IEM Cologne ended on July 18, and since then, top-tier teams have been on break, which will conclude in early August. That’s when the teams will start preparing for the ESL Pro League Season 14. The tournament itself kicks off on August 16 with the match Heroic vs. Bad News Bears. Besides these two teams, the group includes Spirit, Vitality, ENCE, and Astralis. We aim to break down the team dynamics in the group, identify the favorites and underdogs.
Team Vitality
For the average CIS fan, Team Vitality is synonymous with ZywOo and his rivalry with Aleksandr Kostyliev. While S1mple and NaVi are thriving, things haven’t been as smooth for the French player. His individual performance remains top-notch—Mathieu Herbaut is still exceptional—but the same can’t be said for the team as a whole. This year, the French squad hasn’t won any tournaments and has only secured two podium finishes. Vitality’s win rate over the last three months is 62.5%. Results from the last three events:
- IEM Cologne: 9-12th place.
- IEM Summer: 3-4th place.
- Flashpoint 3: 7th place.
Expected position in the group: 1-2. Despite the underwhelming results, the team remains in the top 10 and rarely misses the playoffs. Vitality should advance to the main stage based on their skill level.
Heroic
The Scandinavian team started the year strongly but faded by mid-season. This year, cadiaN and his crew won ESL Pro League 13, and they placed in the top three at DreamHack Masters Spring 2021, Blast Premier Showdown, and cs_summit 7. b0rup and niko were replaced by sjuush and refrezh. Heroic also lost their coach—Hunden was fired and faced legal action. The team’s win rate is 50%. Recent results:
- IEM Cologne: 7-8th place.
- IEM Summer: 9-12th place.
- Flashpoint 3: 3-4th place.
Expected position in the group: 1-2. The team lacks a standout star, with players performing at a similar level and no one notably underperforming. Heroic’s issues might be psychological, stemming from the scandals.
Astralis
The Danes continue to experiment with their roster: they sold dev1ce to Ninjas in Pyjamas, and Bubzkji returned from the bench after a long absence. Recently, they signed Philip «Lucky» Ewald, who previously played for Tricked. There were rumors they tried to sign blameF and k0nfig, but Complexity refused to part with their leaders. Astralis’s win rate over the last three months is 42.9%. Latest results:
- IEM Cologne: 3-4th place.
- IEM Summer: 9-12th place.
- Flashpoint 3: 6th place.
Expected position in the group: 3-4. Astralis is still struggling to finalize their roster and coaching, leading to inconsistency. Plus, as recent games show, they desperately need a sniper. Whether Lucky can replace dev1ce remains a big question.
Spirit
Spirit may trail behind NaVi and Gambit this season, but they’re still meeting their key objectives. The Russians are second in RMR points and are qualifying for the Major as «Legends.» They consistently make it to major events while also competing in tier-2 tournaments for extra earnings. In March, Spirit ranked 6th in the world. Their win rate is 64%. Results:
- Pinnacle Cup 2: 1st place.
- IEM Cologne: 13-16th place.
- StarLadder CIS RMR: 3rd place.
Expected position in the group: 3-4. Spirit is a solid team with one of the best captains in the post-Soviet region, an excellent sniper, strong riflers, and support. Yes, they finished last at Cologne, but their match against Heroic was extremely close, and they picked the wrong maps against FaZe Clan. Against top teams, they lose due to minor lapses and loss of focus.
ENCE
The Finnish team rarely competes in major tournaments anymore, having shifted to tier-2 status. However, with allu’s departure, things might improve. They brought in Oleksandr «hades» Mishkevych, who previously played for Polish teams Wisla Krakow and Avez, as a free agent. The Pole is more consistent than the Finn, who often vanished in key games. In the world rankings, the Finnish organization is 24th. Their win rate over three months is 77.3%. Latest tournaments:
- Pinnacle Cup 2: 9-12th place.
- Elisa Invitational Summer: 5-8th place.
- Gamers Without Borders: 3-4th place.
Expected position in the group: 5. ENCE is playing with a refreshed lineup—doto has been with the team for 9 months, and the others even less. It’s unrealistic to expect stellar results, though the players are individually capable.
Bad News Bears
The American team qualified for ESL Pro League by winning Season 36 of ESEA Premier in their region. A recent roster change saw Peter «ptr» Gurney leave, replaced by Payton «junior» Johnson, formerly a sniper for Furia Esports. I doubt even junior can help them reach the playoffs, given how the NA region has declined in recent years. The lack of competition and players switching disciplines hasn’t helped their progress. Recently, BNB competed in IEM Cologne qualifiers and couldn’t put up a fight against LDLC. Their win rate over three months is 61.9%. Results:
- ESEA Summer Cash Cup 3: 1st place.
- IEM Cologne Play-In: 13-16th place.
- ESEA Summer Cash Cup 2: 2nd place.
Expected position in the group: 6. Clear underdogs not just in the group but in the entire tournament. It’s a stretch if they win even one match.
