The results of the groups A/B at ESL Pro League Season 13

ESL Pro League Season 13 is slowly coming to its equator, while the battles in the first two groups have already been over. On the outcome of two local tournaments, some conclusions about the particular shape of the participating teams can be made. That’s why we have prepared a small review of groups A and B at ESL Pro League Season 13.

Group A

Like in the second group, there was a sensation. Complexity and FunPlus Phoenix have made it to the playoffs, while Heroic will fight in the Play-In stage for the right to proceed to the semi-final directly.

BIG, which lost its shape at the tournament, should be noticed among the sensations. The Germans did not show their fighting spirit, having achieved only one victory over Complexity. What is more, the team held the last place in the group, having lost to the obvious underdog in the face of Renegades. There are doubts that the reason for this failure was the absence of the gaming practice – the team has been at a bootcamp for a long time. The absence of fresh ideas or overcomplicated tactics is likely to be the reason. However, some preconditions for a replacement can be found there – XANTARES can’t deal with his role. 

Renegades, which destroyed BIG in the final round, deserves a few words too. However, the Australians are still on a different level, there even was no sign of Renegades trying to get used to the stronger Europeans.

OG faced problems a long time ago – the team does not gather at a bootcamp at all due to the incredibly international roster. However, niko who had signed the full contract has not brought additional confidence to the team. In doing so, the team pretended to make it through the group but spontaneous ideas and the absence of a distinct structure messed up all attempts of OG. As a result, ISSAA has already parted ways with the team, so there is a chance that we will see another attempt to assemble a capable European roster.

Funplus Phoenix realized the problems of their opponents nicely, having taken what was theirs. There is nothing to say about this time because there will be no such chances in the playoffs. However, Funplus Phoenix deserves attention at least for passing the group.

Complexity shows that it has lacked its sniper for a few months. When poizon arrived, the team’s results came back suddenly. Complexity has a good potential, which can be realized in the playoffs.

Heroic and a honeymoon are comparable terms. After making transfers, the team started playing in a new way, which brings its results for now. However, the team will have to pass its strength test in Play-In where it will play against the opponent of its level.

Group B

It is the most controversial group of all that were played at the championship. First of all, two favorites have been eliminated at once here. Secondly, the sensation in the face of ENCE was close to placing first. After all, only G2 managed to meet the expectations but even it did not avoid losses. As a result, NiP, which was expected to show a decent play by very few people, made it to Play-In.

mousesports is trying to regroup in the game but they are not too successful now. The decision to invite dexter who does not stand out both individually and tactically is very strange. The Australian tries to coordinate the team but the results of his work were noticed only in the last round. As a result, the deserved elimination from the tournament and the last place with three points. But if ropz leaves mousesports, the roster should be disbanded as useless.

FaZe Clan seemed to play well at IEM Katowice 2021. However, the team did not make it there. What is more, the return of karrigan looked pretty successful in theory. But the practice proves that the Dane does not fit the squad. But the team has other issues, which it has not been able to solve for months. One of them is the instability even on one particular map. If the situation does not change in the near time, we will be able to talk about the failure of the project again.

Vitality reminds us of NAVI in 2019. It has a strong roster with the obviously marked star in the face of ZywOo. However, the team does not do its best, failing one match after another. The French had chances to proceed to the playoffs. But the loss to NiP doubted the viability of this roster. Maybe, the old players who can’t play right in difficult situations only using their experience should be removed. But now, the team suffers from a deep crisis, which can be fixed with the help of accurate roster changes.

G2 impresses so far. The replacement of kennyS was worth it on a short distance. However, the team will face problems later. The team probably can have a honeymoon now when they do everything they want. However, G2 had issues even here and we can’t say that the Balkan-French passed the group easily.

ENCE assembled a good roster, which surprises with its preparation. However, there is a chance in the future that the project will disband. First of all, none of the players proved himself in the TIER-1 scene. Secondly, the factor of allu leaves a shred of doubts. After all, the experienced Finn was part of many ENCE rosters but all the time, he was the one responsible for disbandments.

NiP held the first place without anybody noticing, however, there are doubts in their play. The young roster demonstrated a few cool matches again but the failure should be expected in a long-term perspective. The Swedes had similar standouts in the past, which were over quickly in matches against strong opponents. We just have to wait till the moment when NiP finally multiplies its talent and hard work by interesting ideas.