While Rocket League held nothing special in Asia and South America, Europe became a fairytale continent. An unlikely contender with a mathematical chance actually qualified for the Major.
Often, teams still had a theoretical chance of qualifying for a Major by winning a regional. In the long history of the RLCS in Europe, Geekay Esports is the first team to achieve this. The underdog celebrated a splendid run, won the third regional and can look forward to the Major in Birmingham.
Europe: ecstasy for Geekay Esports
The fairy-tale last-minute qualification had a particularly curious twist: winning the third regional would not have been enough for the organization, they also needed help. Geekay got that – to the chagrin of their main rival, the Ninjas in Pyjamas, who were knocked out in the quarterfinals.
But Geekay also earned his heroic triumph through his own outstanding performance. The English-Dutch trio seemed to have transformed, winning the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals 4-0 each time. Not even the almost untouchable Karmine Corp players were able to escape the Geekay Esports avalanche in the final.
How did this increase in performance come about? “‘Archie’ and I have each reduced our hours by 25 per week,” said England international Joe ‘Joyo’ Young, who is in the service of Geekay on X. Sometimes, less seems to be more after all.
In addition to Geekay and Karmine Corp, whose participation in Major had been certain even before the start of this regional, Team Vitality and Dignitas qualified for the Birmingham Major. Europe is sending a formidable – and, for a change, not purely French – delegation to Birmingham.
Asia: From the third time, it becomes a tradition
Luminosity Gaming’s winning streak could not be stopped this time either. The team around the German Leonardo ‘Catalysm’ Christ Ramos won the third regional 4:2 against Elevate. “It couldn’t have gone better,” the German on X said.
Overall, Luminosity played an almost perfect split, losing only two series. Date of last loss: January 10.
The trio must be aware that things will be different at the Major. Nevertheless, it is a good mental starting point for ‘Catalysm’ and his teammates, ‘Sphinx’ and Gianluca ‘Sosa’ Petrozza. As the dominators of Asia, they now represent the continent in Birmingham.
For Catalysm, it is the second Major appearance of his career after three years. His first Major ended with a shared seventh place, a similar result this year would be remarkable.
South America: FURIA gives and takes hope
After FURIA had already qualified at the end of the second regional, there was only one more major spot to be awarded in South America. FURIA was also to play a leading role in this award.
First, the Brazilian team won against Team Secret in the semi-finals 4:3, jeopardizing Team Secret’s almost certain Major participation. In the final, Team Secret’s closest rival, Godfidence, was already waiting. A victory against FURIA would have secured a decisive tiebreaker series against Team Secret.
But the hope that FURIA had sown for Godfidence was immediately taken away by the team. FURIA won the final 4-1. The second team to represent South America at the Birmingham Major is Team Secret.
The first three regions have been decided. Seven of the 16 participants in the Birmingham Major have been determined. The drama that unfolded in Europe was particularly impressive. The remaining four regions will have to deliver next weekend.
The qualified teams at a glance
EU: Karmine Corp, Team Vitality, Dignitas, Geekay Esports
SAM: FURIA, Team Secret
APAC: Luminosity Gaming
