The ESL Pro League in Europe is entering its second week, after a hectic opening which brought some unexpected results.
Currently tied at the top with team-to-beat Astralis – at least in terms of win/loss – are fellow Danish side North, who had fairly limited expectations given their recent roster changes.
With the additions of both cadiaN and gade, North were able to post a 6-2 record in the opening week, with their only two losses being narrow ones (16-13 and 16-14).
This week is a major test for cadiaN, in particular, as he looks to lead his squad against two difficult opponents in Natus Vincere and FaZe Clan, each with skill intensive line-ups.
North have a chance to create some distance from the middle of the pack, with hopes of a solid week despite the myriad of games on their slate.
FaZe face tough week
A team looking to prove themselves are FaZe Clan, who currently sit at 5-3 despite a fairly lax opening schedule.
Week 2 sees a shift for FaZe Clan, with an incredibly difficult stretch of games, all of which come as they try to settle under new in-game leader NiKo. A star player turned in-game leader, NiKo has done this before but the removal of karrigan from this post shows unrest with the team, with the continued possibility of a roster change on the horizon.
Still, FaZe have one of the most talented line-ups ever constructed in Counter Strike, with a slew of players able to carry them through any given map. They will now look to put those unexpected first-week results behind them and bid to emerge from Week 2 in an upswing.
Changes at mousesports
A team with apparent roster moves already under way are mousesports, with a report coming out that they have benched Snax. Only added on June 27, it appears as though Snax has been replaced by the player who was removed for him in the first place, with STYKO returning to the starting roster.
With the Snax decision being a peculiar move in the first place, the addition of STYKO will once again reduce the overall skill ceiling of the squad, but bring in a much-needed facilitator in terms of both play and communication.
While mouz were able to win ESL One: New York and temporarily stave off roster moves, it appears the time has come for change, with the squad pulling out of the forthcoming EPICENTER event.
Given STYKO has already played extensively with this squad, this roster move should require a shorter settling-in period than most and there should be fairly decent success even early on as mouz look to progress from a 5-3 opening week.
With only four best-of-twos scheduled, mouz do not have the most strenuous week, but they do have some fairly difficult match-ups with Natus Vincere, BIG and FaZe all due to be faced. The hope is that the addition of STYKO will result in a resurgence from ropz, who fell off after his departure.
Space Soldiers have distractions
The final team coming off a 5-3 opening week are Space Soldiers, who recently announced that every player would be leaving the team.
Despite the unease that is the current contract situation of the players, Space Soldiers are looking to follow up an impressive first week. Splitting 1-1 with Astralis, with their loss coming in triple overtime, Space Soldiers continue to prove they are a force to be reckoned with in online play.
One note for Space Soldiers’ schedule in Week 2 is that they have only three best-of-twos to contest and they have them all within the first three days of the week. Even against tough opposition, if Space Soldiers can ignore the outside distractions, this week presents an opportunity for them to vault towards the top of the standings.
