break out and show the rest of the world what they are missing.
Group E: Bulgaria, Israel, Italy, Russia, Switzerland
Winners: Russia
Russia and the CIS region have often been overlooked in the competitive FPS scene, but this tournament offers a very good look at what the cold lands have been brewing for the rest of the world. Experience is no problem, as the Russian squad features four high profile players in Rubikon, Cypher, Unfixed, and Shadowburn. Expect to see this roster go far with their aggressive play. The only potential issue is the plethora of Genji players in this lineup. Hopefully, the opportunity to win an international title for their country gives Russia the boost they need to come out on top.
Runners-up: Italy
If Group C is the group of death, Group E is the group of life. Italy will have to depend on the core of ExAequo to make the push through the rest of the teams. ExAequo has had a solid run recently, but have been unable to break into the discussion of the top tier European teams. A solid performance here would bring some of these players into the spotlight, as well as promote growth of Overwatch in southern Europe.
Group F: Austria, Benelux,Czech Republic, Serbia, Spain
Winners: Spain
No one expects the Spanish Inquisition. Spain has flown under the radar, despite fielding what could potentially be one of the nuttiest lineups at the Qualifiers. Stone Templars have shown flashes of greatness, which could be amplified with help from some of the veterans on the Spanish team in the form of HarryHook, Winghaven, and Bromas. Oddly enough, Spain has arguably two of the best Soldier 76s in Bromas and HarryHook. Maybe the small quality of life changes to his spray might beckon a Spanish takeover.
Runners-Up: Benelux
The editor definitely did not pick Benelux because Harambe was team captain. Focusing more on the core of the lineup, Spree and Dante are notable names in the European scene, and EZZE’s experience in the FPS community cannot be understated. However, the key to victory lies in Faze 2Easy, who has once before crafted a team of promising players into a tier 1 squad. Look to see 2Easy lead by example and pull the team to the knockout stage.
Do you feel like we missed your country's team? Did we underestimate how good some of the players are? Let us know in the comments below!
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