A well established CSGO contenders, teams SAW and Eternal Fire, who went unbeaten through the top bracket, have become the first two teams from the online Conference in Europe to earn their spot in the ESL Pro League Season 17 group stage. The remaining candidates will continue to compete in the lower bracket for the final position in the league’s next stage.
SAW has experienced its greatest success since hiring Joo #story Vieira and Michel #ewjerkz Pinto in July 2022, with seasoned Spaniard Omar #arki Chakkor taking on the coach job. This qualifying is a significant step forward for SAW.
After missing out on the previous Pro League, which they assisted FTW in qualifying for, immediately following the switch between the two Portuguese teams last summer, the two newcomers will now feel vindicated.
The Journey To Season 17
Making it to ESL Pro League is also a huge confidence booster for Eternal Fire. The team had a difficult time keeping its lineup stable in 2022, which led to the departure of star players AWPer Zgür #woxic Eker and Ahmet #paz Karahoca and the return of in-game leader Engin #MAJ3R Küpeli. By defeating top 20 side Sprout in their final match, the Turkish team not only did so in style but also claimed a significant victory.
In addition, there are two spots available at each of the ESL Pro League Conference 17 tournaments in North America, South America, Asia, and Oceania.
However, this will be the final season the Conference system will be used as the ESL Pro League will be reorganized with a 32-team roster in order to “ensure a more global representation of teams in the core of the tournament while maximising the importance of each match.”
ESL Pro Season 17 – When & Where?
The actual ESL Pro League Season 17 will take place in Malta from February 22 to March 26 and will last one week less than originally planned because the Conference Stage will be played online long before the real event begins.
ForZe and Sprout, the two teams that fell short in the upper bracket semifinals, will compete for a spot in the final four against teams like 9INE, Endpoint, and Falcons who have already suffered one defeat in the double-elimination bracket.
Babos and SINNERS have now lost two straight games and are out of the running, while HEET withdrew before the competition had started due to a restructure.
