Umut ‘RBLZ_Umut’ Gültekin has made a strong start to the FC Pro Open: The Leipzig native is in second place after the first matchday of Group A. Another German has to fear for the play-offs to the World Championship
Umut ‘RBLZ_Umut’ Gültekin recently told eSport that missing out on qualification for the FIFAe World Cup 2023 was “by far the most emotional moment” of the past season. For a second time in a row, the eSportsman from RB Leipzig does not want to watch the individual World Cup as a spectator. ‘RBLZ_Umut’ laid the foundation for his entry into the FC Pro World Championship 2024 on Monday – at the start of the new “Super League” from EA SPORTS.
The FC Pro Open celebrated its premiere. However, only five of the 20 best FC 24 players in the world were on show for the time being. Each week it is the turn of one group, starting with A. And the organizer had a real eSports treat in store: Club World Champion Gültekin was up against eChampions League winner Emre ‘EmreYilmaz’ Yilmaz. Both are considered big favorites in Group A – and underlined this status
Lead, comeback, 4:4 – madness in the top match
Gültekin got off to a dream start and took the lead after nine in-game minutes. The world-class players then engaged in a spectacular exchange of blows. ‘EmreYilmaz’ equalized before the break and made it 2:1 shortly after the restart. In the 64th minute, the Dutchman increased the lead to 3:1 and ‘RBLZ_Umut’ was put under pressure. However, the eFootballer of the Year 2023 once again proved his enormous strength of nerve.
Gültekin turned the game around with three goals in just 16 in-game minutes. Ultimately, however, he had to settle for a point, as Yilmaz struck back in the closing stages – and crowned the high-class encounter 4:4.
After that, it was a German-German duel between ‘RBLZ_Umut’ and Rostock’s Lukas ‘Lukas_Official11’ Wolff. The RBLZ professional scored his first win, but had to fight hard for it in a 2:1 victory. Finally, Gültekin defeated runner-up Mark ‘Mark11’ Zakhary (7:5) and Alejandro ‘H1dalgo’ Hidalgo (8:5). He demonstrated both great offensive qualities and one or two defensive vulnerabilities.
‘RBLZ_Umut’ finished the first half of the group stage with ten points, which puts them level on points with leaders ‘EmreYilmaz’ in second place. The lead over third-placed ‘H1dalgo’ is four points. Only the best duo in each of the four groups will ultimately advance to the FC Pro Open Championship in February. The four individual World Championship participants will then be determined from the remaining eight eSports players in a knockout system
First upgrades for FUT special cards of the eSports promo
On the table, ‘Lukas_Official11’ follows ‘H1dalgo’. The Hansa player lost 3:4 to the Spaniard at the start, and there was not much to be gained against ‘EmreYilmaz’ (3:7). The VBL pro was visibly frustrated by his 2-1 defeat to Gültekin, as he was threatened with a first matchday without points. However, Wolff was able to partially redeem himself in the final match against ‘Mark11’: A commanding 5:1 keeps his hopes alive for a big comeback in the second half of the season on January 8th
At the same time, ‘Lukas_Official11’ gave some FUT players a boost for one of their properties. The Rostockian was assigned the special card of Randal Kolo Muani as part of the eSports promo “FC Pro Live”. After all, this receives an Inform upgrade. ‘RBLZ_Umut’, on the other hand, also plays on behalf of Renan Lodi, whose item also receives a new PlayStyle and an alternative position in addition to two Inform upgrades
The Leipzig native presented his corresponding player card on November 18 on X and announced: “The Kurdish-Brazilian combo will do it.” Whether Gültekin and Atletico pro Lodi will actually make it to the play-offs and thus further FUT upgrades remains to be seen, of course. However, ten points out of a possible twelve represents an all-round successful start. And brings ‘RBLZ_Umut’ one step closer to the 2024 FIFA World Cup
